Much like the loaded wide receiver group, the quarterback class in the 2020 NFL draft offers a little bit of everything. There are QBs with accuracy and precision who could go in the top five. There are two 6-foot-6 signal-callers with huge arms. And there are wild cards who beat defenses with second-reaction ability and athleticism.
But where do these top quarterbacks fit at the next level? I looked at the ranges where each of the best seven in the class might fall and the teams drafting there, and then found prime landing spots for each based on the skill sets we see on tape, the various development arcs, team needs and coaching schemes.
Here are my perfect scheme fits for the seven quarterbacks most likely to be drafted on Days 1 and 2, starting with an obvious one atop the board. And for more on the QB class, check out Monday's ESPN SportsCenter Special on the group at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) and 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
Jump to:
Burrow | Tagovailoa | Herbert
Love | Hurts | Eason | Fromm
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 221 pounds | School: LSU
Where the Bengals could get him: Round 1 (No. 1)
Why he fits: Coming from a pro route tree at LSU, where he completed 76.3% of his passes, Burrow is an accurate thrower with the movement skills to play right away for the Bengals. There's a reason he's the favorite to be the No. 1 pick.
Similar to what Sean McVay's Rams offense does with Jared Goff, Zach Taylor's system in Cincinnati can set up Burrow with timing and rhythm throws off play-action, while using formation and pre-snap movement to give the rookie more defined reads. Cincinnati will throw the crossers and the Hi-Lo concepts and use the boot schemes to create layered routes outside of the numbers. That works well for veteran route runner A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, along with the schemed deep-ball targets for speedster John Ross. The Bengals also have a running back in Joe Mixon who can become Burrow's outlet when he gets into trouble.
While the Heisman Trophy winner doesn't show elite arm talent on tape, he throws with precise ball location and is an easy mover in the pocket with the ability to make second-reaction plays. And that's a fit for today's NFL.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 217 | School: Alabama
Where the Dolphins could get him: Round 1 (No. 5)
Why he fits: Tagovailoa fits in Miami with veteran offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who can build a rhythmic passing game around the left-handed quarterback. With a quick release and anticipatory skills to attack tight windows, the Dolphins can lean on both run-pass option and play-action concepts. That will create more defined reads and leveled throws for Tagovailoa. Think quick-glance routes for DeVante Parker here, or the pro concepts Tagovailoa threw at Alabama, including the dagger, double post and flood. The Dolphins also have four more picks in the first two rounds to get their quarterback some help.
Tagovailoa has shown the ability to manage and escape pressure, and he has enough second-reaction ability to play off schedule and keep his eyes down the field. In Miami, however, he fits best as a ball distributor who wins with placement from the pocket. That's where he can throw the quick game, use the in-breakers and attack vertically on scripted concepts. Plus, with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami, Tagovailoa gets the time he needs to recover fully from hip surgery.
Dan Orlovsky campaigns for Tua Tagovailoa's toughness ahead of the NFL draft and believes the former Alabama QB is worthy of a top selection.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 236 | School: Oregon
Where the Chargers could get him: Round 1 (No. 6)
Why he fits: With the arm talent to attack all three levels of the field and the ability to get on the move, the Chargers can use Herbert in a heavily schemed passing attack that allows him to play stylistically much like Josh Allen in Buffalo. With Herbert, expect Los Angeles to use more spread-based concepts and RPOs, while giving him open-window targets off misdirection and play-action to drive the ball with velocity on intermediate and vertical throws. Get ready, Mike Williams -- you're going to get some bombs; Herbert had 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions on go routes in 2019, the second-best ratio in the FBS.
With veteran Tyrod Taylor already on the team, Herbert would be afforded time to develop as an anticipatory thrower, tying his upper- and lower-body mechanics together to improve his accuracy as a pro. When he is game-ready, the Chargers have wide receiver talent with Williams and Keenan Allen and a solid tight end in Hunter Henry and emerging running back in Austin Ekeler. Los Angeles would be able to scheme specifically for Herbert and his high-ceiling abilities to facilitate more production early in his career.
