Report: Colts Are Among the NFL Teams Meeting with Utah State QB Jordan Love

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts are among the teams that have been in contact with Utah State quarterback Jordan Love remotely:

“NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts have been in contact with Love via FaceTime and other virtual methods, per a source informed of the meetings,” notes NFL.com writer Kevin Patra.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, NFL teams are prohibited from meeting in-person with draft prospects—and have to use alternative technological means.

The 6’4”, 224 pound junior quarterback completed 293 of 473 passing attempts (61.9%) for 3,402 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions for the Aggies in 13 games during 2019.

Love posted a 4.74 forty time, 35.5 inch vertical, and 118.0 broad jump at the NFL Combine and threw well in drills—really helping his rising draft stock:

Love has the 6th best SPARQ rating among quarterbacks in his draft class (75.5% NFL percentile).

While Love has struggled with his decision-making at times—which has led to turnovers, and he’s still pretty unrefined as a passer, he might arguably have the highest ceiling of any quarterback prospect this year.

Some of his issues last season with Utah State were a direct result of a lack of a strong supporting cast surrounding him and simply trying to do too much to win games.

Love has an incredibly live arm—with the ability to throw from different arm platforms, which is coupled with his exceptional mobility—and the unique ability to make spectacular plays on the move and while under duress.

One doesn’t have to squint too hard to see some similarities between him and former NFL MVP and reigning Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes.

Here’s a brief summary of Love’s tantalizing talent:

Of course, the Colts could use a developmental quarterback to groom behind 38 year old veteran starter Philip Rivers—who’s nothing more than a 1-2 year stopgap. Backup Jacoby Brissett has already shown that he’s not the long-term starting solution.

In 2020, Love could have a ‘redshirt year’ in Indianapolis before fully assuming the starting position in either 2021 or 2022 at the latest—although he could always push for the Colts starting job much sooner.

That being said, with the Colts having traded away the #13th overall pick for DeForest Buckner, general manager Chris Ballard currently isn’t slated to draft any earlier than the beginning of the second round with pick #34—followed shortly by pick #44.

Love could go anywhere from #10th overall to the early #20’s, but it would be surprising to see him slide out of the first round entirely and fall within striking distance for the Colts.

As such, the Colts may have to get creative and try to trade up—if the franchise truly wants Love bad enough and firmly believes he’s a future fixture as their starting quarterback.