There is no doubt that the quarterback has a bigger impact on a football team than any other individual player. If you have a good quarterback and you have the guys up front to give him time to throw the ball, you at least have a chance offensively in today’s NFL. Although we have seen a lot of success recently from rookie quarterbacks, addressing the position in the draft is risky. Unless you have the first overall pick, you never know who you will have the opportunity to draft. This year there will be some movement among an interesting group of veteran quarterbacks.
The Disenfranchised Quarterback
Tony Romo
This discussion has to start in Dallas. The Cowboys give us a great example of a rookie quarterback who has had an immediate impact. When Dak Prescott got a chance at the starting position this season, he ran with it. In fact, Prescott played so well that even veteran starter Tony Romo knew that it was no longer his team. Romo is a fourteen year NFL veteran.
His injury this pre-season created an opportunity for Prescott, but Romo had two injuries in 2015 and only played four games. The last time Romo played a relatively full season was 2014 when he threw 34 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and had a quarterback rating of 113.2. Romo has an obvious upside, but obvious downside as well. Considering his age and injury history, he would make the most sense for a team that is a quarterback away from being able to make a Super Bowl run. The Denver Broncos would be a good example. Romo may be able to make them more competitive immediately and they can continue to develop
The Denver Broncos would be a good example. Romo may be able to make them more competitive immediately and they can continue to develop Trevor Siemian and/or Paxton Lynch behind him. Other possibilities include the Buffalo Bills who look like they are going to move on from Tyrod Taylor or the Houston Texans. Romo to the Texans seems unlikely as the Texans already have a lot of money tied up in their free agent quarterback acquisition from last season, Brock Osweiler.
Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor has started for the Buffalo Bills the last two seasons after serving as a backup in Baltimore when they drafted him. His overall numbers are nothing that will jump off the page at you, but he has been a solid starter. He played very well early this season despite the absence of his top receiver Sammy Watkins. There was a lot of drama at the end of the season revolving around the makeup of Taylor’s contract. It ended with Taylor inactive for the Bills final game and head coach Rex Ryan being ousted by the Bills’ administration. Taylor does have an injury concern, having already had core muscle surgery this off-season, but he has a lot of upside. Taylor is a young quarterback who has had experience as a year-long starter. Any team looking for a quarterback could potentially build their franchise around Taylor.
Taylor does have an injury concern, having already had core muscle surgery this off-season, but he has a lot of upside. Taylor is a young quarterback who has had experience as a year-long starter. Any team looking for a quarterback could potentially build their franchise around Taylor.
Jimmy Garoppolo
After serving as a backup his first two years in the NFL, Jimmy Garoppolo got his chance to play this season with the suspension of Tom Brady. Unfortunately, Garoppolo had less than two games to showcase his skills, as a sprained AC joint in week two set his time short. This season he was able to complete over 68 percent of his passes, over 500 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Garoppolo will certainly receive a lot of interest from other teams this off-season. As a young quarterback, he could be a good fit just about anywhere.
It is always interesting to see the off-season quarterback changes that occur throughout the league. This year there are a few acquirable veteran quarterbacks who could make a huge impact. An important fact to remember is that for any quarterback to be successful he must be surrounded by talent particularly on the offensive line.
Main Photo:
