The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is finally here! The longest day of the combine happens to be the first day. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends all compete in Indianapolis. We will have notes on each position from the day. Focusing on quarterbacks, it appears to be a very deep class this year. One of the deepest groups I can ever remember. Let’s go over some takeaways from the quarterback group at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
>Overview:
When watching the quarterbacks during the combine I am more concerned with arm strength and footwork rather than focusing on completions. During the drills, you may notice the timing may be off with unfamiliar receivers. However, I pay more attention to how much zip a quarterback has on the ball and how he is able to shuffle his feet. Does the quarterback repeat his mechanics? How does the ball come out? Is there a quick release? Does the quarterback really drive the ball off his back foot? Does he have natural knee bend? Those are the things Iâm looking for in watching these workouts. The feet usually tell the story with most of these guys anyway.
*Joe Burrow did not work out at the combine. It was a disappointment considering that I don’t think he has the biggest arm. I would have loved to see what he looked like against guys who have serious cannons. The big story on Burrow was his hand size. You can say whatever you want but there are more questions than answers when it comes to projecting Burrow to the NFL level. This will be a tough evaluation for every team. At the end of the day, it won’t matter cause he will go number one. Not where I would pick him but teams won’t have to worry about deciding for themselves.
*You’re an idiot if you pass on Tua Tagovailoa. His medical reports at the combine all came back overwhelmingly positive. What are we doing at this point?
The Elite
Neither of my top two guys competed.
False Hype Machines
Kurt Warner said it live on the broadcast and I agree. Often times it looks Justin Herbert is aiming and not letting it rip. 100 percent agree. He never lets it rip in short passing game. I’m out on Herbert but let’s break down his day.
When the deep balls came into effect, he really let it rip. There’s no denying that he has a rocket arm. His deep balls were beautiful. Herbert performed well don’t get me wrong. When he rips it, things go well. He even ran a good time at 4.68. I’m going by what I saw on the field. This is homeless version of Josh Allen.
Wildcards
Jacob Eason
If anybody is going to join that elite group it’s Eason. Special, special arm talent. His deep ball is flat out ridiculous. He drives the ball at an elite level. I thought his feet were more than fine. He makes throws that take your breath away. Can he do the other things to pop as a franchise guy? I think the best news was his 40 time. Eason can look unathletic in stretches. Getting under a 5 40 time was a huge win.
Jordan Love
Total wildcard here. Overall on the field, he has easy gas. The arm talent is easy to spot. His feet are a little bit of a mess getting crossed up. They’re a god damn mess. His feet come together and overlap like he’s trying to spin or something. His accuracy was horrible. Narrow feet that come together like he’s tap dancing or something. Love needs a lot of work. There’s no way you can start this guy year one. If you told me he was doing the thriller instead of being a quarterback, I’d believe you.
Eason Vs Fromm
I think the Jacob Eason vs Jake Fromm battle was one of the more intriguing ones heading into the draft. I talked about it during my last mailbag. Well… Eason checked a big box. What I didn’t expect was for him to actually be fast than Fromm. We knew Fromm was going to lose the arm talent battle (more on that later) for him to lose the speed – athletic battle is crushing.
One thing Fromm has is timing and anticipation. It’s not a great arm but he makes throws on target. Eason, on the other hand, CANNON. Eason didn’t hit every throw. His accuracy isn’t perfect. That’s where Fromm wins. Fromm was great in the fade drills. Still, Fromm’s ball dies on the deep ball. It’s fair to question if he has the necessary arm talent to make it.
Developmental Fliers
I think Jalen Hurts actually looked good. His feet were great and he made throws. Arm strength is probably a plus too. I thought his workout was solid. His anticipation to make throws isn’t there which is something you can’t see during the combine.
I’m in on whatever Cole McDonald is selling. He worked exclusively out of the shotgun. It’s a bit of an odd delivery. It’s a big loop and the ball comes out to the side. Maybe it’s too much to overcome. I think he has talent.
I thought James Morgan did okay too. Quiet feet. He was so so at the East-West game.
Nate Stanley might make it as a backup. Feet aren’t tied to his arm. No drive off the backfoot. Does have an arm on him though.
Undraftable
Kelly Bryant fits this category. No zip on any throws. He stinks. Just watch this fade drill. Bad enough to make me vomit.
Kevin Davidson couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Not shocking considering how bad he was at the East-West Game. Nothing to see here.
If Philip Rivers had no talent, he would look like Anthony Gordon. Ugly wind up, balls going all over the place. Pass.
Here’s my notes on Brian Lewerke. Watch one Michigan State Game. Doesn’t matter which one you pick. No thank you.
Steven Montez is all arm no legs. Accuracy is a nightmare. No chance to make it.
Vendetta Top 10 Quarterback Rankings
1: Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
2: Joe Burrow (LSU)
3: Jacob Eason (Washington)
4: Jake Fromm (Georgia)
5: Justin Herbert (Oregon)
6: Jordan Love (Utah State)
7: Cole McDonald (Hawaii)
8: Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma)
9: Nate Stanley (Iowa)
10: Kevin Davidson (Princeton)
