“Draft a QB in 2014 or 2015? Why this question will haunt NFL teams”

“Draft a QB in 2014 or 2015? Why this question will haunt NFL teams”

The Houston Texans are on the clock.

The Texans have been on the clock since their final game, a loss to Tennessee, which capped a fourteen game losing streak, on December 29^th. 

For the past three months the Texans have been on the clock and they have been asking themselves the same question for the past three months…

Draft a quarterback in 2014 or 2015?

And the Texans are not the only team with this dilemma. The Jaguars are in hunt for a signal caller, which seems to be the case since the glory days of Mark Brunell (2003); The Raiders as well since Rich Gannon (2004), the Vikings since Daunte Culpepper (2006), and Browns since…the recreation of the team.

All four of these NFL franchises have faced hardship because of the principal reasoning that they need a signal caller to lead them out of obscurity. But if these teams miss like they have in the past it could spell another five or more seasons of dismay and heartache. And if you are a fan of any of these teams, you must be aware that there is a fine line between being a fan and a masochist.  

So what should these NFL teams do?

Houston Texans: Draft Brett Hundley (in 2015)

            I constantly keep hearing how Blake Bortles is the perfect fit for new Texans head coach Bill O’Brien. In Bill O’Brien’s brief tenure at Penn State he was able to coach Matt McGloin into convincing NFL teams that he is an NFL quarterback (sorry Raider fans). He courted top QB prospect Christian Hackenberg to come to Happy Valley, and as a true freshman he threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 20 TDs to 10 interceptions. And prior to this, he was Tom Brady’s quarterback coach. Is it not pretty clear that he can coach any caliber quarterback?
            But despite all of this it would be a terrible decision for the Texans to draft Bortles or any quarterback in the first round. It is very simple; the Texans are not ready to compete. Granted they were a top caliber team in the AFC in 2012-13, but they have too many question marks in key positions. Not only is Schaub gone, but also Arian Foster has a lot of tread on those tires, and Andre Johnson is just not the physical specimen he used to be.

            The Texans need to do it the Bill O’Brien way or, some would say, the Bill Belichick way and draft value over potential. They have too many important spots to fill up and down up the roster to miss with the first overall pick. With all of the rare defensive talent that is available in Jadevown Clowney or Khalil Mack (imagine pairing one of them with J.J. Watt?) or they could stay conservative and land Greg Robinson, one of the most effective and athletic tackles in the history of the daft.

            O’Brien is capable of making serious improvements in Houston without landing a first round quarterback. He has won with far less. Again just ask the Raiders.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Draft Jameis Winston (in 2015)

            No franchise deserves a franchise quarterback more than the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have been the most unwatched, unpopular team in the most popular sport in America. They have played so bad for the past seven seasons that they should be demoted to the CFL. This is why they cannot fall into the trap of selecting a quarterback with the number 2 selection.

            MJD will not return, the defense is still rebuilding, they have one of the worst receiving corps, and they cannot protect their quarterback anyway. While I am not a huge fan of any of these quarterbacks in this draft class, nobody deserves the fate of the quarterback who is selected by the Jaguars in this draft.

            Have a good draft, make some improvements, but not too many because you can select the next best talent at quarterback in Jameis Winston in next year’s draft. Just don’t improve too much. I think the Jaguars can live to those expectations.

Oakland Raiders: Draft Johnny Manziel

            Now while the Jaguars cannot not afford to draft a quarterback, the Raiders cannot afford not to. Yes, I realize they just traded for Matt Schaub but this franchise has had nothing to be excited about since their Super Bowl trip in 2003. It has been 11 long years, for the Black and Silver nation has had anything significant to watch in Oakland.

            So go out and get the biggest drawing card you can because what else is there to watch in Oakland? Whether Manziel will pan out or not is irrelevant to my point because even if Manziel is a flop, which are what Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge are predicting, he will be the most entertaining flop since Tim Tebow.

            If the Raiders do not draft Johnny Manziel, I will begin to advocate they sign Tim Tebow. Either way, the Raiders are not winning for a while

Cleveland Browns: Draft Blake Bortles

            The Browns have invested in their defense heavily this offseason. They also have one of the best, youngest, stud wide receivers in Josh Gordon. I believe the Browns are close to contending for a playoff spot in the near future with the demise of the Pittsburgh Steelers and potential fall of the Baltimore Ravens. A sudden injection of youth and excitement for the Browns could go a long way and make this theory become a therom.

            Brandon Weeden was a late first round pick, who the Browns had very little to risk when drafting him. He didn’t work out, and it did not hurt the future of the franchise. In the meantime, the Browns have vastly improved on defense and have an impact player on offense. Bortles is heads above the rest of this quarterback class. He may not be Andrew Luck, or Russell Wilson, or RG3, if he is a lesser version of the three combined that could be enough to bring the Browns into relevancy.

Minnesota Vikings: Draft Teddy Bridgewater

            Teddy Bridgewater would have the most to work with, than any of the other quarterbacks based on where they would be drafted. Bridgwater would have the benefit of the best running back in football in Adrian Peterson, and new coach Mike Zimmer is a defensive mastermind he could revitalize the Minnesota defense. Bridgewater was consistently considered the best quarterback prospect in this draft class until is abysmal performance at his pro day. So what does this tell me? He just may not be ready for the spotlight.

            Bridgewater decommitted from Miami, and thought about LSU, but ultimately chose Louisville because he thought he would win the job in his first season (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8539767/louisville-cardinals-qb-teddy-bridgewater-learned-persevere-mother-ncf). But a player with his skill set, size, attributes etc. would have been nurtured at either one of those big college football powerhouses, but instead chose Louisville, a good program, but not one entirely focused on football, nor would it be entirely focused on Bridgewater.

            If that is the case, there is no better place for him than the Vikings. There will be enough around him to take the focal point away.