Analyzing the secondary QB market
How Ryan Tannehill and the "second-tier" QBs fit in the 2012 NFL draft
It's a given that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be first two picks in this draft. And Ryan Tannehill could go in the top eight (likely to the Miami Dolphins), even though some people think that he is being overvalued. That leaves us with a very intriguing group of teams in the mid- to late-first round -- and second round -- that are in need of a quarterback. I won't break down the quarterbacks here, as my colleague Trent Dilfer did just that a couple weeks ago.
Let's take a look at the secondary QB market -- including Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins -- and the teams interested in these QBs at the 2012 NFL draft.
If the Browns surprised everybody and went QB at No. 4, they would take Tannehill. But the reality is that with picks Nos. 22, 37 and 67 they have a good chance to get one of the second-tier QBs later -- if they don't believe in Colt McCoy. Kirk Cousins would fit Brad Childress' West Coast offense well and they might be able to get him at No. 67. The question is: How much of an upgrade would he be over McCoy? Would he solidify the position, but not necessarily improve it? Foles could be an interesting guy because he may be a little more NFL-ready, plus he could grasp the offense fairly quickly. However, the Browns would likely have to use their second-round pick to get him. Cleveland could take Weeden at No. 22, as he would potentially be a good fit in this scheme, but it's more likely that they would look to take him at No. 37.
To read more about which QBs Seattle, Kansas City, Buffalo, Denver and other teams are interested in, plus to get all of Insider's NFL Draft content, you must be an ESPN Insider.
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