The 2016 NFL Draft class will be similar to the 2007 NFL Draft class.
Why?
Simply put there isn’t a sure thing at quarterback. In 2007, we had two quarterbacks go in the first round, Jamarcus Russell went first overall out of LSU to the Oakland Raiders and with the 22nd overall selection the Cleveland Browns traded up and got Brady Quinn. Respectively, both quarterbacks had good college careers but simply couldn’t hack it in the NFL. In fact, Jamarcus Russell is highly considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
For the 2016 NFL Draft, we are going to see at least two quarterbacks go in the first round. In my most recent mock drafts, I have Jared Goff from the University of California going to the Cleveland Browns (second overall) followed by the Los Angeles Rams selecting Memphis quarterback, Paxton Lynch, at 15th overall. Plus there’s always a chance a team trades up into the first round like the Cleveland Browns did in 2007 to take a quarterback like Carson Wentz or Connor Cook.
As we continue to move along, the Detroit Lions opened their second round by trading back nine spots to draft Michigan State quarterback, Drew Stanton. Stanton’s the only quarterback from this draft left to still play in the NFL but he’s only started 12 games in his career. He’s currently on the Arizona Cardinals roster.
However, the Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback, Kevin Kolb with their 36th overall selection in the second round. Kolb bounced around from the Eagles to the Cardinals and then finally with the Bills. He sustained at least 3 concussions throughout his career and was forced to retire. He only started 21 games and never threw over 2,000 yards in a season.
Some other quarterbacks that went in the mid-rounds were Trent Edwards, Isaiah Stanback, Jeff Rowe, Troy Smith, Jordan Palmer and Tyler Thigpen.
As far as Edwards goes, he was terrible for the Buffalo Bills making only 33 career starts and is now retired. Stanback was converted to wide receiver after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Jeff Rowe was the East-West Shrine Game MVP going into the 2007 NFL Draft but he never made it beyond any team’s practice squad after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. Troy Smith bounced around a few teams, spent a year in the Canadian Football League and is now retired. Tyler Thigpen has been around the league with a few different teams but last played in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns. Oh, there’s also John Beck who was selected in the second round by the Miami Dolphins. He’s now a backup quarterback for the BC Lions in the CFL.
Whatever scenario plays out and wherever each quarterback goes, there’s a strong chance that none of them pan out in the NFL. I’m going to go ahead and say it, the 2016 quarterback class will resemble the 2007 quarterback class.
I hope for any fan’s sake I’m wrong.
