10 QBs in the 2020 NFL Draft for Cowboys fans to know about

The Dallas Cowboys are not likely to take a quarterback early, but breaking down the class remains important. See who they may target.

Target: Brian Lewerke, Michigan state

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Lewerke has certainly had ups and downs during his time at Michigan State, but I can say with confidence if drafted, he can step in and immediately be the second-best quarterback on the roster. He is a rhythm passer who can go through streaks of inaccuracy when off his game. His electric arm is apparent and able to be utilized off-platform and from multiple angles, a point to his generally good upper-body mechanics. Lower body mechanics are enough to support accuracy, though the presence of a good pass rush withers this trait.

He can struggle to navigate the pocket while under duress and be over-aggressive to a significant fault, putting the ball in harm’s way too frequently. He is a fit for McCarthy’s West Coast scheme and has tangible development available to him. If so, Lewerke can develop into one of the better backups the league has to offer.

Sleeper: Bryce Perkins, Virginia

Most of the world is yet to be introduced to the under-the-radar talent that is Perkins.

He’s a solid decision-maker that falls on the safe side of the spectrum but is willing to test one-on-one coverage down the field. He is also willing to take a hit to deliver the football and typically remains accurate while doing so. Perkins’ arm strength is noticeably worse than most in this class, and his ceiling is subsequently not very high. However, his ability to put touch on the ball, make and extend plays with his legs and keep an offense on time is enough for him to be a successful backup quarterback, if not a low-end starter in the league. Perkins is likely to outplay his draft slot (or lack thereof) even if his ceiling remains limited.

Don’t buy the hype: Jacob Eason, Washington

When deciding between Eason and Nate Stanley for this particular category, Eason won (or lost) out subsequent to the investment a selection would demand. Stanley would shock the football world if selected before the third round; Eason may not fall past day one. Eason is reminiscent of, albeit better than, Christian Hackenberg in his lackadaisical mechanics, erroneous play under pressure and questionable decision making to contrast from rather impressive arm strength. Unlike some of the stronger-armed passers in this class, like Jordan Love, whose decision making stands out as a significant detriment among other much smaller areas of weakness, Eason’s game illuminates an increasing amount of flaws as one’s evaluation transpires. If it is not an ill-advised checkdown that sputters an offensive drive, it is a lack of pocket movement that leads to a sack or poor footwork that results in valleys in his accuracy. There are simply too many concerns that negate the obvious upside applicable in Eason’s game for me to invest anything more than a day three pick into.

Day 2 option: Jake Fromm, Georgia

As things currently stand, the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to take a passer on the draft’s second day. In the event that a backup quarterback is sought after and invested in, Jake Fromm is that guy. It’s fair to say Jake Fromm epitomizes what it means to be a backup passer. His limited arm talent waters down his upside, but he is accurate enough to stay relevant and win some games at the college level. He is not going to win out of structure often and is paralyzingly safe with the football, a detriment derived from taking the shorter of two open reads. The Georgia passer does enough to win games in the SEC, but describing his NFL outlook as anything more than uninspiring seems disingenuous.

Day 3 option: Tyler Huntley, Utah

Huntley saw his stock rise towards the end of his senior season at Utah but has since fallen back down to Earth. The Utah product would still be a surprise to see go before Saturday, though he remains a viable backup option. Watching Huntley is as entertaining as it gets, as his erratic footwork and squirrel-like progressional ability invite chaos. He is a fairly accurate passer with the athleticism to create big plays, though consistency has since eluded him. In a lot of ways, he is reminiscent of Easton Stick, a passer from last year’s class who found similar struggles in stretching the field and finding a rhythm before using his legs to escape.

UDFA option: Stephen “Buckshot” Calvert, Liberty

The first of two small-school talents to be observed as undrafted talents, Calvert possesses a fun name and an equally entertaining game. The Liberty quarterback has a gunslinger mentality and enough upside to warrant a look, but size concerns (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) could render him a discard among the hopeful passers in this class. He could be a priority free agent to take a swing on, backing the theory that investments like these should solely be based on upside. If not for anything else, his training camp reps would be must-see television. 

UDFA option: Mike glass III, Eastern Michigan

Glass was a MAC athlete that I was higher on than seemingly everyone going into this season. He was always physically limited, with an arm that struggled to consistently hit anything past 20 yards, but he did enough within his limited range to make plays and lead drives at a fairly consistent rate. He was a checkdown artist who had the touch to be effective deep, but his velocity remained a persistent issue. I like his ability to get through progressions, but like Fromm, being too safe comes at a cost. Under pressure and out of structure play is a concern, but when in a rhythm, he can move the chains with his legs as well as his arm. Essentially, Glass would be competition for Cooper Rush but poses very little threat to anyone on the 53-man roster.

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