Mocking The Draft: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Has Kentucky Improved Since the Non-Conference Season?

Rookie Quarterbacks

It's not as rare as it once was to see a quarterback start multiple games during his rookie year. Coaches don't get five or six years anymore to prove their worth, so they often turn to rookie quarterbacks to buy more time. A good example of this is in Kansas City where G.M. Carl Peterson and coach Herm Edwards might have saved themselves under the guise of the development of Brodie Croyle.

Sometimes the light comes on after a few years, like for Steve Young who was pretty bad in two years with Tampa and then waited for three years in San Francisco before finally taking the reins. Other players, like Peyton Manning, learn the game by fire -- it costs the team in the short-term (his rookie year, the Colts went 3-13), but it can have tremendous benefits after that.

Here are the most likely rookies quarterbacks to start this year:

1. Joe Flacco: The Ravens are in need of a quarterback, and Troy Smith and Kyle Boller are their only other options. I doubt Flacco will start from day one, but as weeks wear on, and the starters underperform, he'll get his shot.

2. Matt Ryan: as the future of the franchise, Ryan could take over as early as day one. With a depth chart that includes Chris Redman, Joey Harrington, and D.J. Shockley, it's not unimagineable. New coach Mike Smith and new G.M. Thomas Dimitroff will try to do the smart thing, though, and let him learn on the sidelines for as long as possible.

3. John David Booty: The Vikings are a team that believe they're on the verge of the playoffs, and it's true. They are a consistent quarterback away from challenging for the top spot in the NFC North. Incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, and the pro-ready John David Booty will be lurking in the shadows.

0 recs  |  Comment 1 comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Flacco

This guy is HUGELY overrated. Normally when a player leaves a Div 1 college team to play at a lower level (because he can’t crack the lineup) it pretty much ends his NFL aspirations on the spot. For some unfathomable reason, the reverse seems to have happened with Flacco.

by robert ethan on May 21, 2008 2:15 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Mocking the Draft provides detailed information, scouting reports, mock drafts and rumors surrounding the 2010 NFL Draft and beyond
Start posting on Mocking The Draft »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Acme Packing Company
Replay: Tracy Porter's Super Bowl INT Return
Mocking The Draft
Morgan Burnett NFL Draft scouting report
The Phinsider
A quick look at free agent tight ends

LATEST MOCK DRAFT

Mocking Dan:

OCT. 9


Dove::

JAN. 28

OVERALL RANKINGS


Director of Scouting and Head Writer

Stampedeblue_small BigBlueShoe

Mockingthedraft_small Mocking Dan

Writers

Bob-sanders-081107_small shake n bake

Small tjdove123

Moderators

Milehighreport_small John Bena