If it weren’t for the concern with Carson Strong’s right knee in which he had to replace cartilage with cartilage from a cadaver in 2021, we might be talking about the former Nevada quarterback as a first-round pick. Watching the film, he’s only second to Liberty’s Malik Willis when it comes to arm talent. Strong has been open about his recovery process. He said his dad advised him not to play the first part of last season because the surgery he had typically required a year to heal and he came back in six months. Strong was determined to be there for his team and boost his draft stock. He admitted his knee affected his play and mobility.

Despite the injury, he threw for 4,175 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, while completing 70 percent of his passes in an offense that emphasized vertical passes. Strong practiced and played in the Senior Bowl without a knee brace. If there were a game today, he could play but the concern is with the longevity of his surgically repaired knee.

“Each team views it a little differently,” said Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert. “(Strong) has had numerous surgeries and is healthy to go play a game right now. But long-term there are concerns. Enough that will take him off some boards. Decent chance he’ll end up being a terrific value for the team willing to take the chance.”

Strong throws a beautiful deep ball, can zip passes into tight windows and has a good sense of ball placement. He has experience playing under center in a heavy dropback offense, can manipulate defenses and changes protections and audibles at the line of scrimmage. As far as traits, his biggest weakness is his mobility, but if you’re betting on him, you’re betting that he’ll be able to move better as his knee continues to heal.

At Cal, 6:39 remaining in the second quarter, first-and-10

On this play, Nevada had a post/out route combination called — a common quarters coverage beater.

In these types of coverages, if the No. 2 receiver (second receiver from the sideline) runs vertical, the safety over him would have to lock onto him in man coverage.

To ensure that the safety would bite, Strong aligned his feet like he was going to throw the out. The safety came off the roof to drive on the out, leaving the middle of the field open for the post.

With no one defending the middle of the field and the corner playing with outside leverage, Strong uncorked a bomb with touch that led his receiver to the end zone for the touchdown.

Strong also utilizes the middle of the field and can throw with velocity and fit passes in-between zones.

At Kansas State, 4:42 remaining in the third quarter, third-and-5

On third-and-5, Nevada had a variation of “mesh” called. The main feature of mesh is the two receivers crossing in the middle of the field. But usually on the play, a deeper route would be the alert or quarterback’s first read because it takes time for the two crossers to intersect and you don’t want the quarterback staring down a route as he waits for it to develop. On this play, the outside receiver running a post was Strong’s alert or first read.

Kansas State tried to disguise its defense with a late safety rotation. Strong saw the late rotation and decided to hit the post.

The biggest drawback with going to the post even with the safety out of position is that he would have a running head start as he tries to get to the middle of the field before the snap. The free safety almost made a play and the outside corner had tight coverage on the receiver on the ball, but Strong threw a laser in between them for the touchdown.

Aside from his ability to run, Strong’s knee also appeared to affect his dropbacks, which affected his timing on some throws. His drop looked gingerly and out of control at times because he couldn’t play with a powerful base. His footwork could be erratic — this is something he’ll have to continue to clean. However, when he knew where he wanted to go with the ball, he showed good anticipation and threw passes before or as his target would uncover.

vs. San Jose State, 7:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, third-and-10

On third-and-10, with the score tied 17-17, Nevada was in a two-by-two formation. To Strong’s left, the outside receiver ran a “basic” (10-12 yards in). On the other side, the slot receiver ran a crosser at a high angle.

At the top of his drop, Strong gave a subtle pump fake to the basic, causing the safety to jump the route. This left a void deep for the slot coming from the other side of the field.

Before his receiver got past the safety, Strong put the ball upfield and slightly behind so that the safety had no chance to recover and make a play on the ball.

Nevada’s offensive line wasn’t very talented and being as immobile as he was, Strong was still able to make spectacular passes under pressure and off-platform.

At Fresno State, 9:15 remaining in the third quarter, first-and-10

Nevada had a double post concept called.

Fresno State played aggressive man-to-man defense across the board. Both safeties came up and locked on man-to-man with the slot and tight end. They were essentially in Cover 0 (man-to-man with no deep help). This type of coverage usually comes with an aggressive blitz to force the ball out of the quarterback’s hand — oddly, Fresno State only rushed three.

The three-man rush went right through Nevada’s offensive line. With a defender in his face, Strong had to throw deep off his back foot.

Still, Strong was able to throw a good ball and allowed his receiver to make a play. With the defense in man with no deep defender in the middle of the field, the chances for an interception weren’t very high. Strong took a calculated risk throwing deep off his backfoot but he put the ball in a good location and was rewarded.

According to Pro Football Focus, Strong is tied for first with 55 big-time throws since 2020. Basically, big-time throws are throws that are high in difficulty and value. For example, a long-distance throw into a tight window that results in a third-down conversion or touchdown would be considered a big-time throw. Even though Strong attempted a lot of high difficulty throws, he’s only thrown 19 interceptions in his three seasons as a starter.

Strong has prototypical size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), has good arm talent, is aggressive and has experience throwing concepts that will translate to the NFL. His mobility could be an issue but again if you’re betting on his knee, you’re betting that he can move a little better if he gets healthier. He’ll never be confused for Josh Allen, but you don’t have to be a scrambler to win in the NFL. Drafting him will be a gamble with his medical history, but if he can get healthy and stay healthy, a team could be getting a first-round type talent at the most important position later in the draft.

(Top photo of Carson Strong: Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images)