Best and Worst Landing Spots for 2020 NFL Draft's Top Quarterback Prospects

The right quarterback in the right spot makes all the difference. 

That is now the central focus of several non-playoff teams, starting with the Cincinnati Bengals, owners of the top pick in 2020. 

The right fit means a multitude of things. For some prospects, it could be landing in a locale that will clearly work around his talent—like the way Baltimore shifted things to lean into Lamar Jackson's strengths. For others, it could mean landing in a spot that doesn't have instant pressure to succeed and a strong support base like the way Alex Smith and Andy Reid helped along Patrick Mahomes. 

As of right now—and it's important to stress this can change quickly during the draft process—the 2020 quarterback class looks top-heavy and little more. But the top names seem to be a consensus already, so let's examine their best fits based on individual needs.  

Joe Burrow, LSU

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It would take an absolute stunner to knock LSU's Joe Burrow from the throne as top quarterback, if not top prospect outright in 2020. 

The Heisman Trophy winner experienced one of the most memorable single-season leaps in recent history, completing 77.6 percent of his passes for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns against six interceptions, even torching Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff to the tune of seven touchdown passes. 

Burrow doesn't have one obvious flaw in his game. He makes reads, he's mobile, his arm makes NFL throws. Whether he pans out could still likely hinge on location, but it's hard to see him failing right now. 

Best Fit: Cincinnati Bengals 

First overall to the Cincinnati Bengals sounds good. Some might decry Burrow going to a team that won just two games and got off to the worst start in franchise history, but there are signs of improvement. 

For one, the Bengals have an excellent crop of talent around the quarterback. A.J. Green could be back to join Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Joe Mixon and perhaps Tyler Eifert. Jonah Williams, a first-round pick last year, will return to bolster the offensive line. 

And there's also Zac Taylor, whose coaching improved down the stretch, the most notable example being alterations to the blocking schemes up front that produced a massive season-ending stretch for Mixon. It hints at the staff being willing to work around Burrow's skill set, which is critical to success for all involved. 

Worst Fit: Miami Dolphins

If Burrow for some reason slipped to the Miami Dolphins at No. 5, there could be problems. 

Those Dolphins showed odd direction at the position this year, going with Ryan Fitzpatrick despite making the move for Josh Rosen, who only got in six games. The line in front of the passers coughed up 58 sacks, Fitzpatrick ended as the team's leading rusher, and only one wide receiver breached the 500-yard mark. 

This isn't to say Miami isn't on an upswing, but it's going to take time, and the roster might need too much from him too quickly, which could dash his development. The Dolphins just brought on 67-year-old Chan Gailey to lead the offense, yanking him from retirement, which could have some interesting results in a league that has moved on rapidly since his coaching days. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

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Unfortunately for Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the biggest question centers on his playing future. 

After suffering a season-ending injury this year, Tagovailoa will announce whether he's even going to turn pro Monday. 

Much goes into that decision, including what the evaluation of his stock is. But he doesn't have many flaws in the mind of the media, which is why he's still the No. 1 passer on Mel Kiper's big board. Not hard to see why after the Crimson Tide leader again looked elite in 2019 pre-injury, completing better than 70 percent of his passes with 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions. 

Best Fit: Los Angeles Chargers

If Tagovailoa enters the draft and slips to sixth, he could land with a Los Angeles Chargers team willing to let him take his time on a comeback. 

That hinges on Philip Rivers, of course. But it's hard to imagine the Chargers let the veteran signal-caller walk in free agency if he wants to keep playing ball. And Tagovailoa getting to learn from Rivers would be an ideal environment for the purposes of the developmental track. 

If and when the Alabama product does get on the field, he'd find himself flanked by a deep running back core even if Melvin Gordon leaves, as well as a stellar pass-catching roster led by Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry. 

Worst Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One would think Tagovailoa falling out of the top 10 would mean a chance at sitting out the first year and later entering a good environment. 

But that might not be the case with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team where Bruce Arians couldn't get the most out of Jameis Winston, who found a way to throw for 30 touchdowns and interceptions. If the Buccaneers don't re-up with Winston and draft a quarterback, the rookie could be thrown to the wolves sooner than he's ready. 

And besides a lack of the almost-expected Winston turnaround, Tampa Bay doesn't have much going for it around the passer. The running game is lackluster, the line just coughed up 47 sacks, and there isn't much going on besides Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who both missed multiple games in 2019.

Justin Herbert, Oregon

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Justin Herbert is bound to be one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects in the 2020 draft. 

The Oregon product had a downswing in 2018 but rebounded this year 32 touchdowns against six interceptions on a 66.8 completion percentage. Granted he had four games with one or no touchdown passes, but NFL types like the physical toolset, as noted by The Draft Wire's Jacob Infante:

"A productive, proven starter at the collegiate level with physical tools aplenty, Herbert has the potential to become a franchise quarterback at the next level. With Tua Tagovailoa's injury likely dropping his stock, expect Herbert to be the second quarterback selected in the 2020 draft."

