The 2019 NFL Draft is over. Some teams with big-name quarterbacks dipped into the pool for other signal-callers. Will the 11 QBs chosen become the stars who replace Hall of Famers or guys who watch and learn?
Cardinals: Kyler Murray (first round)
There’s no question about who will be the starting quarterback in Arizona come training camp. The Cardinals cast off Josh Rosen after one season and are banking on Heisman winner Kyler Murray being the face of the franchise. Guess the biggest question will be whether he stays with football if he struggles or turns back to baseball? That’s one the Arizona brass doesn’t want to consider.
Giants: Daniel Jones (first)
The New York media and Giants fans love to tear down Eli Manning. Now, they have another speed bag in sixth overall pick Daniel Jones of Duke. Talk about not giving the guy a chance. Okay, the last time the Giants took a Duke QB that high was Dave Brown (a supplemental No. 1 pick), who fizzled. Would love to see Jones thrive in the long run and stick it to the critics.
Redskins: Dwayne Haskins (first)
It’s obvious Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins will have a chip on his shoulder for two games each season: against the Giants. The Buckeye QB didn’t appreciate being passed up for Daniel Jones. He’ll likely get a chance — quickly — to try for revenge and help Washington out of the situation it faced since both Alex Smith and Colt McCoy were injured last season. Case Keenum is not a long-term solution, no insult to the former Houston star.
Broncos: Drew Lock (second)
The Broncos are going to try and make it work with Joe Flacco as the present and Missouri’s Drew Lock as the future, with an eye on the present. Lock said all the right things after being chosen by Denver about Flacco and the QB situation. It will be a question of whether John Elway and Vic Fangio have patience with Flacco if the Broncos struggle early.
Panthers: Will Grier (third)
The Panthers landed a guy with a ton of college experience in Will Grier. They also have two quarterbacks who started their career at Florida, left under less than stellar circumstances and thrived elsewhere. Carolina brass has been loud and clear Cam Newton is the starter and that is that. Until it isn’t.
Bengals: Ryan Finley (fourth)
Andy Dalton has been the foundation in Cincinnati, but that was under Marvin Lewis. Zac Taylor is the new coach in town and he opted to draft Ryan Finley. Jeff Driskel has also started for the Bengals. Have to think in the long run Cincy thinks about giving Finley a big shot at being its quarterback.
Patriots: Jarrett Stidham (fourth)
Jarrett Stidham started at Baylor, transferred to Auburn and now gets to watch Tom Brady for as long as the G.O.A.T. wants to play. Couldn’t be a better spot to live and learn than in New England. Keep your ego in check and study up and by 2025 you might get a chance. Brian Hoyer is a permanent backup and Stidham will likely battle Danny Etling, formerly of LSU, for a role.
Chargers: Easton Stick (fifth)
Easton Stick is in a good position, too. He can learn a lot as Philip Rivers rides into the final years of his career as a Los Angeles Charger. Stick had a good person to watch at North Dakota State as a freshman in Carson Wentz. Stick went on to a great college career and the Chargers can help him along behind Rivers.
Eagles: Clayton Thorson (fifth)
Clayton Thorson put up some hefty numbers at Northwestern. He overcame an ACL injury in 2017 to lead the Wildcats in his senior season. The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder won 36 games for the Wildcats while throwing for 10,731 yards and 61 touchdowns. He totaled 408 rushing yards over four years but scored 27 TDs.
Jaguars: Gardner Minshew (sixth)
Gardner Minshew won’t be expected to start or play much early in his career. That’s because the Jaguars just gave Nick Foles a massive contract. That does give the Washington State product a chance to grow. It’s not likely he will see much action and could turn into a perpetual backup.
Ravens: Trace McSorley (sixth)
Trace McSorley certainly won’t seen playing time as a starting QB with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. There was chatter about changing the Penn State QB to DB but he didn’t seem to want to go in that direction despite playing the position well in high school. What could be interesting is turning McSorley into the type of role player Taysom Hill has become in New Orleans. That would be quite an asset for John Harbaugh and the Ravens.
