Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft: No. 1 Joe Burrow, LSU
By John Newman
Film Review
Burrow is listed as 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, according to LSU’s website. He is coming off the greatest quarterbacking season in SEC history and watching his film bears out that historic quarterback play.
Burrow shows excellent quarterback intelligence, as he throws with anticipation and timing. Burrow displayed an excellent ability to read defensive schemes and used this to throw 60 touchdowns to just six interceptions this past season.
Watching him play, it is clear that what made Burrow succeed in 2019 wasn’t a great coach scheming up plays that confused the defense. Some quarterbacks rely heavily on screens, rub routes and misdirection to get production. While LSU also ran these types of plays, Burrow thrived all on his own, by throwing with great accuracy and exceptional quarterback mechanics.
His deep passes are highly accurate, even by NFL standards. His ball placement is excellent, as he can throw the ball into both tight windows and spaces only his receiver could catch it. His ability to throw the ball into all sections of the field is remarkable for such a young talent. Whether it was to the sidelines, the seams or the corners of the end zone, Burrow showed an incredible ability to throw the ball where it needed to go in 2019.
Where Burrow really shines is his work in the pocket to read and manipulate coverages. He keeps his eyes downfield with pressure and can move linebackers and safeties with his eyes, opening up passing windows for his receivers. Burrow was excellent at looking one way and then passing somewhere else.
1. Joe Burrow's eyes are key here. Looks right, the linebackers follow, and he's got a window to throw through.
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) September 9, 2019
2. Justin Jefferson, tough as nails. Complete receiver. What a player. pic.twitter.com/5lsGItAN6T
His footwork is smooth and clean, moving up in the pocket and making solid throws on the run when he needed to. He commits to the pass well, standing firm before he throws, even when contact with defenders is imminent.
Burrow can go through his progressions when preparing to throw, without becoming antsy and exiting the pocket. Many college quarterbacks on this list are one or two read quarterbacks, who exit the pocket or check down after their primary target is blocked.
Burrow can make throws to all levels of the field and has the strength and throwing motion to get them there reliably. No bad habits or awkward mechanics that will need to be adjusted once he is in the NFL, at least none that I could spot. He appeared to have a great rapport with his teammates and looks ready to lead an NFL team in Year One.
Since Joe Burrow talked about studying film of Drew Brees while learning LSU's offense this year, I thought this might be interesting: Burrow's 2019 passing map (14 games, on left) vs. Brees' 2019 passing map (11 games, on right)
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) January 3, 2020
Numbers in top right corner of box = PFF grades pic.twitter.com/gGfQl08u2q
The only flaw I observed watching Burrows film from this year was his deep passes have a lot of air under them. While they aren’t rainbow passes, they do take some time to reach their target.
This will invite aggressive safeties to make plays at the catch point in the NFL, giving defensive backs time to make plays against the receiver. This type of pass works significantly better in college than it does in the NFL, as secondaries in college are easier to manipulate and don’t offer as many false looks like they do in the NFL.
Read. Joe Burrow Scouting Report. light
It is impossible to know whether this was just an aspect of college football he was taking advantage of or a real flaw in his deep passing ability. In any case, none of that is a deal-breaker by any stretch of the imagination. No matter what section of the field he is throwing to, Burrow has shown enough this past season to warrant the number one quarterback ranking in the 2020 NFL Draft on any rational person’s draft board.