Successors; Where could 2017’s rookie quarterbacks end up?
Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL, with struggling teams often attempting to find a franchise quarterback in the draft. But this year’s prospects come with big question marks due to growing differences between the pro and college game, and there isn’t really a franchise quarterback available.
This off-season, several veterans toyed with the idea of retirement. Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer could’ve turned Pittsburgh and Arizona into 3–13 disasters overnight if either had retired. In a weak draft for quarterbacks and with several star veterans entering their final years, could we see teams deploying Green Bay’s Favre-Rodgers model? Rodgers sat behind Favre for two years after being a first round pick in 2005, before taking over when Favre looked set to retire. So who’s successors could we find in this year’s draft?
As we are looking at the 2017 quarterback draft class as successors to star veterans, quarterback-needy teams like Cleveland, Chicago and San Francisco were not considered as destinations, as those teams are more than a quarterback away from contending.
Mitch Trubisky — New York Giants
While Eli Manning is one of the NFL’s iron men; failing to miss a start in 13 years, he is also 36 and has started to show some signs of decline in the last couple of years. Head coach Ben McAdoo runs a West Coast-style offense that calls for quick, short throws. Trubisky would be a perfect fit. Despite being a one-year starter at North Carolina, Trubisky’s skill set is that of a traditional pocket passer. He also has a similarly calm and quiet temperament to Manning.
Deshaun Watson — Los Angeles Chargers
Despite showing some signs of decline, quarterback Philip Rivers is the unquestioned leader in the Chargers’ locker room, which will be difficult to replace when he retires. Enter Watson, a natural charismatic leader at Clemson. Watson’s clutch play allowed the Tigers to upset Alabama for last year’s title, which could prove ideal for a Chargers team that blew several fourth quarter leads last year. Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is a known quarterback developer, and could help Watson grow into the pro game.
DeShone Kizer — Arizona Cardinals
Two years ago as a sophomore, Kizer helped lead Notre Dame to a 10–3 record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. Last year, the Fighting Irish were 4–8 as Kizer regressed after a stellar opening win against Texas. Bruce Arians is a known quarterback whisperer, and has mentored players like Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer. Kizer’s strong arm and incredible passing skills would be dangerous in Arians’ system, an offense designed for big plays on every down and a spread system similar to what Kizer ran under Brian Kelly at Notre Dame.
Patrick Mahomes — New Orleans Saints
At the Combine, Mahomes spoke about how he’d love to sit behind and learn from Drew Brees in New Orleans and become the future of the Saints when Brees retires. Sean Payton’s offense is dedicated to the pass, with Brees eclipsing 4500 passing yards in eight of the past nine seasons. As a former Air Raid quarterback at Texas Tech, Mahomes boasts similarly gaudy numbers. As a gunslinger with a huge arm and the ability to make incredible throws, Mahomes would suit a gambling coach like Payton perfectly when Drew Brees hangs up his cleats.
David Webb — Pittsburgh Steelers
Like Roethlisberger, Webb is a big-bodied passer who relies on strength rather than athleticism. Webb also reads the field well despite playing in an Air Raid offense at California. In Pittsburgh, Webb would be surrounded by All-Pro weapons like Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, who could ease his transition into the pro game. Webb is a classic pocket passer like Roethlisberger, with a similar skill set which could give Pittsburgh continuity at the most important position on the field when Big Ben retires.
