NFL Draft 2020: Best pick made by each AFC South team
Indianapolis Colts: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Round 4, 122nd Overall
As per usual, Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts were able to find tremendous value throughout the 2020 NFL Draft. There is certainly plenty to like about their first three selections of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., running back Jonathan Taylor and defensive back Julian Blackmon, but taking Jacob Eason in the fourth round stands out as their single best selection.
The Colts entered the 2020 NFL Draft with an obvious need for a long-term answer at the quarterback position. While many of us expected them to trade into the first round for Jordan Love or take Eason early in the second round, the Colts instead opted for better value selections with their premium picks but were still able to land Eason in the fourth round.
Eason is an extremely talented quarterback prospect who shows an impressive combination of natural mobility and arm talent. He is quick and elusive in the pocket, can make plays with his legs and has the arm strength to hit any throw on the field. Eason is far from a perfect quarterback prospect but he has an exciting ceiling due to his natural playmaking ability at the most important position in the game.
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Mentally, Eason is a step behind at this point in his career. He does not consistently see the field well and is not an overly impressive natural decision-maker. His accuracy is inconsistent, but Eason does flash brilliance in this department. There are plenty of times on tape where Eason rips the ball into tight spaces with elite accuracy and incredible natural ball placement. He needs to become more consistent in this department, but there is some nice accuracy upside in his game.
Landing in Indianapolis is absolutely perfect for Eason’s development. Not only will he not be under any immediate pressure to compete, but Eason will also learn from head coach Frank Reich who is a quarterback guru. With Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett on the roster, Eason will be able to sit back, learn and properly develop for at least a season before the Colts need him.
If he grows enough to take over the job in 2021, great! If not, it’s no big deal because Eason was only a fourth-round selection. Finding Eason in the fourth round was a major steal for the Colts and could end up being a huge deal down the line.