Well, it is about that time again. Every one and their brother is making lists, big boards, and mock drafts, and I’m no different. Each week, I’ll be taking a look at one position in the draft and ranking the top five at their respective position. Naturally, the quarterback position is the first place to start. There’s a ton of 1st round talent in this draft, and the later round guys show potential as well.
It is entirely possible that five (or six) quarterbacks are selected in the first round. There are a few teams (Chargers and Colts) that believe they are just a franchise QB away from being perennial playoff powerhouses. Other teams (Bengals and Dolphins) are desperate for the one guy that could change their whole team around. There are even teams (Buccaneers and Patriots) who are doing some soul searching, to determine if their current QB is the right fit.
It happens nearly every year. Teams sell themselves on a QB and end up moving up to pick their guy. Since 2010, at least two quarterbacks have been selected every year except for 2013. In fact, at least three QBs were drafted in the first round since 2016, including five in 2018.
There are a lot of really talented guys in this list, so let’s get into it.
1. Joe Burrow
School: LSU | Stats: 60 TDs 6 INTs 5,671 yards 76.3% comp pct
Not really a surprise here at the top of my QB Big Board. He is a leader in the locker room, and had a knack for showing up in the big games. In the SEC championship and Playoff games, he threw for 16 TDs, 0 INTs, and 1,305 yards combined. He set the passing yard, touchdown, and completion percentage records. The 2019 Tigers in the conversation for the greatest team of all time, and a lot of that can be attributed to their signal caller. Burrow is by far the biggest riser in this year’s draft. Going from a late round/undrafted prospect, to the consensus #1 pick. Growing up in Ohio, he is naturally linked to the Bengals, a team who is desperate for a culture change. His ability to keep plays alive has him at the top of the list, and for good reason.
2. Tua Tagovailoa
School: Alabama | Stats: 33 Tds 3 INTs 2,840 yards 71.4% comp pct
Coming into the year, Tua was the best prospect in the country. A lefty with with all the traits to be a superstar in the league. The Crimson Tide QB made himself known his freshman year, when he led Alabama to a National Championship.
His hip injury potentially derailed his plans to be the #1 pick. But, with a strong showing in the combine, and a clean bill of health, he could be set up for a successful career, regardless of draft position. Honestly, even without the injury, Tua probably would have ended up in the same place on the QB Big Board. The Dolphins are a team linked to him, but the Chargers, Colts, or Raiders have the need and capital to jump up and get him at 4.
3. Jordan Love
School: Utah State | Stats: 20 TDs 17 INTs 3,402 yards 61.9% comp pct
The Aggies signal caller shot onto the scene last year. He tossed 32 touchdowns compared to 6 picks and over 3,500 yards. He went through a massive overhaul in the organization that offseason. The entire offensive line left, his top WR and RB declared for the draft, and his HC resigned. He had to learn an entirely new offense behind an inexperienced line, and new weapons to throw to. His stat line struggled because of it, but he is beginning to show promise at the Senior Bowl. Scrolling through twitter, you can see how many scouts are beginning to fall in love with him.
As a Colts fan, I’d love if he fell to us at 13. But if he keeps balling out like this, especially at his pro day and the combine, he may be the third QB taken in the top 10.
4. Justin Herbert
School: Oregon | Stats: 32 TDs 6 INTs 3,471 yards 70 % comp pct
It might be a bit of a hot take, putting Herbert in after Love. This is not an indictment on my dislike for Herbert, I am just really enamored with Love. The Oregon QB brought about big expectations for the Ducks and won them the Rose Bowl. He did not throw for over 200 yards in his last three games, but his team went 3-0. I think the questions of his readiness are valid, but he proved in the Pac-12 Championship, and the Rose Bowl, that he is will to do whatever it takes to win.
So far, Herbert has been the most talented QB at the Senior Bowl. I know I may get some heat for Love at 3 on my QB Big Board, but I want to see what Love can do with NFL talent, something Herbert was around on a regular basis.
5.Jacob Eason
School: Washington | Stats: 23 TDs 8 INTs 3,132 yard 64.2% comp pct
The Georgia transfer checked some boxes this year, but not enough to raise him on the QB Big Board. He struggled with consistency and that causes him to miss on a lot of throws. He certainly has the size to play the QB, if you are into that (looking at you, John Elway). At 6’6″ 230 lbs he also has a solid demeanor in the pocket, and shows flashes of top level arm talent. If he stayed in school another year, he could be a solid 1st round pick. There is a really good chance a team trades up in the draft to get him at the end of the first round, but he should not be expected to start Day 1.
QB Big Board: Honorable Mentions
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Teams looking for the next Lamar Jackson could jump the gun on Hurts. I have a theory that teams will continue to talk up the Oklahoma signal caller enough that some team will end up taking him late 1st or early 2nd. Whether it is warranted or not, I am not ready to say. A lot of the hype will be determined at his pro day and the combine.
Anthony Gordon, Washington State
Maybe it is the Gardner Minshew effect. Or, call it my bias for the PAC-12 and Washington State. Well, maybe it is Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. Whatever you want to call it, I believe Anthony Gordon has a really good chance to be an average, to above average QB in the NFL. He is only a one year starter at the D1 level. He has so much more room to grow, but throwing for 48 TDs and over 5,500 yards, is a pretty good place to start.
** Do not ask me why Jake Fromm is not on this list. I think his ceiling is current Mitch Trubisky, and that is all I will say on it.