Pick your 2021 QB Poison!

Social media and WFT Land is absolutely abuzz with rumors, wishful thinking, and angst... most feel Ron Rivera needs to find his QB of the future sooner rather than later. There are many ways to skin a cat, and screw up a QB selection. So what do you think?

You can select your top 3 options to help our WFT achieve QB nirvana!

Pick your poison boys and girls.

I picked, but i will also nit my pick.
Winston is a free agent. Trade not necessary.


And i think if his head is on straight and he's grown from his year on the bench listening to Payton and Brees, somebody is going to end up with a guy who can seriously play the position.
IF his head is on straight, and that is a BIG IF... he could realize the potential that made him the top overall pick. he's 27 with no serious injury history, and his reputation will likely give the team bargaining strength.

~Bang

Ahhh... good catch - we will fix that.

Bang said:

I picked, but i will also nit my pick.
Winston is a free agent. Trade not necessary.


And i think if his head is on straight and he's grown from his year on the bench listening to Payton and Brees, somebody is going to end up with a guy who can seriously play the position.
IF his head is on straight, and that is a BIG IF... he could realize the potential that made him the top overall pick. he's 27 with no serious injury history, and his reputation will likely give the team bargaining strength.

~Bang

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You are not alone in this. Although he professes not to be a Washington fan anymore, Elephant I believe has similar thoughts. It is his head that would give me pause. He just seems to have just enough knuckleheadedness in him to give one pause. Maybe that's not fair, I don't know. But that's his rep. And his problems on the field all seem to be of the 'head' variety. He definitely has more innate talent than most of those choices.
You definitely make some good points though Brother Bang

My selections:

Take a youngster at pick 19. I add the caveat that I'd only want them to do so if there is someone they really like with starter potential. I'd even be okay if they have to move up a bit to get a guy in the first round, as long as it doesn't involve too much in terms of assets.

Trade for Derek Carr. Carr gets an unbelievable amount of shade thrown his way for a guy with pretty amazing numbers. He can flat out play. I think Gruden is a hard coach to play for as a QB, and Carr gets some benefit of the doubt from me as a result. The last person who should be blamed for the Raiders lack of winning is Carr. I'd be willing to give them our 1st round this year and a 3rd in a future draft. Yeah, I think he's well worth that. Anything more, we're getting jobbed.

My 3rd option, Heinicke. The rational part of me says it would be crazy to hand an unheralded inexperienced QB the starter spot on the basis of an amazing playoff game performance. But it was amazing. If he turns out to be the next Joe Montana (and it is possible, no matter how skeptical we are), that would be the most ideal possible outcome.

I say restructure Smith, and have him mentor Heinicke...

Heinicke.

Dak is a free agent too. If Dallas tags him I don't think a trade is possible

Gimme Darnold at an inexpensive trade, Heinicke, and a late round pick. Get them in Camp and compete for the job. I would also bring Allen back to compete but only get 3 votes.

SilentThreat said:

Dak is a free agent too. If Dallas tags him I don't think a trade is possible

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I blame it on pain meds... lol. Thanks for the correction.

SilentThreat said:

Gimme Darnold at an inexpensive trade, Heinicke, and a late round pick. Get them in Camp and compete for the job. I would also bring Allen back to compete but only get 3 votes.

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I think Allen and Heinicke are given's to be honest, but put them in there since it's about what people want to happen vs. likelihood.

Boone said:

I think Allen and Heinicke are given's to be honest, but put them in there since it's about what people want to happen vs. likelihood.

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Stafford was the "big splash" I was willing to take. The rest of them don't intrigue me unless we can get Carr for a similar price to what we offered for Stafford... and even that I would be a bit uncomfortable but I could see it.


I would of course take Watson, just don't want to pay what they want

Carr is super-accurate and has shown durability. Puts up a ton of yards. I think he could feast if we add WRs. Gruden runs through QBs like dixie cups and yet Carr has not allowed himself to be replaced. I don't think they'll listen to trade offers UNLESS they have a handshake agreement with the Texans or they are in love with someone in the draft and want to move up to get him. That tells you a lot.

I really like Kellen Mond if he falls to us in the 5th round... he may be worth a 4th.

Greetings all!

Just a quick comment...

I have this feeling inside of me that this team is not quite ready to take that huge leap in 2021 and jump the likes of the Packers, Bucs, Rams, Seahawks, etc., just yet within the conference. Should the playoffs and a deeper run be a realistic goal though? Absolutely!

Ultimately, I think you take the backwards design approach in 2021. Strengthen the roster everywhere around the QB first in hopes of that making our starting QB better. In the meantime, acquire a Darnold, Winston, someone who can potentially find themselves in 2021 and has experience in the league. If it does not work out, you still have guys who know the system in Allen and Heinicke, as well as a defense that you ride the wave with. I feel the year to go full throttle and find that franchise QB to put you over the top becomes the 2022 season.

