2018 NFL Draft: Five franchises that could unexpectedly take a quarterback

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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. For a brilliant as Drew Brees may be, he’s also 39 years of age and in a fight with Father time that no player has won before him—not a single player.

In possession of the No. 27 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Saints will have an opportunity to potentially find an heir apparent.

There are other areas to target, but New Orleans should have a number of compelling options at quarterback at No. 27 overall. That list should include Luke Falk, Lamar Jackson, and Mason Rudolph, as well as Senior Bowl standout Mike White.

It’s also possible that New Orleans will wait until 2019 to choose from the quarterback pool, but even the almighty Brees has a shelf life.

Those might not be the most alluring options in this class, but there are steals in every NFL Draft. In the event that one of Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, or Josh Rosen slip to New Orleans’ range, the need for a quarterback will become even more significant.

Brees seems to have at least one more elite season left in him, but the Saints need to be proactive and find his heir apparent.

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None of these teams are guaranteed to select a quarterback at the 2018 NFL Draft, but all will at least be in the running to do so.