Tag: Jacob Eason

Here is Jacob Eason’s rating in Madden NFL 21

Eason comes in 6th among rookie QBs.

With training camp expected to be right around the corner, the release of Madden NFL 21 will quickly follow. While the ratings aren’t out yet, we do have an early look at the rookie quarterback class, including Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick Jacob Eason.

The rookie quarterback in the Circle City isn’t expected to see playing time during his rookie season. With Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett still on the roster, it will be some time before Eason sees the field.

That’s reflected in his Madden rating, which comes in at a 63 overall and the sixth-highest among rookie quarterbacks.

Eason’s 93 rating in throwing power is the highest of the class but his 82 accuracy rating is 17th among rookie quarterbacks.

Here are the quarterbacks ranked above Eason in terms of overall rating:

  1. Joe Burrow — 76
  2. Tua Tagovailoa — 73
  3. Jordan Love — 71
  4. Justin Herbert — 70
  5. Jalen Hurts — 68
  6. Jacob Eason — 63

The Washington product was expected to be a Day 2 selection but fell in the draft due to supposed work ethic concerns. He’s done everything he can to dispel those notions.

Eason has a very high ceiling given the arm talent he brings to the quarterback room but his development on the mental side of the game will be the deciding factor in his NFL career.

Colts’ Jacob Eason working on refining processing skills

Jacob Eason has a lot of learning to do.

The Indianapolis Colts selected quarterback Jacob Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the idea in mind that he could use a year to sit and learn more about what it takes to be successful in the NFL.

The Washington product has intriguing physical talents and arguably the best arm talent in his draft class. However, the mental side of the game is where the work needs to be for Eason.

Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady told Colts.com that the process of learning and understanding the nuances of the position is where Eason’s focus is right now.

“Well definitely he has the physical tools — a starting point. Obviously the big arm, the size. So, yes, definitely he has that,” said Brady. “The No. 1 thing going from college to the pros is just how much information he’s able to just take in, because our playbook is much bigger than what he had in Washington in college.”

Eason has the benefit of working behind starter Philip Rivers, backup Jacoby Brissett and under head coach Frank Reich. All three are considered intelligent minds when it comes to the learning process at the position.

But how quickly can Eason take what he’s learning and apply it on the field? That’s the big question the Colts have for the rookie quarterback.

“And so he’s learning all of that, so not only learning it, now he’s gotta process it,” said Brady. “And we can’t see that yet until he gets on the field, so it’s that, ‘Can he take what he’s learning in the classroom, recognize it when he steps out the huddle, and then process it and make the change in the matter of time before the play clock hits?’ How quickly is that process and speed, and then how quickly is it processing post-snap when he’s in the pocket taking his drop?”

But Brady believes in what he has seen thus far in the short time that Eason has been wearing the horseshoe.

“So there’s a lot of just time that it’s gonna take him, but he’s doing a great job with what he’s been asked to do now; he’s learning and asking questions and picking it up,” said Brady.

The Colts are hoping they won’t have to rely on Eason during his rookie season, which means he will have plenty of time to work on his processing skills.

Colts’ Jacob Eason listed among Day 3 picks in favorable situations

Rookie QB finds himself in a solid spot working under Philip Rivers.

The Indianapolis Colts felt the value of taking quarterback Jacob Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft was too high to pass on and while he likely won’t see the field during his rookie season, his situation is strong.

Even though Eason will be working behind starter Philip Rivers and backup Jacoby Brissett, at least for 2020, Pro Football Focus listed the Washington product as one of the Day 3 picks in the draft to land in a favorable situation.

Eason may not be in line for playing time early on, but being able to learn from Philip Rivers is a godsend for the former Washington quarterback. Eason’s fall to the fourth round despite his massive arm came in large part because of his dreadful performance under pressure last year. His 37.6 passing grade under pressure was one of the worst of any drafted quarterback. Rivers has made a career thriving under pressure. He had bottom-10 ranked pass-blocking lines the entire past decade for the Los Angeles Chargers. If anyone can coach Eason to improve his pocket presence, it’s Rivers.

Eason slipped due to supposed work ethic concerns, but the small sample of this offseason has proven otherwise. He has a long way to go until he is game-ready, but the ceiling is certainly there given his arm talent.

Fortunately for Eason, who fits the mold of a true pocket passer with limited mobility, Rivers will be a great example to follow. Developing his ability to read through progressions and handle pressure are at the forefront of his objectives.

He must also work on his instincts as a passer, but improvements in that area are best developed with actual playing time.

Blessed with elite size and a rocket arm, Eason has a very high ceiling. How much he can learn in the year under Rivers will be vital to his future in the NFL.

2020 Colts training camp preview: QB Jacob Eason

Previewing the rookie QB ahead of training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

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Name: Jacob Eason
Position: QB
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 231
Age: 22
Free Agent Year: 2024

Background

After the Colts signed Philip Rivers to a one-year deal in free agency and made it clear they weren’t going to ship away Jacoby Brissett, they made a move during the draft to bring in a big-armed rookie to develop in the room behind those two.

