NFL Draft Primer: Ranking the Quarterback Destinations

Dan Meylor Posted On May 3, 2014

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With the NFL draft inching closer and closer by the day, the age old debate amongst dynasty owners of what is more important when scouting incoming rookies (a player’s overall talent or his opportunity) will raise its ugly head once again. Personally, I always try to take the situation a player is drafted into out of the equation when I’m on the clock. I’m of the opinion that talent always wins in the end. In time, a supremely talented player who ends up in a less than desirable situation is much more worthy of using a rookie draft pick on than a less-talented player who’s drafted into an ideal situation. With that said, completely ignoring those prime situations (especially at this point in the process) would be irresponsible.

With free agency having run its course for the most part and NFL franchises preparing to add the latest class of rookies to their rosters, now is an ideal time to identify the best (and worst) landing spots for dynasty purposes. If nothing else, it gives us all something to watch for on draft day.

Let’s start by looking at the quarterback position and how all 32 teams rank as far as the potential situation for the incoming rookies. Each of the teams are put into tiers from four stars (great situation) all the way down to one/zero stars (poor.) Look for the other positions in the coming days.

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Four Stars

Houston Texans

With the duo of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins on the outside and Arian Foster in the backfield, the Texans have one of the best situations for a rookie quarterback to step into. The closer we get to the draft however, the more I think that if Houston doesn’t trade the number one pick, they’ll take defensive end Jadevion Clowney so dynasty owners who have dreams of Teddy Bridewater, Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles throwing to those two big-time receivers may be in for a disappointment. No matter who goes number one, rest assured the Texans will select a passer – and whoever that is, they’ll get a chance to run the show in Houston sooner rather than later.

Minnesota Vikings

With Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder on the roster, the Vikings don’t need to take a quarterback early in the draft – but they should. Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph make for a quality threesome of receiving targets and Adrian Peterson will take pressure away from the passing game. Norv Turner’s offense has been extremely quarterback-friendly over the years so dynasty owners should keep a close eye on the Vikings on draft day. They may not take the plunge early in the draft, but could take a developmental passer like Zach Mettenberger or Derek Carr, either of which would instantly become interesting to dynasty owners in the third round of rookie drafts.

Cleveland Browns

With only Brian Hoyer and Alex Tanney and one of the best receivers in the game (Josh Gordon) on the roster, a case could be made the Browns are the best landing spot for a quarterback in this year’s draft. I’ve been a supporter of Hoyer since he got his chance in 2013 and think he should get an opportunity to build on what he did last year, but the Browns should (and will) take a quarterback in the draft. Cleveland has many other needs so they may choose to draft another position on day one, but whatever rookie passer they end up with should be on the radar of dynasty owners.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars will choose just ahead of the Browns in the draft at number three overall and may have their pick of any of the top three passers available. Although they have other needs on both sides of the ball, I suspect they’ll take one of the quarterbacks. With Cecil Shorts, Justin Blackmon (if he gets reinstated) and Marcedes Lewis as the primary pass catchers and Toby Gerhart handling the tailback duties, there’s a case to be made that the situation in Jacksonville is less than ideal. But Chad Henne is atop the depth chart, so a rookie could be starting for the Jags as early as week one – especially if that rookie is taken in the top-three.

Three Stars

Oakland Raiders

The only reason the Raiders aren’t a four star landing spot for a quarterback is because they insisted on trading for Matt Schaub in the off-season and giving him a fully guaranteed $8 million contract for 2014. When a team gives a deal like that, they usually expect the player to start for them, but we are talking about the Raiders so they could pay that for Schaub to hold a clipboard. With James Jones, Denarius Moore and Rod Streater as the top receivers on the roster and the potential for a coaching change a year from now, the likelihood that a rookie will find immediate success appears bleak at best.

Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer operated relatively effectively last year, but threw far too many interceptions (22) and is now 34 years old. My collegue Karl Safchick recently floated the idea on Twitter of the Cardinals trading up in round one to get a top signal caller and I think it’s brilliant. With Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to throw to, Arizona would be an excellent fit for a rookie quarterback – even if we have to wait a year for him to see the field.

St. Louis Rams

Before he got hurt in 2013, Sam Bradford had thrown 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions in just seven games. There’s still optimism among many that he could live up to the high expectations he had when he entered the league, but his salary ($14 million in 2014) is far too costly for the Rams to keep paying without a healthy, productive year. Expect St. Louis to bring in a rookie to serve as Bradford’s backup in 2014 and possibly take over a year from now, perhaps sooner if he can’t stay on the field.

