Top NFL QB Prospects for 2018

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[ALF]

March 14    The 2018 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

 

April 26-28    2018 NFL Draft, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.

 

https://operations.nfl.com/football-ops/league-governance/2017-18-important-nfl-dates/

 

With so many teams wanting a QB it will be difficult to trade up. 

[OldTimer1960]

11 hours ago, ALF said:

March 14    The 2018 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

 

April 26-28    2018 NFL Draft, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.

 

https://operations.nfl.com/football-ops/league-governance/2017-18-important-nfl-dates/

 

With so many teams wanting a QB it will be difficult to trade up. 

I'm afraid that you are right.  It is going to take a very high price, if it is even possible to find a willing trade partner.  I think FA may be their best option to find a serviceable QB.

[4merper4mer]

Is this recent hype about the Keane kid from Coastal Carolina for real?  Out injured at the end of the season and hardly from a football school .  

 

Why the buzz so late in the game.  It reminds me when nobody even mentioned Gabbert for years, then wham....top 10 pick.

[Kirby Jackson]

On 12/11/2017 at 2:29 PM, Acantha said:

Personally, there's a couple of guys that I think are better suited to making the transition and succeeding in the NFL (so guys that I'm quietly rooting for), but I don't honestly care who the pick is as long as they're not sitting back and waiting for the whoever happens to fall to them.

 

Think that Rudolph is the guy you like and think there's a chance he could fall to you?  Don't wait, just go get him.

 

As long as it's someone they've done their homework on and believe can be their guy, do it. 

I’m kind of in agreement but have a slightly different perspective. I am not okay if they pick the guy that they are comfortable with. They absolutely have to be right. This can’t be another EJ. This whole rebuild is predicated on getting that guy now. If in 3 years he ends up being Blake Bortles we have taken yet another step back. They have to get it right.

 

Fortunately there are a lot of guys in this class that I like. Like any class though, some will pan out, some will fail. The Bills need to do everything that they can to ensure success for him. Dennison has to go. You have to get someone that’s worked with young QBs successfully. You have to upgrade the receivers, solidify the line and have a solid running game. The next 5-10 years will depend on the success of the new QB.

Edited December 16, 2017 by Kirby Jackson

[JohnC]

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 3:29 PM, Acantha said:

Personally, there's a couple of guys that I think are better suited to making the transition and succeeding in the NFL (so guys that I'm quietly rooting for), but I don't honestly care who the pick is as long as they're not sitting back and waiting for the whoever happens to fall to them.

 

Think that Rudolph is the guy you like and think there's a chance he could fall to you?  Don't wait, just go get him.

 

As long as it's someone they've done their homework on and believe can be their guy, do it. 

I agree with the spirit of your post. This staff has to identity their top three or four qb prospects who they believe will be quality franchise qbs. Then it has to take an aggressive approach to put themselves in a position to get one of those players. As you stated, passively waiting in an environment when nearly half the league needs a qb is a recipe for settling for a lesser option. That's not good enough. 

 

No matter which qb is identified there are  going to be plenty of critics. What's right for you might not be right for another team. Getting that right fit increases the chances of success. What the LA Ram situation with Goff proves is that how you handle the qb and the support system (surrounding players) is critical to success.  But make no mistake there are no guarantees. If the qb selected doesn't work out then you have to keep at it and find a better option. The problem won't be solved by itself. 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I’m kind of in agreement but have a slightly different perspective. I am not okay if they pick the guy that they are comfortable with. They absolutely have to be right. This can’t be another EJ. This whole rebuild is predicated on getting that guy now. If in 3 years he ends up being Blake Bortles we have taken yet another step back. They have to get it right.

 

Fortunately there are a lot of guys in this class that I like. Like any class though, some will pan out, some will fail. The Bills need to do everything that they can to ensure diverse for him. Dennison has to go. You have to get someone that’s worked with young QBs successfully. You have to upgrade the receivers, solidify the line and have a solid running game. The next 5-10 years will depend on the success of the new QB.