Enter Eason, who arrives in Indy with elite size and the arm talent to make every throw from the pocket. The Colts selected him in the fourth round out of Washington, which is solid value considering most mock drafts had him pegged as a Day 2 pick.

Expected Role

Eason will be competing for the QB3 role behind Rivers and Brissett. He will be going against preseason hero Chad Kelly for the role and should be viewed as the favorite. If he comes out on top during that competition, the Colts are more than likely going to keep him on the active roster, which means they will be carrying three quarterbacks.

2020 Outlook

While his current traits are intriguing, Eason is far from a finished product. The Colts are likely focusing on his footwork, timing and anticipation and going through his progressions while he adjusts to life as an NFL rookie. Eason won’t see the field for the Colts unless both Rivers and Brissett go down during the season.

The Colts have a lot of faith in developing Eason, who has a very high ceiling. He has worked hard since being drafted and has impressed the coaching staff thus far through the early portion of the offseason.

But he is still a year or two away from seeing the playing field.

Bottom Line

Eason arrives in Indy as a high ceiling prospect but one that needs a lot of work. If he continues to work hard and hone his craft, he has a chance. But for the 2020 season, he will be doing a lot more watching and learning than actually playing.

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Colts QB coach on Jacob Eason: ‘He’s done a great job’

Jacob Eason impressing early on.

Even though the Indianapolis Colts brought in Philip Rivers on a one-year deal and are keeping Jacoby Brissett as the backup, they decided the talent of Jacob Eason was too good to pass up in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Eason, who has a high ceiling but plenty of work to do, has been impressing the coaching staff so far this offseason. Even though they can’t get on the field and work together just yet, the rookie has been doing his part during the online meetings.

“Overall he’s been great,” said QBs coach Marcus Brady said. “You know, I’ve been on Zoom with him — a lot of calls spending time with him installing the offense with him — and he’s done a great job. I mean, he’s worked hard, he’s asked a lot of questions and he’s picking up the offense.”

Despite being projected as a mid-Day 2 pick in the draft, Eason fell to the fourth round due to supposed work ethic and accountability concerns. The Colts believed them to be a bit overblown, and he’s shown nothing to prove them wrong since being selected.

Eason and a few of his fellow rookies in wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Dezmon Patmon have been working out on the field together during the quarantine.

Though the Colts addressed other needs earlier, they felt his value was too good to pass up when the fourth round of the draft arrived.

“Just getting him, I mean, it was great for us, to be able to get that type of talent that late in the draft,” Brady said. “Obviously he’s still young, got things to work on; he does have a lot of tools with his size and his arm.”

While Eason has to continue himself worthy of potentially getting a chance to take over the starting duties one day, he’s impressed several coaches during the early parts of the offseason.

“So Jacob (Eason) has been exposed to a lot because he’s been coached so well by Coach Petersen and his offensive staff,” said OC Nick Sirianni. “So we’re seeing as we go through these virtual meetings his intelligence, his ability to process and what he’s been exposed to. He’s definitely ahead of the curve, so that’s been exciting.”

The Colts don’t have any plans to use Eason at all during his rookie campaign but the best thing he can do is continue to get his work in while learning from the quarterbacks ahead of him and the coaching staff, which is what he’s done thus far.

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Rookie impact meter for Colts’ 2020 draft picks

Which rookies make the biggest impact?

Every Indianapolis Colts fan knows that general manager Chris Ballard loves his draft picks.

“The more picks you have, the more darts you have to throw at the board.” Every year but his first (2017), Ballard has made at least eight selections in his drafts with the Colts.

Usually the first question asked when a rookie is selected is “will he make an impact?” In most cases, some make big splashes like Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson. Others take time like Rock Ya-Sin and Anthony Walker.

For the rookie impact meter it will be based off a scale of 1-10. 1-3 being fringe roster player/developmenal piece, 4-6 rotational player/core special teamer, 7-10 will be from starter to key player to superstar.

Let’s take a look at how much of an impact I think these rookies will make in their first season:

Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | Round 2, Pick 34

The first of nine selections by the Colts in 2020, Pittman is the son of former NFL running back Michael Pittman and while he is a wide receiver, he plays a lot like his dad did while he was in the NFL.

Pittman is a 6-foot-4 receiver from USC, and during his senior season he flashed his potential. USC dealt with a constant change at QB, but that didn’t impact Pittman negatively. His senior season he had 101 catches, 1,275 yards, and 11 touchdowns, a major spike from his three previous seasons.

As most Colts fans know, Philip Rivers loves his big-body wide receiver, ones with a big catch radius, and Pittman supplies that. With Pittman being a second-round pick, and with the lack of depth and talent at reciever, Frank Reich and company should be able to get Pittman on the field early and often as a rookie, and he should be instant impact right away.

Impact Rating: 7

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Details on Jacob Eason’s rookie contract with the Colts

Jacob Eason will sit at least a year under Philip Rivers.

The Indianapolis Colts used a fourth-round pick on quarterback Jacob Eason and while they hope to use the 2020 season as a learning year, the upside he possesses has the team excited.

