Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins Saturday Spotlight: Finding the next developmental quarterback

By Ian Cummings

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils drops back to pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 28-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils drops back to pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 28-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the Mississippi Rebels throws the ball during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the Mississippi Rebels throws the ball during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Jordan Ta’amu – Ole Miss

We first got a glimpse at Jordan Ta’amu last season when the preceding Ole Miss starter, Shea Patterson, had his 2017 season cut short by injury. Ta’amu played well, and when Patterson transferred to Michigan, Ta’amu took the reigns.

It may have worked out for both of them.

Patterson still has work to do to prove he’s a legitimate NFL prospect, as does Ta’amu. But the latter has made good progress this year, showing off a number of traits that could bode well for him at the next level.

More from Riggo's Rag

Ta’amu has a very quick, energetic throwing motion, and he accentuates that quickness with impressive flashes of anticipatory throwing, and solid progression reading. Like many prospects, he can work to be more consistent, but the fact that we’ve seen it from him let’s us know we can see it again.

Ta’amu has the ability to throw where only the receiver can catch the ball, which is a promising trait. Sometimes, when the cover man is close, it’s better to throw away from the receiver, as opposed to right at them, as it gives them a better chance to make an uncontested play, and it limits the chance of turnover. Ta’amu knows this well, and it’s evident on his tape.

Ta’amu’s shown flashes of good pocket presence as well, and he can certainly make plays with his legs; so far this year, he has almost 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. In the pocket, however, his footwork and throwing motion don’t always coalesce, and this can lead to inaccuracy.

Ta’amu has potential in the middle rounds. One of the biggest knocks on him might be his record; he’s 1-3 in SEC play this year, with nothing but an egg to boast against Alabama. That said, player traits should always trump team accomplishments in evaluations, and as far as his evaluation goes, Ta’amu could be worth a chance.

Home/Commanders Draft News