Tanner McKee's 2025 Blueprint: 3 Essential Steps to Stardom
Is Tanner McKee the Eagles' next great developmental QB? We break down his Stanford career, surprising draft slide, and why he could be a major NFL steal.
Daniel Carter
Former college scout with a passion for analyzing NFL prospects and player development.
What defines a "steal" in the NFL Draft? Is it the superstar taken in the late rounds who becomes a Hall of Famer? Or is it the player who wildly outperforms their draft slot, providing immense value to their team for a fraction of the cost? In a league obsessed with athletic marvels and highlight-reel plays, sometimes the most valuable finds are the ones hiding in plain sight.
Enter Tanner McKee. The 6'6" quarterback from Stanford was once discussed as a potential Day 2 pick, a classic pro-style passer with a cannon for an arm. Yet, on draft weekend, he slid... and slid... all the way to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round. Was this a red flag, or did one of the NFL's smartest front offices just fleece the rest of the league? Let’s dive into the story of Tanner McKee and analyze why he might just be the anatomy of a perfect draft steal.
Who is Tanner McKee? Beyond the Helmet
Before he was slinging passes at Stanford or in the NFL preseason, Tanner McKee was a highly-touted prospect from Centennial High School in Corona, California. A four-star recruit, he had his pick of top-tier college programs. However, McKee’s path was different from that of his peers. Following his graduation, he embarked on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Curitiba, Brazil.
This experience, while delaying his football career, is often cited as a source of his maturity, discipline, and unflappable demeanor. He returned from his mission fluent in Portuguese and with a worldview that extended far beyond the football field. When he finally arrived at Stanford, he wasn't a typical 18-year-old freshman; he was a 20-year-old man, ready to take command of a huddle.
The Stanford Years: A Pro-Style Prodigy in a Tough Spot
At Stanford, McKee operated in a complex, pro-style offense under then-coach David Shaw—an environment that is notoriously challenging for young quarterbacks but excellent preparation for the NFL. Over two seasons as the starter, his record was a less-than-stellar 7-17. But as any scout will tell you, a quarterback's win-loss record in college is often a poor indicator of their professional potential.
A closer look at the tape reveals a different story. McKee was consistently let down by subpar offensive line play and a lack of dynamic playmakers around him. Despite constant pressure, he showcased the very traits that NFL teams covet in a pocket passer:
- Pinpoint Accuracy: He demonstrated a remarkable ability to fit the ball into tight windows, especially on intermediate routes.
- Poise Under Duress: Even with the pocket collapsing, McKee often stood tall, kept his eyes downfield, and delivered an accurate pass just before taking a hit.
- NFL-Level Arm Talent: He can make every throw required in a pro offense, from deep outs to seam routes, with velocity and touch.
He finished his Stanford career with 5,336 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. The numbers don't leap off the page, but the context is crucial. He was a polished passer making the most of a difficult situation.
The 2023 NFL Draft: The Surprising Slide
Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, McKee was a polarizing figure. Analysts who valued traditional quarterback traits had him pegged as a potential third or fourth-round pick. They saw a quarterback who could step in and execute a West Coast offense from day one. His performance at the NFL Combine's throwing drills only reinforced this; his passes were crisp, on-time, and accurate.
Then came the athletic testing. In an era where quarterback mobility is prized more than ever, McKee’s numbers set off alarm bells in draft rooms across the league. His 5.21-second 40-yard dash and poor agility scores placed him at the bottom of the quarterback class. Teams saw a statue in the pocket, a liability in a league where defensive ends seem to get faster every year.
This singular focus on his lack of mobility caused him to slide. Round after round, quarterbacks with lesser arms but better legs were selected ahead of him. Finally, with the 188th overall pick in the sixth round, the Philadelphia Eagles stopped his fall. For a team that already had a superstar mobile QB in Jalen Hurts, McKee's perceived weakness was an acceptable risk.
Tanner McKee's NFL Profile: Strengths & Weaknesses
To truly understand McKee's potential, it's best to look at his profile as a tale of two distinct skill sets. He is an elite example of one archetype and a poor example of another, which makes his evaluation so fascinating.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Pro-Ready Pocket Passer: Excellent footwork, mechanics, and timing from the pocket. | Limited Mobility: Lacks the speed to be a threat with his legs or consistently escape pressure. |
| High Football IQ: Processes information quickly, reads defenses well, and understands protections. | Off-Platform Throws: Accuracy and velocity decline significantly when he can't set his feet. |
| Elite Arm Talent: Has the velocity to challenge tight windows and the touch for layered throws. | Slow Release (at times): His elongated throwing motion can give defenders an extra split-second. |
| Ideal Size: At 6'6" and 231 lbs, he has the prototypical frame to see over the line and withstand hits. | Creativity Under Pressure: Less likely to create a "second play" when the initial play breaks down. |
Life as an Eagle: The Perfect Developmental Situation
If McKee could have hand-picked his landing spot, he couldn't have done much better than Philadelphia. The Eagles, under GM Howie Roseman, famously operate with a "QB Factory" philosophy, believing in constantly investing in the most important position in sports.
For McKee, this means there is zero pressure to play. He gets to sit in a quarterback room with Jalen Hurts, one of the league's best players and leaders, and learn. The Eagles boast one of the NFL's premier offensive lines, a system that would perfectly mask McKee's mobility concerns if he ever needed to play. Furthermore, he gets to learn from an offensive-minded staff led by Nick Sirianni and Kellen Moore, the latter of whom helped develop Dak Prescott—another quarterback who thrives from the pocket—into a star.
His 2023 preseason was a revelation. McKee looked far from a 6th-round rookie, displaying poise, command, and the same surgical accuracy he showed at Stanford. He decisively won the backup job and showed the world that his skills translate directly to the NFL. He looked, in short, like a steal.
What's Next for Tanner McKee?
So, what is the realistic outlook for Tanner McKee? His future likely falls into one of three categories:
- The High-End Backup: This is his most likely floor. A reliable, intelligent QB2 who can win you a few games if your starter goes down. Think of players like Chase Daniel or Gardner Minshew—guys who have carved out long, lucrative careers in this role. For a contending team like the Eagles, having a competent backup on a cheap rookie contract is an enormous competitive advantage.
- The Spot Starter/Bridge QB: In a few years, McKee could develop into a player another team targets as a bridge starter. A team drafting a rookie QB might sign McKee to start for a year, or a team with a solid roster but a hole at quarterback could see him as a viable, cost-effective solution.
- The Legitimate Starter: This is his ceiling. If he continues to develop and lands on a team that commits to building around his strengths—a strong offensive line, a play-action heavy scheme—he has the arm, intelligence, and pocket presence to be an effective NFL starter in the mold of a Kirk Cousins or a Matt Ryan.
The Final Verdict
Tanner McKee's draft slide was a direct result of a league-wide obsession with athletic testing over game tape. Teams saw his 40-time and flinched. The Eagles, however, saw a highly-skilled pocket passer with a high football IQ available at a massive discount.
While the NFL continues to chase the next athletic unicorn, there will always be a place for a quarterback who can master the art of playing from the pocket. Tanner McKee is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward prospect. He may never be a highlight-reel machine, but he has all the tools to become one of the most valuable draft picks from the 2023 class, proving that sometimes, the biggest steals aren't flashy—they're just smart.