Kiper & McShay: Could Jake Fromm be a first-round draft pick?

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm just led the No. 3 Bulldogs over No. 7 Notre Dame, completing 20 of 26 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. He has fought off two high-profile challengers the past two seasons to keep his job. If he declares for the 2020 NFL draft, could he be a first-round pick?

That's what ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay were asked to break down. Check out their thoughts on Fromm -- and their draft board risers and under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on -- below:

Could Fromm be a first-round pick?

Kiper: The short answer is yes -- Fromm absolutely could be a first-rounder in 2020 or 2021. But we don't like short answers. Right, Todd?

McShay: No, we really don't. Fromm has grown on me. After his freshman season in 2017, when he came so close to leading Georgia to a national title, I really didn't have a great feel for him yet. I needed to see more reps. Now? He's No. 36 in my rankings, and he could still climb.

Kiper: Absolutely. There's a reason Fromm has beaten out former five-star recruit Justin Fields, now starting at Ohio State, and Jacob Eason, now starting at Washington. Fromm just doesn't make mistakes -- he has 60 career touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. He's completing 75.6% of his passes this season. He has an incredible command of the Georgia offense, and he knows when to take his shots. He doesn't always have flashy numbers -- he was efficient but not spectacular against Notre Dame -- but he gets the job done.

McShay: He's tough as hell, too. Fromm never shows fear in the pocket. Against the Fighting Irish on Saturday night, he was conservative in the first half before letting it fly a little bit more after halftime. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Fromm's air yards per attempt jumped from 0.1 in the first half to 15.1 in the second. He knows defensive tendencies and when to take a shot and give his receiver a chance on a 50-50 ball.

Kiper: And he has taken a step forward this season, even with totally new weapons -- the Bulldogs lost their top four receivers and top tight end from last season. What do you see as Fromm's weaknesses, Todd?

McShay: Fromm has a decent 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame, but he doesn't have Tua Tagovailoa's elite accuracy or the big arm of Justin Herbert or Eason. His release is quick and he has some touch and anticipation, but his arm strength is just adequate at this point. And his mobility in the pocket is average at best, too.

Kiper: That arm strength could be the issue that keeps him out of the first round, but it's shortsighted from NFL scouts. We've seen several examples of quarterbacks improving their arm strength at the next level. Give Fromm some time to grow. The comp I've made for him is to Andy Dalton, who never had elite physical tools but was accurate and a great leader at TCU. He ended up going at the top of the second round in 2011 and has had a nice career, even if he has never been a top-10 quarterback. Fromm will improve.

McShay: For sure. The other thing I love about Fromm is how he grinds. I just trust him more than most when the game is on the line. He finds ways to win. That shouldn't be overlooked.

Kiper: So with Tagovailoa and Herbert as the clear top two quarterbacks in this class, where do you have Fromm, Todd?

McShay: Right now, he's No. 3 for me, edging out Stanford's K.J. Costello -- although I haven't ranked Eason just yet because I want to see a few more starts. It's still a distant third, well behind Tagovailoa and Herbert, but that's a testament to those two, rather than a knock on Fromm. He has jumped up my rankings.

Kiper: For me, he's competing with Eason, who we mentioned earlier, LSU's Joe Burrow, Costello and Utah State's Jordan Love for that third spot, which could be late in the first round. It could be a deep group of quarterbacks in this draft. It's important to note, though, that Fromm could still return to school and play for Georgia in 2020. We still have a long ways to go, and he will face some stiff tests the rest of the way with Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M still on the schedule.

McShay: He thrives on the big stage, so those showdowns could be really fun to watch. Let's not forget there's a potential SEC title game matchup with Tagovailoa and Bama looming too. Even though the Bulldogs have lost some big games, Fromm's tape in most of those games is more impressive than the stats and results suggest. If he keeps playing at this level, there's plenty of reason to think he could make his way into the first-round conversation.

Prospects on the rise

These are the 2020 NFL draft prospects moving up boards:

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

I wrote before the season that Brown could be a top-10 pick -- if he adds a few sacks to his game. And if he plays like he did Saturday against Texas A&M, he's going to be a lock for the top 10. Brown dominated in the win over the Aggies, with two sacks, a forced fumble and another tackle for loss. At 6-foot-5, 318 pounds, Brown is a physical specimen. He has shown that he can get off blocks and be disruptive, but it's a promising sign to see him finish after he penetrates. Auburn moves Brown around in various defensive fronts, and he set the tone on Saturday. He's the clear top defensive tackle in this class. -- Kiper

Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Eason has been so patient and in control of Washington's offense this season. Sure, he is playing behind NFL prospects Trey Adams and Nick Harris on that offensive line, but you can't coach his combination of size (6-foot-6, 227 pounds) and arm strength. He makes the tough throws look easy and just shredded a solid BYU defense on the road, completing 85.7% of his passes. If Eason continues to handle pressure well and improve the consistency of his accuracy, he could put himself in the Round 1 mix -- if he decides to leave school early. -- McShay

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Eason drops another dime for another Washington score

Jacob Eason tosses a dart to Aaron Fuller for the 37-yard touchdown to increase Washington's lead against Hawai'i.

Under-the-radar prospects you should know

Keep an eye on these potential Day 2 or Day 3 picks:

Tony Brown, WR, Colorado

A 2017 Texas Tech transfer, Brown caught nine passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in Colorado's 34-31 win over Arizona State on Saturday. He's a natural hands catcher who tracks the ball well and flashes the ability to make contested catches. Brown is more of a threat downfield than he is after the catch, averaging 15.8 yards per catch this season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver came into the season as a potential priority undrafted free agent but now could move into the late-round mix if he continues to play well and tests well. And while we're talking late-round receivers, also keep an eye on Rhode Island's Aaron Parker, who already has 515 receiving yards this season and displays good focus and body control. -- McShay

Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska

Jackson, a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers, is super talented, but he was inconsistent in his technique in 2018. He can get grabby at times, and that won't translate to the NFL. I wanted to see a big jump from him. And with seven pass breakups and an interception so far, Jackson has looked much cleaner this season. At 6-foot-2, he has great size, though he's not going to be a burner at the combine. He has a chance to be a top-100 pick next April. -- Kiper