My ultimate feeling on this comes to what cost do you have to pay to get the guy you want. In a vacuum, Watson is the best choice. But the amount it will take to get him I believe either sets the franchise back now or prevents them from building over the next few years. So does getting a top QB in a trade offset the loss of value at other positions or the inability to upgrade where needed? That is the real question that has to be considered if a trade happens. In my opinion, the cost to get Watson would be too much and adding him to improve one position will be at the expense of another and prevent them from filling other needs.

With that in mind, I don't know if there is a wrong answer to this question based solely on talent. It's all about what it's going to cost to get them. I'll give my opinion on each option.

• Draft BQBA at pick 19 - If they really like a guy at that spot, then you take them. But I don't think they should go in with the mindset of they must take a QB at 19.
• Find a QB in a later round - My preferred option for a QB in the draft. Could be in the 2nd round too. I think the first round pick should be used for the best of OL, LB, WR, or DB. They have plenty of options in round 1 that do not involve a QB, so if they really want to get a QB, I'd like it to be 2nd round or later.
• Mr. Smith stays in Washington - I'm ok if he stays, but for his own health I'd like to see him retire. He proved he could come back. I know he is a competitor and wants to compete. But he has nothing left to prove at this point. He is an inspiration to his teammates, opponents, and to us as fans. I'd like to see him go out healthy. We know what he is as a QB and he will do just fine if he stays.
• Pass me an ice cold Heinicke! - I was impressed with him in limited action. I'm guessing his size and arm strength don't look good in practice. His strength was to improvise and make things out of nothing and let's face it, that's not what you practice in the NFL. "Sacks" happen all the time, but they play on to practice the play. So I'm sure there are other guys that look much better in practice and that's why he never sticks around. But I would love to see more of this guy to see if he can do it.
• My main man Kyle! - Similar to Heinicke, he looked like he could be ok at QB. I'd like to see him and Henicke paired with a rookie that doesn't need to play right away.
• Trade for Darnold - If the price is right. He is young enough that if he works out, he would be worth the cost.
• Trade for Carr - If the price is right. He's better than people realize. He's in the middle of his career, so you have to consider how many more productive years he can give you.
• Sign Jameis Winston - Intriguing for sure, but he's the opposite of Smith as he takes many, many risks. If you want a gunslinger, he is your guy.
• Trade for Wentz - If you have a good sports psychologist, yes. He may be mentally done. Although he may be cheap if the Eagles are willing to trade in division.
• Sign Dak Prescott - The cost would be great. It would really stick it to the Cowboys. The guy has played better each year. But I feel like this signing would be done for all the wrong reasons and would not work out.
• Trade for Mariota - I'd rather stick with Henicke or Allen.
• Trade for Ryan - For a late round pick only. He's older and has a lot of wear and tear. He's probably only has a few good years left.
• Trade for Watson - Best QB available, but will cost too much and will set the team further back.

The TLDR version: Stick with Henicke, Allen, and draft a QB after the first round. Trade only if the price is right.

My beliefs in a nutshell:
- Heinicke looks great, has the IT factor, but with limited exposure/film for Defenses so far. Also, he seems like he may be a bit injury prone based on limiting injuries in 2 of the his last 2 or 3 appearances, and it is a small list of total appearances. That is actually my #1 concern with him at this point.
- Kyle is a good #2. I don't see him as a number 1 from what I have seen.
- Alex Smith should retire, but I think what he did in Turner's offense is still not well understood. It took ALEX (specifically, ALEX) to make that offense work enough to win games. I am not sure how many people see it that way, but it seems obvious to me.
- QB in a later round because of the above points, but no guarantees on that landing. I think we may have hurt our chances on it landing by letting Kyle Smith walk without trying very hard to convince him to stay (again, NOT saying it's the end of the world, but YES saying it seems sub-optimal based on performance).
- final point: Tom Brady is getting a lot of credit right now. 199 yards against the Saints, but yes, 0 picks. Then Packers, 3 picks. I think he played well enough to win WITH a great team around him. It was definitely not Brady even remotely carrying that team; in fact, I would say Alex Smith could have led that team to a Super Bowl win. I honestly believe that. I don't think Alex Smith would get the press love, but it is what it is. The QB *is* the most important player on the team, but missing what Wirfs did in that Super Bowl, what Jensen did... is missing a LOT of what gave the Bucs an easy win. Then, looking at what the Chiefs OL did NOT do by comparison...

Heinicke is pretty much a must keep regardless.

