ESPN INSIDER~~ BackUp QB you cant win without 1

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How important are backup quarterbacks in the NFL? Just ask the New England Patriots, who had to play their backup QBs for the first four games of the 2016 season with one of the best QBs in NFL history suspended due to Deflategate.

 

 

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  Why NFL teams will settle for less talent at backup QB

  "They talk about competition at every position, but obviously there is not," an NFL defensive coach says. Why do teams sometimes employ No. 2 QBs who possess limited appeal in the present and no upside for the future?

 

The Patriots went 3-1 without Tom Brady, as Jimmy Garoppolo looked like a future star in two games before getting hurt and rookie third-round pick Jacoby Brissett played solidly in Weeks 3 and 4. It was important for New England to get through those first four weeks, and Brady was incredibly sharp when he came back.

As such, it's no surprise that the Patriots are No. 1 in my latest rankings of the backup QB situations in the league, but the rest of the list might surprise you.

Among the factors I'm taking into consideration in my 1-32 rankings: the readiness of the backups to start in a pinch and the long-range outlook for depth-level quarterbacks. It's also worth noting that the gap in these rankings from top to bottom isn't nearly as wide as the gap between the best starting quarterback situation and the worst. Although quality depth is hard to find, starting-level quarterbacks can be extremely hard to find.

For the teams expected to have quarterback battles this summer -- the Broncos, Browns, Jets and Texans -- I projected who I think the Week 1 starter will be. Here we go:

 

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1. New England Patriots

Although the sample on Jimmy Garoppolo is still small -- he has attempted only 94 passes in his career -- it's clear that he is viewed across the league as a long-term starter in the NFL. His value to New England was shown through the Patriots' decision not to trade him this offseason, despite ardent efforts from the Browns. Jacoby Brissett showed promise in two starts last season and won the respect of teammates and coaches through his toughness.

 

 

 

 

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2. Cincinnati Bengals

When pressed into action, AJ McCarron has shown himself to be a suitable starter. He played in seven regular-season games (three starts) in 2015, completing 66.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions. He wasn't as good in his lone playoff start -- his Total QBR was just 36.7 -- but the potential is there. Don't be surprised if, as a restricted free agent in 2018, McCarron is a trade target for a quarterback-needy team.

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3. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans brought back a familiar face by re-signing Chase Daniel, who played for the Saints from 2009-12, following his release from the Eagles. Although Daniel has never had the chance to serve as an extended starter, he is viewed as a dependable backup who is a strong influence in a quarterback room. Former fourth-round pick Ryan Nassib, who attempted only 10 passes in four seasons with the Giants, could push for third-string duties.

 

Last season against the Falcons, Derek Anderson came in after Cam Newton left the game with an injury and threw for 172 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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4. Carolina Panthers

The value of a backup quarterback is measured in not only on-field statistics -- conclusions are hard to draw when he doesn't get many snaps -- but also his respect in the locker room and command of the offense he is asked to run. Derek Anderson has served as a backup to Cam Newton throughout the 2015 MVP's career and has served in spot duty as a starter, even making the Pro Bowl in 2007 while with the Browns. The 34-year-old has 60 touchdown passes and 60 interceptions in his career.

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5. Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Foles has come full circle, re-signing with Philadelphia this offseason following two seasons with the Rams and Chiefs. The former third-round pick spent 2012-14 with the Eagles and even had a remarkable 27-touchdown, two-interception Pro Bowl year in 2013. Foles should help Carson Wentz develop entering Year 2 as the starter. Matt McGloin signed as a free agent this offseason and will serve as the No. 3 QB.

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6. Miami Dolphins

Matt Moore took over as the Dolphins' starter following an injury to Ryan Tannehill down the stretch in 2016, starting three games and helping the team clinch a playoff spot. Miami couldn't have expected much more -- he threw eight touchdown passes and three interceptions with a Total QBR of 83.2 -- as he proved to be a steady Tannehill replacement. The 32-year-old has been in Miami since 2011.

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7. Chicago Bears

Projected starter: Mike Glennon

At some point, the transition plan in Chicago will sort itself out. For now, No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky is a backup with substantial promise, while Mark Sanchez has carved a second act in his NFL career as a competent backup. However, this depth chart could flip sooner rather than later, as Glennon's leash on the starting job doesn't feel particularly long. His three-year, $45 million deal included only $18.5 million in guarantees, so Chicago could move on easily if he doesn't perform.

 

Brett Hundley has yet to start a game behind Aaron Rodgers, but he did appear in four games last season. Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire

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8. Green Bay Packers

This evaluation of 2015 fifth-round pick Brett Hundley is based on his reputation around the league, as he has not yet played snaps of consequence and has completed only two of his 10 career passing attempts with Aaron Rodgers holding court as the Packers' starter. But Hundley's character was extremely well-regarded coming out of UCLA, and he has flashed physical tools as well. He has had some bright moments in preseason and earned the confidence of the Packers coaching staff.

