Each offseason, I track team needs and the players most likely to fill those needs in a chart like this. In the coming weeks and months, NFL teams will have multiple opportunities to fill those holes, namely the March free agency period and April’s NFL Draft.
In this series, I’ll go position-by-position looking at teams in need, along with the veterans and rookies who could eventually fill the blanks on the chart below. Let's start with the quarterbacks.
Last offseason, we saw star quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson traded from their long-time teams. Veterans Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz were also traded, though neither move worked well for their new teams. With so many teams in need of quarterback help, we are sure to see a wild quarterback carousel in the coming weeks and months.
TEAM NEEDS
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers tried to fill their 2022 quarterback need with former top draft picks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold and both ultimately proved they could not be trusted as the team’s long-term starter. While the hire of Frank Reich fills their head coaching vacancy, this team currently lacks a real identity. Their owner has always been aggressive and that should still be true this off-season as they search for both a new coaching staff and a starting quarterback.
Houston Texans
After a surprising rookie season in 2021, the Texans stuck with Davis Mills as their starting quarterback this year. That plan flopped this season as Mills was eventually benched after struggling throughout the season. With the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, Houston will be in a good position to find their long-term starter in one of the top prospects. They have been most commonly linked with Alabama’s Bryce Young.
Ryan – this is why you and the team are the best in the business! Excellent and timely info, as we full engage in “offseason” work. Fun, fun! And very helpful.
Looking forward to the other positions in the series.