Tennessee Titans

Like the Rams, the Titans starting quarterback has dealt with injuries throughout his career and may be facing a make-or-break year in 2014. After all, Jake Locker only started seven games last season. He’ll most likely be under center when September rolls around, but if he wants to keep his starting job in Tennessee, he’ll have to stay healthy and be much more effective than he’s been over the last few years. With only Charlie Whitehurst and Tyler Wilson behind Locker on the depth chart and Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter catching passes, Tennessee could become an intriguing landing spot for any rookie quarterback.

Two Stars

Cincinnati Bengals

With Andy Dalton leading the team to three straight playoff appearances, many would think its improbable the Bengals would look for a replacement. Dalton’s also lead them to three straight Wild Card losses however. With A.J. Green catching passes, Cincinnati could quickly become a nice landing spot for any quarterback if Dalton doesn’t step up his game.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills invested a high draft pick in E.J. Manuel last year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add another quarterback to develop behind him in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. Manuel wasn’t able to stay healthy in 2013. If that happens again, it could open a door for a rookie.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Had the Buccs not signed Josh McCown, Tampa Bay would be a much nicer looking landing spot for a rookie quarterback. McCown is 34 years old though and only signed a two-year contract so the opportunity could present itself for a rookie to get a chance relatively soon.

Kansas City Chiefs

Head coach Andy Reid had a history of developing young quarterbacks in Philadelphia and will likely try to do the same with the Chiefs. Starter Alex Smith is entering the final year of his contract with the team but reports out of Kansas City indicate the team is negotiating a new deal with their quarterback.

Chicago Bears

The depth chart in Chicago is thin behind Jay Cutler, who has a growing injury history. An opportunity could arise for a rookie if the Bears add a passer in the draft. You saw what McCown did with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery at his disposal.

One Star (or Zero Stars)

Detroit Lions

After Matthew Stafford, the Lions don’t have much on the depth chart so a rookie could get a chance to play with Calvin Johnson. There are worse landing spots.

Baltimore Ravens

There’s nothing behind Joe Flacco, either.

New York Jets

With Michael Vick and Geno Smith on the roster, it’s doubtful the Jets add another young quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons could use a backup to Matt Ryan, but have much bigger needs.

Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill has been reliable (he hasn’t missed a game in his two seasons) and relatively effective (24 TDs in 2014), so it would be surprising to see Miami add another passer.

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers’ job security was questionable before last year. He’s on solid ground now.

New York Giants

Although Eli Manning had a season to forget with 27 interceptions in 2013, he does have two Super Bowl rings and won’t be replaced anytime soon.

San Francisco 49ers

If Colin Kaepernick ever gets caught on a scramble and happens to get hurt, that 49ers offense will be in the hands of Blaine Gabbert. Ugh! They should draft a quarterback.

New Orleans Saints

It’ll be interesting to see if the Saints consider drafting Drew Brees’ heir apparent.

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck is awesome. If he were to go down though, his replacement would have Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks and a pair of quality tight ends to throw to.

Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III is locked in as a starter and even if he gets hurt, Kirk Cousins is there – but for how long?

Green Bay Packers

We all saw what happened when Aaron Rodgers went down last year. If the Packers draft a quarterback, he has to be better than Matt Flynn, right?

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have three backups to Tony Romo and too many needs to pick a quarterback. So Jerry Jones will probably select one.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It would be surprising to see the Steelers add a quarterback. If they do, he’ll have to be the understudy of Big Ben for a while.

Philadelphia Eagles

With Nick Foles as the starter, Mark Sanchez as the backup and Matt Barkley as the developmental guy, the Eagles probably won’t add another quarterback.

Denver Broncos

Brock Osweiler will likely take over for Peyton Manning when he hangs em’ up.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady will probably play until he’s 40 and the Pats already have Ryan Mallett.

Seattle Seahawks

Two words. Russell. Wilson.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton doesn’t get hurt and isn’t coming off the field. Even if he does, they don’t have any receivers to make Carolina an attractive landing spot for a rookie.

Follow me on Twitter: @dmeylor22

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Dan Meylor

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Dan is a jack of all trades but master of none and specializes in salary cap and contract leagues.He has far too many hobbies (including writing the article you just read), is a die-hard Packers fan and can't wait to introduce his young sons to fantasy football.