Not exactly a run-of-the-mill career for Davis Mills.
The Stanford quarterback was thrust into his first NFL action this past Sunday in relief of injured passer Tyrod Taylor, and Mills' results were mixed: The third-rounder went 8-for-18 passing with a touchdown and a pick in the 31-21 losing effort.
While Mills didn't exactly flash in his taste of NFL action, he is still one of the more intriguing rookie passers in the loaded 2021 NFL Draft quarterback class. While he wasn't a first-rounder or even a second-rounder, Mills was part of a second-tier of QB prospects who require some grooming.
With Taylor out and Deshaun Watson still embroiled in sexual assault allegations and on the outs with Houston, Mills is being thrown into the deep end starting on Thursday night.
Here's what you need know about him:
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Who is Davis Mills?
A 22-year-old Georgia native, Mills was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, signing with Stanford, next in a line of potentially great Cardinal passers.
Mills had to wait for his action, though: After suffering a knee injury that prematurely ended his high school career, Mills redshirted his freshman year at Stanford, eventually playing in a single game in 2018 as K.J. Costello's backup. Mills attempted just two passes in 2018 before backing up Costello once again in 2019.
Mills got his first extended action as a college QB in 2019 after Costello went down with an injury. He started six of eight games after Costello returned, tallying 1,960 yards on 65.6 percent passing, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Mills would play in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season for Stanford, playing in five games and throwing 1,508 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions (66.2 percent completion rate).
The limited resume of Mills led to his NFL Draft stock dropping precipitously: With just 13 games total of college polish, Mills slipped down the draft boards to No. 67 overall, going to the Texans in the third round of this year's draft.
As the eighth QB selected in the draft, Mills was preceeded by Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Zach Wilson (Jets), Trey Lance (49ers), Justin Fields (Bears), Mac Jones (Patriots), Kyle Trask (Buccaneers) and Kellen Mond (Vikings).
Davis Mills scouting report
Mills has good size (6-4, 217 lbs.) and an NFL quality arm. While there are some concerns over his left knee (which has given him multiple issues throughout his career), and his below-average mobility, should Mills develop, he could become a quality starter in the NFL as a pure pocket passer.
The issue with that: The limited tape and just 11 total starts while at Stanford means that he has a tough ladder to climb to get to that point. Still, Mills has the tools to make it work, if he can be coached up.
