2019 NFL Draft: Matching early top QBs to possible pro teams

The 2019 NFL draft class is still in the early process of taking shape, but people seem to be getting a clearer idea of which QBs lead the chase.

The far bigger question is which teams these names could end up on. Right now the current quarterback landscape is weird. It seems like every team is set at the position in some sense. That’s rare, which puts this upcoming group on uneven ground. That being said they’re still going to get drafted. It’s a matter of where and when. Looking at the landscape as it is, here’s a team for each big name that would seem to fit best.

Justin Herbert (Oregon) – Los Angeles Chargers

The odds are that Justin Herbert will be one of the top QBs taken in the draft. Right now the Los Angeles Chargers are 1-2, so it’s unclear how high they might pick. What is clear is Philip Rivers isn’t getting older. He doesn’t have much longer. Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has always loved quarterbacks with size, a big arm, and can move. Herbert fits that criteria. He could learn so much from Rivers and bridge the gap to the next generation.

Drew Lock (Missouri) – Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles remains his inconsistent self. He lights up the Patriots one week and can’t do anything against the Titans the next. He is what he is at this point. The Jaguars might be better off looking for somebody who can truly open up their passing game. Drew Lock isn’t the most polished QB in the class but his natural throwing talent is unmatched. He’s accurate even when his mechanics are off and he can hit even the fastest receivers down the field. Polish him up and he’s got star potential.

Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) – Dallas Cowboys

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Week after week, it’s starting to become apparent that Dak Prescott may have hit his ceiling. He just can’t elevate the passing game as a true franchise quarterback does. Perhaps now Cowboys fans are learning to appreciate what they had in Tony Romo. That aside, the possibility of drafting a new QB grows by the day. Jarrett Stidham exhibits plenty of qualities that made Romo so good from the escapability to the live, accurate arm and competitiveness. Whether he has the same mind? There’s no way to know for sure.

Will Grier (West Virginia) – New York Giants

Pat Shurmur has proven himself a bit of a wizard with quarterbacks who some might not think have an NFL future. He got to the playoffs with Nick Foles and an NFC championship with Case Keenum. Both have been backups most of their careers. It’s a fair bet he’d see the benefits that Grier can bring a team. He might not be overly big or have a cannon for an arm, but he’s accurate at all levels of the field and is fearless with the way he executes the offense. Shurmur likes that.

Ryan Finley (N.C. State) – New England Patriots

The Patriots know they’re playing with fire on the Tom Brady front. It looks like age is slowly catching up to him and now they have nobody in place if he were to suddenly retire after trading Jimmy Garoppolo. Based on their preferences of the past they like quarterbacks who have size, good pocket awareness, and can throw accurately at all levels. Ryan Finley checks those boxes. Some will call him a game manager but he’s shown enough to think he’s capable of more.

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