Jordan Love, Las Vegas Raiders
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 224 | School: Utah State
Where the Raiders could get him: Round 1 (Nos. 12 or 19)
Why he fits: Given his throwing traits, movement skills and playmaking ability, Love is a fit for almost any scheme. The Patriots could be an option at No. 23. The Saints at No. 24, too. But I'm looking at Jon Gruden's Raiders in the first round. Give Love a strong coaching staff and time to develop, and he could thrive in Vegas.
This franchise isn't tied long term to Derek Carr, who isn't owed much guaranteed money past this season, or free-agent signing Marcus Mariota, so Love can be projected here as the future starter. And the fit works with Gruden. Love has an efficient release to get the ball out with speed on West Coast concepts, including crossers, sticks and slants. The mobility should show here on movement concepts, too, and Love has the arm talent to drive the ball down the field on designed vertical shots.
In Vegas, Gruden and his staff can work to develop his complete skill set. And with two veteran quarterbacks already on the roster, there is no immediate pressure to throw Love into the mix early.
Jalen Hurts, Green Bay Packers
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 222 | School: Oklahoma
Where the Packers could get him: Round 2 (No. 62)
Why he fits: Aaron Rodgers will be 37 in December, and the depth in the Packers' quarterback room could be upgraded. Drafting Hurts gives the Packers a high-floor developmental prospect with true dual-threat ability and unique intangibles in Matt LaFleur's offense.
While Hurts needs to shorten his release, building out from LaFleur's zone run/play-action system would allow the Packers to design a future game plan around Hurts' ability to move. Boot, misdirection, RPOs and scripted verticals could all be in the mix. Green Bay would be able to show the ball on outside-zone run action and rip throws to the middle of the field. Plus, with Hurts' ability as a runner, the Packers could use the Oklahoma product on designed run concepts in addition to the second-reaction ability he brings to an offense.
There is no question on Rodgers as the No. 1. But I like the idea of Hurts developing behind the future Hall of Famer, with the chance to be featured in specific packages early in his career. He'll strengthen any football team that drafts him.
Dan Orlovsky breaks down film of former Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts and his dynamic abilities ahead of the NFL draft.
Jacob Eason, New England Patriots
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 231 | School: Washington
Where the Patriots could get him: Round 3 (Nos. 87, 98 or 100)
Why he fits: The Jags could target Eason at No. 73 overall to compete with Gardner Minshew. And that's a decent fit. But I'm looking at a Patriots team here with three third-round picks as the best landing spot for Eason, given his physical traits and the play-action route tree in New England.
The Pats brought in veteran Brian Hoyer, and though second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham has some talent and is familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense, the Pats' quarterback room needs more competition. With Tom Brady now in Tampa Bay, there is pressure on his successor, and drafting Eason adds a high-upside thrower to the organization.
With Eason, the Patriots get a pocket thrower with the arm talent to rip the ball to all three levels of the field. And he fits in the play-action system there -- power play-action out of both one- and two-back sets, driving the ball up the seams or attacking tight windows on deep crossers. That meshes with Eason's college tape. He could develop as a quick-game thrower in McDaniels' offense, though he needs to improve his consistency.
Jake Fromm, Minnesota Vikings
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219 | School: Georgia
Where the Vikings could get him: Round 3 (Nos. 89 or 105)
Why he fits: Fromm lacks upper-tier arm talent and physical traits, but he fits in the Vikings' play-action-heavy system. He could compete for the No. 2 role behind starter Kirk Cousins.
When watching the Georgia tape, it's clear that Fromm understands coverage rotations and where to go with the ball. That meshes with the Vikings' play-action schemes on deep crossers, floods and the boot concepts that target coverage voids. While Fromm has a lower ceiling and could be tagged as a more scheme-specific prospect, he anticipates well, and the Minnesota offense gives him an opportunity to develop.