Jim Mora: Josh Rosen would have gone No. 1 in draft if eligible

Jim Mora thinks so highly of Josh Rosen that he thinks his quarterback would have been the top overall pick in the draft if he were eligible.

No, not the 2017 draft or the 2018 draft, but the 2016 draft that just took place.

“In my opinion, he was the best quarterback in the draft and he would have gone first,” Mora said on “The Rich Eisen Show” Friday. “I know that is really a strong statement for a true freshman, but I’ve never – I shouldn’t say never, I’ve been around Peyton (Manning) when he was that age – I can’t remember ever seeing anyone at his age with the arm talent, the intelligence, the decision making, the drive, the passion and the ability that he has.”

Mora also says he talked with Rosen about his anti-Donald Trump hat and says he has been trying to push the quarterback to be more like Manning or Tom Brady rather than like Johnny Manziel.

Rosen was one of the top quarterbacks coming out of high school and started the entire season as a true freshman for UCLA. He passed for 3,670 yards and 23 touchdowns while leading the Bruins to an 8-5 season.

UCLA will still have Rosen for two more seasons before he is eligible for the draft. When he decides to pursue his NFL career, we’re guessing Rosen will be the top pick, just as Mora expects.