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NFL Draft: Teams Smartly Playing the Poor Quarterback Class

By George Stockburger

Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Teams are preparing for the NFL Draft as if no quarterback sits on their big board

Six NFL teams enter the 2017 NFL Draft desperately needing a franchise quarterback to lead their team for the next 10 years. Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Cleveland, Buffalo, and the New York Jets have major questions heading into 2017, and just as many of their counterparts have holes widening past this year.

New Orleans, Arizona, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New Orleans, the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs each have either a quarterback over the age of 32 or (in the case of the Vikings) are left wondering what the future holds under center.

In most NFL Drafts, teams such as the aforementioned six with immediate needs are likely to reach for a quarterback many saw little future in. Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Buffalo are just a couple of the more recent examples where a passer-hungry team looks beyond what they see on the field and instead zeros in on the gaping hole on the depth chart.

This year, however, it appears teams have learned the lessons of failed quarterback drafting past, and are instead looking towards the future. More specifically, the 2018 NFL Draft.

Oct 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco and Chicago, in any other year, would be in prime position to draft a quarterback within the top three. While it’s certainly possible they do go down that road, each signed multiple veteran quarterbacks in free agency. Chicago went with Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez, while San Francisco turned to Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley.

Each of the four has starting experience and is literally a bandage for the team going into 2017. Instead of reaching for a quarterback with a top-three pick the 49ers and Bears appear to have set their eyes on a world-class defender in a star-studded class.

In the case of the Jets, Josh McCown was signed to mentor Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, each of whom was a high draft pick made by this coaching staff. New York must decide if they can work with Petty or Hackenberg in the future, and have smartly filled the depth chart heading into the Draft.

Expect the Jets to focus on their secondary with potential picks such as Marshon Lattimore or Malik Hooker.

Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is interviewed on radio row at the George R. Brown Convention Center in preparation for Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is interviewed on radio row at the George R. Brown Convention Center in preparation for Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston and Buffalo are in their own unique circumstances going into 2017. After voiding themselves of Brock Osweiler thanks to some nifty maneuvering with Cleveland, the Texans appear ready to draft a quarterback. Sitting at the end of the first round the Texans appear ready to take whichever quarterback falls in their lap, whether it be Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Patrick Mahomes.

Buffalo brings in a new coaching staff led by Sean McDermott, who appears to have given the green light on keeping Tyrod Taylor, for now. The Bills structured the 27-year-old’s multi-year contract in a way that they can void the deal and move on if the marriage between McDermott and the quarterback does not pan out.

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Buffalo, similarly to San Francisco and Chicago, is looking past 2017’s draft class.

Then there’s the Cleveland Browns, who have started 20 quarterbacks since 2007. Owning two first round picks (#1 and #12) the Browns have the opportunity to find their next savior. But should they?

Cody Kessler showed some decent traits as a rookie last year, and the club has been unable to unload Osweiler since acquiring him from Houston. Cleveland has an opportunity to draft a pass rusher with star potential in Myles Garrett with the top pick, then focus on either a cornerback or linebacker with the 12th pick.

Teams have learned not to waste their time with this mediocre quarterback class, and are working towards 2018 when the NFL Draft gets interesting.

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

With potential youngsters such as Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Luke Falk, J.T. Barrett, Baker Mayfield, Mason Rudolph, Anu Solomon, and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson available (with the potential for a star to bud out of nowhere such as Carson Wentz did) NFL teams will preach patience and build their organization through defense in 2017, which we all know ultimately wins championships.

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