Kellen Mond 2021 Fantasy & Dynasty Outlook with Vikings

Kellen Mond Fantasy Profile

Kellen Mond Fantasy Fit with Vikings

OK, Mr. Mond. You have my attention.

With his early Round 3 draft capital, Mond is officially a threat to starter Kirk Cousins.

Mond won’t challenge Cousins for the starting job in the offseason: Mond will open the year as the backup. And Cousins is under contract for two more years, so it’s easy to write off the idea that he could eventually lose out to the rookie. But if — when (cough) — Cousins underperforms, there will be those in the organization and fan base who start to petition for Mond to get playing time.

Maybe I’m wrong: Maybe Cousins will keep his job for the entirety of 2021. That’s fine.

The good news is that you don’t need to draft Mond in seasonal leagues to benefit from his upside. If Cousins struggles and Mond becomes the starter, you can pick him up, and maybe you’ll have yourself a league-winning Konami Code player. If Mond doesn’t overtake Cousins, no big deal — he’s on waivers.

In dynasty, Mond will be someone to draft as a late-round stash or monitor on waivers with long-term intent. Eventually, most Day 2 quarterbacks get a chance to start some games, I doubt that Mond will do much with his opportunities when he gets them — but maybe I’m wrong, and his rushing ability will at least give him an elevated fantasy floor.

Dynasty Fantasy Analysis

Note: The following was written before the NFL Draft.

Mond is one of those quarterbacks for whom I must (but don't actually want to) write a blurb. In other words, a quarterback who could go on Day 2 but also might slip into Day 3. A quarterback on the borderline between possible relevance and certain insignificance.

What Mond has going for him is his rushing ability. As a recruit, he was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in his class, and his 349-2,192-22 career rushing line at Texas A&M speaks to his overall Konami Code competence.

It's also in his favor that Mond was a four-year producer in college and saw action as a true freshman.

But his passing stats in college were modest: In only one season (2020) did he have even 8.5 adjusted yards per attempt (AY/A).

• 2017 (10 games): 51.5% completion rate | 227-1,375-8 passing | 5.1 AY/A
• 2018 (13 games): 57.3% completion rate | 415-3,107-24 passing | 7.7 AY/A
• 2019 (13 games): 61.6% completion rate | 419-2,897-20 passing | 6.9 AY/A
• 2020 (10 games): 63.3% completion rate | 297-2,282-19 passing | 8.5 AY/A

Mond had just 27 interceptions in 46 games, so he's not careless with the ball. He played in a pro-style offense, and he generally improved throughout his college career. As a senior, he took just eight sacks after allowing 19, 33 and 32 in the previous seasons (per SIS, 2021 Sports Info Solutions Football Rookie Handbook).

But he never took a significant step forward in any season, and he's average at almost everything to do with passing: He has average accuracy, anticipation and arm strength.

He's good at navigating the pocket and has the athleticism and awareness to extend plays, sometimes in dramatic fashion.

Of all the quarterbacks in this class, he's my favorite outside of the Big Five. With his rushing ability, he could be a fantasy contributor — especially in superflex and two-quarterback leagues — if he somehow becomes a starter.

But I doubt he ever becomes a regular NFL starter, and even if that happens, he will likely be more of a game manager with a built-in rushing floor and less of a playmaker with a coveted rushing ceiling.

If he goes in Round 2 — maybe even Round 3 — I might change my tune a little. With that draft capital, he could be a viable long-term hold in dynasty (depending on landing spot, of course).

But if Mond is drafted outside the top 100, he'll look like a career backup at best.

NFL Prospect Comp: Kevin Hogan but younger and not as accurate

Matthew Freedman is 1,018-828-37 (55.1%) overall betting on the NFL. You can follow him in our free app.