Mitch Trubisky performed well in Washington, so that likely eased some of the ideas about the Chicago Bears 2020 draft plans involving a quarterback. At least early on. This doesn’t mean GM Ryan Pace and his staff should suddenly stop evaluating though. One can never know if and when the right talent may fall into their laps. Or maybe Trubisky regresses again. Until definitive answers are found, it’s wise to prepare for anything.
Jacob Eason is one of the more interesting names that has begun to gain momentum in college football. After losing the starting job in Georgia to Jake Fromm, he left for Washington where he settled in as their signal-caller. He’s off to a strong start so far and has the attention of NFL teams. So what might a team be getting if he decides to go pro next year and if he does, will the Chicago Bears have any shot at him?
Here a scouting breakdown of what he offers on tape.
Chicago Bears 2020 draft look at Jacob Eason
Strengths:
- One of the first things teams look for in a QB is size. At 6’6, 225 lbs there won’t be any issues on that front for him.
- The arm has plenty of juice to it. He can sling it down the field whenever he wishes without needing a clean pocket every time.
- Guys his size aren’t always the most mobile bunch but such is not the case. He moves really well and can often pick up 1st downs himself.
- Accuracy is fairly consistent at all levels. His deep ball can be quite good when his feet are right.
This play offers all the proof of how talented Eason is. The pocket breaks down and so he scrambles to his left, keeping his eyes down the field. When he finds an open man he properly squares his body and flicks his wrist, firing the ball with great velocity and accuracy to the corner of the end zone where his receiver catches it for a touchdown. Few quarterbacks can do something like this.
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- Shows he can use his eyes to manipulate coverages and find the open creases for long completions.
- Has a strong pocket sense. Can feel the pressure from the backside and either step up to avoid it or take off and run.
- Maintains a strong grip on the football at all times. Suffered several hits where the ball would normally come out but was able to keep control.
Weaknesses:
- Like a lot of college QBs, he’s worked almost exclusively from the shotgun. So learning how to play under center will be an adjustment.
- Has a habit of trying too hard to keep plays alive, which can lead to some costly mistakes like turnovers or sacks.
- Mechanical discipline isn’t where it needs to be. Too often gets sloppy with his footwork and delivery.
- Hasn’t refined his deep ball. Though he has touch, he is too erratic with his ball placement which leaves a lot of big plays on the field.
- Comparatively inexperienced. Started his freshman year but didn’t play much for the next two until he transferred from Georgia to Washington.
Pro comparison: Carson Wentz
Wentz was known as a bigger quarterback with a strong arm who could move well for his size. He liked to stay in the pocket but wasn’t afraid to take off and run when the situation required. He also has a habit of hanging onto the ball a little too long while trying to make a big play. Inexperience (started two years) was also something that followed him out of college. It’s worked out well for him anyway.
Projection: 1st round
Eason has a level of physical talent that NFL teams salivate over. Provided he finishes the year healthy and with reasonable numbers, his odds of being a 1st round pick are extremely high. All he’d have to do is perform modestly well at the scouting combine and do well in interviews. That shouldn’t be overly hard. If Josh Allen, who had way more question marks could go in the top 10, then there’s no reason to think he can’t.
