Colts Rookie QB Jacob Eason is One of PFF’s ‘Day 3 Picks Who Landed in Favorable Situations’

According to Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacob Eason is one of ‘the Day 3 picks who landed in favorable situations’:

PICK 122: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — QB JACOB EASON

Eason may not be in line for playing time early on, but being able to learn from Philip Rivers is a godsend for the former Washington quarterback. Eason’s fall to the fourth round despite his massive arm came in large part because of his dreadful performance under pressure last year. His 37.6 passing grade under pressure was one of the worst of any drafted quarterback. Rivers has made a career thriving under pressure. He had bottom-10 ranked pass-blocking lines the entire past decade for the Los Angeles Chargers. If anyone can coach Eason to improve his pocket presence, it’s Rivers.

Selected by the Colts with the 122nd overall pick in the 4th round of this year’s draft, the 6’6”, 231 pound junior quarterback completed 260 of 405 throws (64.2%) for 3,132 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during 13 starts in 2019.

Blessed with an absolute cannon of an arm, the big bodied quarterback has some loud tools for the Colts to work with as a developmental passer. While Eason flashed the ability to hang tough in the pocket during some play-action situations, he needs to work on his ability to handle pressure overall.

With a similar ‘gunslinger’s mentality’ to new Colts veteran quarterback Philip Rivers—at times over-trusting his arm, Eason can really benefit by serving as the longtime Charger field general’s understudy—who can also teach him a thing or two about pocket poise.

In addition to Rivers, Eason will also be playing under a former NFL quarterback, Colts head coach Frank Reich, who features a very passer friendly offense in Indianapolis—and should understand about better than anyone how to connect with the young quarterback.

As Colts general manager Chris Ballard stated, Eason shouldn’t be anointed the Colts ‘next Messiah’ at quarterback by any means. That being said, playing behind both Rivers and even fellow backup Jacoby Brissett, the developmental passer has an incredibly live arm and the potential to possibly be the Colts’ long-term answer in time. That is, if he fully commits himself, improves as a project passer, and soaks up everything like a sponge.

Simply stated, Eason landed in the best situation he reasonably could’ve with the Colts.