Quarterback-Needy Teams Talk A Lot About QBs At NFL Meetings, So Let's Take Inventory Of What We Learned
ORLANDO – The NFL meetings are winding down and that means the multiple face-to-face conversations among general managers and head coaches about possibly trading draft picks is done.
This year, perhaps more than at any time in memory, those conversations are rooted in the need to find a quarterback.
No less than seven teams picking within the draft's first 13 picks will be involved in a quarterback-driven decision of some sort.
Some teams are looking for a quarterback and will pick one where they stand in the draft. Some are looking to improve their draft slot to take a quarterback. Some are open to trading down – likely with a team wanting to move up to, of course, pick a quarterback.
Let's take inventory:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Caleb Williams #QB14 of Southern California smiles while wearing "Draft Me" sunglasses during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams It Is For Bears
Chicago Bears (No. 1 pick): They're well down the road to drafting Caleb Williams.
Coach Matt Eberflus said Tuesday the team took Williams to dinner with a few teammates to see him interact with his peers. It went well.
Eberflus said Williams shows, "great personality, great character" and that showed at the dinner. So, barring a total meltdown by Williams at his top 30 visit, this is happening.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 16: Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters watches the game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Villanova Wildcats at Capital One Arena on February 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Commanders Confirm QB Coming
Washington Commanders (No. 2 pick): They're going to draft somebody – maybe Drake Maye, maybe Jayden Daniel, maybe even J.J. McCarthy – to play quarterback.
"I would say it'd be fair to envision we'd be taking a quarterback," coach Dan Quinn said.
But who that will be is still the mystery. "If someone thinks they know, they'll have to fill me in," Quinn added.
That guy, whoever he is, won't be asked to play right away if he's not ready.
"With the guys we have in the room right now, I don't think we have to rush anybody," general manager Adam Peters said this week.
New England Patriots (No. 3 pick): They're saying they're open to trading the pick. That's interesting because when the Atlanta Falcons tried to discuss such a trade at the NFL combine in February the talks went nowhere.
So, either something has changed or the Patriots are just fishing – intending to pick a quarterback, but open to the idea of doing so later, after a trade-down scenario, because they don't love the guy at No. 3.
Club owner Robert Kraft confirmed on Tuesday his team is "open to whatever can come our way," by way of a trade opportunity. And he added he'd let the football people go whatever direction they believe is right.
But, "one way or another, I'd like to see us get a top-rate quarterback," Kraft added.
"As a fan, I put my fan hat on, and in the end, you can't win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach."
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Jonathan Gannon of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Cardinals Excited About Everything
Arizona Cardinals (No. 4 pick): They're also willing to trade their pick, presumably to a team wanting perhaps the fourth-best QB prospect.
"I trust that we're going to do what's best for the football team," coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday. "And that can look a lot of different ways and excited about that."
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 10: New York Giants president and CEO John Mara looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
New York Giants (No. 6 pick): Owner John Mara has given his football brain trust (GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll) support to draft a quarterback if they wish.
"If they fall in love with a quarterback … I certainly would support that," Mara said at these NFL meetings.
This comes one year after the same brain trust signed Daniel Jones to a $140 million contract that included $92 million guaranteed.
That means the Giants could trade up or pick the fifth-best prospect at their current spot. But the more likely move could be a trade down in the first round, to pick a quarterback that needs seasoning while Jones plays.
That move down would give the team a QB and also get another premium pick to help a roster that badly needs more talent.
Vikings Need More Than Sam Darnold
Minnesota Vikings (Nos. 11 and 23 overall): Of course they need a young starting quarterback to take over when/if the shine comes off retread Sam Darnold.
Of course, they have the draft resources to move up after their smart trade with the Browns weeks ago.
And coach Kevin O'Connell on Tuesday was selling the advantages of someone – either himself or a team with which the Vikings might trade – having those multiple picks.
"Anytime you have two first-round picks in a draft that's a positive," O'Connell said. "Contractually with the fifth-year option and those things, but also looking at this draft from the standpoint of the quarterback depth, of the defensive depth … we see some really good receivers in this draft that are going to get drafted, we feel good about our tackles but that's a really good position this draft.
"Anytime that happens and you could be 11 and 23, great, you have a chance for some real positions of value for your team to come to you."
The message here is clear: We have two first-round picks. It's awesome to have them so when we come offering for those picks in exchange for a trade down, you're getting an awesome opportunity. No, really.
Broncos coach Sean Payton is like a lot of other coaches right now – needing a starting quarterback. (Credit: Getty Images)
Broncos Have A Plan
Broncos (No. 12 overall): Broncos fans are freaking out because they released Russell Wilson, didn't add anyone in free agency and just watched the team ahead of them load up on draft picks to possibly get even higher to pick a QB.
Yikes!
"I would rather the angst be now than in September or October," coach Sean Payton said.
He's right. The Broncos are resisting making a move merely for the sake of being active. They want to make the right move. And, yes, that might include drafting a quarterback or adding a veteran in free agency.
"The draft is one element, and we're kind of in that phase now," Payton said. "And, yet, there are still a few possibilities relative to guys that are currently in this league or have played in this league.
"I think that we've got a pretty good plan in place. We understand what we're doing, and we're going to be smart about it."
Payton had a private meeting with J.J. McCarthy but he could be gone by No. 13 overall. So the move here might have to be to outbid the Vikings with three first-round picks for the No. 3 or No. 4 overall selection.
That will be hard to do and there's no certainty the trade partners would think three total first-rounders, including picks in 2025 and '26 are better than two first-round picks this draft.
Raiders QB Search Seems Limited
Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13 overall): They've telegraphed their intentions with the signing of Gardner Minshew because they can draft a rookie who is promising but not quite ready to play right away.
The Raiders don't think they'll get a chance at McCarthy.
"I don't know how he's not in the top three, if you want to be honest," coach Antonio Pierce said.
The Raiders are probably looking more at Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix as options to compete with Minshew and second-year veteran Aidan O'Connell.
"To be honest, you want a certain quarterback, you got your eye on one or two and three, but I don't think you can go wrong with this year's draft with any of these guys," Pierce said. "Now do they pan out? I don't know."
It would not shock for the Raiders to use their first-round pick on another position and trade up for quarterback in the second round. They could also trade back in the first round, add a pick, and still get a quarterback such as Nix plus an extra pick.