Top QB prospect Mahomes insists he's pro ready: 'I'm not a project'

Former Texas Tech standout Patrick Mahomes is reportedly gaining momentum as a possible first-round pick in this year's draft and could seal that spot with an impressive outing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

In a quarterback class with arguably no franchise-level prospect, a high upside player like Mahomes has a chance at shooting up draft boards. However, after spending the 2016 season running a variation of the "Air Raid" offense, Mahomes has an uphill battle to convince teams he can handle pro concepts.

"It's understandable why people would think I'm just another Air Raid guy, not ready for (the pros)," Mahomes told Emily Kaplan of MMQB.com. "Quarterbacks who came from our system haven't done well in the NFL; that's a fact.

"At the combine, I am going to show NFL teams that I am ready to play Day 1. Everyone knows I can make the throws, but I'm smarter than people think. I know these NFL concepts. I'm not a project."

The 21-year-old boasts an enviable physical skill set, and maybe the best pure arm talent in the draft.

The combine's physical tests will likely reinforce Mahomes' place as a highly athletic pivot, but it's the event's team interviews, where he'll get a chance to prove his football acumen, that should ultimately decide whether he makes it into the first round.