NFL Draft Picks And Training Camp

The NFL draft saw five quarterbacks taken in the first round, and that’s always fun. So are training camps at which these novices try to earn jobs.

Let’s just not expect anything outrageous from any of them. There’s not a one ready or in line to start on opening day.

No player likes to sit. No quarterback, especially. But as college offenses have gone more with spread offenses that do not put the quarterback directly under center, the adaptation to the NFL becomes increasingly difficult.

Throwing a newbie in there, especially on a bad team, can lead to a shortened, unsuccessful career and the teams that drafted QBs in round one all have contingency plans to start veterans.

The Cleveland Browns, at the top of the draft, took Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. But they also traded for veteran Tyrod Taylor, and he’s the starter. Considering the Browns lost every game last season and 31 of their last 32, why get the prized rookie beaten up?

The New York Jets, choosing third overall, picked Sam Darnold. He just signed his contract on Monday. Josh McCown is the starter and Teddy Bridgewater looks like the principal backup.

The Buffalo Bills picked up veteran A.J. McCarron and he’s the starter ahead of Nathan Peterman and the seventh overall choice, Josh Allen.

With the 10th pick, the Arizona Cardinals grabbed Josh Rosen. Brittle Sam Bradford, however, is the starter until he is, inevitably and unfortunately, injured.

The guy to watch may be Lamar Jackson, also a Heisman Trophy winner. The Baltimore Ravens will stay with Joe Flacco but expect to use Jackson’s multiplicity of skills in the backfield (probably some snaps at QB) and as a receiver. He’s too good to just sit, but not ready to supplant Flacco.

Enjoy watching these guys work and learn in preseason games. Don’t let their numbers fool you. They have a lot to learn and will not be as ready as you might think.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman