Evaluating Drafted Quarterbacks
By Michael Schneid
1. Andrew Luck - Colts
- Luck was always on pace to be the first overall pick. Ever since his decision last winter to return to Stanford for his junior season, people knew he would go first in 2012. Peyton Manning missed all of 2011 with a neck injury. Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter, and Dan Orlovsky started 16 games and the Colts went 2-14. They released Manning, a future Hall of Famer, and now, a new beginning for Indy as the have some Luck.
2. Robert Griffin - Redskins
- The Redskins moved up from pick six to two in order to draft Griffin. It cost them a 2012 2nd rounder, 2013 and 2014 first round picks. Mike Shanahan believes Griffin is the key to success now and in future. The former Baylor QB won the Heisman trophy in 2011. RGIII can run, throw, and is confident and poised both on and off the field.
8. Ryan Tannehill - Dolphins
- Tannehill joined Texas A&M as a QB but was converted to WR in an attempt to get him on the field. He actually caught over 100 balls as a freshmen and sophmore and was converted back to a QB mid-way through his junior season. Tannehill is criticized for not being "clutch" - never leading the Aggies to a 4th quarter comeback or having much success winning close games. One major advantage Tannehill has is his ability to understand his WRs, because he was one. Tannehill has an advatange not many other QBs have, being able to get inside the head of his players. Tannehill joins his former Texas A&M coach, Mike Sherman, in Miami; Sherman is the Dolphins new offensive coordinator and should play a major role in his development.
22. Brandon Weeden - Browns
- Weeden is the most unusual prospect in this year's draft. The former Oklahoma State QB is 28 (he'll be 29 in October). Weeden began his professional career as a baseball player. He skipped college to join the Yankees organization straight out of high school. In 2003, Weeden was traded, along with Jeff Weaver, to the Dodgers for Kevin Brown. Weeden joined Oklahoma State in 2007 as a QB. He helped lead Oklahoma St to the Fiesta Bowl and an 11 win season in 2011. The Browns drafted Colt McCoy in round three two years ago and McCoy was average, at best. The Browns have put their faith (and jobs?) in Weeden to turn the franchise around.
57. Brock Osweiler - Broncos
- Even though they gave future Hall of Famer, legend Peyton Manning a five-year contract, the Broncos used a second round pick on Osweiler. From Arizona State, Osweiler will replace Tebow/Quinn as Denver's backup. Manning certainly isn't the worst QB to backup and learn from. One issue is in Indy, Manning took 100% of practice reps. You have to believe things will be different in Denver, especially with Manning getting older and coming off the injury. Given both of those factors, Osweiler could be sprung into action at any time. Denver has a few needs and likely could have gotten more value and help for Manning with their second rounder, but felt Osweiler is the man of the future.
75. Russell Wilson - Seahawks
- Wilson was drafted in the third round by Pete Carroll's Seahawks. Wilson is a smaller QB who is mobile and has an accurate, but not that strong, of an arm. Wilson likely will come in as the third, developmental QB for Seattle behind Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson.
88. Nick Foles - Eagles
- Andy Reid and the Eagles love collecting QBs. Foles is a tall prosepect with a strong arm. He was inconsistent at times with Arizona but can launch the ball down field, and with speedy WRs like Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, Foles could be successful if injury ever forced him into action. Mike Vick is obviously entrenched as the starter so Foles will likely compete for the number two spot on the depth chart with Mike Kafka.
185. Ryan Lindley - Cardinals
- Lindley was a sixth round pick to Arizona. He will likely come to camp as the developmental QB behind Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. Lindley was a four year starter at San Diego State. He is a big (6'4, about 230 lbs), strong armed QB. The one knock on Lindley is his passing percentage went down every year since his freshmen year. And it is right above 50% to begin with. Lindley will need to increase that in order to have any future success.
243. BJ Coleman - Packers
- Coleman is the next project for head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy loves drafting QBs and developing them. Aaron Rodgers was one. Matt Flynn was another. Coleman is a pure project from Chattanooga.
253. Chandler Harnish - Colts
- Indy had the honor of picking last in the draft, an honor known as Mr. Irrelevant. This pick is often used on a player from a smaller school or just a pure project. While Harnish is certainly a project, this is no throwaway pick. Harnish gets all the accolades that go with being last overall, but he also likely has a solid spot as #3 on the depth chart behind Luck and Drew Stanton. With Stanton not likely a long term back up for the Colts, the former Northern Illinois Huskie will have the opportunity to slowly grow and develop for Indy.
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