Teams That May Draft QBs in the First Round of the 2019 NFL Draft

The 2019 NFL Draft features four quarterbacks with first round hopes. At least four teams should take quarterbacks this year, but others will decide to stick with veterans or wait for future drafts.

I’m excluding the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers because they have much more pressing needs and I don’t believe there is a chance they would take a quarterback in the first round even if there was a good player available.

Arizona Cardinals Pick #1

Even though the Cardinals just took Josh Rosen in the first round last year, it seems like new head coach Kliff Kingsbury has pegged Kyler Murray as his guy. The Cardinals literally have every possible option open to them with the number one overall pick, but it seems like Murray will be their selection.

Oakland Raiders Picks #4, 24, 27

Realistically, if the Raiders wanted to replace Derek Carr, they’d take a quarterback with the fourth pick. I don’t see why the Raiders would want to do that though, and it would be another example of the team moving away from an incredibly talented player too soon. Carr has made three Pro Bowls in five seasons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick #5

The Buccaneers have had well-documented quarterback woes. A former number one overall pick, Jameis Winston, only started nine games for the team last year amongst on and off the field issues. Winston still has a future in the NFL though and the Buccaneers will bet on his talent and keep him around as a starter for at least one more year.

New York Giants Picks #6, 17

Eli Manning is declining, just like the Giants organization as a whole. If the team wants to use the final years of Manning’s career to prepare a young guy to take over, then they should take a quarterback this year with the sixth pick. Dwyane Haskins seems like the most likely selection.

Jacksonville Jaguars Pick #7

The Jaguars just signed Nick Foles to a four-year $88 million deal, but Foles has not started more than five games since 2015 when he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Remember when Mike Glennon signed a three-year $45 million deal with the Bears only to be replaced immediately? That won’t happen right away with Foles because of the structure of his contract, so I think the Jags will pass on a first round quarterback this year. But the team will certainly look at guys in future drafts.

Denver Broncos Pick #10

The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco. Flacco is under contract through 2021 and will eat up a significant amount of cap for his mediocre play. The Broncos really should consider taking another shot at a quarterback this year, especially if Drew Lock is still available, but Flacco’s contract might prevent them from drafting a replacement.

Cincinnati Bengals Pick #11

Andy Dalton gets a lot of flak for a player who’s made three Pro Bowls. He often gets associated with mediocrity, but that isn’t fair considering there are plenty of other quarterbacks who are far worse. Still, Dalton hasn’t had a winning record as a starter since 2015 and the Bengals are growing impatient. The team should stick with him for now, but when his contract ends in 2020 the Bengals might go in a different direction.

Miami Dolphins Pick #13

#TankforTua#TankforTua#TankforTua#TankforTua#TankforTua#TankforTua#TankforTua. The Dolphins are gearing up for one of the worst regular seasons in recent history. They’ll wait to take a quarterback until they can get their guy next year.

Washington Redskins Pick #15

With Alex Smith having possibly played his final game in the NFL, the Redskins traded for Case Keenum to add depth to a quarterback room that already has Colt McCoy. Keenum is playing on a one-year deal while Smith is under contract through 2022 with a potential out after 2020. Smith’s case is obviously different because of his injury and he might not be ready to go in 2020, assuming he even still wants to play. Considering Keenum’s short deal, the Redskins could take a chance on Daniel Jones or Drew Lock to secure a brighter future.

New England Patriots Pick #32

The team has to eventually draft, and not trade away, Tom Brady’s heir. I don’t see that happening unless Drew Lock somehow falls all the way to 32, which will almost be impossible.