The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Utah State quarterback Jordan Love:
What he can do
– Possesses ideal size (6-4, 224), athleticism, arm strength and play making ability for the quarterback position
– Proven winner with 21-11 career record as a starter at Utah State (second-most wins in school history)
– Great arm talent; can make any NFL-caliber throw; has confidence to fit throws into tight windows; has a natural throwing motion
– Showed nice touch on multiple throws toward the sidelines in between safeties and cornerbacks; throws a nice deep ball
– Decision-making is questionable; got carried away with his arm strength by thinking he could make throws that weren’t there; led FBS in interceptions (17) in 2019
– Displays good movement in the pocket but often panics under pressure; tries to be superman in these situations; NFL pass-rushes won’t be any easier to handle
– That said, his athletic ability allows him to easily escape the pocket when under duress
– Showed trouble progressing through his reads at times; often relied on his first read getting open
– Was inconsistent year-over-year; regressed in 2019 after a stellar sophomore season (2018) where he threw 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions
– Threw for 8,600 yards, 60 touchdowns and 29 interceptions while completing 61.2 percent of his passes in 32 career games
– Finished with 12 career 300-yard passing games and was responsible for 9,003 yards of total offense (school record)
How he fits
The Packers don’t have an immediate need for a quarterback, but Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting any younger. Rodgers turned 36 this past December and is under contract for at least the next four seasons. He’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024, when he’ll be 40 years old.
Drafting Love would present Green Bay with a similar situation to when the team drafted Rodgers. When Rodgers was selected back in 2005, former starter Brett Favre had just turned 36 years old. Rodgers eventually took over four years later in 2008. Love would be placed in a similar situation and would have the opportunity to learn from one of the league’s best.
NFL comp
Love is the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect with limitless upside. The ceiling might be Patrick Mahomes, but the floor is Blake Bortles. Wherever he lands, Love will likely need to use his first season to sit and learn behind an established starter, similar to what the Kansas City Chiefs did with Mahomes.
Where Packers could get him
The Packers would almost certainly have to use the 30th overall selection. Quarterbacks don’t grow on trees, especially ones with tantalizing potential like Love. If Love begins to fall in the draft, much like Rodgers did back in 2005, the Packers could be tempted to pull the trigger. In fact, the Packers were one of six teams that recently held a virtual visit with Love.
Highlights
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs