Ranking the first six QB's taken by their chances of success

[JiFtheOracle]

I found this a pretty interesting read.  Obviously encouraging to see who he has ranked first.  Nothing ground break but an interesting read on the situations ahead of these 6 QB's.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-the-first-six-qbs-taken-in-the-2018-nfl-draft-by-their-chances-of-success/

 

Spring is finally upon upon us.

Hope is renewed across the NFL. Teams are still basking in the post-draft afterglow and everyone looks great running around in shorts and shells at rookie minicamps. Change is in the air, with the six quarterbacks who were drafted within the first three rounds of the draft generating headlines and inspiring fanbases that better days are to come (okay, the Steelers are the exception and have had plenty of decent days in recent years).

But let's be real. This isn't going to be a smooth transition everywhere. The process of indoctrinating a rookie quarterback won't go swimmingly everywhere, and the proclivity for tension or turmoil or all out tumult tends to be very real when the stakes are this high. The success or failure of these novice passers will not rest on their shoulders alone, with the situation they are thrust into and the staffs and locker rooms around them playing a fundamental role in their development -- or lack thereof -- as well.

Not all situations are created equally; some have a higher-degree of potential dysfunction both in the short and long term. Some are more fraught with peril than others. Some are already looking a little creaky well before anyone has even donned full pads much less played an exhibition game. So, yeah it's early, but when it comes to quarterbacks it's never too soon to opine on the months ahead and which of these six youngsters landed in a spot most conducive to a seamless transition to the NFL, ranked in terms of most stable to most fraught with possible pitfalls.

Sam Darnold, Jets

Yes, the Jets have experienced their share of turnover and discord going back to the demise of the Mark Sanchez/Rex Ryan/Mike Tannenbaum days, but Darnold comes into a great situation here. He doesn't bear the burden of being the first overall pick, the team across town, the Giants, passed on him to allow him to fall to three, and he gets to learn from the best teaching pro in the business in Josh McCown. McCown is as willing and passionate about cultivating the young guys in the quarterback room as there is in this league, and he played just well enough in 2017 before getting hurt that there isn't a need for Darnold to start from Week 1. A mid-season change could come off quite well, the Jets were a better team than expected a year ago and the cast around him ain't bad. There isn't any false hope about Darnold having to turn this franchise around in 2018 and while New York presents a unique microscope, even a modicum of progress from him after the failures of Sanchez and Geno Smithand Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg will be championed by desperate Jets fans. I like this fit, and this is probably the best quarterback in the draft, too.

 

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Josh Rosen, Cardinals

Like Darnold, he had other teams in front of him decide to go in another direction. He was the last of "The Big Four" to be selected and he almost fell out of the top 10 entirely. He goes to a place where both veterans are of little impediment due to various reasons, and both, truthfully, should be plenty thankful just to be earning their respective paychecks, The odds of Sam Bradford getting through half a season unscathed, much less a full season under center, are bleak. Rosen is probably the most pro-ready of the bunch and he will be able to grow in relative anonymity in Arizona compared to some of the markets these other quarterbacks landed in. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has worked with plenty of young passers of various pedigree and will blend Rosen in nicely, I figure.  Sure, I suppose there is some level of concern since so many (FOOTBALL MEN!) seem to take issue with how Rosen thinks and what he says and I guess that could create complications with the Cardinals, but somehow I think this kid will be just fine on the field and off.

Josh Allen, Bills

Over time, this pick has the potential to make or break the regime of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, but for right now, Allen should be able to get his legs under him. Nathan Peterman is going to have a hard time living down the five first-half picks he threw at the Chargers last season -- as unfair as that might be -- and AJ McCarron was like the only guy who couldn't get paid on the wild QB market this offseason. He was literally the last one standing when the Bills decided to break his fall with a soft landing spot, knowing all the while they still weren't done trading up for a future franchise quarterback. Remains to be seen if Allen can correct his footwork and accuracy issues and be who the Bills drafted him to be, but this regime will go to all lengths to try to put the right cast around him and they can roll McCarron out there for a few weeks to see what he can do while Allen continues to prepare and learn. I don't see this group throwing him into the deep end before he is ready, though the concerns others had about the flaws in his game seem warranted to start.  

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

This is going to get dicey in Baltimore. There is no real way around it. But luckily for Jackson, the public will be clamoring for him and not the former Super Bowl MVP who has started in Baltimore for the past decade, which isn't always the case. Nevertheless, I don't see things being real chummy between Jackson and incumbent Joe Flacco, and adding the polarizing Robert Griffin III to that quarterback room makes it even more of a potential personality minefield. Jackson and Flacco could not be more diametrically different on pretty much every level, and unlike say McCown, this is not a guy who signed up for some sort of mentoring/handing-the-baton role in 2018. But Flacco's contract virtually assures him not being back in 2019 and the fans will want to see plenty of Jackson and the staff is tasked with essentially developing two offenses given how different these two quarterbacks operate. With essentially an entirely new cast of skill players on offense, this isn't a group with ties or allegiances to Flacco like in recent years, which is another subplot to watch closely. Which quarterback does the locker room rally around, and how soon? These preseason games are going to be must-see TV in Baltimore for the first time in a looong time, and if Jackson is anything close to as electrifying as he was in college, it's going to get interesting real soon. Don't get me wrong, I love the pick of Jackson at the end of the first round and it's a gamble the Ravens absolutely had to make, but there may be some undercurrents to wade through initially.

Mason Rudolph, Steelers

Brooding Ben Roethlisberger is borderline surly about this pick, to the point where the future Hall of Famer went from mulling retirement this time a year ago to now openly pining for a new contract in the press. Three to five more years, eh? Let's just say he's not there to bring this kid along and everyone knows it. The question is -- will it actively stunt Rudolph's development? Stepping into this situation, with this particular quarterback essentially sending a message to his teammates and fans that the Steelers did him wrong and wasted a third-round pick on the rookie quarterback is not the cloud under which I'd prefer to start my NFL career. The good news is no one expects the kid to play for like three years; the bad news is injuries happen especially to older quarterbacks who aren't as mobile as they once were, and what happens if Rudolph has to play sooner than anyone expected? Big Ben isn't one to merely let things go, and the team is also going through a transition on offense with longtime coordinator Todd Haley gone. Let's just say Rudolph is going to be earning his paycheck even if he never throws a pass this season.

Baker Mayfield, Browns

Anytime you are a first overall pick who isn't seen as a can't-miss type -- a Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, etc. -- there is going to be cause for concern. And when the Browns are the team that passes on everyone else to take you in that spot -- even if under new management -- well, let's just say that history is not on your side. And when the kid quarterback comes with baggage like this -- grabbing his crotch, running from the cops, rubbing plenty of people the wrong way -- and does it in the backdrop of the Johnny Football debacle, well, the football world will be watching closely. Adding a troubled soul like rookie receiver Antonio Callaway to the offense -- alongside Josh Gordon -- could make things interesting and Mayfield is going to have to navigate a pro style offense and being in formations other than the shotgun. Can his body hold up to the rigors of the NFL game? Tyrod Taylor will basically be in a prove-it situation in Cleveland, where success could vault him to a $20M-a-year contract elsewhere, and head coach Hue Jackson enters the season on the hottest hotseat ever, going 1-32 the past two seasons yet somehow keeping his job. It's rarely boring with the Browns, and Mayfield just might be the guy to finally put all of this misery behind them, but if he does he'll be thriving where so many others have failed and he will do so under the backdrop of those who came before him. Tough gig.

 

[usanyj]

I'd like to say this feels different... I want Darnold to succeed more than I want a lot of things. I just picture him as our qb for 15 years and us finally being happy.  I just really hope this works out.  It is highly unlikely that all of these guys succeed.  I just hope 5 years from now we can look at this list and be proud of what we got.

[slats]

The New York Jets have the best rookie QB situation in the NFL? This truly is Bizarro World. 

[rangerous]

i tend to agree with the list.  it's going to be interesting to see if the ravens can switch to a guy like jackson after so many years with flacco.  these guys have very different skill sets.

[JiFtheOracle]

12 minutes ago, usanyj said:

I'd like to say this feels different... I want Darnold to succeed more than I want a lot of things. I just picture him as our qb for 15 years and us finally being happy.  I just really hope this works out.  It is highly unlikely that all of these guys succeed.  I just hope 5 years from now we can look at this list and be proud of what we got.

Yep.  Pretty much.  All we can do is hope but I agree with the article. I think it's a great fit and very good landing spot for Darnold.  No pressure, no expectations, has a guy to take the lumps to start the season, a couple of great guys/mentors in McCown, Bridgewater and while he wont have a superhero to throw to, he's got some underrated sidekicks that just get the job done. 

 

[Jetster]

Was it a 50 year curse? 

I still can't believe that the Giants passed on Darnold for a RB. Yes, I know, Barkley is a generational player, blah, blah, blah, but so was Barry Sanders, and Adrian Peterson, and Leveon Bell. If I were a Giant fan, with a QB going on 38 & the one time we crash & burn and end up with the 2nd pick in the draft is one of the best drafts in years, and we pass on literally the number one ranked QB for a running back I would not be happy.

Anyone that has followed this game knows this one mantra, "running backs don't win you championships". The NY Jets should thank Ben McAdoo for benching Eli for Geno Smith. The uproar from Giant fans seemed to spook the hierarchy and in some strange way led them to believe he's got another Super Bowl run in him by drafting a great RB. If you look at the bigger picture, they've still got an awful Oline & their defense STINKS and they literally have zero pass rush after trading JPP. Solder is older and one tweaked back from the bench, the NFC has never been stronger or more competitive with the Eagles leading the way, followed by the Rams, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers and the Packers. 

Im telling you, short term, long term, the Giants passing on Sam Darnold will infuriate Giant fans for years as they watch their little stadium mates the Jets become the talk of the town. Honestly, we stepped in sh*t, pulled a horseshoe out of our azzes, found our pot o gold and hit the lottery here in 2018. Let the Sam Darnold era begin, it's gonna be a fun ride for us Jet fans as we watch the Giants flounder behind the Eagles (similar to us being in the Pats division), while Eli crumbles into old age and the fans are screaming for Davis Webb.

Its gonna be glorious!

[JiFtheOracle]

8 minutes ago, slats said:

The New York Jets have the best rookie QB situation in the NFL? This truly is Bizarro World. 

Crazy, right?  

I think in comparison Sanchez has a pretty sweet situation.  Elite OL, top notch running game, elite D but he was forced into it with one year of college experience.  Darnold only has 2 but like we've discussed before, I really dont see him being the week 1 starter.  Which I think is good for a 20 year old kid with only 2 years of starting experience. 

[JiFtheOracle]

4 minutes ago, rangerous said:

i tend to agree with the list.  it's going to be interesting to see if the ravens can switch to a guy like jackson after so many years with flacco.  these guys have very different skill sets.

That's an interesting situation.  Flacco is so bad and uninspiring and that offense is boring as hell.  Jackson gives you instant excitement and elements that are unteachable/coachable that Flacco could never dream of.  Terrible OL, no running game.  Jackson might be replacing Flacco soon. 

[JiFtheOracle]

4 minutes ago, Jetster said:

Was it a 50 year curse? 

I still can't believe that the Giants passed on Darnold for a RB. Yes, I know, Barkley is a generational player, blah, blah, blah, but so was Barry Sanders, and Adrian Peterson, and Leveon Bell. If I were a Giant fan, with a QB going on 38 & the one time we crash & burn and end up with the 2nd pick in the draft is one of the best drafts in years, and we pass on literally the number one ranked QB for a running back I would not be happy.

Anyone that has followed this game knows this one mantra, "running backs don't win you championships". The NY Jets should thank Ben McAdoo for benching Eli for Geno Smith. The uproar from Giant fans seemed to spook the hierarchy and in some strange way led them to believe he's got another Super Bowl run in him by drafting a great RB. If you look at the bigger picture, they've still got an awful Oline & their defense STINKS and they literally have zero pass rush after trading JPP. Solder is older and one tweaked back from the bench, the NFC has never been stronger or more competitive with the Eagles leading the way, followed by the Rams, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers and the Packers. 

Im telling you, short term, long term, the Giants passing on Sam Darnold will infuriate Giant fans for years as they watch their little stadium mates the Jets become the talk of the town. Honestly, we stepped in sh*t, pulled a horseshoe out of our azzes, found our pot o gold and hit the lottery here in 2018. Let the Sam Darnold era begin, it's gonna be a fun ride for us Jet fans as we watch the Giants flounder behind the Eagles (similar to us being in the Pats division), while Eli crumbles into old age and the fans are screaming for Davis Webb.

Its gonna be glorious!

[HessStation]

Would have been even cooler if Rosen went to Miami.

you'd have 2 3-team divisional rivals for 10-15 years....Darnold vs Allen vs Rosen and Mayfield vs Jackson vs Rudolph.

still fun to see regardless 

[slats]

21 minutes ago, rangerous said:

i tend to agree with the list.  it's going to be interesting to see if the ravens can switch to a guy like jackson after so many years with flacco.  these guys have very different skill sets.

I do, too. 

I liked Mayfield and was ready for him to be the Jets new QB, but he really is in the worst situation. The fans are conflicted on the pick, and as the #1 overall, he's still expected to be the savior. Rosen, OTOH, is in a terrific spot for him. Small market in the desert where he can say whatever he wants and no one will hear it. If Rosen went #1 and Mayfield went #10, they'd be flipped in this ranking as well. 

Allen at #3? I think Jackson has a better chance to be the better pro. One thing Mayfield has over Jackson's situation is that he and Taylor will operate similar offenses, while they'll have to install something completely different for Jackson than what Flacco runs. 

Darnold is in a good spot. He's the future, and everyone knows it. Probably the near future. We complain about the offense here all the time, but I don't think it's a coincidence that Fitz and McCown had their best season's here. There must be something right going on on that side of the ball. 

[Savage69]

https://nyjets.akamaized.net//NYJ/videos/dct/video_audio/2018/04-April/043018_Clay-Helton-Phone-Interview-500k.mp4

[rangerous]

3 minutes ago, slats said:

I do, too. 

I liked Mayfield and was ready for him to be the Jets new QB, but he really is in the worst situation. The fans are conflicted on the pick, and as the #1 overall, he's still expected to be the savior. Rosen, OTOH, is in a terrific spot for him. Small market in the desert where he can say whatever he wants and no one will hear it. If Rosen went #1 and Mayfield went #10, they'd be flipped in this ranking as well. 

Allen at #3? I think Jackson has a better chance to be the better pro. One thing Mayfield has over Jackson's situation is that he and Taylor will operate similar offenses, while they'll have to install something completely different for Jackson than what Flacco runs. 

Darnold is in a good spot. He's the future, and everyone knows it. Probably the near future. We complain about the offense here all the time, but I don't think it's a coincidence that Fitz and McCown had their best season's here. There must be something right going on on that side of the ball. 

rosen on the browns?  that would be interesting.  mayfield might turn out pretty well if hugo takes a good approach with him.  they don't seem to need him be an instant savior.   rosen is right where he needs to be and so is darnold.  much as well all want him to play right away, i don't see where bowles is going rush him and buckle to fan pressure.  even marino had to wait until game 6 or so to start for the doltfins.

[NoBowles]

I have to say, I don't really agree with us being the best spot. We are on our 3rd OC in 3 years, and have done zero to dedicate anything to the offensive side of the ball from a draft or FA perspective. Unless Bates is a solid OC, its hardly an ideal environment to develop a QB. I would say in addition the odds are at least 50% that Bowles is gone after this season, meaning we likely will have a 4th OC in 4 years next year, and Darnold will be on his 2nd OC in his first 2 years. Not exactly the script on how to develop a young QB.

In addition, our fan base and media is going to be saying how bad he sucks every time he throws an errant pass or God Forbid an INT. 

I love Darnold as a prospect, and think he has the goods, and hope for the best, but to call this the best situation is IMO very errant.

[Paradis]

1 hour ago, JiF said:

I found this a pretty interesting read.  Obviously encouraging to see who he has ranked first.  Nothing ground break but an interesting read on the situations ahead of these 6 QB's.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-the-first-six-qbs-taken-in-the-2018-nfl-draft-by-their-chances-of-success/

 

 

Baker Mayfield, Browns

Anytime you are a first overall pick who isn't seen as a can't-miss type -- a Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, etc. -- there is going to be cause for concern. And when the Browns are the team that passes on everyone else to take you in that spot -- even if under new management -- well, let's just say that history is not on your side. And when the kid quarterback comes with baggage like this -- grabbing his crotch, running from the cops, rubbing plenty of people the wrong way -- and does it in the backdrop of the Johnny Football debacle, well, the football world will be watching closely. Adding a troubled soul like rookie receiver Antonio Callaway to the offense -- alongside Josh Gordon -- could make things interesting and Mayfield is going to have to navigate a pro style offense and being in formations other than the shotgun. Can his body hold up to the rigors of the NFL game? Tyrod Taylor will basically be in a prove-it situation in Cleveland, where success could vault him to a $20M-a-year contract elsewhere, and head coach Hue Jackson enters the season on the hottest hotseat ever, going 1-32 the past two seasons yet somehow keeping his job. It's rarely boring with the Browns, and Mayfield just might be the guy to finally put all of this misery behind them, but if he does he'll be thriving where so many others have failed and he will do so under the backdrop of those who came before him. Tough gig.

 

 

Cheap click bait tactics by Jason La Canf*ck... This whole thing was just a medium to push the "Did Mayfield deserve to be the pick" narrative, a story that's still riding waves in Ohio. 

 

[JiFtheOracle]

20 minutes ago, slats said:

I do, too. 

I liked Mayfield and was ready for him to be the Jets new QB, but he really is in the worst situation. The fans are conflicted on the pick, and as the #1 overall, he's still expected to be the savior. Rosen, OTOH, is in a terrific spot for him. Small market in the desert where he can say whatever he wants and no one will hear it. If Rosen went #1 and Mayfield went #10, they'd be flipped in this ranking as well. 

Allen at #3? I think Jackson has a better chance to be the better pro. One thing Mayfield has over Jackson's situation is that he and Taylor will operate similar offenses, while they'll have to install something completely different for Jackson than what Flacco runs. 

Darnold is in a good spot. He's the future, and everyone knows it. Probably the near future. We complain about the offense here all the time, but I don't think it's a coincidence that Fitz and McCown had their best season's here. There must be something right going on on that side of the ball. 

Mayfield with Bowles just seemed like a disaster.  Bowles would neuter everything great about Mayfield and I just dont see him clicking with Bowles at all.  Mayfield being such an emotional twat is going to be very interesting in Cleveland.  I think it's nice that they have a buffer in Taylor but I'm wondering if he even starts the season.

Agreed on Rosen.  Great landing spot for him with a good OC and some great weapons.  

I'm guessing Allen is ranked higher on this list because of the lack of competition in front him and probably because he's not learning a different play book per say.

I think the McCown/Bridewater presence really is a huge factor for any QB the Jets would have selected.  Darnold just seems the like the least amount of maintenance which is the best case scenario for Todd who's proven he cant handle outspoken and defiant players.

I feel genuinely bad for Mason Rudolph.  Big Ben is high maintenance diva piece of sh*t that I cant imagine how bad that relationship is going to be from the onset.  I mean homey outright said the Steelers wasted a pick on Rudolph.  Welcome to the QB room Mason!  Yikes. 

 

 

[ZachEY]

58 minutes ago, JiF said:

Yep.  Pretty much.  All we can do is hope but I agree with the article. I think it's a great fit and very good landing spot for Darnold.  No pressure, no expectations, has a guy to take the lumps to start the season, a couple of great guys/mentors in McCown, Bridgewater and while he wont have a superhero to throw to, he's got some underrated sidekicks that just get the job done. 

 

Agreed.  But, it kind of feels like the whole article was written just to put Mayfield last.

We know it's the Browns, we know Mayfield's question marks, and there's an argument to be made that Darnold and Rosen both should have been picked over him, and some even liked Allen.  But, putting him behind Lamar Jackson AND Mason Rudolph... Come on.

[UntouchableCrew]

8 minutes ago, NoBowles said:

I have to say, I don't really agree with us being the best spot. We are on our 3rd OC in 3 years, and have done zero to dedicate anything to the offensive side of the ball from a draft or FA perspective. Unless Bates is a solid OC, its hardly an ideal environment to develop a QB. I would say in addition the odds are at least 50% that Bowles is gone after this season, meaning we likely will have a 4th OC in 4 years next year, and Darnold will be on his 2nd OC in his first 2 years. Not exactly the script on how to develop a young QB.

In addition, our fan base and media is going to be saying how bad he sucks every time he throws an errant pass or God Forbid an INT. 

I love Darnold as a prospect, and think he has the goods, and hope for the best, but to call this the best situation is IMO very errant.

I think drafting a rookie QB pretty much guaranteed Bowles is back next year -- unless he badly, badly bungles the QB situation, Darnold looks bad, and we need to bring in a savior ala Goff.

[#27TheDominator]

Mayfield is in a weird spot.  He has a ton of built in excuses.  There are some talented playmakers on that squad, but they have question marks.  I think that signing Landry pulls it all together.  Add him to Gordon and Coleman and they can do some damage.  A guy like Calloway can go all Tyreek Hill withoit being a focal point.  Njoku iis dangerous.  I am a big Nick Chubb fan, but adding Carlos Hyde gives them someone to ride in case.  

They have plenty of weapons, but I guess their line is a question with Thomas retiring and it has to be a tough group to lead. 

[HessStation]

Rosen is in the best spot imo. Unless he gets hurt he's gonna be really good 

[#27TheDominator]

Roethlisberger has missed quite a few games over the past few years.  Even if he plans to stay on for another 5, a 3rd isn't a waste for a competent backup.  Charlie Batch hasn't played in 5 years.  I doubt anybody likes Landry Jones that much and Rudolph is probably cheaper.  Jones was a 4th, I don't see the big deal with where Rudolph was selected.   Seems like a value pick. 

[k-met57]

1 hour ago, JiF said:

I found this a pretty interesting read.  Obviously encouraging to see who he has ranked first.  Nothing ground break but an interesting read on the situations ahead of these 6 QB's.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-the-first-six-qbs-taken-in-the-2018-nfl-draft-by-their-chances-of-success/

 

Spring is finally upon upon us.

Hope is renewed across the NFL. Teams are still basking in the post-draft afterglow and everyone looks great running around in shorts and shells at rookie minicamps. Change is in the air, with the six quarterbacks who were drafted within the first three rounds of the draft generating headlines and inspiring fanbases that better days are to come (okay, the Steelers are the exception and have had plenty of decent days in recent years).

But let's be real. This isn't going to be a smooth transition everywhere. The process of indoctrinating a rookie quarterback won't go swimmingly everywhere, and the proclivity for tension or turmoil or all out tumult tends to be very real when the stakes are this high. The success or failure of these novice passers will not rest on their shoulders alone, with the situation they are thrust into and the staffs and locker rooms around them playing a fundamental role in their development -- or lack thereof -- as well.

Not all situations are created equally; some have a higher-degree of potential dysfunction both in the short and long term. Some are more fraught with peril than others. Some are already looking a little creaky well before anyone has even donned full pads much less played an exhibition game. So, yeah it's early, but when it comes to quarterbacks it's never too soon to opine on the months ahead and which of these six youngsters landed in a spot most conducive to a seamless transition to the NFL, ranked in terms of most stable to most fraught with possible pitfalls.

Sam Darnold, Jets

Yes, the Jets have experienced their share of turnover and discord going back to the demise of the Mark Sanchez/Rex Ryan/Mike Tannenbaum days, but Darnold comes into a great situation here. He doesn't bear the burden of being the first overall pick, the team across town, the Giants, passed on him to allow him to fall to three, and he gets to learn from the best teaching pro in the business in Josh McCown. McCown is as willing and passionate about cultivating the young guys in the quarterback room as there is in this league, and he played just well enough in 2017 before getting hurt that there isn't a need for Darnold to start from Week 1. A mid-season change could come off quite well, the Jets were a better team than expected a year ago and the cast around him ain't bad. There isn't any false hope about Darnold having to turn this franchise around in 2018 and while New York presents a unique microscope, even a modicum of progress from him after the failures of Sanchez and Geno Smithand Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg will be championed by desperate Jets fans. I like this fit, and this is probably the best quarterback in the draft, too.

 

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Josh Rosen, Cardinals

Like Darnold, he had other teams in front of him decide to go in another direction. He was the last of "The Big Four" to be selected and he almost fell out of the top 10 entirely. He goes to a place where both veterans are of little impediment due to various reasons, and both, truthfully, should be plenty thankful just to be earning their respective paychecks, The odds of Sam Bradford getting through half a season unscathed, much less a full season under center, are bleak. Rosen is probably the most pro-ready of the bunch and he will be able to grow in relative anonymity in Arizona compared to some of the markets these other quarterbacks landed in. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has worked with plenty of young passers of various pedigree and will blend Rosen in nicely, I figure.  Sure, I suppose there is some level of concern since so many (FOOTBALL MEN!) seem to take issue with how Rosen thinks and what he says and I guess that could create complications with the Cardinals, but somehow I think this kid will be just fine on the field and off.

Josh Allen, Bills

Over time, this pick has the potential to make or break the regime of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, but for right now, Allen should be able to get his legs under him. Nathan Peterman is going to have a hard time living down the five first-half picks he threw at the Chargers last season -- as unfair as that might be -- and AJ McCarron was like the only guy who couldn't get paid on the wild QB market this offseason. He was literally the last one standing when the Bills decided to break his fall with a soft landing spot, knowing all the while they still weren't done trading up for a future franchise quarterback. Remains to be seen if Allen can correct his footwork and accuracy issues and be who the Bills drafted him to be, but this regime will go to all lengths to try to put the right cast around him and they can roll McCarron out there for a few weeks to see what he can do while Allen continues to prepare and learn. I don't see this group throwing him into the deep end before he is ready, though the concerns others had about the flaws in his game seem warranted to start.  

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

This is going to get dicey in Baltimore. There is no real way around it. But luckily for Jackson, the public will be clamoring for him and not the former Super Bowl MVP who has started in Baltimore for the past decade, which isn't always the case. Nevertheless, I don't see things being real chummy between Jackson and incumbent Joe Flacco, and adding the polarizing Robert Griffin III to that quarterback room makes it even more of a potential personality minefield. Jackson and Flacco could not be more diametrically different on pretty much every level, and unlike say McCown, this is not a guy who signed up for some sort of mentoring/handing-the-baton role in 2018. But Flacco's contract virtually assures him not being back in 2019 and the fans will want to see plenty of Jackson and the staff is tasked with essentially developing two offenses given how different these two quarterbacks operate. With essentially an entirely new cast of skill players on offense, this isn't a group with ties or allegiances to Flacco like in recent years, which is another subplot to watch closely. Which quarterback does the locker room rally around, and how soon? These preseason games are going to be must-see TV in Baltimore for the first time in a looong time, and if Jackson is anything close to as electrifying as he was in college, it's going to get interesting real soon. Don't get me wrong, I love the pick of Jackson at the end of the first round and it's a gamble the Ravens absolutely had to make, but there may be some undercurrents to wade through initially.

Mason Rudolph, Steelers

Brooding Ben Roethlisberger is borderline surly about this pick, to the point where the future Hall of Famer went from mulling retirement this time a year ago to now openly pining for a new contract in the press. Three to five more years, eh? Let's just say he's not there to bring this kid along and everyone knows it. The question is -- will it actively stunt Rudolph's development? Stepping into this situation, with this particular quarterback essentially sending a message to his teammates and fans that the Steelers did him wrong and wasted a third-round pick on the rookie quarterback is not the cloud under which I'd prefer to start my NFL career. The good news is no one expects the kid to play for like three years; the bad news is injuries happen especially to older quarterbacks who aren't as mobile as they once were, and what happens if Rudolph has to play sooner than anyone expected? Big Ben isn't one to merely let things go, and the team is also going through a transition on offense with longtime coordinator Todd Haley gone. Let's just say Rudolph is going to be earning his paycheck even if he never throws a pass this season.

Baker Mayfield, Browns

Anytime you are a first overall pick who isn't seen as a can't-miss type -- a Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, etc. -- there is going to be cause for concern. And when the Browns are the team that passes on everyone else to take you in that spot -- even if under new management -- well, let's just say that history is not on your side. And when the kid quarterback comes with baggage like this -- grabbing his crotch, running from the cops, rubbing plenty of people the wrong way -- and does it in the backdrop of the Johnny Football debacle, well, the football world will be watching closely. Adding a troubled soul like rookie receiver Antonio Callaway to the offense -- alongside Josh Gordon -- could make things interesting and Mayfield is going to have to navigate a pro style offense and being in formations other than the shotgun. Can his body hold up to the rigors of the NFL game? Tyrod Taylor will basically be in a prove-it situation in Cleveland, where success could vault him to a $20M-a-year contract elsewhere, and head coach Hue Jackson enters the season on the hottest hotseat ever, going 1-32 the past two seasons yet somehow keeping his job. It's rarely boring with the Browns, and Mayfield just might be the guy to finally put all of this misery behind them, but if he does he'll be thriving where so many others have failed and he will do so under the backdrop of those who came before him. Tough gig.

 

i am rooting for Baker. Kid has worked his ass off to prove everyone wrong stop after stop. Here is to the browns and the jets winning their respective divisions for years to come.

[PepPep]

LMFAO. Here's the thing. The best spot for almost ANY rookie QB is to be on the best team. Unfortunately, it works the opposite way. The top rookie prospects go to the worst teams. That's the point of the draft. So, the best spot for Darnold would be the Steelers. They are a well run organization that seems to always be solid defensively and have a solid O-line. Recently, they have been very good offensively with Brown and Bell. Their defense has taken a dip. Regardless of what Big Ben says (he's retiring, he's gonna play for another 4 years, etc.), he is 36yrs old. His body is beat up and there si no way he will play any longer than 2 more seasons. Darnold is young and could use some seasoning. Taking over for Ben and clearing up Ben's salary to make sure they retain Brown ad Bell is the perfect situation for Darnold.     

The Jets are nowhere near where the Steelers are. They are in a good situation as far as salary, some young talent and some vet insurance at QB. So it's not like Darnold is in a particularly BAD position. But the Steelers would be the best spot for him...and pretty much every other QB on the list. B/C the Steelers are the best team and best run organization on the list. Period.  

