I have avoided the boards this season until now. I had written off the season in the spring - it was clear the front office was tanking. The coaches and players had something else in mind obviously. I wouldn't say I was hoping for losses early, but they perfectly acceptable - this isn't a playoff caliber team - at least in most normal years it's not. This year is wackadoodle. That being said, I've been doing my best to keep one eye on the bigger prize and that is getting a franchise QB in the draft. As we know, it's a tough science to figure out. Too many get blinded by what they see on Saturday and think that translates to Sundays easily. The position in college and the NFL has been steadily growing apart leaving draftees woefully unprepared for the style and rigors of the NFL.
The only clear cut stud I see is Darnold. Critics are going to overanalyze each pass. The key element he possesses in my mind is the ability to create. Call it the Favre factor if you will - darnold has that playmaker ability- and with it comes some warts when he tries too hard. But I have zero doubt he is the prize. As for Rosen - look, I grew up a UCLA fan - don't ask me how a NY native liked UCLA....had to be the annual UCLA/USC game and the colors.....who knows, but I have watched them for decades and I watch Rosen play. He has all the talent and mechanics - but my biggest fear with Rosen is the Jay Cutler mentality. He plays robotic and will get that sour puss on his face when things don't go his way. Buyer beware on him. He's an NFL QB for sure, but Superbowl material? I'm not so sure. I need to see more of the Josh Allen kid - right now I see a big kid that runs first. Can't play QB in NFL if 1st instinct is to run. Glaring example is Brett Hundley with GB. That kid couldn't function in the pocket at UCLA - he had to be on the move. Teams that could contain him beat him. He hasn't looked like an NFL passer. As for the rest, Rudolph, Mayfield, etc.....I see system guys that may be boom or bust. Tough to tell, but they will require retraining.