Ranking the QB prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, yet it's also seemingly the most difficult for NFL teams to evaluate in the draft. Just over a week before the 2020 draft, here's a look at the top 15 quarterbacks available.

1. Joe Burrow, LSU

Burrow is expected to go first overall to Cincinnati after a phenomenal year at LSU, completing 76 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns in 15 games to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy. He has everything teams could want in a draft prospect, including amazing accuracy, poise, athleticism and above-average arm strength. The only knocks on Burrow are his lack of production prior to 2019 and age, turning 24 in December.

2. Justin Herbert, Oregon

Herbert is a shoo-in as a top-five pick in the draft after a productive college career. He got starting experience in all four of his college seasons, culminating with 3,471 yards and 32 touchdowns last year for the Ducks. He's mobile enough with the accuracy to play immediately in his rookie season.

3. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Tagovailoa is a polarizing prospect because of the risk involved. The lefty is undoubtedly a great prospect and arguably the most capable quarterback on the board, but a string of injuries during college could be a red flag for some teams. He had multiple high ankle sprains and had his college career end with a major hip injury. When he was healthy over the last two years, Tagovailoa averaged more than 11 yards per pass attempt and threw 76 touchdowns in 24 games. The expectation is that Tagovailoa will still be a top-10 pick, if not top five.

4. Jordan Love, Utah State

Love's stats regressed last season with less talent around him, but he has the raw ability that scouts love. He arguably has the strongest arm in this year's class and more than enough mobility. After impressing at the combine, Love could go anywhere in the draft from the top 10 to sometime early in the second round.

5. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

Hurts was highly productive at both Alabama and Oklahoma, and he's the most mobile passer among the elite quarterback prospects. He finished his career completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 3,851 yards and rushing for nearly 1,300 yards last season. There are questions about Hurts' throwing ability, but the success of Lamar Jackson could push Hurts as high as the late first round.

6. Jake Fromm, Georgia

As an elite high school prospect, Fromm's college career at Georgia was a bit of a disappointment. He struggled in his junior season, completing a career-low 60.8 percent of his passes, and Fromm isn't mobile. Still, he proved his intangibles and leadership throughout his college career, and he could certainly go from a Day 2 pick to starter down the line.

7. Jacob Eason, Washington

Eason was replaced by Fromm at Georgia and finished his career at Washington. His best trait is arm strength, though Eason's accuracy has long been a question mark. He completed a career-best 64 percent of his passes last season, and the pure talent should allow him to be drafted on Day 2.

8. Jake Luton, Oregon State

Luton transferred from Idaho to Oregon State early in his college career and showed well as a senior. There are questions about his arm and athleticism, but Luton was a good game manager last season with 28/3 TD/INT in 11 games.

9. Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Gardner Minshew's success after coming from Mike Leach's offense last year should play in Gordon's favor. He had a great senior season in his own right for Washington State, throwing for 5,579 yards and 48 touchdowns, showing the accuracy to be a quality backup at the highest level.

10. Nate Stanley, Iowa

Stanley has plenty of playing experience at Iowa, starting over the last three seasons. His accuracy, on the other hand, hasn't been great, never completing 60 percent of his passes and having some issues with interceptions over the last two years. However, he does have plus tools and could be a nice developmental project.

11. Steven Montez, Colorado

Montez's athleticism doesn't jump off the screen, but he ran a sub-4.7 second 40-yard dash at the combine and had 960 career rushing yards for the Buffaloes. He also has NFL arm strength but never showed the accuracy to convince teams he has a future as a starter, especially with a career-high 10 interceptions in 405 attempts last season.

12. Brian Lewerke, Michigan State

Lewerke had a disappointing career with the Spartans despite starting for three seasons. He had more interceptions than touchdowns in 2018 and had another 13 interceptions and 17 TDs over 436 attempts last year. The raw talent is there with decent mobility and arm strength, so Lewerke still has a shot to be drafted late.

13. Tyler Huntley, Utah

Huntley lacks the size of a prototypical NFL quarterback, but there's not much question about his college production. He's both mobile and accurate, completing 73 percent of his passes with only four picks in 301 attempts for the Utes last season. He has a chance to be a late-round flier.

14. James Morgan, Florida International

Morgan saw plenty of time on the field at Florida International over the last two seasons. While he has NFL arm strength, Morgan's accuracy regressed last year when he completed only 58 percent of his throws. He hopes to have his name called on Day 3.

15. Shea Patterson, Michigan

Patterson transferred from Ole Miss to Michigan in 2018 but didn't develop as hoped under Jim Harbaugh. Last season was particularly disappointing, as he completed only 56 percent of his passes with a stagnant 8.0 yards per attempt despite plenty of talent surrounding him. Without NFL physical tools, Patterson could go undrafted.