Indianapolis Colts must target Jacob Eason in 2020 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts just signed Philip Rivers, but the hunt for Andrew Luck’s successor continues, and the team should look no farther than Washington signal-caller Jacob Eason.

On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts announced they had sign Charger great Philip Rivers to a one-year, $25 million deal. Rivers offers short-term stability at the position with the ability to allow the team to compete in the interim. Rivers is also known as a great leader and can use this quality to groom the future of the Colts, who should be former Washington Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason.

Jacob Eason has seemingly been lost in the shuffle throughout the draft and that is only to the benefit of the Colts. Jalen Hurts, Jake Fromm and Jordan Love are all frequently talked about at the position but Eason is the better prospect. The kid is a flat out stud.

When putting on the tape, it’s not hard to see why I’m enamored by this guy. His measurables are off the charts, as he has the perfect frame and cannon of an arm you want when looking for a quarterback. Luckily, he’s more than just a flashy arm.

He has one of the fastest and mechanically sound arms in the class that helps get the ball out with great speed. His feet also are fantastic, and it’s clear he has a great feel for the pocket around him.

His accuracy, for the most part, is great as well and is among the best in the class in the category.  Short-range accuracy he excels like you would want when looking at a young QB and he has a deep ball that will leave you in awe. Eason for sure throws one of the prettiest balls in football, and it’s a pleasure to watch.

The way I’m gushing over him makes him sound like a perfect prospect, but he does have some key flaws. For starters, he only has two years of starting experience under his belt. Like most players often due, Eason struggled to find footing during his Freshman year.

He did show plenty of potentials though and looked like he was poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Then, in camp, he lost the starter job to Jake Fromm and threw a whopping seven passes during the 2017 season. He did what seemingly every person does when they lose their spot nowadays and transferred, and he ended up at the University of Washington.

His season at Washington though great statistically, didn’t put him in the best of spotlights. For starters, the Huskies run a primarily one read offense, that didn’t give a great insight into how he would fit into a pro-style offense.

The other issue with Eason is that he can lack depth perception. There are some throws that are thrown well, but he just throws it at the wrong level, and it can lead to a terrible incompletion or a turnover. It isn’t consistent, but it happens enough to make you pull your hair out.

To maximize Eason’s potential, it would probably be best if he were to sit on the bench for a season and learn from a veteran quarterback. This is why the Indianapolis Colts are a perfect fit. Eason doesn’t need to play right away and he can learn from one of the most decorated quarterbacks the league has ever seen.

In 2021 if ready, Eason can assume the starting role and would flourish in the Colts offense. A west coast offense is perfect for someone of Eason’s skill set, who is an elite short-range passer who can uncork a deep ball when taking shots downfield. It just makes too much sense.

The Colts did trade away their first-round pick to the 49ers for DeForest Buckner, but Eason has been mocked out of the first by many analysts. The team does hold the 34th overall pick and I think this would be a perfect place to pull the trigger on the quarterback of the future.

It would be a hefty investment, but one worth the risk, and one that would reap major rewards. Eason has star written all over him and the Indianapolis Colts are the organization that will help him make that potential a reality.