Finding successors could be boon for QBs
Handful of teams might look to future
This year’s NFL draft represents one of the deepest quarterback classes in recent memory. As many as six passers could hear their names called in the first round as franchises search for saviors. A secondary wave of passers could come off the board on Day 2, with some teams potentially looking to replace aging starters.
Here’s a look around the league, examining teams most to least likely to draft quarterbacks.
Tier 1 — Desperate need
1. Browns: Owners of the draft’s first and fourth picks, Cleveland will take a quarterback. It acquired Tyrod Taylor to serve as a bridge, but the need for a true franchise face remains strong.
2. Jets: Determined to fill this longstanding void, they shipped the sixth overall pick and three second-rounders to the Colts to move up to No. 3. New York re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater, but picking up a premier youngster remains the goal.
3. Bills: They have already traded up from 21st to 12th but might not be done. They also own the 22nd overall pick and, despite signing AJ McCarron, could use it as bait to get into position for a longer-term solution.
4. Cardinals: Carson Palmer’s retirement left them scrambling. Arizona signed Sam Bradford for 2018, but it’s hard to count on the often-injured No. 1 pick from 2010.
Tier 2 — Can’t wait much longer
5. Giants: Eli Manning is 37 and coming off a subpar year. He has gas left in the tank but is under contract only through 2019. New GM Dave Gettleman picks second and 34th and should probably spend one of the two on a passer.
6. Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill has displayed occasional promise. But the eighth pick in 2012 is coming off of a season lost to a torn ACL, and there’s no guarantee he can regain top form.
7. Broncos: They just signed Case Keenum to a two-year, $36 million deal. But can he duplicate last year’s surprise success in Minnesota? Picking fifth overall, Denver should seize the opportunity to take a top passer even if he has to sit for a year.
8. Saints: Drew Brees, 39, just signed a two-year, $50 million contract and continues to play at a high level. But it’s hard to predict when older quarterbacks will drop off.
9. Patriots: Tom Brady likes to think of himself as ageless, but he’ll turn 41 this year. Friction within the organization adds a degree of uncertainty. With two picks in both Rounds 1 and 2, hard to imagine New England doesn’t spring for a quarterback early.
10. Ravens: Joe Flacco is 33 and coming off an injury-riddled season. Robert Griffin III just signed a one-year deal, but his durability issues remain. Even if Baltimore doesn’t take a quarterback in the first round, GM Ozzie Newsome could still find a quality option on Day 2.
11. Steelers: Retirement talk swirled around Ben Roethlisberger, 36, last year, but he’s sticking around and says he wants to play beyond 2018. However, no one would fault Pittsburgh for drafting his potential replacement.
12. Bengals: Andy Dalton has three years left on his contract. But it makes sense to add a project to the mix after McCarron’s departure.
13. Jaguars: Banking on continuity and growth, they gave Blake Bortles a three-year, $54 million extension rather than pursue a replacement in free agency. But Bortles has limitations. If last season winds up representing his ceiling, Jacksonville would look smart by adding a viable alternative.
14. Chargers: Philip Rivers is extremely durable and hasn’t shown signs of regression. But he’s also 36.
Tier 3 — Can afford to wait
15. Colts: Andrew Luck’s promising career has been derailed by injury (he’s missed 26 of his last 48 starts, including the 2017 season because of an ongoing shoulder issue). Indianapolis hopes he is able to return to form but struggled mightily in his absence last year. Backup Jacoby Brissett is under contract for two years, but GM Chris Ballard has enough picks that it could make sense to draft a talented insurance policy.
16. Packers: Aaron Rodgers should be back at full strength. Green Bay also has young but experienced backups in reserve with newly acquired DeShone Kizer and holdover Brett Hundley.
17. Redskins: They just traded for Alex Smith and gave him a four-year extension. Colt McCoy remains the backup, and Kevin Hogan is a third option. If an intriguing prospect falls, Washington could pounce. But pressure to draft one no longer remains.
Tier 4 — Not likely on the radar
18. Texans: Deshaun Watson returns from knee surgery, aiming to build on his promising rookie showing.
19. Bears: They like Mitchell Trubisky’s potential.
20. Chiefs: Tantalizing Patrick Mahomes takes over with Smith gone.
21: Cowboys: In Dak they trust.
22. Buccaneers: He regressed some, but Jameis Winston is still their guy.
23. Titans: Marcus Mariota looks to take the next step after reaching the playoffs for the first time.
24. Raiders: Derek Carr looks to grow under new coach Jon Gruden.
25. Falcons: Matt Ryan could sign an extension any day.
26. Lions: Matthew Stafford’s fiveyear, $135 million extension kicks in.
27. Panthers: Still Cam Newton’s team.
28. Seahawks: Russell Wilson.
Enough said.
29. Rams: Jared Goff looks like the real deal.
30. Vikings: They just went all in on Kirk Cousins.
31. 49ers: They got their guy, Jimmy Garoppolo, for the next five years at
$137.5 million.
32. Eagles: Carson Wentz returns, and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles remains for now. Third-stringer Nate Sudfeld offers promise.