The 2020 NFL draft class is loaded with quarterback talent, and four were selected in the first round. Not all gunslingers selected in the first round will start right away, but there will at least be a couple of quarterbacks who get playing time in 2020.
There also could be some later round picks who could find playing time. Who would have thought Gardner Minshew would end up a key player for the Jacksonville Jaguars when he was drafted in the sixth round? Let's breakdown the quarterbacks who could play significant minutes during the 2020 season, and make a prediction on what quarterback will have the best season.
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow was selected with the first overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. The good news for Burrow (in terms of this competition) is he knows he is the starter Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season. The Bengals released Andy Dalton who later signed to be the backup of the Dallas Cowboys. The other quarterbacks still on the Bengals roster are Ryan Finley and Jake Dolegala who won't be taking the job unless Burrow gets hurt.
The good news for Burrow is he has playmakers around him. A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and John Ross is a good wide receiver room for any quarterback. Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard will also take some pressure off Burrow with their running.
Burrow is the most NFL ready quarterback. There shouldn't be a whole lot of adjustments needed at the NFL level. He is elite at reading NFL defenses, and it looks like he is the perfect NFL quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins. In terms of first-round quarterbacks, this one seems to have the most question marks in terms of when he will step onto the NFL field.
Tagovailoa is should be ready to start NFL Week 1 after the devastating hip injury he suffered while still at Alabama, but that doesn't mean that's what the Dolphins will do. The Dolphins have Ryan Fitzpatrick who can be the starter for the 2020 season while giving Tagovailoa a bit of a redshirt season.
If Tagovailoa does start, there is no doubt about the talent he brings to the team. He is an elite pocket passer who does a good job of keeping his eyes down the field. Even when he has to go outside the pocket to escape pressure, his first goal still is to find an open wide receiver down the field.
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert, much like Tagovailoa, isn't a guaranteed starter in Week 1, because the team also has Tyrod Taylor on the roster. Coming into the NFL Draft most had mixed reviews about what Herbert can do in the pros.
Herbert no doubt has the arm talent, but there is going to be some growing to do as he gets to the NFL. If Herbert does start this season there are probably going to be some growing pains. There will be some very good games, and some games where the Los Angeles Chargers think about going back to Justin Herbert.
Jordan Love
Jordan Love very well could turn out to be the best quarterback in this draft class, but that's not something we are going to find out this season. Unless Aaron Rodgers decides to retire (which won't happen) or Rodgers goes down with injury, Love won't see the field unless it's the preseason.
Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles surprised everyone when they selected Jalen Hurts in the second round, but it could end up being one of the better selections in the NFL Draft. Hurts is no doubt a project, but Eagles starting quarterback Carson Wentz still hasn't completed a full season, so having a solid backup is a must.
Even if Hurts doesn't play during the regular season, he needs to be ready, because he never knows when he is going to get a shot. If past history rings true, Hurts will play at some point if the Eagles make the playoffs.
James Morgan
Last season there was Minshew who was a late-round draft pick finding success. This draft class is a little different, and there doesn't seem to be many late-round steals that will come from it, at least not initially. The New York Jets selected James Morgan with their second fourth-round pick.
Morgan probably won't be taking over for Sam Darnold even if he struggles, but the Jets offensive line isn't great, so Darnold could always be injured.
Morgan wasn't talked about a lot during his college days, but he has all the arm talent to be good NFL quarterback.
Who has the best season?
All signs point towards Joe Burrow having the best season, but that is the easy answer, and we want a little bolder. There are some doubts about how Hurts will transition to the NFL, but his style is unique, and going to be hard to defend. Wentz can't stay healthy, and there is no reason to believe it's going to happen this season.
Hurts is going to come in during the middle of the season, leading the Eagles to a lot of success. Hurts is going to win at least one playoff game. After having the big year there is going to be a big quarterback controversy in Philadelphia.
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