T
ThomasTomasz
Guest
It's a given that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be first two picks in this draft. And Ryan Tannehill could go in the top eight (likely to the Miami Dolphins), even though some people think that he is being overvalued. That leaves us with a very intriguing group of teams in the mid- to late-first round -- and second round -- that are in need of a quarterback. I won't break down the quarterbacks here, as my colleague Trent Dilfer did just that a couple weeks ago.
Let's take a look at the secondary QB market -- including Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins -- and the teams interested in these QBs at the 2012 NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns
If the Browns surprised everybody and went QB at No. 4, they would take Tannehill. But the reality is that with picks Nos. 22, 37 and 67 they have a good chance to get one of the second-tier QBs later -- if they don't believe in Colt McCoy. Kirk Cousins would fit Brad Childress' West Coast offense well and they might be able to get him at No. 67. The question is: How much of an upgrade would he be over McCoy? Would he solidify the position, but not necessarily improve it? Foles could be an interesting guy because he may be a little more NFL-ready, plus he could grasp the offense fairly quickly. However, the Browns would likely have to use their second-round pick to get him. Cleveland could take Weeden at No. 22, as he would potentially be a good fit in this scheme, but it's more likely that they would look to take him at No. 37.
Miami Dolphins
At No. 8, a lot of people think the Dolphins will jump on Tannehill. But if for some reason he is gone, or they pass on him, it's anybody's guess what they do with this secondary QB group. At No. 42 they could be in the hunt for Weeden, Osweiler or Foles. However, none of those three would significantly improve the position, nor pacify the fans' desire for a franchise QB. If the Dolphins aren't enamored with Tannehill, they should get by with Matt Moore and David Garrard for a year and wait to select one of the top QBs in next year's draft class. While that may not appease fans right away, it could be a better long-term strategy for this team than reaching for Tannehill if they aren't sold on him.
Buffalo Bills
Even though Ryan Fitzpatrick has a long-term contract, he struggled down the stretch last season. Chan Gailey is a fan of backup Tyler Thigpen, but it's unknown whether he can be a successful NFL starter. The Bills are definitely in the market for a developmental guy to bring along slowly like Osweiler or Foles. Buffalo has too many offensive needs (WR, OT) to take Tannehill at No. 10. But with a team that will likely be in contention next season in the AFC, can the Bills afford to spend a second-round pick on one of these other QBs?
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs could easily take Tannehill at No. 11 if he dropped to them. They think he fits their offense perfectly with his ability to use a moving pocket and make the downfield throws. However, moving up to get him or taking one of the other QBs with pick No. 44 is unlikely. This may be a Tannehill-or-pass scenario for Kansas City, although there are recent rumors that the Chiefs might look seriously at Cousins in the second round. Both Tannehill and Cousins make sense, as they could sit and learn behind Matt Cassel for at least a year.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' QB situation is a bit of a mess because of the monetary investment they have in Kevin Kolb and production of John Skelton. With no second-round pick in this year's draft, it's unlikely that they would go QB at No. 13 unless Tannehill dropped to them. The other QBs are likely not in play here unless one falls to them in the third round.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have marginal interest in the QB position in the draft, unless Tannehill falls to them at No. 12 (sound familiar?). Even though they signed unrestricted free agent Matt Flynn this offseason, and they already have Tarvaris Jackson, the word is that they really like Tannehill and would likely pull the trigger on him at No. 12.
Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick has one year left on his contract and there are rumors that Andy Reid would like to find a young guy to groom to run his QB-friendly offense. Is backup Mike Kafka that player? With two second-round picks, at Nos. 46 and 51, the Eagles could be in position to take one of the four QBs available. Cousins probably is the best fit, but he may not have the ceiling that Reid wants. Osweiler can throw the deep ball, but won't be ready to take over for a couple years. We know that the Eagles love to develop young QBs, so this may be a good spot for them to take Vick's heir apparent.
Denver Broncos
John Elway would love to find a young QB to develop behind Peyton Manning, which Osweiller and Foles seem to fit, because Weeden doesn't have the luxury of time to sit and learn. The biggest question is would the Broncos pull the trigger at No. 25, trade back, or hope that one of them is there at No. 57? This is especially tough because Denver should be focused on its defense in this draft. Denver would really like to come away with its QB of the future from this draft, but it won't be easy.
Other teams with possible QB interests:
Green Bay Packers -- With inexperienced Graham Harrell behind Aaron Rodgers on the depth chart, they may want to take another development QB to groom in a late round, as well as sign a veteran for insurance.
