NFL Predictions: Who Goes QB Early In 2017 Draft?

Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Every year it’s the same question. Which teams should be considered prime options for next crop of top college quarterbacks? These NFL predictions wrestle that topic.

The teams involved in the discussion will be separated by categories. Those who are most likely to consider quarterback early, those who have a strong chance to and those with the right situations to be considered sneaky contenders. For some it’s due to age concerns. Others the unproven names they have under center. All have at least one thing in common. Enough buzz is there for the topic to be discussed.

Locks:

Cleveland Browns

There were too many problems to count this off-season for the Browns to honestly consider bringing in a rookie QB. However, they will have a host of cap space and picks in 2017 to warrant a move. Maybe the Robert Griffin III experiment ends up working out but given what he has to work with, the odds say he won’t make a good enough first impression to prevent it.

San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick may have scuttled his NFL career with his bold decision to not stand for the national anthem. It’s not like he was playing well enough before that to be ensured a job if and when the San Francisco 49ers decide to cut him. Blaine Gabbert looks like the starter again in 2016, but it’s hard to envision Chip Kelly doing much more with him than anybody else. The coach has never drafted a quarterback of his own choosing high. That should change next year.

New Orleans Saints

The franchise has been very careful not to anger Drew Brees for a long time, and he’s played well enough to prevent any serious thought on the subject up to this point. Still, the man will be 38-years old in 2017. The New Orleans Saints just can’t afford to postpone their plans for finding and developing an heir to the throne any longer. They’ve flirted with the idea a number of times already.

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Favorables:

San Diego Chargers

Faith that this team is capable of winning a championship is fading. Most of that is due to the advancing age of Philip Rivers. The five-time Pro Bowler has been terrific for a long time, but he’s approaching his late 30s and running out of magic to carry this team on his back. It’s often the best conditions for considering a young rookie. Rumors persist that the Chargers may move to a new city. What better way to garner interest than draft a quarterback high?

Minnesota Vikings

It’s not an easy thing to say because this is a good kid it happened to, but the Minnesota Vikings have to face the realistic possibility that the NFL career of Teddy Bridgewater might never be what it could’ve been. Not after the catastrophic knee injury he just suffered. Forget the torn ACL, the dislocation alone almost cost him the entire leg. Coming back from something like that takes a long time and more often than not just doesn’t happen. The team certainly must consider that next year.

Arizona Cardinals

Bruce Arians continues to believe in Carson Palmer and that’s fine. The quarterback had an MVP-caliber season in 2015, but that doesn’t erase the fact he turns 37-years old in December. Never mind the health risks he still presents. There is no telling when the breakdown will come, but it’s inevitably drawing closer. Perhaps Drew Staton really does believe he’s the heir apparent. Then again it’s hard to imagine the Cardinals won’t invest at the position anyway.

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) runs off the field during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sleepers:

Chicago Bears

The loss of Adam Gase seems trivial at this point. Everybody knew he wasn’t sticking around long in Chicago. Still, one could say his brief time there was the last chance for Jay Cutler to fully secure his job long-term. Now the veteran is back in the hands of an inexperienced offensive coordinator (Dowell Loggains) behind a shaky offensive line. History shows bad things follow when that happens. With no more guaranteed money to worry about, there is a strong chance the Chicago Bears make a move to finally end his roller coaster era.

Pittsburgh Steelers

There is no doubt Ben Roethlisberger is the core of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ success the past few years. When he plays, they win. That doesn’t mean the risks aren’t rising about his ability to keep going. Not only is he in his mid-30s now, his body has taken a serious beat over the years. Almost to the point where it would seem like he’s 10-20 years older due to the injuries. Throw in the fact that Landry Jones is no longer a competant backup and this is something the Steelers can’t ignore.

Kansas City Chiefs

Given the team continues to load up on quarterbacks with mid to late round picks, it stands to reason the Kansas City Chiefs are searching for potential options to replace Alex Smith at some point. He remains the same competent, careful game manager he’s been for years and it was enough to win them a playoff game. Even so the reality lingers that he’s unlikely to get any better. If this Chiefs team can continue to think Super Bowl, they have to consider trying to find a talent upgrade.