NFL Draft: Should teams wait until 2017 to draft a QB

When you look at the 2016 NFL Draft quarterback class, it can be quite underwhelming. With Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, and Connor Cook heading this years class, many talent evaluators are looking elsewhere in the draft and finding better talent to build their teams around.

When you are drafting a quarterback, you are making an investment and a commitment that should last at least three years. Rushing into commitments is never a good idea. You only make investments and commitments when the situation is right and you feel comfortable with your decision for the long haul.

With that in mind, should teams bypass taking a quarterback this year and wait until next year? Let’s take a look at next years projected quarterback class: Deshaun Watson, Brad Kaaya, Baker Mayfield, JT Barrett, Malik Zaire, Josh Dobbs, and Seth Russell. In that list, you have Heisman candidates, college playoff quarterbacks, and guys who’s talent is substantially higher than this years class.

Now certainly, each team has a different situation. If you are the Browns, your fan base can’t wait handle another year with a guy like Brian Hoyer or Josh McCown starting. They need a quarterback and in all likelihood it’s going to be Jared Goff.

The Cowboys on the other hand can wait. If they can sign a competent back-up this year, there is no reason to rush into drafting a replacement quarterback with the fourth overall pick. Build up your defense with Bosa or Ramsey and look towards next year.

A team like the Eagles may have the ability to wait as well. With a defense that is expected to improve under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 scheme, they are a team that is only a few pieces away from contending. If you are a close as they are getting, signing a hold over guy like Chase Daniels (who played for new HC Doug Pederson in KC) is the right move. It’s not tanking, it’s taking the best talent to build around a more legitimate prospect next year.

Now of course, there are varying opinions on this idea. Here is what the rest of our staff thought about this idea of waiting until 2017 to draft a franchise quarterback.

Erik: It’s easy to say something like that but anybody worth their salt knows “signing a holdover guy” is just another way of saying “let’s tank.” Certain fans might be okay with that, but it’s hard to ignore the demand of winning sooner than later. Outside of Watson, who looks legit, there is nothing about the 2017 class that wows me that much more than 2016 class. What it comes down to is who will have the mental capacity to take advantage of their physical skill. Wentz, Goff, Lynch, Cook and Hackenberg all have the ceiling. Whether they reach it is up to them and the coaches they fall under.

Shawn: Maybe they should, but it’s not going to happen. The NFL is a win now league. Unfortunately, coaches and general managers might not be around next year if their teams wind up with a top-five or 10 pick next year. For job security reasons, those without a franchise QB have to hitch their wagons to a promising youngster as soon as possible or risk being fired. In most cases, a rookie quarterback will buy a coach/GM an extra year or two if they start to show promise.

Brady: Erik makes a really good point. Intentionally signing someone for a years worth of work shows you anticipate to do badly in 2015. For example, Dallas has the #4 pick and obviously need a young QB to groom. But can they anticipate having another high pick next year? Even if they sign a “holdover” guy? There is too much uncertainty for a team to tank and bank on a QB of a future class.

Eric: Yeah, Erik makes a great point. It’s a modified way to wave the surrender flag by signing a one-year QB. In my eyes, there’s a legit case that could be made for Watson, Kaaya, and Kiel in which they provide the same amount of intrigue as this year’s “franchise QBs”. I’ll need convincing that Cook and Goff are better options than Kaaya and Watson. I think the decision of signing a holdover guy also depends on the state of the rest of the team. Cleveland can afford to “tank” with eyes set on Kaaya. The Rams on the other hand can not. If my team were years away from competing, call me crazy but I’ll set my eyes on 2017 QBs.

Rodney: Absolutely not. First off, if you need to take a QB and you have an opportunity you do so. There’s no guarantees that the guy you want comes out or is even available for you to grab. You may end up selling the farm for a QB who has no guarantee of being better than a 2016 pick.

Jeff: Passing on a QB there not totally sold on seems like the smart choice. Teams like the Texans, Broncos, and Jets showed last year that you don’t need an elite QB to be an upper level team, even in this modern passing league. Why not set a future QB up for success by building the talent around him? That way he can have a franchise left tackle to protect him when he gets there, or a number one WR to throw to, or a strong defense to take the pressure off him. Draft for talent, not for need.