Quarterback might be the toughest position to draft in the NFL, and it's also the most important. Finding hidden gems like Tom Brady or Russell Wilson can set your team up for future success, while overdrafting busts like JaMarcus Russell or Jake Locker can set you back years.
Heisman winner Joe Burrow and Alabama's Tua Tagavailoa have both been labeled as can't-miss prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, but there are no guarantees in the NFL. They might be decent starters, they might be busts or they just might end up being generational talents. Or, perhaps, someone else could emerge as the best in the class.
Here's a look at all of the quarterbacks taken in Sporting News' complete seven-round mock draft and how they might fit with their projected teams.
MORE NFL DRAFT:
NFL mock draft 2020 for quarterbacks
| Round | Pick | Team | Player | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Bengals | Joe Burrow | LSU |
| 1 | 5 | Dolphins | Tua Tagavailoa | Alabama |
| 1 | 9 | Jaguars | Justin Herbert | Oregon |
| 2 | 37 | Chargers | Jordan Love | Utah State |
| 3 | 75 | Colts | Jacob Eason | Washington |
| 3 | 80 | Raiders | Jalen Hurts | Oklahoma |
| 3 | 98 | Patriots | Jake Fromm | Georgia |
| 6 | 209 | Packers | Anthony Gordon | Washington State |
| 7 | 219 | Vikings | Brian Lewerke | Michigan |
| 7 | 222 | Cardinals | Bryce Perkins | Virginia |
| 7 | 233 | Bears | Nate Stanley | Iowa |
| 7 | 235 | Lions | Steven Montez | Colorado |
| 7 | 243 | Titans | Cole McDonald | Hawaii |
| 7 | 253 | Vikings | Jake Luton | Oregon State |
- Round 1, Pick No. 1 (Bengals): Joe Burrow, LSU
After putting together one of the greatest college football seasons of all time, Burrow is all but a lock to go No.1 overall to Cincinnati. Offensive-minded head coach Zac Taylor said he doesn't see them giving up the No. 1 pick in a trade, so it seems like they're pretty happy with what they've seen from the Heisman Trophy winner. Burrow is extremely precise with his throws and is tough enough to stay in the pocket, but also has the athleticism to avoid the pass rush and make something out of nothing.
- Round 1, Pick No. 5 (Dolphins): Tua Tagavailoa, Alabama
While there may have been some concerns about Tagavailoa's hip injury, he seems to be recovering really well and still has a ton of upside. While he isn't as tall as the prototypical QB at 6-0, he's mobile enough to escape the pass rush and make good throws on the run like a left-handed Russell Wilson. And with Ryan Fitzpatrick under contract for one more year in Miami as a security blanket, he'll have time to fully recover and be eased into the starting role.
- Round 1, Pick No. 9 (Jaguars): Justin Herbert, Oregon
Herbert might be the most physically talented quarterback in this draft. He's got a big arm, a solid frame and is underrated as an athlete. His biggest struggles come in the short and intermediate passing game, where he has a hard time finding the right touch. That might improve with pro-level skill players as he gets more confident with his receivers. Herbert should be able to compete with Gardner Minshew for the starting job, but it might be best if he's eased into the role first.
MORE: The top 10 draft-eligible quarterbacks you should know in 2020
- Round 2, Pick No. 37 (Chargers): Jordan Love, Utah State
The Chargers pass on getting a quarterback in the first round and get good value with Love in the second. Love (6-4, 224 pounds) is a big quarterback with an even bigger arm, but he took a step back in 2019 in the eyes of a lot of scouts. Some of that might have been due to coaching changes at Utah State as he struggled with reads and decision-making. But the talent is there, and he may benefit from playing behind Tyrod Taylor for a season before moving into a starting role.
