Bills end Fromm's slide in 5th round: 'Too good to pass up'

The Buffalo Bills selected quarterback Jake Fromm out of Georgia in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 167th overall, ending the slide of a player once considered to be a potential first-round pick.

Fromm, a three-year starter with the Bulldogs, was the eighth quarterback taken in the draft despite his winning college pedigree (35-7 record). Until recently, he was widely tipped to be selected on Day 2. Instead, he didn't hear his name called until well into Day 3.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane told ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a text message that he "wasn't planning on drafting a quarterback today," but described Fromm as "too good to pass up" in the fifth round.

Fromm threw for 2,860 yards and 24 touchdowns against five interceptions in 2019, but concerns about his limited upside as a pro may have caused his slide.

The 21-year-old will likely battle Matt Barkley for the right to be Josh Allen's backup in 2020.

Prospect Profile

School: Georgia
Height: 6-2
Weight: 219 lbs

Positives

• Moves well within the pocket
• Makes good decisions with the ball and throws with anticipation
• Accurate to short and intermediate areas
• Works through full-field progressions
• Remains poised under pressure

Negatives

• Lacks the arm talent to drive the ball downfield
• Can't challenge tight windows
• Generally far too conservative
• Isn't athletic enough to break the pocket

Bottom Line

Fromm will make the jump to the NFL fresh off three productive seasons against SEC competition as Georgia's starting quarterback. He's an intelligent player who protects the ball and throws his receivers open with good ball placement and anticipation. His lack of natural arm talent limits him beyond that, though. Fromm has the potential to be a starter in a system built around a quick passing game that attacks defenses horizontally. Barring that perfect scheme fit, his ceiling may be that of a capable backup.