Chargers News: Quarterback Wonderlic scores revealed, how it could impact the 2020 NFL Draft.
Some Chargers news on Friday gives us a better potential outlook at the quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Every year, prospects at the NFL Combine take the Wonderlic test, which consists of 50 questions that must be answered in 12 minutes. The obtained score is the number of questions gotten right, and according to some people, the score is indicative of the success the prospect will have in the NFL and his ability to learn a playbook.
While multiple studies have debunked the correlation between Wonderlic score and success, the test is still a useful tool for talent evaluators.
Today, Bob McGinn of The Athletic revealed this year’s prospects Wonderlic scores, and there were a few surprises.
Here’s a look at the scores for the 2020 quarterback prospects who took the test, ranked from highest to lowest:
- Nate Stanley, Iowa: 40
- Jake Fromm, Georgia: 35
- Joe Burrow, LSU: 34
- Jake Luton, Oregon St: 29
- Jordan Love, Utah St: 27
- Justin Herbert, Oregon: 25
- Anthony Gordon, Washington St: 25
- Brian Lewerke, Michigan St: 25
- Jacob Eason, Washington: 23
- James Morgan, Florida International: 23
- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma: 18
- Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama: 13
The first thing that stands out is Tagovailoa’s score, which is the lowest for his draft class. That shouldn’t be cause for concern for the Chargers, however, if they are intent on drafting him.
Reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson had a score of 13 as well, while Hall of Fame quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Dan Marino both had a score of 15, and that didn’t stop them from becoming two of the best quarterbacks from their era.
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Burrow’s score was an impressive 34, but that doesn’t matter much for the Chargers, who are not in a position to draft the Heisman Trophy winner.
Fromm’s score of 35 should matter, though. Fromm was probably expected to achieve a high score, as he is regarded as a smart quarterback. And he delivered to expectations with a score 10 points higher than Herbert’s and his famed 4.01 GPA.
Another quarterback likely in the Chargers’ consideration is Love, who managed a good score of 27. That is just one point less than NFL greats Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. He also came just three points behind Philip Rivers’ test score from 2004, which was 30.
For comparison, other notable scores from past quarterbacks include Donovan McNabb’s score of 14, Vince Young’s 6, Gardner Minshew’s 42, and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 48, which is the highest score ever attained by a quarterback.
While their Wonderlic test score won’t be indicative of a player’s success by itself, it is one more evaluation tool that can help paint the bigger picture.