The class of 2017 NFL free agents figures to be an interesting one. What it may lack in overall depth it could make up for in hidden gems.
Topping that list may be a quarterback, believe it or not. Most football fans have chosen to forget the name Mike Glennon. Not surprising since he hasn’t played a meaningful snap of football since 2014. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made him a 3rd round pick in the 2013 NFL draft. A 6’6″ monstrosity out of North Carolina State with a live arm and decent mobility. He would remind most people of a blonde Joe Flacco.
However, with coaching changes coming to the team his star never really got a chance to rise. He went 5-13 across two seasons as a starter. That overshadows how well he actually played. All told he threw for 4,100 yards, 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Averaged out to a 16-game season that would’ve been 3,644 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. That’s actually pretty good for a quarterback in his first full season of starts. Yet the Bucs never really gave him a chance to grow.
Now he’s finally set to become a free agent. ESPN columnist Field Yates declared Glennon was one of the top names that would be available that could be had at an affordable price.
"“The former second-round pick has 18 NFL starts to his name and should find himself in a comfortable situation this offseason. Tampa Bay has its franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston, so the price the Bucs are willing to pay Glennon likely has a ceiling. Meanwhile, the free-agent quarterback class looks weak (especially if, as expected, Kirk Cousins winds up back in Washington), and early evaluation of the 2017 draft class is that the QBs are just OK.”"
Glennon is not some sideshow. He has shown he can play well when given proper help around him. He’s shown a capacity for handling NFL defenses, doesn’t shrink in the face of a pass rush and can deliver strikes down the field.
Greg Cosell, long-time analyst didn’t blink three years ago when he declared Glennon the best quarterback in the 2013 draft class. That may not sound like much but his talent and brief snippets of play seem to reflect somebody who may yet have something to offer a team. It will require a legitimate opportunity and adequate coaching.
History shows he often functions best in a run-oriented offense where he can utilize that strong arm in play action with shots down the field. Again, very similar to Flacco in Baltimore. Teams like Cleveland and Chicago features offensive attack built around running the football. So they would at least do themselves a service by exploring this possibility.