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The Colts believe Eason had the best arm talent among all of the quarterbacks in the 2020 class. Being able to wait until the fourth round allowed them to add other explosive prospects. It also kept his contract numbers lower, which is always key with young quarterbacks.

Eason officially signed his rookie deal last week. Per Over The Cap, here’s a look at the details of his four-year deal.

Eason’s deal is four years and worth $3.295 million with a $732,264 signing bonus.

Eason is expected to work behind starter Philip Rivers, who was signed to a one-year deal in free agency, and Jacoby Brissett, who resumes his backup duties after a disappointing 2019 campaign as the starter.

The Washington product is certainly an intriguing prospect. He has all of the traits needed to be an above-average pocket passer. He has to develop better instincts and feel within the pocket, especially when handling pressure.

It will be interesting to see how his career unfolds, but this is how his rookie contract looks.

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Former Georgia QB Jacob Eason signs rookie deal with Colts

Former Georgia football and Washington Huskies QB Jacob Eason has signed with the Indianapolis Colts, per his Instagram.

According to a post by Jacob Eason on his Instagram account, the former Georgia quarterback has signed his rookie deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

Eason was drafted with the No. 122 overall pick by the Colts last month in the 2020 NFL Draft.

After transferring from Georgia at the end of the 2017 season, Eason sat out a year due to NCAA rules and then started the 2019 season at quarterback for the Washington Huskies.

At Washington in 2019, Eason led the Huskies to an 8-5 record throwing for 3,132 yards with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Eason was projected as one of the top 5 quarterbacks in this year’s draft but, along with former teammate Jake Fromm, was forced to wait a bit longer to hear his name called and was eventually taken in the fourth round.

With the Colts, Eason will have the opportunity to learn from newly signed veteran passer Phillip Rivers and compete for the back up position for 2020.

It’s nice to see Eason finally put pen to paper and be rewarded for his fortitude. The Lake Stevens native did some great things at Georgia and DawgNation will be rooting for him in Indianapolis.

There are no contract details at this time.

 

 

Colts sign RB Jonathan Taylor, two others to rookie deals

Colts now have 7 of 9 draft picks under contract.

The Indianapolis Colts signed running back Jonathan Taylor, quarterback Jacob Eason and linebacker Jordan Glasgow to rookie contracts, the team announced Friday.

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It has been a busy week for the Colts in terms of getting these rookie contracts done. All seven of their current deals have come this week.

Taylor is the biggest name of the trio here. The Colts traded up three spots to get him at No. 41 overall in the second round. He will be joining Marlon Mack at the top of the running back depth chart and likely will take over the starting duties beginning in 2021.

Eason was drafted in the fourth round to be a developmental piece in the quarterback room. With Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett firmly entrenched in their roles as starter and backup, respectively, Eason will be fighting for the QB3 role with Chad Kelly.

Glasgow was the final pick for the Colts in the draft, being selected in the sixth round. His only path to making the roster is through special teams and while that might seem like a tall task, Glasgow’s prowess in that phase of the game has garnered praise from several draft pundits.

With these three officially under contract, the Colts have now signed seven of their nine selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. The only two that remain are wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and safety Julian Blackmon.

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Where Colts will focus development for QB Jacob Eason

Jacob Eason brings a high ceiling but a lot of work to the offense.

The Indianapolis Colts felt it was the right time to grab a quarterback in the fourth round of the draft, opting to select Washington product Jacob Eason—the highest-graded player on their board at the time.

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Eason is the prototypical pocket passer. He brings elite size and the best arm talent in the draft according to the Colts. But there are several areas he will need to improve in order to make his way up the depth chart.

In a conference call on Monday, head coach Frank Reich detailed where the focus of Eason’s development will be.

“I think his accuracy is solid. It can get better and it has to get better. That is usually a byproduct of footwork and how you think in your progressions and how fast you can get to the right guy,” Reich said. “We’ll work hard with him on that. The fundamentals and the technique of the footwork that we want – how to sync that up but also the mental part.”

Improving his footwork was one of the biggest detractions from Eason’s scouting profile. His pocket mobility is inconsistent and his lack of sound footwork hinders his ability to deliver consistent ball placement.

But working on the mental side of throwing the ball is also an area the Colts are working at, hoping it will also lead to an improvement in accuracy.

“Accuracy is not just physical, it is also mental,” Reich said. “You’ve got to be going to the right place with the ball. That helps your completion percentage. So, we will work with that.”

While those areas will be at the forefront of Eason’s development, Reich also touched on the fact that they will be working on his pocket awareness—improving his footwork when working around pressure but still staying calm enough to go through his progressions.

“The other area that we’ll continue to work on is just pocket awareness,” said Reich. “When you’ve got the arm that he has and you can throw from the pocket the way that he can, you just want to continue to work on those little subtle movements in the pocket and the pocket instincts and awareness that you have.”

Eason has a very high ceiling. There is no denying that. But the Colts don’t view him as an immediate contributor. He will be sitting for at least a year behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett while working to get to the point where the team can trust him to lead the offense.

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