Mtn RPO Q Draw Base

Track the play-side linebacker or slot defender at the snap, since his first step toward the line of scrimmage is your triggerman for pulling and throwing the peek route. Watch for a nickel blitz off the edge, because if that defender attacks A-gap or B-gap immediately, the draw lane can collapse and you need to get the ball out on the RPO read instead of forcing the handoff. Identify single high versus two high shells before the snap, since single high man coverage with the linebacker staying home shuts down both the draw cutback and the peek throw simultaneously. Look for a lurking user defender sitting in the shallow flat or peek window, as a smart human defender jumping the RPO tag mid-mesh point is the biggest threat to this play and should push you toward committing to the run. Against heavy zone drops with linebackers reading run first, take the free draw yardage rather than forcing a contested throw into a clogged short zone.