Jordan Love isn’t Patrick Mahomes, but he can have similar path to success

Jordan Love has been compared to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and he could follow a similar path to success at the NFL level.

Save for the positive reports around Tua Tagovailoa’s medicals, Jordan Love was the talk of the NFL Scouting Combine when it came to the quarterback position.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that he would not be surprised to see Love make it into the top 10.

Love had an impressive workout on Thursday, running the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds. He also demonstrated impressive arm strength and accuracy throwing the ball.

Love has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and many believe he could benefit from the same treatment as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Mahomes sat for a season behind Alex Smith before winning the MVP in his first season as a starter in 2018.

Now, let’s be clear, Love is not Mahomes.

Mahomes’ arm strength is a tick above that of Love, who doesn’t possess the same level of talent as an off-platform thrower, though it is still an area in which he excels.

Love’s 20 touchdowns against 17 interceptions in 2019 pales in comparison to Mahomes’ final season with Texas Tech. Mahomes threw 41 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions in 2016 before being drafted 10th-overall the following spring.

Though Mahomes was a superior prospect and Love is a long way from reaching his level, the former Utah State quarterback could indeed thrive by being put in the same situation and allowed to sit.

Mahomes’ year on the sideline gave him the chance to make the adjustment from the Big 12 to the pros at a more gradual pace. For Love, whose interception-laden 2019 was more down to poor decision-making rather than inaccuracy, it would enable him to improve that area of the game through extensive time in the film room.

Love’s struggles in his final season at Utah State can also be attributed to the changes he had to deal with. The Aggies lost nine starters on offense from 2018, while Gary Andersen replaced Matt Wells as head coach and Mike Sanford Jr. took over as offensive coordinator.

If he is given the time to improve his decision-making in a settled, pressure-free environment,  there is little question Love has the potential to excel as an NFL starting quarterback.

Love delivers the ball with excellent velocity and anticipation and can put superb touch on his deep balls. Though he has had issues reading the field, Love gets through his progressions quickly and senses pressure well, showing the ability to escape the pocket and make accurate throws on the run.

As his 40-time indicated, Love boasts the athleticism to make plays as a runner. Indeed, during his time at Utah State, Love consistently picked up first downs with his legs in the same manner that Mahomes did so crucially during Super Bowl LIV.

Love is a throw-first quarterback, but having move skills is a critical element of playing quarterback in 2020.

In a league where athletic pass-rushers are outnumbering offensive linemen who can keep them in check, Love represents where the NFL is going at quarterback with his ability to make plays outside of the structure.

Otside of Tagovailoa, Love has the highest upside of any signal-caller in the 2020 class.

What he needs now is time, time to settle in the NFL after being thrust into the spotlight after a challenging final college season and time to fine-tune what is an extremely intriguing skill set.