Washington State Football: 3 reasons to pick Anthony Gordon in NFL draft

Washington State football’s Anthony Gordon burst onto the scene for the Cougars in 2019 and here’s why NFL teams should consider him.

While Anthony Gordon only had one year experience of being the starting quarterback at Washington State, he put up huge numbers under center.

Let’s look at a few reasons why an NFL team should consider drafting him in 2020.

3. Potential to develop

What Anthony Gordon lacks in playing experience, he makes up for in the type of year he had as the starter in 2019. He boasted a completion percentage of 72 while throwing for 5,579 yards with 48 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Yes, he was in Mike Leach’s air raid system, but to put up those numbers is very impressive, especially in your only year as the starter.

Gordon is most likely being looked at as a late-round pick as teams out there will be tempted to take a chance to see if he can be developed. The year he put up at Washington State says he can be developed and when you put on the tape, his tape says the exact same thing.

Now, if he can be developed into a starter or lifetime backup remains to be seen, but he has the ability to develop enough to stick around.

Below is a clip against UCLA, the game Washington State lost despite Gordon throwing for nine touchdown passes, that shows Gordon’s ability to flick the ball out quickly and throwing from a different arm slot than usual due to the pass rush. Fast forward to the 4:30 mark of the clip to see this play.

Gordon has a quick release who knew Mike Leach’s offense like the back of his hand. His quick release and ability to throw the football from multiple arm slot positions shows that he has physical tools as well.