St. Louis Rams -- Would the Rams draft a guy to develop behind Sam Bradford, or would they prefer a veteran backup? They have a lot of picks to play with if it's the former.
Let's take a look at the secondary QB market -- including Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins -- and the teams interested in these QBs at the 2012 NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns
If the Browns surprised everybody and went QB at No. 4, they would take Tannehill. But the reality is that with picks Nos. 22, 37 and 67 they have a good chance to get one of the second-tier QBs later -- if they don't believe in Colt McCoy. Kirk Cousins would fit Brad Childress' West Coast offense well and they might be able to get him at No. 67. The question is: How much of an upgrade would he be over McCoy? Would he solidify the position, but not necessarily improve it? Foles could be an interesting guy because he may be a little more NFL-ready, plus he could grasp the offense fairly quickly. However, the Browns would likely have to use their second-round pick to get him. Cleveland could take Weeden at No. 22, as he would potentially be a good fit in this scheme, but it's more likely that they would look to take him at No. 37.
Miami Dolphins
At No. 8, a lot of people think the Dolphins will jump on Tannehill. But if for some reason he is gone, or they pass on him, it's anybody's guess what they do with this secondary QB group. At No. 42 they could be in the hunt for Weeden, Osweiler or Foles. However, none of those three would significantly improve the position, nor pacify the fans' desire for a franchise QB. If the Dolphins aren't enamored with Tannehill, they should get by with Matt Moore and David Garrard for a year and wait to select one of the top QBs in next year's draft class. While that may not appease fans right away, it could be a better long-term strategy for this team than reaching for Tannehill if they aren't sold on him.
Buffalo Bills
Even though Ryan Fitzpatrick has a long-term contract, he struggled down the stretch last season. Chan Gailey is a fan of backup Tyler Thigpen, but it's unknown whether he can be a successful NFL starter. The Bills are definitely in the market for a developmental guy to bring along slowly like Osweiler or Foles. Buffalo has too many offensive needs (WR, OT) to take Tannehill at No. 10. But with a team that will likely be in contention next season in the AFC, can the Bills afford to spend a second-round pick on one of these other QBs?
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs could easily take Tannehill at No. 11 if he dropped to them. They think he fits their offense perfectly with his ability to use a moving pocket and make the downfield throws. However, moving up to get him or taking one of the other QBs with pick No. 44 is unlikely. This may be a Tannehill-or-pass scenario for Kansas City, although there are recent rumors that the Chiefs might look seriously at Cousins in the second round. Both Tannehill and Cousins make sense, as they could sit and learn behind Matt Cassel for at least a year.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' QB situation is a bit of a mess because of the monetary investment they have in Kevin Kolb and production of John Skelton. With no second-round pick in this year's draft, it's unlikely that they would go QB at No. 13 unless Tannehill dropped to them. The other QBs are likely not in play here unless one falls to them in the third round.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have marginal interest in the QB position in the draft, unless Tannehill falls to them at No. 12 (sound familiar?). Even though they signed unrestricted free agent Matt Flynn this offseason, and they already have Tarvaris Jackson, the word is that they really like Tannehill and would likely pull the trigger on him at No. 12.
Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick has one year left on his contract and there are rumors that Andy Reid would like to find a young guy to groom to run his QB-friendly offense. Is backup Mike Kafka that player? With two second-round picks, at Nos. 46 and 51, the Eagles could be in position to take one of the four QBs available. Cousins probably is the best fit, but he may not have the ceiling that Reid wants. Osweiler can throw the deep ball, but won't be ready to take over for a couple years. We know that the Eagles love to develop young QBs, so this may be a good spot for them to take Vick's heir apparent.
Denver Broncos
John Elway would love to find a young QB to develop behind Peyton Manning, which Osweiller and Foles seem to fit, because Weeden doesn't have the luxury of time to sit and learn. The biggest question is would the Broncos pull the trigger at No. 25, trade back, or hope that one of them is there at No. 57? This is especially tough because Denver should be focused on its defense in this draft. Denver would really like to come away with its QB of the future from this draft, but it won't be easy.
Other teams with possible QB interests:
Green Bay Packers -- With inexperienced Graham Harrell behind Aaron Rodgers on the depth chart, they may want to take another development QB to groom in a late round, as well as sign a veteran for insurance.
St. Louis Rams -- Would the Rams draft a guy to develop behind Sam Bradford, or would they prefer a veteran backup? They have a lot of picks to play with if it's the former.
