Let’s round up some of the recent QB-related rumors that are swirling in advance of Thursday’s draft:
- The Chargers hold the No. 6 overall pick and are not inclined to trade up from that spot, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The Bolts are fans of both Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, and it seems almost certain that at least one of those passers will be available when Los Angeles is on the clock. The team could still go in a non-QB direction with the No. 6 pick, but it would be difficult to pass up a franchise-altering talent at the most important position in sports, especially since the Chargers will probably not be picking nearly as high in 2021.
- Although the Raiders have Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota on the roster, La Canfora hears that the club could make a play for a QB with one of their two first-round picks. Las Vegas holds the No. 12 and No. 19 overall selections, and JLC believes the team could target a CB with the No. 12 pick and go after a QB like Tagovailoa — if he falls that far — or Jordan Love with the No. 19 pick. While the Raiders need a receiver and don’t have a second-round selection, this year’s draft is deep enough at WR that Las Vegas could still find an impact player with one of its three third-round choices.
- The Patriots are in the market for a collegiate signal-caller, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com says it’s a question of “when,” not “if”, New England drafts a QB this week. We recently heard that the Pats would find a passer in either the first round or middle rounds, and if a player like Herbert or Tagovailoa should start to slide, it would not be surprising to see them pull the trigger. Coincidentally, new personnel consultant Eliot Wolf was a Packers staffer in 2005, when Green Bay was the beneficiary of Aaron Rodgers‘ famous draft-day slide.
- ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote before last year’s draft that Jarrett Stidham was the QB that represented the best fit for the Patriots, and the Pats ultimately selected Stidham with a fourth-round pick. Bowen believes the rookie signal-caller that makes the most sense for New England this year is Washington’s Jacob Eason (subscription required). Eason profiles as a Day 2 pick, so he would not be the Pats’ target with their No. 23 overall choice, but he may be off the board by the time New England is on the clock again at No. 87.
- Colts GM Chris Ballard will not force a QB pick in this year’s draft, though Indy has been linked to rookie passers. The team could select a signal-caller like Eason with one of its second-round choices, though the Colts remain high on Jacoby Brissett. It may seem unlikely, but Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star says the team continues to insist that it could forgo a quarterback in the 2020 draft and look to bring Brissett back in 2021.
Raiders will not draft a QB. Mariota signing scratched Grudens QB itch for this year. Raiders have gotten 3 years of draft smoke screen out of obsessive Gruden/QB connecting. Do they not understand he was paid by ESPN to do Quarterback Camp? Gruden now has 2 still young veteran QBs to compete in his system. He has no desire to hold Jordan Love’s hand for 3 years. First year in Vegas, they want talent on the field. Get outta here with that narrative.
Mayock loves this QB class. Carr is a good quarterback but not their quarterback. They will move Carr for a 2nd and go get their prize in Hubert/Love.
If they pass up Lamb or Jeudy, or a good defensive player, to draft a QB, they’re idiots. This whole idea that Carr isn’t good enough to win, or push the ball downfield enough, or whatever else, it’s hogwash. He posted a really good year, given what he had.
If Gruden feels there is something he doesn’t do well, you change your scheme. That’s what good coaches do. They don’t perennially retool, trying to get guys to suit them. That’s what losing franchises do.
I’m not going to go nuts yet. If they draft a QB though, I’ll be one of the first on here ripping them to shreds because they wasted a pick, and set a young QB up to fail.
While Mayock was a draft analyst his two favorite qbs through 15/20 years were Jay Cutler and Carson Wentz. Herbert is his guy..watch them trade up to get him too
Zero chance raiders get a 2nd for Carr lucky they get a bag of popcorn Cam newton and Winston still out there and a decent In coming class nope
Haha true maybe less than a 2
Herbert and live are consolation prizes at best. When you lose you get one and the prize sucks.
No one is trading a second round pick for Carr.
I agree besides sources have said that Jon Gruden is actually not a fan of rookie quarterbacks. Now if he could grab Hurst in the third round perhaps he would consider that as a project quarterback.
I find it funny how the Colts bring in Rivers yet still have some sort of blind faith in Brissett. If they believed in Brissett they would not of signed Rivers even if for one year. Brissett isn’t a rookie QB – he has pretty much shown what he is – a limited starter ideally suited as a number 2 QB. If sitting and learning under Brady and Luck did not help him elevate his game then nothing will.
Funny how because some writer claims that the Colts were not opposed to going back to Brissett, that it’s therefore true & they have blind faith in him still. I read an article 2 days ago that both Rivers & the Colts hold out the notion that there will be a year 2; if they don’t force a QB pick. Personally, I think you’ll have to wait until Friday to see, but they could likely pick a WB in the 2nd or 3rd & trade Brissett for the same in 2021.
QB not WB
Who would want Brissett?
I could absolutely see Eason going to NE.
The chargers are definitely trading up. Whatever La Canfora reports go the opposite. Guy is never right
Humor me and say this happens…
1) Bengals – Burrow
2) Redskins – Young
3) Lions – trade down – team drafts Herbert
4) Giants – trade down – team drafts Tua
5) Dolphins
6) Chargers
I doubt this will happen but it would be funny for Dolphins and Chargers if they did stand pat and both missed out on.
The reason I say I doubt this is I can’t really find any teams willing to move up that could give the Lions or Giants a package worth trading for. Maybe if they dealt a current player and picks. You never know what could happen this year.
Why would the Giants draft another QB?
Reading comprehension.
If the Raiders get Love at 19 I wouldn’t be upset, but they better get Lamb or Jeudy at 12 as well…we need an impact ready WR right now…if Love sat behind Carr and Mariota for the season it would give him some time to acclimate to the NFL and Gruden’s system…get another CB and LB or two with the 3rd round picks and the 4th round pick and call it good
I thought we had it bad with Patricia and his dumb systems. Jon Gruden is a great personality and loved him on TV, but he IS NOT a great coach and certainly not a $10M per year coach. Dude wants a new toy at QB to play with all the time and he never does much to make them better. Outside of Waller and a budding stud in Renfroe (think he’ll be good) what did Derek Carr have to work with? Gruden has a rusher like Jacobs and STILL can’t get an offense going? Gruden may end up being your problem in LV and if that’s the case it’s gonna be a crap first 5 years in Vegas!
Raiders won’t take a QB until late rounds. They’ll take a WR and defender 1st round. Which one first will depend on who’s left at #12. They’ll wait till late to take a shot on Morgan or the Hawaii QB.
I don’t think Bellechick takes Eason at all,not his type too risky. I see him waiting and taking Mate Stanley in the 4th or 5th round.
1st round he’ll take Patrick Queen or Jefferson out of LSU or trade down if they’re gone.
Nate
Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold
I agree besides sources have said that Jon Gruden is actually not a fan of rookie quarterbacks. Now if he could grab Hurst in the third round perhaps he would consider that as a project quarterback.