Now that the playoffs has passed, he was the only one out of them all to actually COVINCINGLY TORCH this Tampa D. And his quarter against Carolina increased the potency of the offense one hundred-fold even with rust and inexperience. I can't see how he isn't a guaranteed backup with play like that.

His durability is the only concern for me.

My votes went this way:

- Later round draft choice - follow the Cousins model. Pick a guy in round 4 or 5 who ran a pro-style offense in college against D-1 opposition and has more than 2 brain cells to rub together.

- Heinickie - I don't know what the kid can do for real but Warner was walking the street when the Rams signed him. He can't be the only guy who can go from sacking groceries to playing NFL QB. Heinickie looked good against TB and even though I'm in the camp of believing that he benefited from anonymity (read - ZERO tape as a pro) and injuries on the TB side of things, he also looked better than any other QB on the roster this year with a whole lot less experience. He has earned his shot and I'm happy to see the Skins give him a two-year deal

- Smith - you can't deny that Alex won more games than anyone else this year. If he plays the whole season, I'm pretty sure we finish with a winning record. As a bonus, not sure there is a better influence or inspiration in the NFL. The team benefits from having this guy around due to leadership and heart.

This is an interesting situation. There will be a lot of factors that will be out of our control on this one so I’m sure my (less than) expert analysis is going to look silly in a couple of months or even weeks.

I’m on record saying that I think that the QB position in modern NFL football is the single most important factor in a team’s sustained success. We don’t have “that guy” on the team at the moment.

I like the Heinicke signing. I think the guy has shown some talent and is someone that teammates can rally around. The sample size is really small though. If he emerges over time and becomes a bonafied starter…great, I hope it happens. If not I think he’s a guy who can come in and give you spot starts. I’m not sure that expecting a lot more is reasonable given his body of work. It reminds me of the folks who were saying Colt McCoy was good enough or Case Keenum or Patrick Ramsey (I still have his jersey) or John Beck, ect, ect.

Should we draft a QB early or later in the draft? I don’t know. I’d be a little more confident in drafting a QB anywhere in this draft if we had a coach or a staff with a track record of really developing QBs. Cam Newton was a finished product when he got to the NFL so you can't give Rivera much credit there. I guess you give Turner some credit for Allen. Is that a big deal though?

Darnold is a hard pass for me. I know the Jets are terrible but his weaknesses when he was drafted are the same as they are now: too many interceptions, doesn’t secure the ball when getting sacked, doesn't move well. No, no, no.

Wentz is interesting but the Eagles would never trade him in the division. Something really odd would have to happen for us to get him but I think he’s still viable with a change of scenery. He has a good arm is a play maker and would be good in the right situation with at least one real receiver. I'd like to get him but I just don't see how it happens unless the Eagles just release him outright. I can't see that happening.

Carr is interesting. Gruden is a punk and seems to openly hate every QB he works with. My bet is the Raiders find a way to move him and some picks for Watson. That would take two potential guys off the table for us. I think it would be worth a call to the Raiders to see what they'd want for him.

Watson. I've said my piece about him. If we can get him we should. I don't think we can.

Winston is a possible. Word out of NO is that they want “The Crab Leg Kid” back. If he were to ever really get his head right he would be dangerous. He has the skills. He’s saying all the right things about working behind Brees this past season. I bet he stays with NO.

Mariota? Hard pass. This guy is not a starter, never was.

Prescott was someone who I hadn’t thought much about until very recently. He has a lot of things in the plus column: He’s a leader, his teammates like him, he’s improved every year as a starter, he can move and he could immediately become the face of the franchise for the next ten years while weakening a division opponent. He is coming off an injury but I'm not worried too much about that. On the down side he wants to get paid....a lot. That may be the reason Dallas eventually has to part ways with him. He could force his free agency just like Kirk did. One thing that situation should have taught us is an outrageous contract today looks like a bargain in 3 years. This is worth a hard look. Save all the cheap skate rebuttals. QBs get paid. If we can get him, pay him and don’t look back.

I don’t think the Falcons are ready to move on from Matt Ryan and I wouldn’t give up the farm to pry him away. He’s better than anyone we have on the roster but I get the feeling that his best days are in the rear view mirror. He’ll be 36 when next season starts and he’s under contract until 2023. I see him restructuring and staying put.

EVERYONE likes Alex. EVERYONE roots for Alex. I just think the best we could ever expect from him at this point is 8-8 and just missing the playoffs. His health is still very much in question too so 16 games isn’t guaranteed. You almost have to plan for him NOT to play 16. If we bring him back I feel like we’re just kicking the can down the road.

So that leaves three guys realistically: Prescott, Carr and Winston. In that order for me. If we get one of these guys there wouldn't be a need to draft a QB this year. If we get none of these guys look for a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round.