Most NFL fans and analysts aren’t aware Davis Mills exists.
Keyshawn Johnson’s recent ranking of second-year quarterbacks is a great example. Johnson placed Mills at the bottom of his six quarterbacks, and his reason was simply a summary of what the Houston Texans’ plans were at quarterback for 2022.
If individuals are aware Mills exists, he is among the worst because he plays for the Texans and he lacks the name recognition and pelts on the wall previous signal callers in Houston had.
According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, Mills is actually underrated and made his list of the most underrated players entering 2022.
Where Mills showed the most skill in his rookie campaign was as a deep passer — he completed 20 of 42 passes of 20 or more air yards for 643 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and an NFL-high passer rating of 123.5. That NFL-high deep passer rating is among all quarterbacks, not just rookies.
Moreover, these deep shots weren’t just Mills targeting wide-open receivers. He has a knack for hitting his targets in stride, in tight windows, even when under pressure. This 30-yard pass to Nico Collins against the Titans in Week 18 is a compelling example. Mills throws the ball over the head of dropping edge-rusher Harold Landry, and where only Collins can get to it. Mills looks to have the starter’s spot in hand in 2022, and that projects more positively than you may think.
Veterans have testified to the leadership Mills has shown in the offseason workouts thus far. The former 2021 third-round pick from Stanford is embracing his role as the field general. The most optimistic outcome would be for Mills’ leadership and talent to meld and provide competitive stability at quarterback. That way Houston could use their swath of premium draft picks over the next two years to assemble talent, not find a franchise quarterback.
