The 2020 NFL Draft is set to air virtually in just over a week, and as usual the quarterback position is going to alter the direction of the draft. Four quarterbacks are likely to be taken in the first round and you can expect teams to bid in an attempt to move up to secure their guy.
Below are the projected destinations for the four top quarterback prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.
- The Cincinnati Bengals Get Their Guy
There is no need to overthink this one, because the Bengals are going to take the 2019 Heisman winner with the first pick in the draft. Over the next week and a half, rumors will swirl that Cincinnati isn’t sold on Joe Burrow and that they might be open to trading the pick; don’t listen to them. The Bengals organization has had extensive meetings with Burrow; already beginning the relationship building process.
Burrow’s 2019-20 season at LSU was legendary, as he led the Tigers to a national championship. He completed 76% of his passes for 5,671 yards, with a 10:1 touchdown to interception ratio. He displayed NFL accuracy and poise in the biggest moments last season. The Ohio native has average body measurements for an NFL quarterback, but he has a sneaky ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet.
The Bengals will receive offers for the first overall pick, but it won’t take them long to go with Burrow.
- Chargers Trade Up for Tua
The LA Chargers send the 6th pick, 2020 second round pick (37th) and 2021 fourth round pick to the Detroit Lions for the 3rd pick and 2020 fifth round pick (166th). In trading up to the third pick, the Chargers will jump ahead of the Dolphins allowing them to pick between Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love.
Reports have come out that coach Anthony Lynn is “legitimately bullish” on veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Whether that report is true or not, expect General Manager Tom Telesco to be aggressive in the draft to ensure they get their guy. Their guy will be Tua Tagovailoa out of Alabama.
Injuries have hurt Tua’s draft stock a little, but he has shown moments of greatness in Tuscaloosa which earned him the Russell Wilson comparisons. His durability will determine the trajectory of his career, so LAC would be smart to bolster an offensive line to protect him.
- Gruden Gets His Guy
The Las Vegas Raiders receive the 5th pick and 2020 fifth round pick (173rd) from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 12th pick, 2020 third round pick (81st) and 2021 third round pick. With the 5th pick, the Raiders will take Jordan Love III from Utah State.
Love’s best year was his sophomore season when he threw for 32 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions en route to an 11-2 record. Under coach Matt Wells, Love racked up 3,567 yards and finished with a quarterback rating of 158.3. The next year under a new and unproven coach, Love had a much less impressive season.
Still, Jon Gruden will fall in love with Love’s strong arm and ability to throw the deep ball. Love does not have to start right away; he can take the Patrick Mahomes approach and sit for a season to learn.
- Herbert Ends Up In South Beach
The Miami Dolphins will use their second pick of the 2020 draft (18th) to take Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter week one, but Herbert will be waiting in the wings.
After the trade with Las Vegas (see above), Miami has 14 picks in this year’s draft. Adding Herbert to a team full of young pieces is the right move with the 18th pick. Moreover, the Dolphins have been linked to Herbert; Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero reported they have an “increasingly positive view” of the Oregon product.
The reason for Herbert’s slip to the middle of the first round is his lack of improvement over the last couple seasons. He has good mobility and is prototypical size at 6-foot-6. However, he has not improved his accuracy much in the intermediate/deep passing game and occasionally struggles progressing through his reads if his first option is covered.
Since 2010, 17 teams have traded up to take a quarterback in the first round. This year the Bengals will keep it simple at the top of the draft and take Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, the Chargers will make the first splash by trading up for Tua Tagovailoa. In the biggest surprise of the night, the Las Vegas Raiders will jump into the top five to take wildcard prospect Jordan Love. The Dolphins will grab the fourth QB off the board when they take Justin Herbert with the 18th pick.
