There are fewer and fewer quarterback options in the official draft class for the 2012 NFL Draft coming up in April. That’s bad news for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, among many others, who could be among those expected to go for a quarterback with one of its first selections in the coming draft. The Seahawks, Redskins, Dolphins and Browns are also among teams picking early who were hoping for better chances than this.
As it is, the pickings were already slim with Andrew Luck all but chosen by the Indianapolis Colts up front and Robert Griffin III going shortly after that. Matt Barkley withdrew to go back to USC and now Landry Jones is following suit back to Oklahoma. That leaves Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M as the next best option for many teams.
Some, like NFP’s Wes Bunting, believe in Tannehill’s ability at the next level, but that’s not an opinion shared by all. Bunting writes, “With such limited experience at the quarterback position it’s not a case of where this guy is right now, but where he can be in 2/3 years. I love the talent and the overall production from a guy who doesn’t have much experience playing from under center as he plays way beyond his years. A potential franchise quarterback in my mind.”
While others like Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden, Kirk Cousins or Kellen Moore might move up or down draft boards, it’s clear that franchise quarterbacks are in short supply in the class of 2012. That makes trade candidates that much more attractive. If the Packers can sign back-up quarterback Matt Flynn with the franchise tag, they’ll be able to reap the benefits of the college juniors heading back for their final victory lap.
The unfortunate part of all of this is the fan bases who will be forced to sit and watch another year of mediocre quarterbacks at the helm for those teams unable to make a move. There were already too many games featuring the same uninspiring group of veteran retreads this year and the loss of guys like Jones and Barkley make it look like next year will feature more of the same.