Even though the Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, drafting Jordan Love out of Utah State would make a lot of sense this offseason.
Maybe it’s time for the Green Bay Packers to draft another first-round quarterback?
It might sound blasphemous, but Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting any younger. While he could play into his 40s if he really wants to, the Packers’ signal-caller has taken a beating physically these last few years. This has translated in him going from the no-doubt, best quarterback talent in football to maybe only a top-10 quarterback entering the upcoming 2020 NFL season.
So what does Jordan Love got to do with it? Well, Green Bay has the No. 30 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Love is one of five quarterbacks who could go in the first round this spring. Many project the Utah State product will be the fourth quarterback off the board after Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert in some order, but before Jacob Eason in the first 32 selections.
Love could go as high as No. 6 to the Los Angeles Chargers, but we know that’s a huge reach for a guy who’s not ready to start in the NFL day one. Burrow is the most pro-ready, while Tagovailoa’s health and Herbert’s inconsistencies may keep them from starting day one. Like Eason, Love is a tad raw coming out of his West Coast school, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Green Bay.
See, Rodgers will be entering his age-36 season. Keep in mind that Brett Favre was the same age when Rodgers was drafted out of Cal in the first-round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers had to wait three years to get his chance to start in 2008. By that time, Favre had moved on to the New York Jets before briefly finding success with the Minnesota Vikings before retiring.
So Green Bay could potentially trade up and draft Love in the teens to land Rodgers’ eventual successor. Putting Love under center day one in 2020 would be a massive hinderance to his development. He has all the traits you’ll want out of a franchise quarterback, but he didn’t exactly light it up during his junior season with the Aggies in 2019. Love needs some time to bake, man.
Overall, Rodgers probably has three more great years left in the tank. Green Bay may want to see what he’s got through the 2022 NFL season before potentially putting someone else in there. However, there is too much upside for the Packers not to consider taking Love if he falls into their lap at No. 30. If they feel the need to trade up to get him, go ahead and get your guy.