2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Career Snapshot
Graduate transfer from Ohio State who started both his seasons at LSU. Won the Heisman Trophy and completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns with six interceptions as a senior in 2019. Completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions as a junior.
Positives
A highly celebrated quarterback who comes off a career campaign. Displays great patience, goes through progressions and remains poised under the rush. Steps up and slides to the side to avoid defenders, buys as much time as possible and does not leave the pocket or take it upfield unless totally necessary. Displays outstanding field vision and knows where his receivers are on the field. Resilient quarterback who stands in against the rush to get the throw away.
He plays tough football, pulls himself up off the ground and gets back into the huddle. Takes off upfield, doesn’t force the pass to covered targets and makes proper decisions. Displays great awareness, possesses a solid arm and puts air under deep throws. Naturally looks off the safety, takes the safe underneath outlet if nothing else is available and effectively sets up screen throws.
Makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage and plays smart football. Displays timing on throws, leads receivers on crossing patterns and flashes the ability to place passes where only his receivers can make the catch. Shows the ability to pick up yardage with his legs when necessary.
Negatives
Must improve the consistency of his pass placement. Makes receivers slow down in patterns, wait for the ball to arrive and adjust backwards to grab the throw. Occasionally puts too much air under deep passes.
Analysis
Burrow comes off a tremendous campaign where he displayed himself to be a great leader on the field and played better as the lights got brighter. He’s presently the hot commodity at the quarterback position, but he is by no means a sure thing and must prove 2019 was not the exception to the rule. Burrow comes with outstanding talent, great moxie and football intelligence and should be successful at the next level if properly coached and developed.