Playbooks
RPO Screen QB Draw
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Screen QB Draw out of Shotgun Empty Bunch Wide gives the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap decision between a bunch screen to the trips side and a designed QB draw up the middle. The offensive line shows pass protection while the running back or slot receiver releases for the screen, and since the formation is empty backfield the draw hits as a delayed keeper rather than a handoff. This is an RPO first and foremost, but it doubles as a zone beater against light boxes and a change of pace against aggressive blitz teams since the QB draw exploits vacated interior gaps. Primary read progression starts with the linebacker or slot corner flowing toward the screen: if they crash it, pull the ball and take off through the alley they vacated.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash downhill immediately toward the line of scrimmage that confirms run support is light and the screen will have room to work. Identify whether the defense is in man or zone before the snap by checking slot corner alignment on the bunch, tight man coverage signals a blitz package is likely coming and the draw becomes the better outlet. Post-snap, key the flow of the second level defenders, a user-controlled linebacker sitting in a shallow zone or spying the quarterback is the biggest threat to both the screen and the draw. Look for overload blitzes from the bunch side, since a heavy blitz there often leaves the draw lane wide open on the backside. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops shut this play down the fastest because linebackers stay patient and do not bite on either the screen or the draw fake.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap, if you see six or more defenders inside the tackles the screen is likely bracketed so lean toward pulling and running the draw instead.
Use the empty backfield alignment to bait linebackers into blitzing, since there is no back to check release the defense often sends extra rushers which opens the draw lane.
Hot route the bunch receivers minimally, the screen concept works best untouched, but you can motion a receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone based on whether a defender follows.
Pair this play with Jailbreak Screen and Deep Flood in the same set so the defense has to respect multiple screen and RPO looks from the same personnel and alignment.
Best used on early downs or in third and short situations where defenses commit extra bodies to stop the run, since that commitment is exactly what triggers the screen read.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that sit their linebackers, since patient defenders can play both the draw and the screen without over-committing.
