The first-round prospects get all the love, but there are some solid prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft that could be there on Day 2.
Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Herbert are the three names we all continue to hear when discussing quarterbacks coming into the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s understandable as all three look to be the real deal and should be starters from the first day they enter their respective team’s stadiums.
We also seem to have a good understanding of where each player will go. Burrow feels like a lock at No. 1 overall for the Cincinnati Bengals whereas Tua seems destined for South Beach as the future for the Miami Dolphins.
Herbert is more of a wild card because some team could jump up in the draft order to secure his services, but right now it seems as though he should still be off the board early and the Los Angeles Chargers feel like a great fit.
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However, these three are not the only quarterbacks who could turn into franchise leaders. The 2020 class has several other big names, including a few that could go in the second or third round. Here, we look at four players that could be called upon in Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft and select their best NFL fits.
Jordan Love, Utah State — Detroit Lions
Utah State’s Jordan Love nearly didn’t make this list. Not because he’s not a potential NFL star, but rather due to the fact that he could be a first-round pick.
Looking at his stats from 2019, it may seem as though this is a stretch, but there was a lot going on that season. Love had some big changes to adjust to as he lost 9-of-11 starters in his senior season and had to adjust to a new coaching staff as well.
He did make some strides in the Senior Bowl with some solid practices leading up to the big game and then got the start for the North team.
Jacob Eason, Washington — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Formerly a starter for the Georgia Bulldogs, Jacob Eason ended up transferring to Washington after losing his starting job to Jake Fromm. He sat out 2018 due to the terrible NCAA rules but then in 2019, he reminded us all why he was so highly regarded coming to Athens.
Eason has an absolute cannon for an arm but has some questions about his leadership ability. In the NFL, he would be a great fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because Bruce Arians would love his ability to push the ball downfield. And if Arians was able to put up good numbers with Jameis Winston, imagine what he could do with this kid.
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma — Tennessee Titans
The Senior Bowl wasn’t great to Jalen Hurts, who really never had time to pass due to atrocious offensive line play. That shouldn’t hurt his stock too much because he proved during his time at Alabama and Oklahoma that he could lead an offense in the most stress-filled games.
Of course, he doesn’t have the same tools as some of these other quarterbacks which means he would be best served to land with a team that can dominate on the ground and turn to him only when needed — just like the situation he had in Alabama.
That would make him an ideal fit for the Tennessee Titans. Right now, the Titans are able to contend with anyone thanks to their stout defense and powerful run game led by Derrick Henry. Assuming they do re-sign the 2019 NFL rushing leader, the Titans offense should be similar to what we saw this past season when they made it to the AFC Championship Game.
Someone such as Hurts lining up under center would give them a quarterback capable of making plays with his arm and legs, as well as someone who won’t fold under pressure.
Jake Fromm, Georgia — New Orleans Saints
Talk to any Georgia fan about Jake Fromm and you will get one of two responses about Jake Fromm. One response is that he’s a great leader and will be a great pro. The other response is that he was a system quarterback who shouldn’t be in the NFL other than to hold a clipboard.
There’s no in-between, they either loved him or were completely indifferent.
Even so, he’s a potential starter in the NFL. Sure, he doesn’t have the rocket arm that we all fall in love with, but he has excellent accuracy and is a natural-born leader. Having said that, he would be best served sitting behind someone such as Drew Brees for a year or two which would allow him to fully engulf himself in the team’s playbook.
Then when Brees does hang it up, head coach Sean Payton would have someone he could turn things over to. Yes, Payton keeps saying Taysom Hill can be the guy, but he’s already 30 and hasn’t started a game yet. It’s probably best to look at someone like Fromm who could jump into the role and still be in his mid-20s when Drees does hang it up.