[HighPitch]

If you repeat something enough times it becomes truth?

all this sudden josh mccown "mentoring" and guru nonsense.....wtf? someone started this a few months back and now it the thing to say and repeat over and over.

 

Hes josh mccown for gods sake

[#27TheDominator]

4 minutes ago, HighPitch said:

If you repeat something enough times it becomes truth?

all this sudden josh mccown "mentoring" and guru nonsense.....wtf? someone started this a few months back and now it the thing to say and repeat over and over.

 

Hes josh mccown for gods sake

But that is really the point. 

He is Josh McCown.  There is no QB controversy.  There is no forcing the legend out.  When Darnold is ready he plays.  Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is Davis Webb 2.0.

[MDL_JET]

23 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Mayfield is in a weird spot.  He has a ton of built in excuses.  There are some talented playmakers on that squad, but they have question marks.  I think that signing Landry pulls it all together.  Add him to Gordon and Coleman and they can do some damage.  A guy like Calloway can go all Tyreek Hill withoit being a focal point.  Njoku iis dangerous.  I am a big Nick Chubb fan, but adding Carlos Hyde gives them someone to ride in case.  

They have plenty of weapons, but I guess their line is a question with Thomas retiring and it has to be a tough group to lead. 

More pressure on Hue Jackson to put it all together. He's got all he needs to win games. He better not yo-yo Taylor and Mayfield like he did with last year's QB situation. 

[Philc1]

35 minutes ago, NoBowles said:

I have to say, I don't really agree with us being the best spot. We are on our 3rd OC in 3 years, and have done zero to dedicate anything to the offensive side of the ball from a draft or FA perspective. Unless Bates is a solid OC, its hardly an ideal environment to develop a QB. I would say in addition the odds are at least 50% that Bowles is gone after this season, meaning we likely will have a 4th OC in 4 years next year, and Darnold will be on his 2nd OC in his first 2 years. Not exactly the script on how to develop a young QB.

In addition, our fan base and media is going to be saying how bad he sucks every time he throws an errant pass or God Forbid an INT. 

I love Darnold as a prospect, and think he has the goods, and hope for the best, but to call this the best situation is IMO very errant.

Cardinals are the best spot because they have David Johnson.  After that it’s us

 

The Bills O-Line is in a rebuild and going to get Allen killed.  Mayfield will be holding a clipboard for Tyrod Taylor

 

[JiFtheOracle]

37 minutes ago, NoBowles said:

I have to say, I don't really agree with us being the best spot. We are on our 3rd OC in 3 years, and have done zero to dedicate anything to the offensive side of the ball from a draft or FA perspective. Unless Bates is a solid OC, its hardly an ideal environment to develop a QB. I would say in addition the odds are at least 50% that Bowles is gone after this season, meaning we likely will have a 4th OC in 4 years next year, and Darnold will be on his 2nd OC in his first 2 years. Not exactly the script on how to develop a young QB.

In addition, our fan base and media is going to be saying how bad he sucks every time he throws an errant pass or God Forbid an INT. 

I love Darnold as a prospect, and think he has the goods, and hope for the best, but to call this the best situation is IMO very errant.

Zero?  I dont know about that.  Kearse was a good trade and is a good player.  Anderson is good.  Enunwa is getting healthy and good.  They drafted 3 pass catchers last year and a RB (Steward, Hansen, Leggett, McGuire).  They drafted a TE this year and a RB (Herndon, Cannon).  They signed 2 Centers (Spencer, Swanson), a former 2nd round TE with production in the league (Walford), a solid yet unspectacular RB (Crowell) and a WR with an extremely high ceiling (Pryor) - and they have 2 QB's who are apparently great mentors that can bridge to Darnold.  The new offensive systems has no bearing on Darnold.  No matter what, he was learning a new system. 

Of the 6 teams listed, where would have been a better landing spot for him? 

[NoBowles]

6 minutes ago, JiF said:

Zero?  I dont know about that.  Kearse was a good trade and is a good player.  Anderson is good.  Enunwa is getting healthy and good.  They drafted 3 pass catchers last year and a RB (Steward, Hansen, Leggett, McGuire).  They drafted a TE this year and a RB (Herndon, Cannon).  They signed 2 Centers (Spencer, Swanson), a former 2nd round TE with production in the league (Walford), a solid yet unspectacular RB (Crowell) and a WR with an extremely high ceiling (Pryor) - and they have 2 QB's who are apparently great mentors that can bridge to Darnold.  The new offensive systems has no bearing on Darnold.  No matter what, he was learning a new system. 

Of the 6 teams listed, where would have been a better landing spot for him? 

Zero was a strong and perhaps poor choice of words, point taken. But my point was, we have no playmakers or difference makers on the offensive side of the ball, and we have a suspect at best Online. Anderson is a nice piece, but he is a loose cannon and cannot be banked on. Enunwa looked very promising, but he is one hit away from being done for his career with that serious neck injury. I will hope for the best for the TE and RB, but its very rare that late round picks amount to impact players, but I hope Mac found some diamonds in the rough.

