With the Indianapolis Colts trading their first-round pick in a deal to acquire defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, they currently don’t have a first-round pick, and now their first pick in the 2020 NFL draft will be at pick 34. Indianapolis currently has seven draft picks in this coming draft.
On Tuesday, the Colts agreed with Philip Rivers to a one-year deal but now don’t have a clear plan at quarterback past the 2020 season. There are a lot of different scenarios where Indianapolis could trade up, or trade down for a quarterback, but let’s look at some possible quarterback options for the Colts in this year’s draft:
Jacob Eason, Washington
The one-year starter at Washington could be an option for the Colts at 34 if they chose to go with a quarterback. Eason transferred to Washington in 2018, sat out all the year, and came in during the 2019 season and put up some decent stats. In 13 games he completed 64% of passes, for over 3,132 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Eason, like a lot of these quarterbacks coming out, is young and still a bit of a project. One positive to him is his prototypical size, 6’6″ 227 lbs, and he has a rocket for an arm. There are questions about his work ethic, and there have been teams to walk away from the draftee because of poor interviewing.
If you were to compare Eason, think of Jay Culter, and I mean the game, not the personality, both guys can push the ball downfield and are great throwing over the middle.
Jake Fromm, Georgia
Probably the most pro-ready quarterback coming into this draft that won’t be selected in the top 10, Jake Fromm could be another option for the Colts at 34. Fromm was a three-year starter at Georgia where he led the Bulldogs to the National Championship game his freshman year, the Sugar Bowl his sophomore year, and his junior year they won the Sugar Bowl.
The reason Fromm is considered a second, maybe third-round prospect is his limitations getting the ball downfield. Fromm struggles with arm strength and getting the ball downfield 20-30 yards, but he makes up for it in other ways.
A very quick release, a timely passer, and he’s exceptional at reading a defense. A good pro comparison would be Drew Brees, even though Fromm is just slightly bigger in size.
Jordan Love, Utah State
Love is one of the biggest questions marks going into this year’s draft. With the majority of free agency past, teams have made moves at quarterback- Chargers stay with Tyrod Taylor, Buccaneers sign Tom Brady, Raiders keep Derek Carr and sign Marcus Mariota, so that could leave a player like Love falling in the draft.
With the recent world events, college pro days are all canceled which will leave Love as more of a question mark, and teams will have to rely on their scouts more. There could be a chance that Love falls, and the Colts could sneak back into the first round to take him, or Love falls all the way to them at 34.
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
The closer and closer we get to the NFL draft, the more Jalen Hurts’ name comes up being connected to the Colts. Hurts is projected to be a mid-to-late second-rounder that is a bit of a project. A two-year starter at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma, and under the toolage of Lincoln Riley, Hurts has steadily progressed as a passer.
Hurts still has limitations but the improvement he’s shown over his last three seasons is notable, the arrow is pointing in the right direction. If the Colts were to select Hurts, he would have to sit at least one year behind Rivers to learn the mental aspect of football, but if Reich, Rivers, and Sirianni can develop him, Hurts could be a diamond in the rough find for the Colts.
Anthony Gordon, Washington State
Gordon could be an option for the Colts in the third round if they chose to attack other needs early on. Coming from the air-it-out offense under Mike Leach at Washington State, Gordon had eye-popping numbers, but he is also a project that will take some time to develop. Possessing fantastic leadership skills, work ethic and drive, he’s the kind of player that will be refused to be denied no matter how many failures that he experienced previously.
Huge credit to his success in the Air Raid offense is how quickly he’s able to get rid of the ball. Slight side steps, shoulder turns, and body bends to cancel out pressure was frequent on film and he’s also able to make throws on the run. Gordon doesn’t possess an overly strong arm to consistently attack the deeper areas of the field. Most of his wins and impressive throws will come within the structure of the pocket.
