Best use of late-round picks = quarterbacks

[BowlenBall]

More musings from an armchair GM:

In 2004, Denver spent two seventh-round picks on quarterbacks Bradlee Van Pelt and Matt Mauck. I recall a lot of derision at the time, with fans stating that the Broncos had ‘wasted’ at least one of those picks, as it would have been very difficult for both rookies to stick on the roster. In the end, they both were stashed on the practice squad, and Van Pelt eventually worked his way up to the 2nd-string quarterback slot, and Mauck was picked up by the Tennessee Titans.

I thought this was brilliant drafting – many 6th and 7th round picks end up being cut anyway, regardless of position. I was disappointed that the Broncos did not repeat the experiment again last year (although they did bring in Chad Freihauf as an undrafted free agent). With 8 practice squad slots, why don’t the Broncos (and other teams) stock up on quarterbacks with promise / upside every year and let them work within the system for a year or two until the team knows exactly what it has? Bring in two new faces every year, and have it be a continual survival-of-the fittest competition!

Plus, just look at the list of quarterbacks who have been available in the last 10 years in the 6th or 7th rounds, or as undrafted free agents (not all of the names are superstars, but they all have stuck in the league for an extended period of time or shown promise):

2005:
7th round – Matt Cassel, USC (Patriots)
7th round – Ryan Fitzpatrick, Harvard (Rams)

2003:
7th round – Ken Dorsey, Miami (49ers)

2002:
7th round – Ronald Curry, North Carolina (Raiders) – OK, I know, he’s a receiver now….

2000:
6th round – Marc Bulger, West Virginia (Saints)
6th round – Tom Brady, Michigan (Patriots)
7th round – Tim Rattay, Louisiana Tech (49ers)

1999:
Undrafted – Jeff Garcia, San Jose State (49ers)

1998:
6th round – Matt Hasselbeck, Boston College (Packers)
Undrafted – Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa (Rams)
Undrafted – Jake Delhomme, LA-Lafeyette (Saints)

1997:
Undrafted – Jon Kitna, Central Washington (Seattle)

Here are my nominees for this year’s 3rd string / practice squad quarterbacks:

6th round – Bruce Eugene, Grambling State: a.k.a. “Teapot” because he’s short (6’0”) and stout (260 lbs.). Threw for an incredible 13,350 yards and 140 touchdowns against 38 interceptions. According to most draft sites, has a great arm and can make every NFL throw. Also rushed for 1724 yards, so he’s must be somewhat nimble on his feet as well, despite carrying the extra weight. Scored a 40 on his Wonderlic, if you put any stock in that (which Coach Shannahan does).

Undrafted free agent – Brett Elliott, Linfield College: Originally played for Utah and was the starter in his sophomore year ahead of Alex Smith until he broke his wrist. Transferred to DIII Linfield college – in 2006, he threw for 4019 yards and 49 touchdowns versus 9 interceptions and a 69.9% completion percentage. And that was a down year, as he threw for 4595 yards and 61 touchdowns in 2006!!!!

Of course, the odds are greatly against either of these fine young gentlemen doing anything spectacular in the pros. But, if the Broncos take a long-term perspective, picking up two of these types of prospects per year for 10 years, giving them a year or two per prospect to prove themselves, and keeping the ones that work out, they might end up with a depth chart that looks like this:

Starting QB: Tom Brady
Backup QB: Marc Bulger
Third-string: Kurt Warner
Practice squad: Matt Hasseleck

Sound impossible? Maybe so, but a team using this strategy 10 years ago could have done it with a little luck – and paid them all peanuts, besides! Why not burn a few practice squad slots and shoot for a similar roster in 2016?

[ludo21]

interesting idea there........lost of solid guys do come late tho....

I for one would like either Clemens in the 4th or the guy from Toledo.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Originally Posted by ludo21

interesting idea there........lost of solid guys do come late tho....

I for one would like either Clemens in the 4th or the guy from Toledo.

Last night on the stupid espn draft show (nothing else was on tv so I watched part of this) said Clemens could be going in the 2nd.

[bendog]

How about Travarios Jackson. Kid has big league talent, as he was recruited to Ark in what was a coup at the time, but Todd Jones had the job, so he'd have to sit for 3 years, so he transfers to ...SWAC? Alabama State. He's definitely a project, but his combine scores were terrific.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I think folk could be very surprised at some of the QB names that are still on the board in the rounds 6-7, not to mention some that will be left to find a FA contract. I would not be shocked to see SOME of the following "name Qb's" left undrafted.

T Jackson
Gradowski
B. Smith
Drew Olson
Michael Robinson
Marcus Vick
Reggie McNeal
DJ ShockleyBrett Basanez
Darrell Hackney

[bendog]

I've seen Shockley play, and don't like him. I wouldn't be upset if Den found Missouri or Penn St's qb on the board in the 4th and converted them to WR though.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I've see Shockey quite a bit. He is a caretaker type that could hang around as a backup. However, he is very smart and an excellent leader. Probably good material as a coaching prospect if that is what he wants.

[Rohirrim]

I want the Broncos to give Drew Olson a shot with the 198 pick. He's got the two rare qualities that I like in a WCO QB: accuracy and smarts. At that low a pick, he'd definitely be worth the gamble. There's been a few 6th round QBs in the past who have worked out okay.

[Drek]

My top 5 sleeper QBs:
Reggie McNeal
Ingle Martin
Barrick Nealy
Travaris Jackson
Kent Smith

All of them are big, mobile QBs with good arms. They're all just real raw for the NFL game, they'd require some development.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by Drek

My top 5 sleeper QBs:
Reggie McNeal
Ingle Martin
Barrick Nealy
Travaris Jackson
Kent Smith

All of them are big, mobile QBs with good arms. They're all just real raw for the NFL game, they'd require some development.

After seeing him several times both in person and on the tube, I don't like McNeal as an NFL QB. He might make a decent RB though.

Haven't seen any of the others so I will withhold judgement. You know I don't believe anything I read from the "experts"

[Rascal]

My top sleeper QB:
Quarterback | Senior | Eastern Washington Erik Meyer
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210 | 40-Time: 4.69

Official Bio

Strengths:
A very accurate passer...Has a tremendous arm...Smart player who is always in control of the offense...Makes very few mistakes...Can move a little and avoid pressure...Is a good natural athlete...Sees the field and can read a defense well...A gamer who has that extra something that is hard to define...Tremendous player at his level of competition and was extremely productive...Top intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Has not played against the type of elite athletes and talent he will see at the next level so the jump will be a major culture shock for him...Will try to do too much and take too many chances...Doesn't have great size...Speed is only average although he plays faster with the pads on...Mechanics need refining.

Notes:
Also an excellent baseball player who was drafted by both the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants...One of the top sleeper prospects in the draft and a guy who at the very least should be brought in as a developmental signal caller.

[bendog]

On Tavarious Jackson, does anybody know how Ala State's program matches up to the SWAC? McNair was from the SWAD, Alcorn St. Rice from Miss Valley State.