My point is not on learning a new system this year, that was a given, its more about next year. I think there is at least a 50% chance he has to learn a 2nd pro offense next year. That is a lot to ask of a rookie QB in NY.

As for a better landing spot, that wasn't really the point of the article, it was more of which situation/prospect is in the best fit. I would argue by far Rosen is in the best spot, and I could make a case that Allen is in a better spot too, as is Jackson.

[Beerfish]

48 minutes ago, Paradis said:

 

Cheap click bait tactics by Jason La Canf*ck... This whole thing was just a medium to push the "Did Mayfield deserve to be the pick" narrative, a story that's still riding waves in Ohio. 

 

The story should be riding waves all over the world. They took the 4th best qb who will have the biggest adjustment #1 overall.

They really blew the draft in a way i thought even cleveland could not do.

[JiFtheOracle]

44 minutes ago, TeddEY said:

Agreed.  But, it kind of feels like the whole article was written just to put Mayfield last.

We know it's the Browns, we know Mayfield's question marks, and there's an argument to be made that Darnold and Rosen both should have been picked over him, and some even liked Allen.  But, putting him behind Lamar Jackson AND Mason Rudolph... Come on.

Fine but why put Darnold first?  He could have said Rosen.

And I dont think it's that far off.  The Browns are the Browns and if you're a betting man, are you placing your money on the Browns getting it right and having the right situation or are you putting your money on the Steelers or Ravens?

 

[JiFtheOracle]

49 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Mayfield is in a weird spot.  He has a ton of built in excuses.  There are some talented playmakers on that squad, but they have question marks.  I think that signing Landry pulls it all together.  Add him to Gordon and Coleman and they can do some damage.  A guy like Calloway can go all Tyreek Hill withoit being a focal point.  Njoku iis dangerous.  I am a big Nick Chubb fan, but adding Carlos Hyde gives them someone to ride in case.  

They have plenty of weapons, but I guess their line is a question with Thomas retiring and it has to be a tough group to lead. 

I think that's a big factor and all those WR's are talented but total psycho's; and Mayfield handled that well in college.  Westbrook and Mixon. 

[JiFtheOracle]

36 minutes ago, PepPep said:

LMFAO. Here's the thing. The best spot for almost ANY rookie QB is to be on the best team. Unfortunately, it works the opposite way. The top rookie prospects go to the worst teams. That's the point of the draft. So, the best spot for Darnold would be the Steelers. They are a well run organization that seems to always be solid defensively and have a solid O-line. Recently, they have been very good offensively with Brown and Bell. Their defense has taken a dip. Regardless of what Big Ben says (he's retiring, he's gonna play for another 4 years, etc.), he is 36yrs old. His body is beat up and there si no way he will play any longer than 2 more seasons. Darnold is young and could use some seasoning. Taking over for Ben and clearing up Ben's salary to make sure they retain Brown ad Bell is the perfect situation for Darnold.     

The Jets are nowhere near where the Steelers are. They are in a good situation as far as salary, some young talent and some vet insurance at QB. So it's not like Darnold is in a particularly BAD position. But the Steelers would be the best spot for him...and pretty much every other QB on the list. B/C the Steelers are the best team and best run organization on the list. Period.  

Saying where the best landing spot would have been, was not the purpose of the article.  It's ranking the situations of where they actually landed.

 

[Sonny Werblin]

1 hour ago, rangerous said:

i tend to agree with the list.  it's going to be interesting to see if the ravens can switch to a guy like jackson after so many years with flacco.  these guys have very different skill sets.

Yeah, Flacco's skill set is throwing jump balls to Anquon Bolden, who bailed Flacco's ass out by taking several sure picks away from D-backs in the playoffs and getting Flacco a SB MVP and a big fact contract, and then convincing himself and the Ravens owner that he is a top 10 QB. However, too bad for Flacco that his teammates and HC never actually believed he was a top 10 QB. For all of Jackson's accuracy issues, he probably is currently as accurate a passer as Flacco is now. My money is on the Ravens having Lamar Jackson packages from the beginning of the season and Jackson taking the starting spot from Flacco before the season ends. Jackson's teammates will love him and it will show by the effort they make when he is on the field.

[JiFtheOracle]

7 minutes ago, NoBowles said:

Zero was a strong and perhaps poor choice of words, point taken. But my point was, we have no playmakers or difference makers on the offensive side of the ball, and we have a suspect at best Online. Anderson is a nice piece, but he is a loose cannon and cannot be banked on. Enunwa looked very promising, but he is one hit away from being done for his career with that serious neck injury. I will hope for the best for the TE and RB, but its very rare that late round picks amount to impact players, but I hope Mac found some diamonds in the rough.

My point is not on learning a new system this year, that was a given, its more about next year. I think there is at least a 50% chance he has to learn a 2nd pro offense next year. That is a lot to ask of a rookie QB in NY.

As for a better landing spot, that wasn't really the point of the article, it was more of which situation/prospect is in the best fit. I would argue by far Rosen is in the best spot, and I could make a case that Allen is in a better spot too, as is Jackson.

That's all fair.  

The only argument I would have with the article is Rosen over Darnold from a landing spot perspective but I would disagree Allen and Jackson are in better spots than Darnold.