Why This 3rd & 7 Throw Graded 94 — Mahomes Pre-Snap Read
Video coming soon
Grade
94.2
Process
96.1
Result
88.5
What We See On Film
Pre-Snap Read
Mahomes surveys the secondary. Both safeties at 12 yards, outside leverage. This is Cover 2.
Protection Call
Points to the Mike linebacker, shifts the slide left to pick up the delayed nickel blitz.
Snap — Eyes Left
At the snap, Mahomes looks left. This holds the left safety in his zone and opens the seam on the right side.
Eyes Come Back Right
Head snaps right. The receiver is hitting the seam between the corner (who sunk with the #1) and the safety. The window is opening.
Ball Out — Anticipation
Ball is released BEFORE the receiver makes his final break. Mahomes is throwing to a spot, not a body. This is what a 94 on Timing looks like.
Ball Placement
Back shoulder, away from the closing safety. Only the receiver can catch this ball. Not perfect — slightly high, forcing a slight adjustment — but elite placement.
Result — 28 Yard Completion
First down. The play worked because the pre-snap read was right, the protection held, and the throw was on time. Process 96, Result 88.
The Full Picture
This is what elite quarterback play looks like on film. Pre-snap, Mahomes identifies a Cover 2 shell by reading the safety alignment — both safeties are at 12 yards with outside leverage. He knows the hole shot between the corner and safety is there if the corner sinks with the #1 receiver. He shifts protection to pick up the delayed blitz from the nickel. At the snap, his eyes go left to hold the safety, then come back right to the seam route. The ball is out before the receiver makes his final break — pure anticipation. Ball placement is on the back shoulder, away from the safety closing from the hash. The receiver catches in stride for 28 yards and a first down. Process: 96. Result: 88. The 8-point gap? The receiver had to adjust slightly — the ball was catchable but not perfectly in stride. But the decision-making and timing were flawless.
What To Look For
Watch the safeties pre-snap. In Cover 2, both safeties will be at the same depth with outside leverage. The hole shot — the throw between the corner and the safety — is the key read. Elite QBs see this before the snap and attack it immediately.