The best example of the support system required for young qb is the Ram model. They brought in a young, energetic and creative HC known for his ability to work with qbs. The best way to describe him is that he is a qb whisperer. The organization did exactly as you suggested in your post. They upgraded the receiving corps by drafting Kupp and adding Woods and Watkins. They then upgraded the line with bringing in a LT (Whitworth) and .center (Sullivan). That not only provided better protection but improved the blocking to support Gurley.

 

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

19 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The best example of the support system required for young qb is the Ram model. They brought in a young, energetic and creative HC known for his ability to work with qbs. The best way to describe him is that he is a qb whisperer. The organization did exactly as you suggested in your post. They upgraded the receiving corps by drafting Kupp and adding Woods and Watkins. They then upgraded the line with bringing in a LT (Whitworth) and .center (Sullivan). That not only provided better protection but improved the blocking to support Gurley.

 

 

 

....just don't see Dennison ever being that creative or innovative nor do I see McD dumping him....thus we have a conundrum.......as far as drafting a QB, have seen mocks projecting Rudolph as a mid to late 1st and even one that had him falling to 2nd.....should he or would he be a consideration (don't get to see college ball)?.......would allow some preservation of draft capital versus moving up and surrendering pick(s)...

[Kirby Jackson]

52 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The best example of the support system required for young qb is the Ram model. They brought in a young, energetic and creative HC known for his ability to work with qbs. The best way to describe him is that he is a qb whisperer. The organization did exactly as you suggested in your post. They upgraded the receiving corps by drafting Kupp and adding Woods and Watkins. They then upgraded the line with bringing in a LT (Whitworth) and .center (Sullivan). That not only provided better protection but improved the blocking to support Gurley.

 

 

That’s the model that I had in mind. They brought in Kromer too who is sort of the OL whisperer. The Eagles did it too and the Bucs tried to by keeping Koetter instead of Lovie.  We absolutely have to have the right guy developing the QB. 

Edited December 16, 2017 by Kirby Jackson

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

....just don't see Dennison ever being that creative or innovative nor do I see McD dumping him....thus we have a conundrum.......as far as drafting a QB, have seen mocks projecting Rudolph as a mid to late 1st and even one that had him falling to 2nd.....should he or would he be a consideration (don't get to see college ball)?.......would allow some preservation of draft capital versus moving up and surrendering pick(s)...

Dennison has received a lot of criticism. Is it fair or not? I'm not as harsh a critic of him as others are because the qb he is calling plays for has major limitations. His repertoire of plays is going to be much more limited than with a more well rounded qb who can use the whole field and go through progressions. The criticisms that Dennison is receiving is the same criticisms that Roman encountered. Maybe if they had a full-serviced qb they could call a more rounded and creative game. In addition, when Peterman is in you can't over complicate the playbook because the novice is still learning the pro game. 

 

The problem with this year's draft for us is that there are so many teams needing qbs. It can be almost half the teams in the league. The player in a normal year who might be available in the middle of the draft could be pushed up into the top third of the draft this year. My feeling is that if you intend on getting a qb then it would be better to make a mistake being aggressive rather than losing out by being passive and waiting. The Bills are in a good situation even against teams who are drafting higher than us because we have the chips (draft picks) that would allow us to move ahead of most of the pack. 

9 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

That’s the model that I had in mind. They brough in Kromer too who is sort of the OL whisperer. The Eagles did it too and the Bucs tried to by keeping Koetter instead of Lovie.  We absolutely have to have the right guy developing the QB. 

One of McVay's first hires was bringing in Wade Phillips to run the defense. There are a lot of showmen in the league who garner attention because they are characters. Phillips is a stolid personality with no ego. He is one of the best defensive coaches in the business. Wherever he goes he succeeds. 

 

The Rams demonstrated this offseason how important it is to have the right people managing the team. It's not about collecting talent as it is about molding the talent. This team made a quantum leap forward because of the many smart decisions they made this past offseason. Compare that to Rex who brought in his brother to create more chaos in an already chaotic situation? 

