alt=Brandon JuddSALT LAKE CITY — Could there be a BYU-USU quarterback battle in New Orleans someday?
Mel Kiper Jr. is predicting the Saints’ first-round draft pick may set that possible scenario into motion.
ESPN’s NFL draft expert released his first 2020 mock draft Friday, and he predicted New Orleans would take former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the No. 24 selection in the first round.
“At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Love can make every throw, and NFL teams are high on his talent. He could be a first-round pick with a strong pre-draft process,” Kiper wrote.
Kiper, for what it’s worth, doesn’t mention Hill in the Saints’ future QB plans, while discussing the fact that All-Pro starter Drew Brees is 41 years old and will be, like last year’s backup Teddy Bridgewater, an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Brees, who led New Orleans to its only Super Bowl title over a decade ago, told NFL Network this week that if he doesn’t retire, he’ll be back with the Saints. Bridgewater’s future is less predictable, considering at age 27, the former first-round pick could be pursued by numerous other teams.
Hill, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason, has served as the Saints’ third-string quarterback in three seasons with the team. The 29-year-old has played multiple offensive positions and turned into a special teams ace, though he’s never been afforded the chance to start a regular-season game. That’s unsurprising considering Brees’ reliability throughout his career, though Bridgewater did start five games — and win every one — in place of Brees when he had a thumb injury in 2019.
Love has the opportunity to impress during the pre-draft process at the Senior Bowl this week, with the game set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. MST. While his numbers this past season dipped from the year before — he threw for 3,402 yards, 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions following a 2018 season where he had 3,567 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions — his physical traits make him an intriguing pro QB option.
If Love indeed were selected by New Orleans, how would that impact Hill’s status with the team
“Love could develop for a year or two behind a bridge quarterback,” Kiper wrote.