Backup Quarterbacks to watch in 2017: A. J. McCarron

With the Quarterback position at a premium in the NFL, A.J. McCarron might be the best option for teams looking to build.

Today’s NFL is so much different than what we watched ten years ago. Teams can no longer build around an elite player, like a star running back or a crushing defensive line. In today’s pass happy NFL no greater position exist than the quarterback.

Going down the list of starters currently in the NFL, General Managers would have a hard time of finding more than ten or so with above average ability, with only around 20 that have the ability to get a team to the playoffs.

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The College talent at this point isn’t much better. Most college systems run some form of spread offense, giving signal callers a shortened playbook that mostly consist of calling out routes from the line of scrimmage.

Not many college quarterbacks have ever taken a snap from under center, or even commanded a huddle. With the issues in the current system, I believe teams will start spending more picks on developmental quarterbacks, like the Browns did last season with Cody Kessler and the Niners this season with CJ Beathard. I also think that general Managers will start looking at quarterbacks developed by other teams.

AJ McCarron will be at the top of many teams list. In 2014 when McCarron was drafted many analyst gave him a second round grade. He fell to the fifth round with scouts citing issues with his personality as the problem.

Some felt like McCarron would have a difficult time leading a locker room. McCarron himself took issue with the game manager label that many analyst gave him. McCarron was a winner in college which accounts for something.

In three seasons McCarron has improved on all these questions. He has shown a good report with teammates. McCarron has grown as a passer.

He has even started slinging the ball with a little more urgency, shedding the idea that he was simply a game manager. McCarron has also shown the ability to process data and make the proper reeds for the NFL.

One of the biggest hurdles NFL quarterbacks have is winning big games and getting to the playoffs. McCarron has not only led the Bengals to the playoffs in a reserve role but he has won. At least I give him credit for winning. He cant control his defense having one of the more epic meltdowns in NFL history.

McCarron seemed to be a target for the Browns in the offseason. Sources citing that Coach Hugh Jackson won with A J in Cincinnati and would like him to run his offense. However the price of a first round pick in 2017 was too much for Cleveland at the time, so they decided to roll the dice with Cody Kesseler and draft Deshone Kizer for 2017.

With free agency approaching for McCarron, it will be interesting to see if the Browns pull the trigger in 2018 or if another quarterback hungry team will pursue McCarron.