Tier 1: The must haves, the teams that will for sure have a new starting QB next season
Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders rode it out last season with Max Duggan, but now he is sitting in free agency. This team has some solid weapons on offense, and will have a lot of resources to spend in the offseason to make the rookie QBs situation better, or to move up and get a guy they really want. We know the style of QB the Raiders coach likes, but they may have to move up to find a guy that fits their mold. Either way I think we see a QB going to Las Vegas in round 1.
Los Angeles Rams:
This Rams team is in a tough spot, and has a lot of holes to fill. They have a top 10 pick and my guess would be they still will have a chance at a decent QB prospect in round 1. They have Puka for him to throw the ball to, but other than that the youth movement for this team will start at the QB position. Stafford is old, expensive, and regressing, so unless the Rams want to pay another old QB in free agency, there will be a rookie at the helm in LA next season.
New York Giants:
We know how much the Giants disliked using Daniel Jones last season. The rest of the roster is pretty solid, and will be a good place for a rookie to step in. Nabers is a true WR1, the OL is solid and the defense has some good pieces. The roster is in a decent spot to take a step forward next year, and QB could be a big part of it. The Giants may miss out on the first tier of QBs but at pick 22 there still should be solid options on the board.
New Orleans Saints:
The Saints roster is in a really tough position, and I think the best way out of it is to unload some salary and have a cheap rookie QB. Rolling in to season 2 with Derek Carr as your starter is a sign that something went wrong with your offseason if you are New Orleans. The Saints had a solid season last year that showed they can win with a less than ideal QB situation, now it is time to see what you can do with a difference maker back there.
Tier 2: If the right guy is there, take him. The teams that don’t have to reach but if you feel good about a guy you take him and don’t think twice
New York Jets:
If you really want to ride it out one more season with Aaron Rodgers, you can, but if you have a young guy that you want at your pick, he can start over Rodgers year one. The Jets now have the 4th pick in the draft after trading Sauce Gardner, so we can only assume that they will be taking the best QB available at that spot. The remaining roster is still solid and with the trade the Jets have a ton of resources to spend to build the supporting cast around their potential rookie.
Cleveland Browns:
This team already traded for Malik Willis and had a solid season from Dorian Thompson Robinson, but neither of those two give me a ton of confidence for 5 seasons of success. The Browns don’t pick until the late teens, but there are some potential QBs at that spot that would give them a different style from DTR and Willis. Getting a QB on a rookie contract could be a big deal for this team that likely will have some cap issues coming up soon.
Tennessee Titans:
Will Levis led the league in yards last season, but also led in interceptions. He is still decently young to be developed, but the Titans may want to try and hit a home run on QB with their top 10 pick. Much of their roster is aging and they do not have a surplus of draft picks, so they may want to spend resources elsewhere and give Levis one more season to prove himself.
Tier 3: Solid Veterans, but could be moved on from
Detroit Lions:
Jared Goff had a great season last year, but how excited are you to roll in to another season with him as your QB? The roster is great, 14-3 was a statement record for the Lions last season. It might be time to see if you can get more out of the QB position than what Goff gives you. Worst case scenario you have Goff as a back up if things go south with the rookie.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Baker put up great numbers last season and is only 30 years old, but do you want to ride with him all cycle? This team made moves to win now, but maybe they want something different from the QB position. A rookie QB could give them the flexibility to improve the rest of the roster. The Bucs do not have a ton of resources to spend, so maybe they go for a big splash at the most important position.
Tier 4: Probably don’t need to but I wouldn’t be surprised
Miami Dophins:
This would be if they don’t want a lefty or want more throw power
Atlanta Falcons:
Neither Kirk nor Penix looked like an answer last season
Carolina Panthers:
It’s JT and Milroe is much more his style QB than Bryce Young
San Francisco 49ers:
We saw him try to move on from Joe Burrow last year, who is to say he won’t try to do the same with Purdy
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