Miami Dolphins are not the only QB needy team and it’s going to get worse
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins need a quarterback but they may not enter the draft with one being the top priority. They are not the only ones.
Interestingly enough the Miami Dolphins are in better position than recent years to find a quarterback and that could be because there are not as many teams needing to find a starter in the draft. At least not right now.
Consider last years draft class. Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen were all taken at the top of the draft while Lamar Jackson was taken further down in round one. Each of those teams are no longer looking for new quarterback. At least not for the next three years.
Looking around the NFL there are teams that need quarterbacks and Miami is of course one of them. But it isn’t as many as it could have been. In the next two drafts the Dolphins are expected to draft a quarterback in the first round. It could be this year or they could wait until 2020 which is what many people believe will happen. How will the competition look for guys like Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jake Fromm? Let’s take a look.
AFC East
For now only the Miami Dolphins are in need of a quarterback and if the Patriots decide that it is time to start finding Tom Brady’s replacement they will need to move way up in the draft to get a quarterback or sit pat at the bottom of the first round.
AFC North
Baltimore – Lamar Jackson has set the team up for the foreseeable future so they will not be on the market any time soon.
Pittsburgh – Hard to say what Ben Roethlisberger’s plans are but the Steelers within the next three drafts, if not sooner will draft his replacement.
Cleveland – Like Baltimore they are set for the foreseeable future with Baker Mayfield.
Cincinnati Bengals – A new head coach may opt for young signal caller and Andy Dalton could be hitting the road soon. Regardless the Bengals need better and may look to 2020 for their next QB.
AFC South
Indianapolis – Provided Andrew Luck stays healthy they are not in the market
Houston Texans – Seem pretty set with DeShaun Watson
Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota isn’t a bad QB but he can’t stay healthy. The Titans will replace him in the next three years maybe in 2020.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Yeah, they are pretty much screwed like Miami.
AFC West
Los Angeles – Phillip Rivers isnt’ getting any younger but he isn’t talking about retirement just yet.
Kansas City – That Pat Mahomes guy isn’t that bad.
Denver – Broncos could use this years draft to find a quarterback or sit out one more years for 2020 but they are in the market.
Oakland – Don’t buy into anything Jon Gruden says about Derek Carr. He will draft another QB this year or next.
Of the 16 AFC teams four teams are in need of a quarterback soon, they are in bold italics above. Three teams could be in the market entering the 2020 draft. They are in bold.
NFC East
Dallas – In good shape with Dak Prescot
Philladelphia – They have for now, Nick Foles and Carson Wentz
New York – Likely to draft a QB this year as they need one badly
Washington – They like Alex Smith but there is uncertainty around his future after his leg injury.
AFC North
Chicago – Trubisky
Minnesota – Cousins
Green Bay – Rodgers
Detroit – Matt Stafford is entering the final years of his career and it is unclear how long the Lions will keep him around. There are rumors that Detroit could go looking for a QB this year.
AFC South
New Orleans – Drew Brees who isn’t aging
Atlanta – Matt Ryan
Carolina – Cam Newton but keep an eye on his shoulder issues
Tampa Bay – For now, Jameis Winston
AFC West
L.A. – Jared Goff
Seattle – Russel Wilson
San Francisco – Jimmy Garopollo
Arizona – Josh Rosen
In the NFC only one team is in definite need of a quarterback and that is Washington. Detroit will likely get a new QB in the next two years while Washington waits out the progress on Smith.
Many of the teams in the league are pretty well set at QB sans about 5 that will need to address it in the next two drafts. Teams with aging QB’s could get into the mix as well and work their way up to a position to draft a quarterback.
This years class isn’t expected to be great but Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray at the top with guys like Daniel Jones and Drew Lock possible late first round or early second round picks. A very favorable draft for quarterbacks will be a year later with names mentioned earlier.
If there was one thing Miami did right last year was they didn’t draft a QB. In 2020 they very well may have their choice.