Nick Sitro’s 2020 NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings

April 12, 2020

Throughout the pre-draft process, I have published multiple top 50 big boards. But as time passed, they quickly became out of date. Instead of posting one long list of prospects, I will instead publish positional rankings from now until the start of the draft. Let’s kick things off with the quarterback position.

1. Joe Burrow, LSU

This one doesn’t need much of an explanation. Joe Burrow is arguably the best player in this draft and has the chance to be a franchise quarterback for the next decade and a half.

2. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Like I previously mentioned, the injury concerns with Tagovailoa are real. NFL scouts and general managers are taking a precautionary approach, as the COVID-19 virus has halted the ability to get a medical test.

With that being said,Tagovailoa is still one of the smartest players in the entire draft. He has elite intangibles with the ability to fit the ball into tight windows. If he can overcome durability issues, Tagovailoa will be a solid starter in the NFL.

3. Justin Herbert, Oregon

Justin Herbert has a rocket arm with the physical tools to be a solid NFL starter. He has performed really well (Colorado) and really poorly (ASU) so I find it difficult to rank him. He struggles with accuracy deep down the field and will often make the incorrect read. But when you watch him against Colorado, he looks like a polished and NFL ready quarterback. I can’t put him below Jordan Love, but Tua easily gets the nod at the number two spot for me, even with his injury concerns.

4. Jordan Love, Utah State

Jordan Love did not perform up to par statistically in 2019, but it should not stop an NFL team from drafting him high. His supporting cast was weak at Utah State, and they often asked him to play Superman. Love has a strong arm but made poor decisions. If he can land in a good situation, Love can develop into a quality starter.

5. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

The NFL is moving into a mobile style offense. With Lamar Jackson. Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray (among others), Jalen Hurts, should have no problem finding success in the NFL. Hurts really shines when he extends plays with his legs, but he can struggle to work through his progressions. With solid NFL coaching, the ceiling is sky high for Hurts.

6. Jacob Eason, Washington

Jacob Eason has the strongest arm in this draft class. He projects to be a gunslinger type of quarterback similar to Jameis Winston or Ben Roethlisberger. Like Hurts, Eason needs to develop his ability to work through his progressions, but with good coaching *cough* Tampa Bay *cough* Eason will develop into a quality starter.

7. Jake Fromm, Georgia

A consistent player at the quarterback position, Jake Fromm rarely made a mistake at Georgia. His decision making is top-notch, but his physical tools are a bit lacking. He doesn’t have the “it gene” that only a few quarterbacks posses, so you can’t rely on him to make huge plays in big moments. He best fits in a west coast style of offense.

8. James Morgan, FIU

James Morgan is a day three developmental quarterback in this draft class. He possesses very good pocket awareness and will survey under pressure. He can push the ball down the field with ease, but will sometimes take unnecessary sacks. I love him as a 4th/5th round option.

9. Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Anthony Gordon is an intriguing prospect, but you can’t expect him to make an impact day one. He will need time to develop and learn an NFL offense. He possesses all the arm talent you could want, but needs work with timing routes and working through progressions.

10. Nate Stanley, Iowa

Nate Stanley is another prospect with excellent football intelligence. His conservative play-style might turn off NFL coaches, but he rarely makes a bad decision. He can struggle in the accuracy department on deep balls, and his physical tools might not translate at the NFL level. But if given time to develop, Stanley could mold into a starter with a high floor and low ceiling.