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9. Arizona Cardinals

In Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert, the Cardinals have a clearly defined hierarchy behind Carson Palmer. Stanton has served as Palmer's backup since 2013, going 6-3 in starts. Former first-round pick Gabbert began the 2016 season as San Francisco's starter but lost his job after going 1-4 while throwing five touchdown passes and six interceptions. He can be a suitable third-string QB while Arizona searches for the long-term successor to the 37-year-old Palmer.

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10. Denver Broncos

Projected starter: Trevor Siemian

Although Paxton Lynch's starts in 2016 were mostly forgettable -- his Total QBR was just 28.8 -- he's still a little more than a year removed from being a target for multiple teams in the back end of the first round of the draft. The 6-foot-7 QB has tremendous athleticism and should improve with another year in a pro system. Meanwhile, seventh-round pick Chad Kelly is a raw, developmental prospect for offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

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11. Cleveland Browns

Projected starter: Cody Kessler

Brock Osweiler experienced major struggles with the Texans in 2016, and there's no hiding that. But a year ago at this time, he was viewed as a potential missing piece for Houston and was a player Denver expressed interest in retaining as its starter. As a backup, Osweiler at the very least brings experience as a former starter, and he should play a role in mentoring DeShone Kizer, the team's second-round pick. Kizer's tools play a part in Cleveland's ranking this high.

 

Tyler Bray will likely be the Chiefs' No. 2 quarterback. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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12. Kansas City Chiefs

In terms of backup quarterback upside, there is intrigue surrounding rookie first-round pick Patrick Mahomes II, but Tyler Bray will likely enter the season as the team's No. 2 QB. Mahomes' uncommon arm strength and desirable build were traits that teams coveted during the pre-draft process, but he's raw, and he needs time to adjust to the NFL. Bray, who went undrafted in 2013, has never thrown a pass in the regular season.

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13. Washington

All the discussion around Washington centers on Kirk Cousins, whose contract saga has been going on for two years, but the team has a steady backup stable in Colt McCoy and Nate Sudfeld. McCoy has worked as a starter before -- he's 7-18 in his career -- and is well-respected within the organization. Sudfeld is a 2016 sixth-round pick who offers developmental value.

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14. Houston Texans

Projected starter: Tom Savage

Quarterback has been a tough slot for coach Bill O'Brien and Houston to fill, but the hope in the organization is that Deshaun Watson, whom the Texans traded up to get in the first round, will be the quarterback of the future. For now, he and Brandon Weeden appear ready to tag-team as the backup to Savage, who took over last season when Brock Osweiler was benched and completed 63 percent of his passes. I expect Watson to take over as the starter at some point this season.

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15. Oakland Raiders

It's a young quarterback room for the Raiders, as 2013 first-round pick EJ Manuel, who signed as a free agent this offseason, serves as the elder statesman. Manuel is 6-11 as a starter in his career but gets a chance in a new organization after not fulfilling expectations in Buffalo. Last year's fourth-round pick, Connor Cook, who started the wild-card game loss to the Texans after Derek Carr's injury, has high upside. Although he struggled in that game -- 161 passing yards with one touchdown pass and three interceptions -- he'll be improved in Year 2 in the NFL.

 

Landry Jones will compete with fourth-round pick Joshua Dobbs to be Ben Roethlisberger's backup. Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports

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16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Fourth-round pick Joshua Dobbs is an ideal fit for Pittsburgh. He wasn't thought to be a surefire Day 1 starter but was viewed as a player who would be a quick study and a terrific person to have in a locker room. He'll have time to develop. Former fourth-round pick Landry Jones has not inspired a ton of confidence when filling in for Ben Roethlisberger -- he's 2-2 with a career Total QBR of 42.3 -- but starting experience is at least something to build off if he needs to step in again.

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17. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Schaub was retained as a free agent this offseason, keeping intact Atlanta's QB depth chart. No, the 36-year-old Schaub is not a player teams want starting for extended stretches, but he's fluent in the Falcons' offensive scheme and capable to fill in if needed. The two-time Pro Bowler (2009 and 2012) has started only two games since 2014.

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18. San Francisco 49ers

Both Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley signed with San Francisco after spending 2016 in Chicago, and Hoyer is expected to be the starter. Barkley started six games for the Bears and exceeded expectations, but he ended his tenure there with 10 interceptions in his last three games, and the team decided to move on. The 49ers are high on rookie third-round pick C.J. Beathard, who played in a pro-style offense at Iowa. New coach Kyle Shanahan has maximized quarterback play in previous stops and should inject life into the San Francisco offense.

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19. Minnesota Vikings

The big question here: Will Teddy Bridgewater be on the field in 2017? I'm leaving him off for now because it's no sure thing that he'll be available after his injury in training camp last year. Between Case Keenum and Taylor Heinicke, Minnesota has a veteran who is used to spot starting as the No. 2 QB and a young arm it likes as a developmental prospect.

