Jordan Love NFL draft profile and fantasy projection

Jordan Love emerged onto the national scene after having a breakout sophomore year at Utah State in 2018. The signal caller threw for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns with just six interceptions in his second collegiate season, but regressed in 2019 after losing his head coach and key on-field personnel. Love threw for 3,402 yards and 20 touchdowns with 17 interceptions last season, and his poor decision-making during that time has caused his draft stock to fall.

Although Love isn’t seen as a sure-fire first-round pick, he has climbed draft boards in recent weeks following his performance at the NFL Combine. Showing scouts his measurables and giving them a chance to watch him throw up close has worked wonders for him, and some predict he could even land inside the top 10 selections in April.

There’s speculation that Love could move past Oregon’s Justin Herbert — who is considered to be the draft’s third best quarterback — if the Los Angeles Chargers like him more. But he could also slip and have his name called in the middle or toward the end of the first round. It’s hard to project where the signal caller might land, but he has a ton of potential and one of the highest ceilings in the draft.

Scouting Report

One of the things that makes Love so enticing is his natural talent for the things that can’t be taught. He can execute throws on the run while utilizing multiple arm angles to make plays other prospects could only dream of making. But sometimes he’s overly ambitious when trying to throw into tight windows. His footwork has also been questioned.

It’s unfair to compare any quarterback to Patrick Mahomes — the steal of the 2017 draft — but Love has had his name uttered in the same sentence as the 2018 league MVP and reigning Super Bowl champ. Mahomes dropped to 10th overall because of his inconsistency and recklessness, but the Kansas City Chiefs fell in love with him. Now look where they are. I’m not saying Love is that kind of player, but he might be worth taking a risk on.

Here are a few words from NFL scouts on Love.

Jordan Love isn’t without his warts but he possesses a high-level physical skill set and peaks on tape that reveal the ceiling of a potential dynamic NFL starting quarterback. His arm talent and mobility is perfect for the trends of today’s NFL and there is no limitations to what he can do on the field. The full playbook is open for Love and then some. With that said, he does need to make notable strides in several key areas including decision-making, timing and accuracy to achieve his ceiling. — The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs

He has the arm to stick throws into tight windows but needs better eye discipline and anticipation to keep windows open. His size, mobility and arm talent combined with his 2018 flashes could be a winning hand that leads a team into the future or a siren’s song of erratic play and unfulfilled potential. — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

Mock Draft Results

Mel Kiper, ESPN: New England Patriots
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Indianapolis Colts
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: New England Patriots

Fantasy impact: Rookie year

Jordan Love isn’t expected to step in and immediately become a difference-maker. It seems like he’s most likely to end up playing second fiddle to a veteran in his rookie year before taking over in his sophomore season. Sure, injuries could play a factor in how soon he hits the field, but don’t expect him to be extremely impactful from the get go. He could make some jaw-dropping plays when given the opportunity this season, but might not really begin to show what he’s capable of until 2021. Three of the six teams Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller says Love has met with ahead of the draft will start seasoned veterans in 2020.

Fantasy impact: Career

Love is a boom-or-bust prospect for a different reason than Tua Tagovailoa, who is bouncing back from the hip injury that ended his final season at Alabama prematurely. Either Love fits in with a team that caters to his playing style and skill set, or he finds fails the find the consistency teams want from a long-term starter. The best case scenario for Love is that he’s an All-Pro quarterback for years to come with the ability to air it out and make plays with his legs. All the top five fantasy quarterbacks from last season had those skills, and Love has a chance to join the elite with the right team.