Revenge of the Birds
Think about all of the quarterback conversions that the NFL had to go through this year.
The Cleveland Browns selected a Top-5 assumed athlete in the fifth round with Shedeur Sanders. Aaron Rodgers became a nomad and finally settled in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson signed with the New York Football Giants only to be supplanted by rookie Jaxson Dart, and then journeyman Jameis Winston.
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Another well-traveled QB, Joe Flacco was sold to the Cincinnati Bengals as their starter while Joe Burrow rehabbed. Coach Pete Carroll left Seattle, then brought over their starting QB Geno Smith with him to his new job. Kirk Cousins wasn’t traded from the Atlanta Falcons, as he was targeted by multiple clubs. Derek Carr retired from the New Orleans Saints all of a sudden.
Mac Jones and Daniel Jones came off the reclamation pile and have led their respective teams to good records. First overall draft pick Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans started Week 1.
And the Arizona Cardinals’ controversy about whether their $230.5 million man, Kyler Murray, should have to kick rocks in lieu of career backup Jacoby Brissett.
But what if the future of the Cardinals quarterback position isn’t on the roster yet? Should the franchise focus on getting a new guy in this year’s NFL draft? If so, who? In what round?
Some folks state that only the elite quarterbacks are taken in Round 1. And there have certainly been some good ones, such as Rodgers, Joe Namath, Patrick Mahomes, Sid Luckman, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, John Elway, Y.A. Tittle, Troy Aikman, Roman Gabriel, Peyton and Eli Manning, Josh Allen, and John Hadl.
But there have been really good signalcallers taken in the later rounds.
Drew Brees, Snake Stabler, Brett Favre, and Steve Van Buren were taken in the second round. Round 3 found Joe Montana and Dan Fouts. Tom Brady was a sixth-round choice. In Round 4, there were Dak Prescott and Sonny Jurgensen. In the 13th round was Brian Sipe while Bart Starr waited until Round 17. Johnny Unitas heard his name in Round 9. Roger Staubach waited until the tenth round. Round 12 saw George Blanda selected.
So, the truly great players rise to the top, and scouts and general managers can’t measure a player’s heart to determine their success or failures.
With Murray currently injured and Brissett taking the reins of the offense, what will happen to the quarterback room next year? Both veteran signalcallers are under contract. Will they duke it out in training camp for the starting position? Will one be traded or released? Will both be traded or released?
The most logical scenario is that the franchise will retain at least one, then draft a young buck to groom. The veteran they retain will then not only take control of the offense, but will also become a tutor and somewhat of a bridge to his fledgling predecessor.
Here are options in every round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Right...
