From the Giants choosing the 2019 draft to tab Eli Manning's successor -- as opposed to the stronger 2018 or 2020 quarterback classes -- to the Broncos drifting down a bad path with their 2016 Paxton Lynch investment, timing a quarterback bet is rather important. Picking the wrong year to dive in can set a franchise back significantly.
Acquiring a quarterback with a first-round pick requires an organizational commitment that effectively barricades a franchise from reinvesting in the position early in the following draft. Even a second-round investment serves as such a commitment, as there are not many examples of teams making a Round 2 QB choice in one draft and then going back to the table with a first- or second-round move at the position the following year. For the most part, if you pick a year to analyze a QB class and make a selection, you are pot-committed.
This makes advanced scouting vital. However, the reports going into the 2025 draft suggested 2026 would be a much better year for quarterback prospects. While the Raiders are set to benefit, the thin 2026 class shows the risks in anticipating a QB crop a year out.
That brings us to Ty Simpson. The consensus QB2 in this year's draft, as our Ely Allen outlined to launch our 2026 Prospect Profile series, has drawn varying opinions. His mock destinations have ranged from the middle of the first round to following Drew Lock, Malik Willis and Will Levis as a player with recent first-round connections falling to Day 2. Unlike the extreme Shedeur Sanders example, Round 2 appears Simpson's floor. That will bring organizations to a decision. Is he worth sacrificing an early investment in the 2027 QB class?
“Acquiring a quarterback with a first-round pick requires an organizational commitment that effectively barricades a franchise from reinvesting in the position early in the following draft.”
Not true. The Cardinals went Josh Rosen and Kyler Murray in back-to-back years. It’s not a terrible strategy either. A team needs to devote all available resources to finding a franchise quarterback until they actually have one.
That has happened with a first overall pick being used on a quarterback a year the same team picked one in the first round. The Colts did it in the 80’s, picking Art Schlichter in 1982, who turned out to be a gambling addict, and then following that pick with John Elway in 1983. Of course Elway threatened to go sign with the Yankees if they didn’t trade him, and the rest is history.
Philadelphia Collins – The author gives that very example of Rosen-Murray, and several others. It’s a really good read.
Have you seen Jacob?
There is absolutely no way that I would choose a Quarterback in the First Round.
Second and third rounders rounders:
Tyler Shough (2025, pick 40) Dillon Gabriel (2025, pick 94) Jalen Hurts (2020, pick 53) Jacobi brissett (2016, pick 91) Geno Smith (2013, pick 39)
The rest: Brock Purdy (2022, pick 262) Dak Prescott (2016, pick 135) Shedeur Sanders (144)
here are your probable starters going into 2026 that werent 1st rd. Not too great outside of Purdy and Dak (never seems to show up when it matters though) and Hurts has dropped off. i did put both Gabriel and Sanders because well browns. TBH i wouldnt be surprised if they trade one of their 1st rd to bring over Chase Brown even.
“Eschew”
Thank you for addressing the most obvious issue with this article.
Eschew…long lost brother of Pikachu 🙂
I would have said Steelers until the article in yesterday’s papers that had McCarthy saying he wanted to “acquire an AFC North style QB” with big hands who can play in the cold weather months. Overall size, hand size…the article precluded them opting for a guy like this. And oddly, it was the first time he made no mention of his admiration of Howard, who is a bigger QB
Who knows? They’re still fawning over a 42 year old, I guess
For the jets sake I hope they pass up entirely. Get another garbage season out of Geno and draft Dante Moore