INDIANAPOLIS – A ‘forced’ selection of a quarterback didn’t come in the first three rounds of the 2020 Draft.
But the position that needs long-term attention got some of that in Round Four.
With the 122nd overall pick the Colts took Washington quarterback Jacob Eason in Round Four.
Here are 3 takeaways on Eason:
1. Big Armed Eason
The strength of Eason comes from his size (6-5 and 231 pounds) and being a big-armed quarterback who can sling it all over the field. The Colts were disappointed in their lack of a downfield passing attack in 2019, and that’s something Eason has a willingness to do. Questions about Eason begin with his footwork, lack of mobility and a bit of leadership/football character concerns. One thing to remember about Eason, he started just two seasons in college, and 1 of those was as a freshman at Georgia all the way back in 2016. So, theoretically, there should be some room for Eason to grow, and he will get that opportunity behind Philip Rivers.
2. Frank Reich Magic Time
For weeks (more like months), I’ve stressed the need for the Colts to draft a quarterback. You believe in Frank Reich’s coaching pedigree in identifying a quarterback that has some attractive traits and now you’ve given your coaching staff some clay to try and mold. Can Reich and company fine tune Eason’s footwork, help him settle into Indy’s offense and see the necessary strides in playing the quarterback position? Eason is now the only Colts quarterback under contract past the 2020 season. Even if Eason doesn’t achieve a Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins type of progression as a 4th rounder, turned starter one day, he still is on a very affordable contract and could be the team’s backup as early as next season. What does this mean for Jacoby Brissett? I still don’t believe the draft pick return would be that immense in trading Brissett. Plus, the Colts kept three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster for a long stretch to close out last season. Maybe something changes as the offseason develops through camp and the preseason, but I don’t see anything happening right now.
3. Not A Wasted Pick
No, this is not the definite Colts franchise quarterback of the future. But, perhaps beginning in 2021, this might be the Colts backup for the next ‘X’ amount of years. People wanted to call a quarterback selection in 2020 a ‘wasted’ pick. It’s hard to ever say that at the most important position in sports, especially when you have the lack of a clear long-term outlook that the Colts had entering this draft. What the Colts have done here is get a QB in their building, who Frank Reich has obviously identified for a reason. Without those extra draft picks waiting in 2021, moving up for a QB is going to cost a whole lot of your draft capital, so making sure you spent some pick on a signal caller this year was extremely wise.
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-How does Utah S/CB-Julian Blackmon fit into the Colts secondary?
-Is 5th round pick OL-Danny Pinter the Colts next versatile backup offensive linemen?
