Now that the 2019 NFL Draft has concluded, many dynasty leagues are starting to conduct their rookie drafts. Many analysts are advocating for a strategy to move back in the 2019 draft to acquire more 2020 picks. Why? Who are you moving back for? This is part one of a four-part series that takes a look at the 2020 draft class at the positions of QB, RB, WR and TE.
Part One: Quarterbacks
The 2019 NFL Draft saw three quarterbacks go in the first round, and saw the Denver Broncos take a QB in the second round. In 2018 we saw the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens draft a QB in the first round. As it stands today, there are several teams that could find themselves in the market for a starting QB in 2020. These teams include Detroit, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, New England, Miami, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Chargers, and Oakland. Many of these teams have an older QB at the end of their career and may be picking later in the first round. Teams like Detroit, Tampa Bay, Miami, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Oakland could own top-10 selections and be firmly in the conversation for one of these elite QBs.
1. Tua Tagovailoa, Junior, Alabama
6-1, 218lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9843, #1 dual threat QB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 23 games played, 68.1-percent completion, 4,602 yards, 10.7 yards per attempt, 54 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, QB rating of 195.1
The 2018 Heisman runner-up, Tua Tagovailoa was a backup to Jalen Hurts during Tagovailoa’s freshman year at Alabama. We all remember Tagovailoa taking over after halftime of the 2017 National Championship game and bringing the Crimson Tide another title. He became the full-time starter in 2018 (eventually leading to the transfer of Hurts to Oklahoma), and did the most with his playing time. Tagovailoa earned the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award in 2018, as well as being named the SEC offensive player of the year and SEC first-team by the AP and coaches. Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide are again primed for a national title run, that may see Tagovailoa win the Heisman trophy.
2. Justin Herbert, Senior, Oregon
6-6, 233lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8584, #26 pro-style QB in the 2016 class
Career stats: 29 games played, 62.5-percent completion, 7,070 yards, 8.2 yards per attempt, 63 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, QB rating of 151.3
Justin Herbert was projected by many to be the top QB in the 2019 class if he declared. Herbert elected to go back to college and refine his game even more, after his first full season as the starter for the Ducks. Herbert possesses the prototypical size that NFL teams covet, while still having above average athleticism. He was a Maxwell Award semi-finalist in 2018 and was voted Pac-12 Honorable mention. Herbert will have a chance to vault up draft boards if he can meet or exceed his 2018 production.
3. Jake Fromm, Junior, Georgia
6-2, 220lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9794, #3 pro-style QB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 29 games played, 64.9-percent completion, 5,376 yards, 9.0 yards per attempt, 54 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, QB rating of 165.9
Fromm was thrust into action during his true freshman year after then-starting QB Jacob Eason was knocked out for the year with an injury. All Fromm did in that 2017 season was lead the Bulldogs to an SEC conference title, a trip to the College Football Playoff, and an appearance in the National Championship game. Fromm gets knocked for being somewhat of a game manager in a run heavy offense that has produced the likes of first round pick Sony Michel, second round pick Nick Chubb, and projected early-round pick D’Andre Swift. Fromm may not have all of the awards of Tagovailoa, but Fromm is an efficient QB. In 2018, Fromm finished fifth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 171.2 rating and 12th in completion percentage. Fromm is smart, savvy QB in the pocket that teams may fall in love with on the road to the 2020 draft.
4. Jacob Eason, RS Junior, Washington
6-6 228lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9975, #2 pro-style QB in the 2016 class
Career stats: 16 games played, 55.2-percent completion, 2,458 yards, 6.5 yards per attempt, 16 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, QB rating of 119.7
Eason is a projection. He burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2016, leading the Georgia Bulldogs offense to an 8-5 record and a bowl game appearance. During his sophomore season, Eason got hurt in the season opener where Jake Fromm took control and never looked back, forcing Eason to seek a transfer. After transferring to his home state of Washington to play for the Huskies, Eason was forced to sit out the 2018 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He will have had a full year to learn the offense when he steps onto the field for the first time as a Husky this fall. The size, arm strength and intensity are what make Eason a likely top-five QB for the 2020 draft, should he decide to declare.
5. Jordan Love, RS Junior, Utah State
6-4 220lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8191, #70 pro-style QB in the 2016 class
Career stats: 25 games played, 60.7-percent completion, 5,198 yards, 8.0 yards per attempt, 40 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, QB rating of 144.3
Who doesn’t love a small school QB? Love has everything you could want in a big-time prospect, with the exception of program pedigree. During the 2018 season, Love was selected to the second-team All-Mountain West and named Mountain West Conference offensive player of the week six times. Love is a wildly efficient passer, posting a passer efficiency rating of 158.3 in 2018, good for 10th in the country. He led the Aggies to an 11-2 record last fall, with their lone conference loss to Boise State in the last week of the regular season. Against the more well-known programs in 2018 (Michigan State, BYU and Boise State), he posted a stat line of 76 completions on 119 attempts (63.9-percent) for 847 yards, seven TDs and three intereceptions. Love has the opportunity to launch his name into the conversation of the top QBs of the 2020 class.
NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
K.J. Costello, Senior, Stanford
Jalen Hurts, Senior, Oklahoma
Kelly Bryant, RS Senior, Missouri
