Flashback to the start of the 2016 season, Mitchell Trubisky became the starting quarterback for the University of North Carolina. After a good season showing the traits NFL teams love and covet, he left school early entering the 2017 NFL draft. This move appears to have worked out for him, seeing as he was the second overall pick in that class.
However, only starting one year in college showed to have some problems manifest on the field at the NFL level. Many of the problems that hindered him in college didn’t go away as some expected. While he did bring his team to the playoffs this year, inconsistencies in his game showed on a weekly basis.
NFL teams should look to figure out what hindered Trubisky’s growth thus far. Was it the lack of starting experience, the offense placed around him, or him mentally that has prohibited him from taking that next step towards his ceiling? This will be an important question not only for the Bears but for any quarterback-needy team in this year’s draft to answer.
One Year Starting Could Cause Problems for Dwayne Haskins
The Dwayne Haskins Dilemma
A one-year starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Dwayne Haskins showed the traits to warrant a high selection in the 2019 NFL draft. But will his lack of experience translate to a delayed progression at the next level?
Haskins made the smart move, officially declaring for the draft. He should be rewarded with a possible top ten selection.
The Chicago Bears franchise has been built around Trubisky, but he has still struggled throughout the year. A lot of this can be traced back to lack of starting experience translating to longer development time than wanted. Coming out of college Trubisky showed great traits to become a top quarterback in the league. He still has those traits today but has struggled with some of the same things he did in college. Progressions have been made but inconsistencies have shown to limit the team.
Quarterback-needy teams need to take this into factor. The lack of true starting experience could be the thing affecting Trubisky week in and week out. Will the same thing happen to Haskin? Will he need more time to develop than others or what’s wanted from him?
Starts, Not Stats Matter
Trubisky was a one-year starter, playing in only 13 games throughout his college career. Since entering the league, he has started in 26 games. Haskins has started 14 games in his college career.
Once Haskins enters the NFL questions will surface around how quickly he should start. Currently unable to be determined, seeing we don’t know the situation he lands in, but landing spot could make all the difference.
Haskins has the tools, size, and arm talent that projects favorably. However, he is still developing in his progressions and processing speed. As expected for a guy with little experience the biggest question surrounding him will be how quickly can his traits translate to results on the field. Teams will have to determine if he falls under the Patrick Mahomes situation, where it would be best for him to sit and learn, or the Sam Darnold situation where “Failing Forward” would work best.
Teams with a Need
Looking around the league you see teams like the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins with a quarterback atop their list of needs. Haskins has a good chance to be the first quarterback taken, making him a hot commodity for many of the teams listed above.
Without trades, the Giants are the team picking highest out of this group, making them the potential top destination. This could be the perfect landing spot for Haskins. With an established infrastructure and veteran quarterback around him, he could find success.
With an out in Ryan Tannehill’s contract, the team could look to move on. If that’s the case then they are a potential team to watch for to trade up for Haskins. The same can be said for the Redskins. With the uncertainty that surrounds Alex Smith‘s future, the team may look to trade up for the future of their franchise.
The Jaguars are currently holding the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. After struggling with Blake Bortles at quarterback the team is in desperate need of an upgrade. Placing Haskins in a run-first offense could help him learn the speed and coverage schemes of the NFL early in his career.
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