Ideas for the QB-needy: Trubisky to Browns? Romo to Texans? Published: Jan 18, 2017 at 06:24 AM Gil Brandt It seems like in the NFL needs a quarterback, but the need is felt more acutely by some teams than others. Though Championship Sunday obviously takes center stage this week, the 2017 is visible on the horizon, so I thought I'd examine eight uncertain quarterback situations and provide my perspective on what each team should do. Below is my take on each team, arranged from the most quarterback-needy to the least. Oh, and for the record, while there is some contract drama forthcoming for Washington and free agent-to-be , I think the answer there is simple: The must bring back Cousins, either on a long- Pat Connaughton Jersey term deal or via a second franchise tag. 1) Cleveland Browns (8 games), (5), (3). is not the answer, and while I liked some of what I saw from Ke sler, I don't think he's going to be the kind of quarterback who can turn a team into a playoff contender. The could consider trading for backup , but they should also think about rolling the dice on a quarterback with the first overall pick in the draft. Taking North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky there is a definite risk, but if they want him -- he's the best quarterback prospect in the draft, in terms of potential -- I think they'll have to pull the trigger there, given that three quarterback-needy teams (San Francisco, Chicago and the Jets) draft after them. There are question marks, mostly tied to his limited experience as a starter, but the native of Mentor, Ohio, is an athletic, accurate pa ser who can take you to the playoffs. I hear the argument that Cleveland -- which also holds the 12th overall pick Eric Bledsoe Jersey -- could focus on the best overall at No. 1, but is there anyone out there who can move the dial the way a franchise quarterback could? The ghost of looms here. 2) San Francisco 49ers (11 games), (5). With Kaepernick and Gabbert likely out the door, the Niners have to find a quarterback. While Trubisky is probably the only prospect I'd take second overall, San Francisco should consider potentially overdrafting Clemson's Deshaun Watson or Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer there. I'd also consider addre sing a different need at No. 2 and hoping Watson, Kizer or another promising quarterback can be had in Round 2, or trading lower in the first round and trying to land a quarterback there. I do like the ability of Kyle Shanahan -- the offensive coordinator -- to develop young quarterback talent. 3) New York Jets (11 games), (4), (1). Can Petty or become the quarterback of the future? With Petty not really showing anything in two pro seasons, this comes down to Hackenberg, who is a relatively unknown quantity at this point. One of the most important things you need to do to draw support in the New York market is have a star quarterback, and if there's any doubt Hackenberg can develop into one, the should go for someone like Watson or maybe even Trubisky (if he somehow becomes available to them). I don't think quarterback is going to New York, and while Gang Green could look at Kaepernick, which version of the signal-caller would the team be getting? 4) Chicago Bears (6 games), (5), (5). Though they've suffered from lackluster quarterback play, the are better than people think. There's a reason they're fourth in my . Chicago already has a defense that , plus a strong running game led by rookie back . Barkley and Hoyer will be free agents and Cutler is -- -- goner. If the landed a legitimately good signal-caller, it could make a difference. I'd use the third overall pick to bolster the roster elsewhere and seek a more mature quarterback outside of the draft. Romo might be available, but if I were in their shoes, I'd try to trade for Garoppolo, a Chicago-area native who played for general manager Ryan Pace's alma mater, Eastern Illinois. 5) Houston Texans (14 games), (2). This could be a team with better quarterback play, which is why I would pursue Romo, who could definitely lift the to the promised land if healthy. I'd also look for a potential replacement for Osweiler in the draft, maybe someone Thanasis Antetokounmpo Jersey like Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes or even a second- or third-rounder that coach Bill O'Brien could develop. At this point, Osweiler is the default starter heading into 2017, but he was such a disappointment for this squad. I'd definitely have an open competition, even if that simply ends up being a two-man race between Osweiler and . Don't discount the po sibility that a rookie could come in and pull a , catching everyone off guard. 6) Jacksonville Jaguars (16 games). Bortles has great strength and athletic ability, but his release is on the slower side, leading to sacks and picks. While he did throw two fewer interceptions in 2016 (16) than he did in 2015 (18), he also threw 12 fewer touchdown pa ses, and his pa ser rating dropped by almost 10 points (88.2 to 78.8). One wonders if the decision to deviate from the plan to have him "redshirt" his rookie season ended up having negative effects. Ultimately, I feel his i sues are fixable, especially with Nathaniel Hackett -- whom I have a lot of respect for -- working with him. But I would acquire a developmental quarterback -- someone like Ole Mi s' Chad Kelly, Iowa's C.J. Beathard or Mahomes -- Giannis Antetokounmpo Jersey to have on hand, just in case Bortles proves to be a lost cause. 7) Buffalo Bills (15 games), (1). Whether the team agrees with me is another matter, of course, but I happen to think the already have their quarterback, which is why they fall so low on this list. I know the have a new coach in Sean McDermott, so their direction might not be defined. But if I were them, I'd on the rest of the contract extension Taylor . Yes, that would mean paying him $27.5 million for 2017, but exercising the option of salary-cap space next season, and I can live with. I also happen to think he's worth it. I like everything about him. A down 2016 notwithstanding, Taylor's a who can help Buffalo win, provided he and his receivers are fully healthy, and I think the will have a hard time finding someone better. There's an interesting wrinkle in light of the he recently underwent: If he can't pa s a physical in time and the option isn't exercised, the team will be on the hook for whether they keep him on the roster or cut him loose. 8) Denver Sam Merrill Jersey Broncos (14 games), (2). If they don't think Lynch is ready, the should upgrade the stopgap solution over the solid Siemian, whose lack of any one outstanding attribute means he projects more as a strong backup than a long-term starter. Denver would be a perfect landing spot for Romo, who would give Lynch at least another year to grow into the job make the instant contenders in 2017. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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