2019 NFL Draft quarterbacks: What to expect next year
It’s time to pull out the NFL Draft crystal ball and look towards 2019
Not one pick has been submitted for the 2018 NFL Draft, and the notion that it’s too early to look at 2019 is fair. However, teams have a history of looking towards future classes when making their decisions for the present. Philadelphia looked at the projected 2017 NFL Draft class before trading up for Carson Wentz in 2016, and teams will do the same this year.
Nearly half the league will be looking at drafting or developing a quarterback in the next three years. All 32 teams can be split into separate categories as to what they need going forward: those who need a starter, those with a veteran nearing the end, and those with a relatively stable quarterback situation.
Need a starting quarterback: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals, Browns
Find an heir: Patriots, Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Giants, Chargers, Redskins, Bengals, Jaguars, Broncos
Franchise quarterback in place: Eagles, Rams, Cowboys, Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings, Texans, Colts, Titans, Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks, 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders
Some may find these lists to be subjective, arguing its too early to say the Bears are set or the Colts don’t need to air on the side of caution with Andrew Luck. But in a broader scope, approximately 15 teams will need a new starting quarterback in the next three years.
Most NFL Draft experts believe there to be four to six starting quarterbacks in this years draft, and the 15 aforementioned teams likely looking at drafting a quarterback have watched every play from those prospects careers end over end.
What will teams that pass on a quarterback this year be looking at in the 2019 NFL Draft? Here are five names to watch for next year, in no praticular order
Drew Lock – Missouri
Lock works with a narrow base and a long throwing motion, both of which must improve over time. He stands in the face of pressure, and is both athletic and mobile enough to avoid pressure. Although at times, he doesn’t always feel it the pressure when his eyes are locked downfield.
At 6’4 225 pounds, Lock is accurate with questionable arm strength who knows when to throw the ball away. Mizzou uses a lot of screen passes, helping Lock’s 57.8% completion percentage. While that number isn’t spectacular, it’s improved every season at Missouri with over 1100 career passing attempts. Often times Lock gets the ball batted down a lot at the line, which will be something else he must focus on this summer.
Jarrett Stidham – Auburn
Stidham is mobile and can throw accurately on the run, and he ball comes out of his hand nice. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know when to protect himself leading to big hits, and will leave himself vulnerable to injuries if not corrected. He has nice zip on the longball, and can throw it with ease, but will attempt too many “hero throws” that get him into trouble. He only threw six interceptions last year, but two came in critical drives against UCF.
Reminds me a lot of Sam Bradford the way he sets up, scrambles, and throws the football. He’ll be older with not as much playing time after transfering from Baylor and missing the entire 2016 season.
McKenzie Milton – UCF
This kid is Doug Flutie reincarnated in every way possible. They have the same arm slot, escapability, size and highlight reel runs that make fans go crazy.
Milton also needs to learn when and how to protect himself at 5’11, 177 lbs. Watching him and Stidham go back and forth in the Peach Bowl was a fantastic showcase.
Will Grier – West Virginia
Similar to Stidham Grier looked like a lost cause missing the entire 2016 season for transfering. Now with the Mountaineeres Grier looked like a Heisman candidate last year with 34 passing touchdowns. Grier’s footwork is unrefined, somewhat expected from a guy who’s only played a season and a half of college football.
The arm strength is extremely questionable, and Grier knows it. He had a throw against ECU where he needed an extra hop at the end of a throw to get the ball 40 yards, and even that throw wasn’t great.
Jake Browning – Washington
Jake Browning put up ridiculous numbers as a sophmore with 43 touchdowns and a 167.5 QBR, but he fell back considerably in his junior year. His short range accuracy is absolutely there, and that padded his 68.5% completion percentage last year. Browning can navigate the pocket, but he doesn’t do it with finese like other college quarterbacks.
He’s not going to test well at the combine, but his ability to just play football should quell those questions surrounding his athleticism and mobility.
Other names will emerge from the priess and out of schools many never considered to be quarterback factories. It happens every year, whether it be Wyoming, North Dakota State, or Richmond.
At the same time, some of the players mentioned above will go from being the undisputed top prospect for 2019 the second Mr. Irrelevant is announced in 2018, to nothing. That’s what happened to Christian Hackenberg, Matt Barkley, and Brad Kaaya.
Regardless, these will be the names teams, fans, and analysts talk about and breakdown for the next 12 months leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft.