Ranking the Top Developmental Quarterbacks in the NFL
By Jon Dove
1. Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots
Not a week went by over this past offseason that Jimmy Garoppolo’s name wasn’t mentioned. Every quarterback-needy team had to at least consider the possibility of trading for Tom Brady’s backup. Alas, the New England Patriots decided to hang on to the promising young quarterback.
The thinking is that the Patriots eventually want Garoppolo to take over for Brady. Hanging onto Garoppolo also ensures they have a solid backup should Brady suffer an injury.
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As a player, Garoppolo has looked good in limited action. He was a 2nd round draft pick who had all the physical talents but needed time to develop. The time spent behind Brady has given Garoppolo a chance to learn.
His future with the Patriots isn’t set in stone as he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. This situation will be one of the more interesting storylines of the upcoming season.
2. A.J. McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. McCarron received some trade interest over the offseason, but the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t seem interested in moving him. The main reason is he’s a cheap backup and has shown the ability to perform when on the field.
McCarron’s future with the team is a fluid situation. Despite his solid play, Andy Dalton seems to be on the perpetual hot seat in Cincinnati. It’s not crazy to think that McCarron could replace Dalton if he struggles early in the upcoming season.
He has the physical tools evaluators look for in an NFL quarterback. The experienced he got filling in for the injured Dalton showed that he also has the mental makeup to succeed. It won’t be long until we see Dalton as a starter somewhere in the league.