Monday 30 April 2018 17:00, UK
Last year, the offseason began with little clarity at the quarterback position in terms of draft position.
None of the eventual first-rounders - Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes - were regarded as clear-cut high picks until we reached draft day. It was only then that teams in need of quarterbacks gave up tremendous hauls to get them.
This year was different. It was quarterback year. There were comparisons to some of the greatest QB classes in NFL history, and after four went in the top 10, followed by a trade up for a fifth right at the end of the first round, it's clear expectations will be high moving forward.
Let’s take a look at what the future might hold for best of this year’s bunch of passers.
Mayfield was, perhaps before becoming the No1 overall pick, best known for his 'antics' on and off the field rather than his whopping 153 total college touchdowns and numerous awards including the 2017 Heisman Trophy.
He transferred away from Texas Tech after the 2013 season and subsequently missed a year due to eligibility rules. At Oklahoma, amid all his success, he was at the centre of controversy on multiple occasions. But despite the questions about his maturity (and his height), the Browns were willing to make him the face of the franchise.
On the field, Mayfield was easily the most productive - and efficient - passer in this year's class. In 2017 alone, he threw for 4,627 yards in 14 games, completed over 70% of his passes and managed 43 touchdowns through the air with just six picks.
He won't simply stroll into the starting job and will have to compete with veteran Tyrod Taylor to lead a revamped Browns offense. The additions of Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb and a full summer of a returning Josh Gordon leave Cleveland in a fantastic shape moving forward. Mayfield could be part of a new winning era in the Dawg Pound.
Throughout the whole draft process, Darnold didn't fall outside the top two or three picks in the majority of mock drafts. He was consistently projected at the top and, despite the surprises ahead of him, he wasn't making it past the New York Jets.
The USC standout is more of a traditional QB at the top of the first round. Darnold went to a big college, put up solid numbers (64 total touchdowns over two years), and received glowing reports from team-mates and coaches.
He has question marks - a unique looping throwing delivery and an alarming knack for turnovers with 13 interceptions and nine fumbles lost in 2017 - but the Jets will be thrilled they were able to come away with him without having to move up (they have the Giants to thank there - who potentially could have made them pay but weren't willing to listen to offers).
Darnold will have his work cut out for him in in New York. He will immediately be given a fair chance to win the starting gig over journeyman Josh McCown (and Teddy Bridgewater if he's healthy enough to compete), but he joins an offense lacking weapons. A rebuild is required, but the future could be bright.
Every year there is a young man at the quarterback position who isn’t at the top of the pile based on his on-field play and production, but impresses NFL decision-makers with his athletic profile and character off it. This offseason, it was Allen.
Measuring in at 6’5” and 233 pounds, he’s bigger and taller than the rest of the names on this list. To add to that, he has a cannon for an arm. Through Allen's NFL Scouting Combine and individual workout performances, he convinced the Buffalo Bills he had the potential for them to give up two second round selections plus their 12th overall pick to move up to No7.
However, many critics argue Allen’s negatives outweigh his positives. He was a two-year starter for Wyoming and threw for 44 touchdowns compared to 21 interceptions, but only completed 56 per cent of his passes in that time. His footwork has been questioned, he makes ill-advised decisions even against weak opponents, and the main sell seems to be his strength over his skill.
Allen will prove a lot of people around the league wrong if he turns out to be a success, but he'll have to work within an attack that ranked 29th in 2017, relies heavily on their soon-to-be 30-year-old back LeSean McCoy, and didn't add any outside help for Allen until the sixth round.
Like Darnold, Allen has a tough road ahead.
Rosen was and still is this year's enigma. If it weren't for his outspoken personality and millennial attitude (his college coach said "he needs to be intellectually challenged so he doesn't get bored"), he'd be considered more 'safe' and might have been in contention for the number one pick.
Many analysts - including our own Solomon Wilcots - argued before the Draft that he was the best passer of the group. He has tremendous precision with the ball, and gets it out quick. There's nothing 'flashy' about his game, but he feeds his playmakers.
In the end, the Cardinals made the leap, giving up mere third and fifth round selections to move up five spots from No15 to No10 to take their man. And immediately, they selected a wide receiver, center and running back in rounds two, three and four, respectively.
Arizona look to be in great shape. Their youngsters able to learn from all-stars Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson, while Rosen will compete with - and likely beat out sooner rather than later - newly-signed Sam Bradford. If Rosen channels his outspoken attitude into competitiveness on it, the Cards will have themselves a steal.
After the top four quarterbacks, best known for their pocket passing prowess, there’s Lamar Jackson - the wildcard.
In college, his statistics were video game-like: 9,044 passing yards and 69 touchdowns through the air, and 4,132 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground. However, his ability to throw the ball has been criticised. While Josh Allen completed 56.2 per cent of his passes in college, Jackson’s 57 per cent was put forward as a reason he should be considered as a less-developed QB.
Despite the criticism, the 6’2”, 216 pounder was an electrifying playmaker over the past three seasons. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and was a runner-up to Mayfield in 2017. He carved up opposing defenses every way possible.
When the Saints traded up to the No14 pick, analysts expected it to be for Jackson. New England chose to pass on him not once, but twice at 23 and 31. Baltimore even chose a tight end with their first draft choice (Hayden Hurst at 25) rather than investing in the signal-caller.
However, at the last moment, they gave up seconds this year and next to add their QB of the future with the final pick of round one. Jackson will be forced to sit behind Super Bowl 47 winner Joe Flacco, but after three straight seasons without a playoff appearance, the veteran's leash might be shorter than we think.
