With The First Pick
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2018 NFL Draft: Five franchises that could unexpectedly take a quarterback

By Maxwell Ogden

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens runs off the field in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens runs off the field in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have surrounded Andy Dalton with a limited supply of competent offensive playmakers and pass protectors. A.J. Green is a future Hall of Famer, but Cincinnati’s offensive line is abhorrent and its running game proves a team can have too much depth.

Dalton was an MVP candidate in 2015 before he broke his thumb, but the Bengals need to change the culture—and that may require changing the quarterback.

Dalton has encountered his fair share of issues with interceptions, but he’s also experienced his moments of glory. Over the course of the past three seasons, he’s thrown for 68 touchdowns to 27 interceptions, including his 25 touchdowns to just seven picks in 2015.

Unfortunately, Dalton is playing in an unequivocally fractured culture that’s accepted mediocrity as a sufficient result—an unforgivable truth given the talent on the roster.

At No. 12 overall, Cincinnati could potentially land Oklahoma Sooners star Baker Mayfield. It could also be in a position to elect one of Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, or Josh Rosen if they happen to fall down the board—and crazier things have happened.

I’m not entirely sold on the belief that Dalton is the problem, but if Cincinnati wants to change the culture, then drafting a quarterback could be the answer.

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