 

Davis Webb, who was taken 87th overall in the draft, is one of three players competing to be Eli Manning's backup. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

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20. New York Giants

There will likely be an odd man out in the Giants' quarterback room. With Josh Johnson, Geno Smith and Davis Webb, it will be hard for the G-Men to carry three reserves. Webb, a rookie third-round pick, could quickly become the top understudy to Eli Manning, while Johnson and Smith are likely competing for one roster spot. Smith gets a fresh start in New York, while Johnson is trying to hang on to a roster spot; he hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2013.

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21. Los Angeles Chargers

Kellen Clemens enters his fourth season as the top signal-caller behind Philip Rivers. The 34-year-old is much like many other veteran backups on this list, in that teams would be OK with him for a few starts but not a prolonged stretch. Los Angeles needs to consider adding a young QB with upside, as Rivers is entering his age-36 season.

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22. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have a pair of interesting drafted quarterbacks on the roster, as both 2016 fourth-round pick Cardale Jones and rookie fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman are vying for top backup duties behind Tyrod Taylor. Veteran T.J. Yates was signed this offseason and gives Buffalo its most experienced thrower behind Taylor, but it's unlikely the Bills will keep four QBs.

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23. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' QB depth chart should look the same in 2017 as it did in 2016, as Chad Henne serves as the No. 2 option behind Blake Bortles, providing veteran presence in Bortles' critical upcoming season. Henne, who is 18-35 as a starter in his career, has a career 45.5 Total QBR. Brandon Allen, a sixth-round pick last year, will continue to groom.

 

Jake Rudock will compete with rookie Brad Kaaya for the top spot behind Matthew Stafford this season. Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports

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24. Detroit Lions

The Lions used a sixth-round pick in consecutive years on a quarterback, which means that Jake Rudock and Brad Kaaya will compete for the backup duties during training camp and preseason. The rookie Kaaya was viewed by many draft analysts as an excellent value in the sixth round who could eventually become an NFL starter.

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25. Dallas Cowboys

No team knows the value of a backup quarterback better than Dallas, whose second-stringer last season became a franchise centerpiece seemingly overnight. Dak Prescott is now backed up by Kellen Moore, a limited-upside lefty who broke his leg last August, which helped pave the way for Prescott to succeed Tony Romo. The Cowboys love Moore's exceptional football IQ and disposition.

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26. Tennessee Titans

With Marcus Mariota in tow, the Titans have a quarterback in place for at least the next decade. Matt Cassel was re-signed this offseason, and the team values him for what he does as a mentor and co-pilot to Mariota in the quarterback room. His value in that regard exceeds his value on the field.

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27. New York Jets

Projected starter: Josh McCown

The Jets will likely play multiple QBs in 2017, with 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg eventually seeing the field (if he doesn't usurp McCown right away). Beyond Hackenberg, the team also has Bryce Petty in the fold. Petty struggled in four starts last season, throwing three touchdown passes with seven interceptions. Let's put it bluntly: This team's quest to find its franchise quarterback is as pressing as that of any other in the league.

 

The Seahawks signed Austin Davis to a one-year deal to compete with Trevone Boykin for the backup spot behind Russell Wilson. Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

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28. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have hardly had to witness life without Russell Wilsonsince he entered the league back in 2012, but the team has -- at least of late -- stuck with a young depth chart behind him. Undrafted free agent Trevone Boykin played in a few games last season when Wilson was a bit banged up, and now he and Austin Davis are in line to compete for the backup job in 2017. Seattle explored signing Colin Kaepernick but wound up adding Davis on a one-year deal.

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29. Baltimore Ravens

Former third-round pick Ryan Mallett has found a home in Baltimore behind Joe Flacco, but the Ravens would be in trouble if Flacco went down like he did in 2015. Undrafted free agent Dustin Vaughan was added off the Cowboys' practice squad late last season. Baltimore needs to inject some youth into the pipeline with a draft pick investment in 2018.

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30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed this offseason to serve as a backup to Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick's time as a starter in the NFL is likely over -- he threw 17 interceptions in 11 starts for the Jets last season -- but he'll help Winston as the 2015 No. 1 overall pick continues on his promising arc. This situation turned over after Mike Glennon signed with the Bears in free agency.

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31. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are fully invested in a youth movement at quarterback and have just two arms on the roster: last year's No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff, and 2015 third-round pick Sean Mannion, who has attempted only six passes in two seasons. The key to this franchise will be how Goff ascends in his second season and beyond. He needs to improve greatly under new coach Sean McVay.

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32. Indianapolis Colts

Among the surprises of the offseason -- for me -- was that the Colts did not add a quarterback either through the draft or through free agency. Scott Tolzien spelled Andrew Luck last season, but he was ineffective in his one start. With Luck recovering from shoulder surgery, I thought the team might consider adding another veteran to compete for the No. 2 job. That's why the Colts come in at No. 32.