SCOUTING REPORT - QB1 JOE BURROW, LSU

You could easily make the argument that the greatness of college football is most purely represented by the journey and rise of LSU's mercurial QB Joe Burrow. The former Ohio Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year was shunned by home state juggernaut Ohio State and coach Urban Meyer after backing up JT Barrett for two seasons. Not to be denied, Burrow completed his degree in just three years allowing for immediate transfer to an unlikely adopted new home: LSU. Here, Burrow hit his stride after a solid first year in the bayou to produce perhaps the sport's single most impressive quarterback season ever in 2019, scooping up O'Brien, Maxwell, Heisman and unanimous All-American honors as well as the National Championship in the process. A potential immediate game-changer at the pro level, Joe Burrow is the best top-of-the-draft QB prospect in several years.

PROS

Uncanny, next-level accuracy and ball placement. Regularly throws receivers open and masterfully anticipates openings in the defense. Lightning fast post-snap processing speed allows him to make full field, multi-progression reads with ease and consistency. Also displays evidence of good pre-snap recognition, although he did receive checks from the sideline. Quiet feet and calm demeanor in the pocket, almost never panics or gives up on a play. Fluid, repeatable and pretty throwing mechanics and release. Capable of every throw on the field even if his arm strength is not overwhelming. Plays with a star's poise and big play mentality which, combined with his other gifts, led to a laughable amount of devastatingly high-impact completions on tape. Much more of a well-rounded athlete than many realize. Not only a capable scrambler but consistently demonstrated good decision making when it came to extending the play behind the line of scrimmage versus taking off on the run. Accuracy and effectiveness do not suffer in an ugly pocket or when the play breaks down. Seemingly improved every single week of the 2019 season, all the way through his stunning College Football Playoff performances.

CONS

Doesn't possess overwhelming arm strength or velocity. Several instances of underthrown or inaccurate deep balls on tape. Occasionally over-spins or over-lofts his deep throws which is typically overcompensation for sub-optimal arm strength. While mostly an extremely advanced post-snap field reader, can play blind to defenders dropping back from the front seven. Can sometimes struggle with blind side pass rush awareness in the pocket. Was certainly aided by the talent around him on the LSU offense, especially in jump ball scenarios where he can be a little too aggressive at times. By his own admission, hasn't ever played on a bad team and so is due for a reality check when he hits the pros. Needs to do a better job protecting himself when scrambling, took by my count at least 3 concussion risk-type hits in 2019. Only demonstrated a truly sublime level for one season as a college starter.

VERDICT

Burrow gets my first #1 overall QB grade since Jared Goff and only the fourth I've ever given (Andrew Luck, Cam Newton). What I've learned since that slightly errant verdict on Goff is that arm talent alone just isn't enough for a grade this high. A true #1-graded QB must possess a well-rounded skill set and must demonstrate special mental, leadership and big game abilities. Fortunately for Joe Burrow, he has all of those things in abundance. He's a one man culture changer and should be the top player on any team's board that doesn't have an established franchise QB already in place.

PROSPECT COMPS

Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Jared Goff

GRADE

#1 Overall