Top QB targets still available

Breaking down the best trade, draft and free-agent quarterback options

Updated: March 8, 2013, 12:22 PM ET
By Ron Jaworski | ESPN Insider

Newly minted Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians isn't used to the problem he's about to face in the desert. Over the course of his recent career, he's had the luxury of working with the likes of Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and then had incredible -- forgive me -- luck with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft. By those standards, the Cardinals' QB situation will come as something of a change.

As Arians gets situated in Arizona, solving the question of who is his starting quarterback will be at the top of his to-do list. It could be that he breaks down the tape and decides the answer is already on the roster. Maybe Kevin Kolb is the guy after all. But if not, he'll have to find a new signal-caller somewhere. So what are his best options?

Since the start of the offseason, I've been examining some of the QBs who could come onto the market either by trade, in the draft or via free agency. Alex Smith was at the top of the list, and we've already seen him snatched up by the Chiefs. But he's not the only target for teams in need of a QB.

Finding the right fit between a team and a QB is all relative, with scheme, cap space, asking price and a number of other factors weighing heavily in the decision. To that end, it's impossible to have a 1-10 ranking of the best QBs on the market. Instead, I'm offering up my top QB options for teams to obtain via trade (backups who I believe could be dealt), draft pick or free agency.

Trade options

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

In my opinion, Foles doesn't seem to fit what new coach Chip Kelly wants to run offensively in Philadelphia. I believe Foles will be on the trading block, and I think he has some big upside for teams that will ante up. While he's not the mobile QB Kelly may require for his schemes, in a more typical NFL offense that doesn't require the threat of a run from the QB, I believe Foles can be very effective. He's got a strong arm and can make all the throws. He needs some work, but if a team wants to make him their guy and put the time into developing him, they're going to get a good young QB.


To read the complete list of the top offseason QB targets, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Ron Jaworski

NFL analyst / writer
Ron Jaworski is one of the most popular and knowledgeable analysts covering the NFL today. Since joining ESPN in 1990, the former standout NFL quarterback has covered the league from virtually every angle -- sideline reporter, game-site reporter, host and both studio and game analyst. From 2007-11, Jaworski occupied one of the most coveted positions in sports as a Monday Night Football analyst.

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