Simms excited about Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond, can see a fit with 49ers

While NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms raised eyebrows with his recent rookie quarterback ranking, placing Zach Wilson above Trevor Lawrence, he also started some chatter with his placement of Kellen Mond above both Justin Fields and Trey Lance.

Some questioned why Mond is being touted as a potentially good NFL quarterback when he wasn't necessarily a dominant college quarterback. Simms seems to feel that his faults can be attributed more to the coaching staff at Texas A&M, and when Mond had an opportunity to make a big play, he often hit on it.

"When I looked at the struggles of their offense ... I didn't come away going, 'Kellen Mond was the problem,'" Simms said on his podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

He added: "Mond has a true chance to be everything you want as an NFL quarterback."

That doesn't mean Simms feels Mond is without flaws. The analyst wishes the quarterback would play less tight and be more creative in making plays. However, that is something coachable and not a limitation related to ability. As for Mond's mechanics, Simms says he sees a little bit of Colin Kaepernick in the former Aggie, but that Mond is a more diverse thrower.

So, would Mond be a good fit for the San Francisco 49ers? Would Simms' friend, head coach Kyle Shanahan, be willing to take him as high as the No. 12 overall pick?

"I don't think that's crazy. I don't," Simms responded. "... I think he fits the Shanahan system. I think he's got everything Kyle would want. I do. Again, I see touch, I see anticipation, I see phenomenal throws with no room in the pocket.

"He can do some of the Zach Wilson stuff to where -- he throws a post in the North Carolina game at the end of the year ... he's got no room to throw it. It's barely about to come open, and he just kind of [throws it] with people around him and puts the ball in a spot where the guy can go get it. There's so many of those throws down the middle of the field, outside the numbers, that are in tight windows where I just go, 'Man, that was perfect.'"

Mond appeared in 10 games as a senior in 2020, completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,282 yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has passed for 9,661 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions in his four seasons with the Aggies.

Added Simms: "I think this guy is being really overlooked, and we'll see where this goes. I'm excited to see where this conversation goes with this guy."

You can listen to the entire Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode below. The analysis of Mond begins at about the 36-minute mark.