Leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, I’m going to break down all of the quarterbacks individually. I really want to hone in on Jacob Eason before the combine. The combine for me is the place I really make my defined judgments on prospects. In Eason’s case, he’s unlike any quarterback in the class. The things that concern me about Eason, I won’t be able to see in the on field drills. Can Jacob Eason fix his fatal flaw?
First, we have to identify what Eason is. What does he look like? What are his skill sets? Did his supporting cast help or hurt him? What about the conference? If we break it down in simpler terms, Eason is the Drew Lock of the draft class.
They don’t many humans with piss missiles attached to their arm. In terms of pure arm talent, it doesn’t get better than Eason. Some guys look really good in shorts. Eason will wow you at the combine. I guarantee it. In terms of pure arm talent, Eason is right there with the greatest to walk the planet. But I already know that. If you have eyes, you should know it too. The combine isn’t going to help me figure out what I already know. Guy can make every throw on the field.
Eason has one fatal flaw. I should say that fatal flaw carries over into two fatal flaws. Is Jacob Eason mobile enough to make it in the modern NFL? Will he ever be able to excel enough under pressure to become a franchise quarterback?
Drew Lock and Jay Cutler are two really good comps for Eason in my opinion. The problem is, I don’t think Eason is nearly as athletic as the other two guys. Drew Lock ran a 4.70. Jay Cutler ran a 4.77. There’s no chance Eason is cracking 4.8. There’s no way in hell.
The NFL is changing. It’s now a requirement to an athletic at quarterback. The NFL is becoming smaller and faster. Patrick Mahomes can run. So can Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Carson Wentz. All of the best young quarterbacks can move. Guess who doesn’t look so good anymore? Tom Brady, Eli Manning, and Philip Rivers. Old slugs. Over the next two years, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, and Justin Fields are going to dominate. Joe Burrow was a former basketball player. Even Ryan Tannehill has looked better as the game has become more spread out. How can Eason succeed if he can’t move in the pocket?
Look, maybe it’s a bit overreaction but Eason is a statue. It wouldn’t be nearly as big of a deal if he was good under pressure. The problem is he’s awful under pressure. Is that something that’s fixable? Watching Eason this year, there were a lot of plays like this. Eason feels the heat, a bad decision is incoming.
Eason threw 8 interceptions this year. That’s not a bad number but all of them looked something like this. Pressure coming, panic throw, interception. Accuracy most of the time is good. 64.2 percent matches what my eyes tell me. 23 touchdowns is just ok? 7.7 yards per attempt is fine? You’re not getting Tua Tagovailoa. Is it possible Eason could be the 2nd best one in the class? Hell yeah. Justin Herbert has red flags all over him. Jordan Love is a total wildcard. Joe Burrow is a one year wonder. Eason fits right in to that group.
In most instances, the 40 yard dash isn’t important. When it comes to Jacob Eason, it might mean everything. How slow are we talking here? Will he even crack 5.0? Was Eason just immobile or was it a product of Washington? When the Washington quarterback performs at the combine, will he look like an athlete or more like Uncle Rico who flings a steak but looks unathletic? We’re going to find out.
