2019 Stats: 3,402 yard 20 TDs 17 ints 62% comp pct
Overview
Starting off his high school career, Jordan Love stood at 5’6” and weighed 145 lbs. He did not receive a whole lot of national attention when he made the switch to QB, and took the only D1 offer he was given: Utah State.
Love shot on the scene in 2018, tossing 32 TDs. He was gearing up for another big year, until his entire coaching staff, and every meaningful offense weapon up and left after the season. Love understandably struggled this year throwing nearly two picks a game and watching his team regress to 7-6. Many expected him to return to Utah State for his senior season, but he elected to declare for the NFL draft, and is my QB3 in my big board article you can read here.
While a lot of that has to do with the team he was surrounded with, scouts and fans both wonder how he’ll fare against elite NFL competition. Jordan Love squared off against National Champion LSU this season and struggled to get the offense going. He threw 3 INTs and account for 130 yards in the air completing only 15 of his 30 passes, and they lost 42-6. In this case, the stats don’t necessarily tell the whole story. He made some really good throws on the run, and his receivers dropped multiple passes, including a touchdown. They found themselves in enemy territory in the first half more often than you’d expect from a team that only scored six points.
He also faced off against another top 25 school in Boise State. He threw for 230 yards in that game and threw 1 TD to 1 INT in the 56-21 loss. But still, there were plenty of positives as far as QB play, including one of my personal favorite throws from Love on a 3rd and 9.
And finally, it is hard not to hate on the body composition. He measured 6’4” 223 lbs and a 10 4/8 hands at the combine, and you aren’t caught up in hand size draft season twitter, that’s a pretty big deal.
Strengths
Jordan Love possesses elite arm talent and has a knack for combining his legs and arm to make special plays that much more impressive. Moreover, he is comfortable making nearly anything throw on the field, and he can burn you if he is given enough time in the pocket. The ball comes off his hand with some zip, and Utah State allows him to take those big plays often, and often, he converts it. When he misses on deep shots, it isn’t by a lot. Looking through the tape, I was amazed at how many well thrown balls were dropped. People question what he will accomplish against top level competition, but you have to at least consider what he will do with top level talent on his team.
Weaknesses
When those big money plays turn out poorly, it becomes a weakness. Knowing when to throw it away is a vital skill to have with a QB. Especially from one who can regularly make something out of nothing. He would often take unnecessary sacks and interceptions, putting his defense in a tough position. He can put together plays that wow everyone, but consistency is another concern. If every sixth play is a bomb down field, can he hit RBs on a screen or connect on a quick and accurate curl route? Arm accuracy is a question mark as well. A couple of those interceptions were plays where he just flat out missed his man. One thing that should come with experience, is knowing when to escape the pocket, stand tall, or throw it away.
Best Game in 2019: Fresno State
This game had just about everything we have seen from Love so far, and it finished with a positive outcome. Love was scorching hot in the first half, throwing 2 TDs and completing more than 70% of his passes. Moving well in the pocket, Love was throwing darts, and was easily the most talented player on the field that night. The night ended with a game winning field goal from Dominik Eberle, after Love and the Aggies offense drove down the field and burned a lot of clock. Love finished off the night completing 30-39 passes for 388 yards and 2 TDs.
Comparison and Prediction
There are two guys the experts bring up when talking about Love’s potential, Kaepernick and Mahomes. Realistically, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. His arm talent surpasses Kaepernick, but he likely will not get to the level that Mahomes has reached this early in his career. The current QB I keep coming back to is Deshaun Watson. Escapability, big body, big arm, and the potential for bigs plays are just a couple of the ways their play styles align. He has the potential to be a legit superstar in this league. But as we all know, potential just means you haven’t done it yet.
As far as draft predictions go, he is rumored to a number of teams. The Colts, Saints, or even Raiders could be potential landing spots. With the way teams value the QB position, he could find himself in the top 10, but a realistic look would be in the teens. I think the best fit for him is the Saints. Although they may have to trade up to get him, he will have the opportunity to back up Drew Brees for a year or two. He would then inherit an explosive offense with one of the best coaches in the game. He would have time to develop, iron out some flaws in his game, and eventually take over. This would allow the Saints to stay dominant, and help Jordan Love make a smooth adjustment into the league.
You can view the rest of our NFL Draft breakdowns here.