Can Jake Fromm overcome his physical limitations?
If you follow me on twitter, you would know I am not very high on Jake Fromm. However, for the sake of being fair thorough, I went back through his junior season to see if there was anything I missed that could alter my opinion. While I did learn a few things about him, my overall opinion has not really changed. Here is the breakdown:
Games watched: Notre Dame, South Carolina, Texas A&M, LSU (SECCG), and Baylor (Sugar Bowl)
Attributes
Accuracy
This one is a two-parter. Jake Fromm throwing within 15 yards is completely different than Jake Fromm throwing beyond 15 yards. Within 15 yards he is very accurate, a good decision maker, always finds the soft spots in zone coverage, and throws anticipatory passes on time.
On deeper passes, it’s a completely different story. His limited arm strength has passes on a line die down and end up falling short or underthrown. His touch on deep passes–specifically go routes–is not very accurate. He tends to throw go routes inside when the ball is supposed to be placed on the outside shoulder, and tends to overthrow on those passes.
Improvising
He is not much of an improviser; he doesn’t really scramble or move around in the pocket much unless he faces heavy pressure. Fromm doesn’t throw on the run much either. His best ability when it comes to improvising is back-shoulder throws and the deeper passes where you underthrow it because the DB is over the top or playing very aggressive.
Arm Strength
As mentioned, his arm strength is not very impressive. While I’ll never say someones arm strength isn’t enough for the NFL, Jake Fromm’s arm is in the bottom tier if I had to rank them. Passes on a line beyond 15 yards are a glaring issue as they tend to be underthrown, and he has a hard time throwing to his WRs in stride on those type of throws. It’s even an issue on long throws to sideline, where more DBs in the NFL will be able to jump those types of passes, if can’t improve this particular area.
Mobility
Not very mobile. He doesn’t really run the ball or move out of the pocket all that much. He fits the mold of the traditional pocket passer.
Pocket Presence
He never faced a lot of pressure at Georgia and his lack of mobility make it hard to gauge whether he can actually sense pressure or not. Nonetheless, he will have to a shorter internal clock in the NFL because he might not have the same luxury of having a very good offensive line.
Decision-making
He is a quick decision maker and will always takes what the defense gives. He rarely puts the ball in harms way. However, this style of play really limits explosive pass plays. Given the lack of his physical abilities that could be designed on purpose.
Pros
- Safe and quick decision-maker
- Processes the defense post-snap quickly and uses the entire field
- Always seems to find the open WR in the soft spot of the zone defense
- Quick release
Cons
- Touch passes down the field are inaccurate
- Not much of an improviser
- His very conservative decision-making limits explosive pass plays
- Not very mobile
- Bottom tier arm strength
Summary
While I never say never when it comes to a player making it in the NFL, for Jake Fromm he’s a developmental player early on. He’s certainly has the football IQ for the NFL, but the physical traits are very concerning. A guy with his physical shortcomings mixed with conservative decision-making paint the picture of a QB with a high floor and a low ceiling. He will never lose you a game with turnovers and bad sacks, but he is also not a guy who can get hot at any moment and single-handily win you a game. With all the negative things said, if he goes to the right offensive system and can sit behind a veteran QB for a few years, he could be a good QB one day.
Draft Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd
Potential Fits:
- New England Patriots (if Brady returns)
- New Orleans Saints (if Brees returns)
- Las Vegas Raiders
View the rest of our NFL Draft breakdowns here.