Where Herbert lands might hinge on whether a certain Alabama quarterback enters the fray, but he looks like a mid-first passer regardless. 

Best Fit: Indianapolis Colts

In an ideal world, Herbert gets to potentially sit an entire year and learn before inheriting a good situation, starting with an offensive line, and then extending to the weapons around his position. 

Which sure sounds like the Indianapolis Colts in the middle of the first round. 

Those Colts have an elite line in front of the quarterback, and Jacoby Brissett has underwhelmed in the post-Andrew Luck era. He's got one year left on his deal, and then Herbert would come in, if not sooner, and play in an offensive-minded Frank Reich attack with weapons like T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle. 

Worst Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

The soon-to-be-named Las Vegas Raiders are a bit of a mess. Derek Carr's job doesn't feel 100 percent safe, and the last year or so was largely dominated by things like the Antonio Brown drama. 

Jon Gruden's offense hasn't exactly inspired, and the team is hardly getting anything from its wideouts, with tight end Darren Waller leading the team in receiving. No wide receiver recorded more than 651 yards. 

Granted, the Raiders as a whole seemed to overachieve this year, but that in itself is a bit concerning, too. Herbert seems like a prospect who needs time but wouldn't be guaranteed to get it in Oakland, never mind the pressure of leading a team to a new city. 

Jacob Eason, Washington

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Jacob Eason is one of two notable underclassmen quarterbacks with a chance of not only sneaking into the first round, but slingshotting up draft boards once teams fall in love with his upside. 

Eason's junior campaign at Washington wasn't jaw-dropping by any means as he completed 64.2 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. But the athleticism and strong arm hinting at upside were there. 

The Draft Network put it best recently: "Eason has a cannon for an arm and projects best into an aggressive vertical passing offense to take advantage of his arm talent to the deeper levels of the field."

Best Fit: Chicago Bears

If Eason stays floating in the mid-first-round area, he's a fun idea for a Chicago Bears offense that needs more than it's getting from the conservative Mitchell Trubisky. 

Granted, Eason wouldn't be a guarantee to win the starting job right away. But it provides Matt Nagy and his staff with some upside at the position. And that upside is unafraid to push the ball down the field, which is fun with an Allen Robinson-Anthony Miller combo ready to flourish with better play from under center. 

Never mind the strong defense in Chicago, which doesn't hurt for Eason to have once he gets on the field. The "when" is a little tricky, but it beats landing with a defensive-minded coach or being forced to the wolves no matter what. 

Worst Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a bad situation at quarterback as it is without adding a first-round passer to the mix. 

Yet it's hard to shake the idea the team won't at least consider the option in the opening round after the Nick Foles flop. Gardner Minshew II showed promise, but the upside conversation has to come into play. And while the front office has announced Doug Marrone and his staff will return, this wouldn't be the first time we've seen a struggling coach and front office go a different direction before disaster (e.g., Jay Gruden, Washington, Dwayne Haskins). 

And that coaching staff isn't exactly oozing offensive mastermind potential. The whole situation could be career quicksand for a rookie passer, and especially one like Eason who needs a longer leash to work through some of his potential pro growing pains. 

Jordan Love, Utah State

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Jordan Love out of Utah State is likely the next big riser of the draft process once the focus fully shifts to the big event. 

Here's what an NFL scout told Bleacher Report's Matt Miller: "Let me tell you...Jordan Love is better than Herbert, and I'd take him over anyone but Tua." 

Not hard to see why. Love is a big (6'4", 225 pounds) quarterback with a rocket arm who offers many of the "upside" checkboxes teams covet. This last season wasn't overly amazing statistically (3,400-plus yards, 20 touchdowns, 17 interceptions), but the consensus seems to be the upside here is more alluring than playing it safe with someone like Jake Fromm out of Georgia. 

Best Fit: New England Patriots

This is yet another annual "the Patriots could draft a quarterback" bit. 

But this year feels more likely than most with Tom Brady struggling. It's hard to imagine he hangs up the cleats, but that's a good thing for a prospect like Love. If Brady plays one or two more years, Love will get plenty of time to not only learn from one of the best quarterbacks ever, but also a Bill Belichick-led coaching staff. 

Granted, there's a certain pressure that comes with taking over in Brady's place eventually. But it's hard to complain with the nurturing environment. 

Worst Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have much going on at quarterback if Jameis Winston is truly gone, and besides a pair of solid pass-catching weapons, the roster as a whole is in the middle of a big rebuild. 

Meaning, barring the arrival of a veteran or more of Winston, Love might find himself asked to hit the field earlier than he's ready. 

And that's a good way to slice up the odds a quarterback prospect actually succeeds at the next level.