NFL Draft 2023: Penn State QB Sean Clifford Scouting Report for Green Bay Packers Pick
Penn State Football QB Sean Clifford (14) throws a pass from the pocket during the Purdue Boilermakers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions game October 5, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)
The Green Bay Packers selected former Penn State Football quarterback Sean Clifford in the fifth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, in a bit of a surprising move, adding depth behind Jordan Love.
Prior to the draft, the Packers showed some significant interest in Clifford, hosting the former Nittany Lions’ starter for an official top-30 visit in Green Bay.
Clifford departs Happy Valley, following a 2,822 yard 2022 campaign with 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, leading Penn State Football to the Rose Bowl, where he offered arguably the finest performance of his collegiate career.
Against Utah’s stout defense, Clifford completed 16-of-21 passes for 120 yards with a pair of touchdowns, in the Lions’ 35-21 win over the Utes.
Here are scouting reports of new Packers quarterback Sean Clifford:
Clifford isn’t a liability in terms of talent, either. He logged a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 6.83 three-cone at his pro day — both very good numbers. He’s a good athlete, but Clifford doesn’t have the talent to elevate a unit. His creation capacity is visibly non-elite, and his arm is close to average. Additionally, he’s not quite at the level with his processing, decision-making, and accuracy to consistently counteract that.
In spite of all this, Clifford has a couple of very strong operational qualities that could solidify his projection. He has very solid mechanics in structure. And he’s quietly one of the better pocket operators in the class. He’s poised, composed climbing through lanes, quick to sense pressure, and aware of his outlets even when pressure bears down.
Clifford is an athletic quarterback who can play in a read-option system but doesn’t display any high-level arm talent to succeed in the league as a quarterback. He is only athletically inclined for the quarterback position and therefore wouldn’t be able to change positions in the league.
