An eye on the future

By: Josh Frey-Sam

We know which teams are the favourites to take a quarterback in the NFL Draft later this month in Green Bay. Who could surprise, though?

You always need a quarterback. And the need for an elite pivot is greater than ever when talking about competing for a Super Bowl. If you don’t have someone who can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, to name a few, then your odds drastically decrease.

Now and then, a team flips the first round upside down by taking a QB.

Last year, it was the Atlanta Falcons, who selected Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M deal. The prior occasion was in 2020 when the Packers traded up to grab Jordan Love with the 26th pick.

Both of those decisions have already paid off.

That brings us to this year. I have identified 11 teams that could be in the hunt for their next quarterback and divided them into tiers based on how likely I feel it is for them to actually select one on the opening night.

Let’s have some fun.

GLARING NEED

Tennessee Titans (No. 1 overall)

At this point, Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1 overall might be the only pick you can mark as a sure thing in this draft. Tennessee’s QB room includes the recently-signed Brandon Allen (likely backup) and Tim Boyle (training camp arm), and Will Levis, who has been a failed experiment.

Cleveland Browns (No. 2 overall)

Deshaun Watson likely won’t play a snap this year — and maybe ever again in the NFL — and Kenny Pickett (signed in free agency) is not the answer. The Browns need to leave this draft with a quarterback, the question is what round they will take one.

Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21 overall)

I believe the Steelers will sign Aaron Rodgers, but at 41 years old, he hopes to be there for a good time, not a long time. Pittsburgh is still searching for its replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, who retired four years ago.

NOT SURPRISED

New York Giants (No. 3 overall)

A very weird situation in East Rutherford where the team desperately needs a promising young quarterback, but the organization’s personnel are fighting for their jobs and could pick with that in mind. The Giants would’ve been in the higher tier had they not signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason. I think that signalled their lack of interest in Shedeur Sanders, but, regardless, neither veteran QB is a long-term option.

New York Jets (No. 7 overall)

I hate this, because I’d like to see Justin Fields have a real chance at leading a team again. The reality is the Jets are taking a gamble on him and could prepare themselves for a quick pivot in the event he doesn’t work out.

New Orleans Saints (No. 9 overall)

I’ve had the Saints drafting a quarterback in each of my first two mock drafts — the first had them sticking and picking at No. 9 overall, and the second saw them trade back into the first for their future face of the franchise. Derek Carr is playing his last season in New Orleans, and the Saints are probably the most awkward organization in the league right now in terms of how old they are and their lack of exciting young pieces. This fan base needs a spark.

Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6 overall)

Why do I think this is unlikely? The Raiders need all the pieces they can to push to win NOW, with 73-year-old Pete Carroll as the head coach. Why is this a real possibility? The current quarterback, Geno Smith, who the Raiders traded for this offseason, is 34 years old and doesn’t fit the team’s window for when it will actually want to compete for a Super Bowl.

SCRIPT FLIPPERS

Los Angeles Rams (No. 26 overall)

The Rams are going to push for a deep playoff run this season, so it doesn’t make much sense to draft a QB here. But they could keep one eye on the future, with 37-year-old Matthew Stafford potentially playing his last season in LA. Or do they already have the future in the building with Stetson Bennett??

Indianapolis Colts (No. 14 overall)

Very unlikely, but there’s a piece of me that wonders if we could be in store for some great television. With Daniel Jones in the mix, it more than likely means the Anthony Richardson experiment is over in Indy. In order for this to happen, I think we’d need to see the Colts deal AR to a team like the Raiders (?? 👀), where he could sit and learn and be the next guy up. Then the Colts grab their next QB of the future. Again, very unlikely.

Dallas Cowboys (No. 12 overall)

Is Dak Prescott really on the trade block? Who knows. I doubt it, though. If the Cowboys are beginning to look forward to life without him, they could take someone here. Shedeur Sanders in Big D, anyone? Cinema.

Arizona Cardinals (No. 16 overall)

This is probably a year (or two) too early, but I’ll throw it on the radar now. Kyler Murray has had trouble staying healthy and hasn’t proven to be a guy you can consistently win with. He has four years left on his deal (really three), but I think a tough year could really heat up trade rumours and, subsequently, increase the possibility that the Cardinals draft a QB. Could they swing on someone this year, though?

We’re only 22 days away from the draft.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh