Who are the “project” QBs in the upcoming draft? I know that it changes dramatically from now until the draft and people will shoot up or down teams’ draft boards, but I’d like a few names to keep an eye out for. I don’t follow college football much so I only know the very hyped and common names (Williams, Maye).
I’d love for the Bears to be able to pick up their version of Russel Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Mahomes etc: guys who were picked up initially not to start immediately. Ideally they’d be a late 1st so that we have a 5th year option on them.
This would be the scenario for me: we get picks #3 and 6 or so. We draft MHJ with #3. We trade #6 to get a pick in the mid teens and a few more picks. We draft a QB in the late teens or even 2nd and 3rd to develop. We let the kid sit for a year behind Fields. I think we can be an average team at the very least with Fields (now that our O line and defense are coming together). Fields has lost a lot, but he has also shown many games where he has put up 27+ points. If our defense can consistently hold teams to 27 or less, we will win our fair share of games.
I’m tired of throwing young QBs into a dumpster fire and expecting them to make magic out of nothing. A QB project would give Fields some competition and we can keep him on a fairly short leash. Who knows, the rookie could even beat him out in training camp. I just don’t want all the pressure to be on the rookie to perform immediately.
Alternatively obviously we can just draft a QB as high as possible and get rid of Fields. The turnaround by the Texans has been amazing to watch. They went from near last in the league to playoff contenders by drafting a rookie QB and changing the coaching staff. We are set up in much the same way. I just think that is a much riskier route to take and I’d rather build everything else first.
The problem with picking someone up to learn is that you have consistent leadership who knows how to develop a young QB. Then you need the vet QB to bring them up to speed on the system and show them best practices for film study, playbook, receiver relationships, etc. I don’t think we have that solid foundation.
The fact of the matter is that we are no longer in the age of “developing qbs”. Everyone wants to strike gold on the next nfl ready superstar qb. The packers tried it with love, but otherwise there is no longer patience to wait for a qb to develop.
Almost all QBs are “project QBs”.
It’s easier to do that when you have a serviceable QB already starting and winning games. Also the QB’s that could be available in the teens are a guy as old as Fields, and JJ McCarthy.
Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy and a dark horse Michael Pratt from Tulane.
I’m tired of throwing young QBs into a dumpster fire
This has been repeated endlessly. Here is what our offensive personnel will include next year: Wright and Jenkins on the OL. Moore, Mooney, Kmet in the receiving corps. Roschon, Herbert/Foreman in the backfield. Even if you don’t believe in Braxton at LT that makes 3 OL spots max that need to be upgraded, which we have ample resources to do in free agency and the draft. What part of this offense is a “dumpster fire” for a rookie QB to step into next year?
As long as we fire Getsy and bring in a new offensive coach, I don’t understand the idea that we’re throwing the next QB into a total mess and expecting him to fix it all singlehandedly.
It doesn’t matter anyway. Fields will most likely be the day one starter next year.
Agreed, the main ??? is going to be the coaching. Can we finally hire an OC (or HC or QBC) who can mold someone?
As a complete hypothetical, let’s say we keep Fields and draft on OT & WR in the first since we got our DE in Sweat. Depending on who comes out and who stays in school, some interesting QBs who might slip to the second could be:
DJ U: Kid is massive and has a huge arm. Clemson’s continued weakness offensively showed that it wasn’t his fault and he’s improved as a passer in his half season out west so far. Feels like he could be Big Ben for us, potentially. Build the OL, running game and defense around him (or Fields) and let’s go.
Riley Leonard: Big kid with a big arm who’s surprisingly mobile. He was poised for a big season but has had a bunch of minor injuries that have bothered him all year. If Elko leaves Duke, maybe he goes pro since he’s already 22 and would be an interesting guy to develop behind Fields or push him for the gig if Fields falters.
Quinn Ewers: Elite arm and clutch performance, but the QBs behind him are elite too (including Arch Manning) so if he decides that he’s done at Texas, he’s an interesting pro prospect. He’s had some injury issues, but none that seem like long-term problems.
Jackson Dart: Good size, good arm and he’s gritty…but it also seems like he’s getting dinged up every other game. More of a risk than the other guys, so maybe he’s a guy you wait for Rd 3 or Rd 4 to see if he’s still there.
This sub is insane lol I get the MH Jr hype but to say you’d rather pick someone like Bo Nix over Caleb Williams just to get MH Jr is wild to me