This NFL offseason has already provided us with some crazy quarterback moves and free agency has not even opened yet. We started the offseason with the blockbuster Stafford/Goff deal and a few weeks later Carson Wentz was traded to the Colts. Then, Dak Prescott actually signed a long term deal with the Cowboys and became the second highest paid quarterback in the league (I think he got overpaid). On top of all the trades occurring with the current NFL quarterbacks, it looks like there are going to be a lot more quarterbacks entering the league. Many mock drafts have the first four picks all taking quarterbacks, and some have five of the first ten picks being quarterbacks. Obviously teams think the quarterback is the most important piece of the team and there will likely be many more trades made this offseason as teams try to find their perfect quarterback. Below I break down which quarterback I think each team should go for.
Jets Trade Darnold to Bears, Draft new QB
Darnold’s tenure in New York has been defined by injuries and many losses. Darnold has been through two coaches in his three years, and if he sticks around he will have to go through yet another one. Darnold was drafted third overall in his class, but has been more of a bust so far. Some of that is on Darnold, but a large part is due to the lack of talent he has to work with in New York. The Jets do not seem set on keeping Darnold, as the GM said to the media last week that they will listen to all calls about him. It seems like it might be best for both Darnold and the Jets to have a fresh start. Chicago would be a good landing spot for him because they need an upgrade from Trubisky and Darnold should fit into their system well. The Bears already have a playoff level defense, they just need an offense to put up points. With Darnold gone the Jets should use their second overall pick to draft a quarterback. I think they should draft Zach Wilson out of BYU. With a new coach and a new quarterback maybe the Jets will be able to actually win some football games.
Houston Trades Watson to Miami for Tua
Hopefully the Houston Texans will put us out of our misery and finally trade Watson. After Watson signed a huge contract in the fall, things turned around and Houston has some major problems right now. Watson is one of the top five quarterbacks in the league, and will make a huge impact wherever he lands. I think the best possible situation for him would be to be traded to Miami. Houston could trade Watson in exchange for Tua and some of the Dolphins draft picks. The Dolphins currently have two first round and two second round picks they could use in a trade. Brian Flores has turned the Dolphins around and although he says Tua is their quarterback, I do not think they should pass up the chance for Watson. Tua looked shaky at times and did not show the promise that other rookies did, like Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow during his limited time. The Dolphins already have a solid defense, and with Watson would become an immediate playoff contender. Houston is clearly going to be rebuilding, so having a new quarterback who could potentially turn into their franchise quarterback could be a good thing. Houston could use the draft picks they will get from the trade to secure some weapons for Tua, like reuniting him with former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith. It is clear that Watson in Houston is not going to work out so Houston should try to get the best trade they can, which is trading for Tua and draft picks.
Patriots Trade for Garoppollo
The Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and on top of that had to watch Tom Brady go win yet another Super Bowl, but this time with another team. Bill Belichick tried to go a new route post-Brady, but the Cam Newton Patriots relationship failed. Now he is a free agent and it seems unlikely the Patriots will resign him. Instead, the Patriots should make a trade with the San Francisco 49er’s to bring quarterback Jimmy Garoppollo back. Garoppollo was the Patriots backup before being traded to the 49ers four years ago. During his time in San Fran Garoppollo has gone 24-9 and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. The concern with Jimmy G is his injuries. He has missed 23 games in four years because of injuries, which is a concern considering how much he cost. However, with the Patriots current qb situation, I am sure they would prefer injury ridden Garoppollo to what they have now. Belichick has only spoken highly of Garoppollo since he left the Patriots and his transition back would likely be easy since he is familiar with the Patriots system. The 49ers don’t seem sold on Garoppollo, especially with his high price, so they would likely make the trade for a draft pick. The 49er’s could wait to see if a QB is still available with their 12th overall pick or they could trade up to try to find their future franchise quarterback. The Patriots are in desperate need of a quarterback to get them back to relevancy, and Jimmy Garoppollo seems like the answer.
Carolina Drafts Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater has two more years left on his contract, but that did not stop the Carolina Panthers from aggressively trying to get Stafford. Clearly the Panthers are not set on Bridgewater being their long term starter and I think they are going to use their first round pick to draft a quarterback. They have the 8th overall pick and they could wait for a quarterback there or I would not be surprised if they trade into a top four pick. I think they should draft either Trey Lance or Justin Fields to eventually replace Bridgewater when his contract expires. That way Fields or Lance do not have to start right away and can take time to adjust to the NFL. I think drafting Fields would be the safer option because he has proved himself against tough competition in the Big 10. Lance could end up being a great quarterback in the NFL but he is more of a gamble because he played college at North Dakota State, an FBS team, so the competition was not anywhere close to what Fields and other qbs were facing. Both quarterbacks are very mobile and have big arms so Carolina should be fine drafting either one as Bridegwater’s eventual replacement.
Washington Brings in Fitzpatrick
After releasing both Dwanye Haskins and Alex Smith, the Washington Football team is in search of a quarterback. They still have Tyler Heinicke and Kyle Allen on the roster, but neither of them showed last season that they are Washington’s future at quarterback. Washington could try to draft a quarterback, but they have the 19th pick and unless they trade up there is not going to be a quarterback who they can build their future around left on the board. I think they should try to acquire free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fiztpatrick has been in the league for eighteen years and has floated between different teams. Last season he started in Miami before being demoted to Tua’s backup and then became the starter once again at the end of the season. Fitzpatrick played pretty well in Miami and he won’t be too expensive for Washington. With Washington’s improving defense, especially with star Chase Young, Fitgzpatricks’ average quarterback play should be enough to keep them in games, especially in their pathetic division. I think that Washington should sign Fitzpatrick for one year to hold them over until next season when they can find their franchise quarterback. Fitzpatrick to Washington will hold them over for a year so they can figure out what they need and want.
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