[Acantha]

4 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I’m kind of in agreement but have a slightly different perspective. I am not okay if they pick the guy that they are comfortable with. They absolutely have to be right. This can’t be another EJ. This whole rebuild is predicated on getting that guy now. If in 3 years he ends up being Blake Bortles we have taken yet another step back. They have to get it right.

 

Fortunately there are a lot of guys in this class that I like. Like any class though, some will pan out, some will fail. The Bills need to do everything that they can to ensure success for him. Dennison has to go. You have to get someone that’s worked with young QBs successfully. You have to upgrade the receivers, solidify the line and have a solid running game. The next 5-10 years will depend on the success of the new QB.

Don't get me wrong, I know what you mean, but there are no guarantees in the draft.  It just doesn't work that way.  They have to find the guy that they believe will be great and go get him, no matter what it takes.  If in 3 or 4 years it ends up being wrong, then they have to do it again.  There's simply no other choice.  Giving up a bunch of draft picks and failing will suck big time, but it's the price you pay for trying to fix your team for the next 15 years.

[Kirby Jackson]

32 minutes ago, Acantha said:

Don't get me wrong, I know what you mean, but there are no guarantees in the draft.  It just doesn't work that way.  They have to find the guy that they believe will be great and go get him, no matter what it takes.  If in 3 or 4 years it ends up being wrong, then they have to do it again.  There's simply no other choice.  Giving up a bunch of draft picks and failing will suck big time, but it's the price you pay for trying to fix your team for the next 15 years.

It’s not exact but there are guys every year that are safer than others. As an example I think there is virtually no chance that Rosen is worse than an average NFL starter. Josh Allen could end up in he HOF but could flame out quickly. 

 

They certainly have to trust trust their scouting but all prospects don’t come with the same amount of risk. I prefer production to promise.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

5 hours ago, JohnC said:

The best example of the support system required for young qb is the Ram model. They brought in a young, energetic and creative HC known for his ability to work with qbs. The best way to describe him is that he is a qb whisperer. The organization did exactly as you suggested in your post. They upgraded the receiving corps by drafting Kupp and adding Woods and Watkins. They then upgraded the line with bringing in a LT (Whitworth) and .center (Sullivan). That not only provided better protection but improved the blocking to support Gurley.

 

 

 

Could have had Kupp over Jones, wanted both but Kupp more.

 

 

5 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

....just don't see Dennison ever being that creative or innovative nor do I see McD dumping him....thus we have a conundrum.......as far as drafting a QB, have seen mocks projecting Rudolph as a mid to late 1st and even one that had him falling to 2nd.....should he or would he be a consideration (don't get to see college ball)?.......would allow some preservation of draft capital versus moving up and surrendering pick(s)...

 

If we get Rudolph, I hope we get Alex Smith, cousins, or Keenum to bridge him.

 

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

4 minutes ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

Could have had Kupp over Jones, wanted both but Kupp more.

 

 

 

If we get Rudolph, I hope we get Alex Smith, cousins, or Keenum to bridge him.

 

 

 

...with Keenum the only healthy one in the stable, they'd be fools to let him walk.....although there will be TBD detractors abound, the Smith & Rudolph tandem in Buffalo blue seems pretty atrtactive IMO......

[JohnC]

11 minutes ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

Could have had Kupp over Jones, wanted both but Kupp more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still believe that Jones is going to be a good receiver. Kupp has been exceptional in his rookie year. Kupp is playing in a modern passing offense with Goff throwing to him. Jones is playing in a primitive passing offense with a running qb throwing to him. It is futile comparing receivers when the situations are so drastically different. 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

42 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...with Keenum the only healthy one in the stable, they'd be fools to let him walk.....although there will be TBD detractors abound, the Smith & Rudolph tandem in Buffalo blue seems pretty atrtactive IMO......

 

Yeah, just not a huge Rudolph fan, he could turn out fine but just not impressed with him.

