The Indianapolis Colts will be dealing with the aftermath of Andrew Luck’s retirement for years, and the shocking decision could force the team to enter the quarterback market much earlier than expected.
While Jacoby Brissett is the current starter for 2019—and potentially beyond that with an extension—the Colts could look at some of the top quarterback prospects set to enter the 2020 draft.
Here’s a look at some of the top quarterback prospects for the Colts in 2020:
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The lefty junior is likely to be considered the top quarterback prospect from the 2020 class. Whether the Colts feel that way remains to be seen, but whichever team winds up drafting Tagovailoa will likely be at the top of the draft.
Here’s what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had to say about Tagovailoa’s game:
“Due to his instinctual feel for the game, Tagovailoa’s tape is full of spontaneous genius, using his athleticism, arm and mind in unison to create plays. In this play against Tennessee, Tagovailoa comes off his first, second and third reads while negotiating a moving pocket before locating Jerry Jeudy from the opposite hash for the touchdown.”
Even with Luck retiring, the Colts could still be a middling team, and it isn’t clear if they feel they are at the point to draft a quarterback in the first round. But Tagovailoa is likely the top option in the class.
Justin Herbert, Oregon
While many expected Herbert to enter the draft in 2019, he decided to stay in college for an extra season and finish his senior campaign. Also a first-round pick, the Colts would have to likely be at the top of the draft to get him.
Here’s what Brugler had to say about Herbert:
“Physically and mentally, Herbert has it all. He is a tall, well-built athlete and the threat of his athleticism is a lethal aspect of his game. Herbert has the arm and loose movements to effortlessly deliver ropes with an understanding of placement. He is a 4.0 student and that intelligence translates onto the field, where he handles protections at the line of scrimmage and quickly works through his reads.”
Whether the Colts will be on the clock when Herbert is available will play itself out in 2019, but he’s likely to be an early pick in 2020.
Jake Fromm, Georgia
The consensus appears to be that while Fromm is potentially a first-round talent, he might not be going at the top of the draft like Tagovailoa and Herbert are expected to.
If the Colts are looking to the potential value in the first round, Fromm could be that candidate. The junior is well-built with an accurate arm that should entice plenty of teams during the pre-draft process.
How the Colts feel about the future of the room is still unclear but if they are looking for a potential value early in the draft, Fromm might be a target for general manager Chris Ballard.
Jordan Love, Utah State
With a strong build and a big arm, Love could be a prospect that moves up on draft boards as the season goes on. There is a chance the Colts could be eyeing the Utah State product if they the need to address the quarterback.
Here’s what Brugler had to say about Love’s strengths:
“Watching Love throw the football, it looks like he is tossing a Nerf ball around the field. He is an easy thrower with an efficient, unforced delivery to put the ball anywhere he wants on the field. His loose athleticism and natural release aid his timing and touch, especially on deep throws where he can drop the ball into this hands of his target.”
Love appears to be more of a raw product but with a ceiling that could make scouts and executives fall in love.
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