NFL Draft: How many teams need quarterbacks?

A new wave of quarterbacks has taken over the NFL, but teams will be looking for a shakeup in the upcoming NFL Draft.

It’s rare to find a time in NFL history in which so many quality quarterbacks have been found in the NFL Draft. The league is thriving with the production from Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson and other young stars at the position. That’s not to discount the production of Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Russell Wilson.

Despite the success of quarterbacks around the NFL, several teams will be looking to upgrade their quarterback room.

Which teams will be looking at quarterbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft?

The list starts with the worst team in football, the New York Giants. Sitting at a dreadful 1-6 going into week eight, Eli Manning looks like a shell of himself. It’s clear the Giants must take a look at the quarterbacks available in the NFL Draft and find a long-term answer.

Miami has ridden with Ryan Tannehill, but injuries have limited him to 18 games in the last three years. With Brock Osweiler and Bryce Petty as their only other options, the Dolphins should be looking for a quarterback in at least the second or third round.

Jacksonville nearly made the Super Bowl last year with Blake Bortles, but without a running game having him is more of a burden than a benefit.

Denver gave Case Keenum $15 million for this season and can cut him next year if needed. Once a journeyman, Keenum looks like a one-year wonder who lucked out and got paid. With more interceptions than touchdowns, Keenum could be out the door.

Right now, those are the only teams who I feel are locks to draft quarterbacks this year. Of course there will be others, particularly teams with aging quarterbacks. New England, Washington, and the Los Angeles Chargers come to mind, but none are locks. If not for the Teddy Bridgewater trade, New Orleans would be in that conversation.

New England can continue to win with Brady and there’s no reason to draft someone who can’t help them win right now while Brady can still play.

Cincinnati could get  an upgrade, but Andy Dalton has at the very least kept the team above water.

Oakland will be the wild card in the quarterback discussion with Jon Gruden at the helm. The Raiders can get out of Derek Carr’s contract if Gruden doesn’t feel like the former Fresno State star is his star of the future in Oakland or Las Vegas.

For now we should keep our eyes on the Giants, Dolphins, Jaguars, and Broncos as the teams who will look to draft a quarterback high.