 

 

40 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I still believe that Jones is going to be a good receiver. Kupp has been exceptional in his rookie year. Kupp is playing in a modern passing offense with Goff throwing to him. Jones is playing in a primitive passing offense with a running qb throwing to him. It is futile comparing receivers when the situations are so drastically different. 

 

Good point.

 

Is our passing offense really that outdated or do we just not have the talent.

 

 

[Dr. Who]

Rudolph has a meh arm, a wr corps full of future pros in a conference that rarely plays defense.  His decision making is suspect.  Not at all impressed with him, so he is probably the fella we end up with.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

 

 

 

 

Good point.

 

Is our passing offense really that outdated or do we just not have the talent.

 

 

It's both. If you are not sure what I mean then go watch a Ram game. You will see a qb completing passes all over the field to their very good receivers. It's a dramatically different and entertaining game. When you watch the Bills passing offense it is like an Amish horse and buggy entering a race in the Kentucky derby. The qualitative difference is embarrassingly obvious. 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

It's both. If you are not sure what I mean then go watch a Ram game. You will see a qb completing passes all over the field to their very good receivers. It's a dramatically different and entertaining game. When you watch the Bills passing offense it is like an Amish horse and buggy entering a race in the Kentucky derby. The qualitative difference is embarrassingly obvious. 

 

You mean our very good receivers

 

 

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

You mean our very good receivers

 

 

If you don't have a trigger man it doesn't matter who your receivers are. Their talents, limited or not, will still be wasted. 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

2 minutes ago, JohnC said:

If you don't have a trigger man it doesn't matter who your receivers are. Their talents, limited or not, will still be wasted. 

 

 

Very true. It would be nice to get Darnold but I'm really hoping for Mayfield.

 

 

[Dkollidas]

I have a feeling that the draft situation will go something like this...

 

Darnold goes 1.

Rosen goes 2.

Broncos get Cousins (they want to win another super bowl before that defense is too old).

Buffalo trades up with Chicago (our earliest 1st this year, and our 1st in 2019) to jump ahead of the Jets & Cardinals, and take Josh Allen. If they need to they’ll jump ahead of the Broncos to do that as well. 

[OldTimer1960]

6 hours ago, Dkollidas said:

I have a feeling that the draft situation will go something like this...

 

Darnold goes 1.

Rosen goes 2.

Broncos get Cousins (they want to win another super bowl before that defense is too old).

Buffalo trades up with Chicago (our earliest 1st this year, and our 1st in 2019) to jump ahead of the Jets & Cardinals, and take Josh Allen. If they need to they’ll jump ahead of the Broncos to do that as well. 

I don't think 1 1st this year and one next is going to be enough to pull off that move.

 

KC now looks like they will win the AFC West, so that pick is going to be late.  The Bills' own pick is likely going to be around 20th - especially if they beat Miami today.  They appear to have played themselves out of a shot at a good QB prospect.

Edited December 17, 2017 by OldTimer1960

[4merper4mer]

52 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I don't think 1 1st this year and one next is going to be enough to pull off that move.

 

KC now looks like they will win the AFC West, so that pick is going to be late.  The Bills' own pick is likely going to be around 20th - especially if they beat Miami today.  They appear to have played themselves out of a shot at a good QB prospect.

Keane may be flying up the charts but he should still be there at 20.

[OldTimer1960]

24 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

Keane may be flying up the charts but he should still be there at 20.

Are you talking about Tyler Keane of Coastal Carolina?  His own coach has tried all season to move him out of the lineup.  He is only 5'10" 195 according to this link: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/college/sun-belt/coastal-carolina-university/article181163981.html

 

if that is who you are talking about, he will be around late in the draft.

[4merper4mer]

6 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Are you talking about Tyler Keane of Coastal Carolina?  His own coach has tried all season to move him out of the lineup.  He is only 5'10" 195 according to this link: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/college/sun-belt/coastal-carolina-university/article181163981.html

 

if that is who you are talking about, he will be around late in the draft.

A sleeper for sure but resilient as your link detail.  I'm not advocating it,  but the hype will have him discussed.

[Victory Formation]

This is how I see it, Josh Rosen is going to be very good, we have no shot at him and this may be unpopular to say but I think Darnold has a really high bust rate. I think he needs to go back to school, if he gets redshirted in his first year in the NFL, I think his chances of being highly successful go up significantly. We have no shot at Darnold or Rosen.

 

Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield although highly touted are gimmick QBs. Mayfield is a system QB, I don't think his game translates. Jackson is a RB playing QB, I don't think he'll ever be a good passer.

 

What we're left with: Josh Allen and Mason Rudolph. Either of these 2 I would absolutely take with our first pick. Neither of them are sure things but there is enough there where I would take a stab at either of them. Josh Allen moves in the pocket better, I'd give him the nod but both have great arms and would upgrade our offense immediately. We can't draft a QB with the standard being that they're the next Aaron Rodgers, we may have to settle with an Andy Dalton type of QB.

[Dkollidas]

17 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I don't think 1 1st this year and one next is going to be enough to pull off that move.

 

KC now looks like they will win the AFC West, so that pick is going to be late.  The Bills' own pick is likely going to be around 20th - especially if they beat Miami today.  They appear to have played themselves out of a shot at a good QB prospect.

Hypothetically, getting up to pick #7 or so (let’s assume the Bengals & Jets are around #8 & #9. 

 

Pick 7 is worth 1500pts.

 

Lets say Buffalo gets lucky, and makes the playoffs, but loses, they pick 22nd, good for 780pts. 

 

Also assume for arguments sake, the Chiefs Pick is 25th, 720pts. That’s actually exactly 1500pts. 

 

A team like the Bears May want a receiver, but might not want to pick one at #7. Colts, Buccaneers, 49’ers, etc are all solid candidates. And our 2019 1st Round Pick might even be considered more valuable to a team like the Bears if they want to see how Trubisky is in year 2 and decide whether to build around him further for year 3, or cut their losses and use additional Draft capital to make moves for another quarterback.

 

 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

On 12/17/2017 at 2:20 AM, Dkollidas said:

I have a feeling that the draft situation will go something like this...

 

Darnold goes 1.

Rosen goes 2.

Broncos get Cousins (they want to win another super bowl before that defense is too old).

Buffalo trades up with Chicago (our earliest 1st this year, and our 1st in 2019) to jump ahead of the Jets & Cardinals, and take Josh Allen. If they need to they’ll jump ahead of the Broncos to do that as well. 

 

NO WAY we trade up for Allen.

 

If anyone it will be Mayfield, but hopefully we won't have to.

 

 

[Dkollidas]

5 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

NO WAY we trade up for Allen.

 

If anyone it will be Mayfield, but hopefully we won't have to.

 

 

You think this group led by McDermott & Beane would touch Mayfield? I just don’t see them wanting his personality on this team at all. 

[Dr. Who]

8 minutes ago, Dkollidas said:

You think this group led by McDermott & Beane would touch Mayfield? I just don’t see them wanting his personality on this team at all. 

That's too bad if so, because this team could use that kind of fire at the qb position.

[Woodman19]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

That's too bad if so, because this team could use that kind of fire at the qb position.

I'll take talent over fire. (Not saying he's not talented)

[Dr. Who]

Just now, Woodman19 said:

I'll take talent over fire. (Not saying he's not talented)

Yes, you need both.  I'm on record in numerous posts I think Mayfield has the talent to be an NFL qb.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

3 hours ago, Dkollidas said:

You think this group led by McDermott & Beane would touch Mayfield? I just don’t see them wanting his personality on this team at all. 

 

I don't think they are afraid of personalities, they want dedicated football players and Mayfield is all of that. They dealt with Cam Super-Diva Newton , Baker will be a cake walk.

 

 

[Bill from NYC]

10 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

NO WAY we trade up for Allen.

 

If anyone it will be Mayfield, but hopefully we won't have to.

 

 

I could very easily be wrong but imo, Mayfield's draft position will be greatly influenced by his playoff performance(s).  NFL teams might be reluctant to pass on him if he lights it up. Not drafting Watson bit a lot of teams in the ass, including the Bills.

I can't see Mayfield dropping to the Bills unless he completely tanks.

[Augie]

11 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

NO WAY we trade up for Allen.

 

If anyone it will be Mayfield, but hopefully we won't have to.

 

 

 

I hope not! I only saw him in one game, and his accuracy reminded me of EJ. I never bothered to watch him again. I don’t need any more of that! 

[Solomon Grundy]

17 hours ago, NewDayBills said:

This is how I see it, Josh Rosen is going to be very good, we have no shot at him and this may be unpopular to say but I think Darnold has a really high bust rate. I think he needs to go back to school, if he gets redshirted in his first year in the NFL, I think his chances of being highly successful go up significantly. We have no shot at Darnold or Rosen.

 

Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield although highly touted are gimmick QBs. Mayfield is a system QB, I don't think his game translates. Jackson is a RB playing QB, I don't think he'll ever be a good passer.

 

What we're left with: Josh Allen and Mason Rudolph. Either of these 2 I would absolutely take with our first pick. Neither of them are sure things but there is enough there where I would take a stab at either of them. Josh Allen moves in the pocket better, I'd give him the nod but both have great arms and would upgrade our offense immediately. We can't draft a QB with the standard being that they're the next Aaron Rodgers, we may have to settle with an Andy Dalton type of QB.

What is this fascination with Josh Allen???  Why does everyone think he will make it in the NFL?? He couldn't even dominate in the league he played in in college. Mason Rudolph?? Is it because they have the "QB stature"? Sorry, but I'd take Jackson/Mayfield before those two.

[Andy1]

19 hours ago, NewDayBills said:

This is how I see it, Josh Rosen is going to be very good, we have no shot at him and this may be unpopular to say but I think Darnold has a really high bust rate. I think he needs to go back to school, if he gets redshirted in his first year in the NFL, I think his chances of being highly successful go up significantly. We have no shot at Darnold or Rosen.

 

Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield although highly touted are gimmick QBs. Mayfield is a system QB, I don't think his game translates. Jackson is a RB playing QB, I don't think he'll ever be a good passer.

 

What we're left with: Josh Allen and Mason Rudolph. Either of these 2 I would absolutely take with our first pick. Neither of them are sure things but there is enough there where I would take a stab at either of them. Josh Allen moves in the pocket better, I'd give him the nod but both have great arms and would upgrade our offense immediately. We can't draft a QB with the standard being that they're the next Aaron Rodgers, we may have to settle with an Andy Dalton type of QB.

I agree with your assessment that we will have no shot at Darold or Rosen. The QB needy teams ahead of us will not want to trade out. I also think McBean will stay away from Mayfield and Jackson for the reasons you say, so  its Allen or Rudolph for us. I think they go with the 4 year starter in Rudolph. Allen is the better athlete with a rocket arm but he looks like a lot more of a project QB. He has shown raw potential and thats it in college. Rudolph has a good enough arm with good mechanics and is accurate but his offense looks like a one read and throw system to me. I have no idea if he can read a defense. In the end, I think Rudolph is a McBean type guy that a they take a chance with him. 

[Victory Formation]

3 hours ago, the skycap said:

What is this fascination with Josh Allen???  Why does everyone think he will make it in the NFL?? He couldn't even dominate in the league he played in in college. Mason Rudolph?? Is it because they have the "QB stature"? Sorry, but I'd take Jackson/Mayfield before those two.

 

Lamar Jackson is Vick with half the arm talent, he sees ghosts and most of his big plays are when he runs the ball himself.

 

Mayfield I think is a system guy, solid arm but Rudolph and Allen have twice the arm.

 

Just my perspective, doesn't make me right, doesn't make me wrong, just my opinion. Ideally we target Mason Rudolph, I'm hoping some of the other prospects bump him down to us.

[Dkollidas]

I think one other interesting player, if he decides to come out, will be Drew Lock, could see him falling somewhere in the Mayfield/Allen/Rudolph/Jackson group.