With the 167th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills added Jake Fromm, quarterback from Georgia. Fromm spent much of the day in free fall, originally having been projected as a round two or three possibility, but the Bills used their fifth-round pick to bring him in.
Fromm is one of the most successful quarterbacks in Georgia Bulldogs history. A five star recruit, he switch commitment from Alabama to Georgia after Kirby Smart’s hiring. When Jacob Eason succumbed to injury one game into Fromm’s career, he took over the starting role as a true freshman and never looked back. That year he led the team on an undefeated season all the way to the cusp of a National Championship, where they lost to Alabama, his former destination. Over the past three seasons he won more games (35) than any other FBS passer. He threw 78 touchdowns against 18 interceptions, completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 8236 yards (8.4 yards per attempt) over his career.
Everything in the mental game is Fromm’s highlight. He reads the field pre- and post-snap like a pro, makes aggressive decisions to put defenses on their heels, and he has tremendous pocket presence.
On the flip side, Fromm’s not considered a physical marvel—he’s more like a Colt McCoy, with some athletic limitations and an average arm.
Josh Allen is clearly the man of the hour for the Buffalo Bills, and this late pick doesn’t change that. But it gives the Bills a well-regarded, proven passer to develop for the future. When Matt Barkley’s contract is up, Fromm could be the team’s long-term backup—and he has the special qualities of a player who could exceed his draft status and turn into a starter some day.