NFL Draft 2020 Stock Watch: Jordan Love, James Morgan, Cole McDonald

1. Jordan Love, Utah State

Everyone has heard of Jordan Love by now as every NFL draft conversation involving quarterbacks involves Jordan Love, and rightfully so.

Love first popped out to me during the first game of the 2018 season against Michigan State. It was a Friday night and this was before Jordan Love was being predicted to potentially be a first-round pick. Utah State ended up losing to Michigan State 38-31, but he was the best player on the field and was making NFL throw after NFL throw. He threw for 319 yards and two interceptions, but single handily almost led Utah State to victory.

Ever since that game, I have made it point to watch Love and he has continued to show why he’s an NFL quarterback.

He had a huge year in 2018 as he threw for over 3,500 yards with 39 total touchdowns and only six interceptions. There was a coaching change after the 2018 season at Utah State and the 2019 season did not see the same success that the 2018 season saw. His touchdowns dropped to 20 and his interceptions ramped up to 17. There were multiple reasons for this: new coaching staff, players around him and him just trying to do too much at times. However, he still made NFL throws each game and has shown enough to be in contention for a first-round pick.

Overview

Love is a smooth, fluid passer with one of the strongest arms in this years draft. Not only can he rip it when he needs to, but has the ability to throw with touch and accuracy as well. He’s an athletic enough quarterback to escape the pocket when he needs to, but always keeps his eyes downfield as he is looking to throw, not run. He is able to run when he needs to, but it is not his first choice.

Love has the size NFL scouts love. He was inconsistent at times in 2019 and reminded me a lot of former quarterback Josh Allen when he was at Wyoming as far as consistency goes. Allen had a big year his second to last year at Wyoming and struggled off and on his last year, similar to Love. Both guys are out of the Mountain West and are good athletes with strong arms, however Love is  a much more polished thrower.

Similar to Morgan, Love’s last year in college did not go according to plan, but he still showed plenty to be considered a first-round pick. If he is put into the right situation, he will make an NFL team very happy in the future.

Below is Love’s highlight reel from his 2019 season. I would encourage you to check out his sophomore year film from 2018 as well.

The film is filled with Love throwing precise passers into tight windows and using his legs whenever is needed. His fluid motion throwing will also jump out as well.