- Round 3, Pick No. 75 (Colts): Jacob Eason, Washington
Another team with a capable starter picks up a big arm with big potential. Eason (6-6, 231) has drawn comparisons to Carson Palmer with his ability to stretch the field with the deep ball, but he's also drawn comparisons to Brock Osweiler for his inability to move in and out of the pocket. His arm makes him a more than capable back up behind Phillip Rivers, though, and he fits right into the Colts' play-action deep passing game.
- Round 3, Pick No. 80 (Raiders): Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has openly said he loves Hurts' winning background and thinks it could transition well to the NFL. He had great seasons at Alabama and Oklahoma and did a good job of improving as a runner and a downfield passer last season under Lincoln Riley, and he could eventually replace Derek Carr in the near future.
- Round 3, Pick No. 98 (Patriots): Jake Fromm, Georgia
The Patriots need to get a quarterback somewhere to fill out their depth chart, so why not here with Fromm? He fits the typical New England MO: not the most gifted athletically, but he's a heady player with a winning background and has the ability to make good pre-snap and post-snap decisions. He'll have to learn to anticipate throws a little better to compensate for his weaker arm, but there's no reason to think he couldn't potentially compete with Jarett Stidham to become Tom Brady's replacement.
- Round 6, Pick No. 209 (Packers): Anthony Gordon, Washington State
The Packers need a third quarterback to fill out their depth chart. Gordon is the latest product of Mike Leach's Air Raid system and put up impressive numbers in 2019, but he doesn't have the same quality decision-making that made Gardner Minshew a hidden gem in last year's draft. Still, he's someone who could develop for a few years behind Aaron Rodgers.
- Round 7, Pick No. 219 (Vikings): Brian Lewerke, Michigan State
Lewerke showed a lot of promise in 2017 and many expected him to fit in the mold of Kirk Cousins, Connor Cook and Brian Hoyer as solid pro-style Michigan State QBs. But he failed to make much progress over the next two years as he seemed to struggle with accuracy and confidence. He needs to improve his footwork and follow through, but the arm talent and toughness make him worth a look in the seventh round. Maybe fellow Spartan Kirk Cousins can help him develop.
- Round 7, Pick No. 222 (Cardinals): Bryce Perkins, Virginia
Perkins is an intriguing prospect. His success at the collegiate level stemmed from his dynamic athleticism as he was at his best when he escaped the pocket and could make chunk plays with his arm or legs. He probably won't be surpassing Kyler Murray any time soon, but it can't hurt to have an athlete like that on your team or in your practice squad.
- Round 7, Pick No. 233 (Bears): Nate Stanley, Iowa
If the Bears do decide to trade Mitchell Trubisky and go with Nick Foles as the starter, then they'll need a third quarterback on the depth chart. Stanley, who projects as a backup with potential to mature into a starter over time, would be a pretty decent option at the tail end of the draft. And even if they don't trade Trubisky, Stanley would still probably be an upgrade over current third-stringer Tyler Bray.
- Round 7, Pick No. 235 (Lions): Steven Montez, Colorado
Montez (6-4, 231 pounds) has good size, a solid arm and decent mobility, but has struggled to improve as a decision-maker. That may be something he can improve on, but things only get tougher at the next level. Still, based on talent alone, he's worth a shot at this point in the draft.
- Round 7, Pick No. 243 (Titans): Cole McDonald, Hawaii
McDonald doesn't have a particularly strong arm and doesn't have the anticipation skills just yet to be considered with the guys at the top end of the draft. Still, the Titans need a third quarterback to fill out their depth chart, and he's good enough with his reads and a decent enough athlete to bring some value as a seventh-round pick.
- Round 7, Pick No. 253 (Vikings): Jake Luton, Oregon State
From being a Wing-T quarterback in high school to transferring from Idaho to Ventura Community College to Oregon State, Luton has been overlooked most of his career, so it's fitting that he's the last quarterback taken in the mock draft. But he's an intriguing developmental prospect with good size, adequate accuracy and an NFL-ready arm. He isn't very mobile, but he' played in a pro-style system before and doesn't turn the ball over, so he's a pretty good pickup at the end of the draft.