Seemingly more than ever, quarterbacks are being drafted as franchise saviors, expected to make their teams go from worst to first in a mere seasons, first-year learning curve be damned. It's hard to blame those teams, given the rookie success of quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, and Cam Newton.
So this upcoming season, what teams are looking to lean on a rookie's arm, and which look like they'll keep their rookies in grooming for at least a year? Here are the teams and their rookie gunslingers, presented in draft order.
Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck (Stanford)
The Colts, after letting the injured Peyton Manning go in free agency, needed a new captain for their sinking ship. Two wins last season, the first pick of the draft, and they got their man. Now they just have to hope for the best; after all, first overall QB picks have failed colossally in the past (JaMarcus Russell, ugh). But no one really expects that from Luck. All reports say he has a fantastic work ethic and understanding of the game, along with all the physical tools he needs to succeed in the NFL. If Luck grows into his perceived potential, the Colts could return to being the cream of the league.
Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
In a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams, the 'Skins made sure to get the next best QB in the draft: Robert Griffin III. There was talk before the draft that the Colts might actually consider taking RG3 ahead of Luck; there's a case to be made for each player. RG3 is more mobile and athletic than Luck, which is actually saying a lot, as Luck posted similar combine numbers to Carolina's sensational Cam Newton. Washington hopes they have the franchise player they've lacked for so long, and if all goes as expected, they might consider themselves even luckier than the Colts down the road.
Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M)
The Dolphins took Tannehill higher than he was expected to go (8th overall), but they desperately needed him. Miami, like, Washington, has long been searching for its franchise quarterback. Chad Pennington wasn't him, Chad Henne wasn't, and Matt Moore isn't. Tannehill projects as a good player, but Miami doesn't have the greatest situation in place; Davone Bess is their best receiver, and he is in no way a legitimate #1 threat. Reggie Bush will probably be catching a ton of dumpoffs from whoever starts, be it the incumbent Moore or Tannehill, if the Dolphins decide to play him early.
Cleveland Browns - Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State)
Weeden is an interesting prospect. He's certainly a good player, but he's also 28 years old; quite unusual for a rookie. Many wonder if this leaves him with inadequate time to develop into an above-average starter. Nevertheless, the Browns needed someone to compete with the inconsistent Colt McCoy, and Weeden's big arm seems to have enraptured Cleveland. Like Miami, though, the Browns don't boast much of a receiving corps. Fellow rookie running back Trent Richardson will boost their offense, but Weeden will need weapons if he ends up starting a meaningful number of games.
Denver Broncos - Brock Osweiler (Arizona State)
The first of the sure backup rookies, Osweiler has the opportunity (or perhaps burden) of sitting behind Peyton Manning. Learning behind a great has proven successful for a franchise QB in the past (Aaron Rodgers, anyone?), so it makes sense that the Broncos would want a project for the future while they hope for immediate success with Manning. He's tall for a quarterback--6'8"--which is cause for some concern about wind-up and mobility, things that will have to be overcome with experience. The big x-factor in his development is Manning's health; if Peyton's neck sidelines him, Osweiler might find himself pressed into action sooner than is optimal.
Seattle Seahawks - Russell Wilson (Wisconsin)
A bit of a strange pick, all in all. The Seahawks spent a bunch of money on free agent Matt Flynn, the second-most coveted free agent QB behind Manning. It looked like Flynn would be the starter, with incumbent Tavaris Jackson as the backup in a solidified hierarchy. Then they took Wilson in the third round, and now there's talk of competing for a starting role. Some have chalked this surprise up to coach Pete Carroll's fickle, fleeting love of quarterbacks, which could be a problem. Flynn and Jackson probably don't feel too good about Wilson's drafting. Wilson is a short QB (5'11"), but that hasn't stopped the 6'0" Drew Brees from dominating the league, as so many like to point out. A situation to watch, for sure.
Philadelphia Eagles - Nick Foles (Arizona)
Here's a very solid, traditional rookie situation. Michael Vick is the starter. Foles will learn behind him and compete with Mike Kafka (and to an extent, the forgotten Trent Edwards) for the backup spot. A true pick for the future, as it's apparent Philly doesn't need a savior and doesn't want to press him into action too quickly. There's nothing really special to say about this situation. Foles's success will be determined further down the road.
Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins (Michigan State)
Wait, the Redskins? Didn't they already... yeah, right up there. Robert Griffin III. Strange. A theory that's cropped up to explain this move is that they want Kirk Cousins to develop and be trade bait; a sort of more deliberate Kevin Kolb situation. But it's still very strange to take another QB three rounds after your supposed franchise man, especially when there are other needs to be addressed. Like, say, receiver depth to help your prime passer revive your stagnant franchise. And who knows how Kirk Cousins feels? It must be hard for him to think he's being given a fair shot. But so it goes.
Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Lindley (San Diego State)
Arizona took Lindley in the 6th round, a clear indicator of his role: backup project. The Cards are overseeing a battle for starting position between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, and the loser will likely be the #2, leaving third string for Lindley. Maybe he'll see action, maybe he won't. Late round quarterbacks sometimes flourish out of nowhere (Tom Brady), so making a prediction is foolish with such prospects.
Green Bay Packers - B. J. Coleman (Chattanooga)
Aaron Rodgers obviously has an iron grip on the starting role, so Coleman is another project player. After letting Matt Flynn go, the Packers would like to be sure they have another capable backup. Perhaps Coleman will take that role.
Indianapolis Colts - Chandler Harnish (Northern Illinois)
Like the Redskins, the Colts drafted two quarterbacks, but they did it in a way that makes much more sense. Harnish, a round 7 choice, will compete for a backup role. It will interesting to see if he eventually overcomes Drew Stanton, who wasn't awful as a backup for Detroit in 2010.
Diligent.
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