The 2020 NFL Combine opened their on-field drills with the tight ends group, followed by the quarterbacks and wide receivers for a combined workout. As always, the workouts begin with the 40-yard-dash, and when they shifted into position drills, we got to see a few new drills.
With Joe Burrow (LSU) opting to sit out after a long season and Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) still recovering from hip surgery, the next level of quarterbacks had a chance to solidify their spots and they did just that.
Jordan Love, Utah State, 6-4, 224
Personally, I have listed Love as QB3 on my Lions based draft board — behind Burrow and Tagovailoa — for most of the season, but Herbert’s performance at the Senior Bowl made me wonder if that was the correct call. After Love’s Combine performance, he once again illustrated his longterm upside and why the Lions will likely have him rated higher than Herbert, who may have a higher floor.
Justin Herbert, Oregon, 6-6, 236
Herbert demonstrated confidence, a perfect spiral, adjusted well to being under center, and while may have missed the first throw or two at the beginning of a drill, but once he found his groove, he repeated the good throw over and over. Herbert’s overall consistency throughout the drills helped his cause to be selected in Round 1.
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, 6-1, 222
Hurts was expected to test as the most athletic quarterback at the Combine and he didn’t disappoint. He ran a 4.59 40-yard-dash while landing 3rd in the vertical jump (his 35″ was a half-inch off the lead) and tied for the top spot in the broad jump (10-5).
He showed good footwork in on-field drills, threw a very pretty ball with speed and quickness, but these drills didn’t highlight/expose his biggest flaw which is mental processing during the play. Overall, it was an above-average day for Hurts, who likely solidified a Day 2 selection.
Notes:
- Anthony Gordan (Washington State) continues to flash upside and with him rostered with the Lions at the Senior Bowl, continues to be a player Lions fans need to keep tabs on.
- Nate Stanley (Iowa) showed a ton of pop in his throws, and coming from a program the Lions trust, he could also be on the Lions radar late on Day 3.