We took a look last January at the plight of quarterbacks who've been drafted in the second round since 1991. The results weren't pretty. This column is an update on that blog post.
It's been more than ten years since the second round of the draft produced a surefire franchise quarterback. Drew Brees was the 32nd pick in 2001, before the league expanded to 32 teams.
Second-round quarterbacks since Brees:
Andy Dalton (Bengals), 2011
Colin Kaepernick (49ers), 2011
Jimmy Clausen (Panthers), 2010
Pat White (Dolphins), 2009
Brian Brohm (Packers), 2008
Chad Henne (Dolphins), 2008
Kevin Kolb (Eagles), 2007
John Beck (Dolphins), 2007
Drew Stanton (Lions), 2007
Kellen Clemens (Jets), 2006
Tarvaris Jackson (Vikings), 2006
*No quarterbacks were drafted in the second round of the 2002-2005 drafts.
Dalton did show some signs that he'll be able to handle the position capably, but he will have to contend with physical limitations for the duration of his pro career. The league also seemed to catch onto Dalton's act as his first season progressed. In the Bengals' final nine games, including the playoffs, Dalton completed just 169-of-301 passes (56.1%) for 1,959 yards (6.51 YPA) with seven touchdowns and 12 turnovers. The jury is still very much out on last year's 35th overall pick.
The NFL's history of second-round quarterback whiffs extends around Brees and all the way back to Brett Favre ('91).
Second-round quarterbacks between Brees and Favre:
Quincy Carter (Cowboys), 2001 - 34 starts
Marques Tuiasosopo (Raiders), 2001 - 2 starts
Shaun King (Bucs), 1999 - 24 starts
Charlie Batch (Lions), 1998 - 53 starts
Jake Plummer (Cardinals) - 136 starts
Tony Banks (Rams), 1996 - 78 starts
Todd Collins (Bills), 1995 - 21 starts
Kordell Stewart (Steelers), 1995 - 87 starts, career 77:84 TD-to-INT ratio
Matt Blundin (Chiefs), 1992 - 0 starts
Tony Sacca (Cardinals), 1992 - 0 starts
Favre was the 33rd overall pick in the 1991 draft. If you generously include Plummer and rush to crown Dalton, the NFL is 3-for-22 on second-round signal callers in the past 20 drafts.
There is still reason for optimism on Kaepernick and perhaps Kolb, although the latter's skittish pocket presence will likely doom him in the pros. So perhaps one or two more of the 22 second-rounders will emerge as long-term answers at the quarterback position.
They just won't have history on their side.
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,April 26, 2012 5:46 pm
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When you arrived in town and say that your plan is to rebuild the Browns through the draft, then you had better draft well. When it comes to Browns General Manager Tom Heckert and this weekend -- you better have a great draft. The Browns pick No. 4 and No. 22 tonight -- with 11 more picks to come over the next few days. Along with team president Mike Holmgren, Heckert made the decision that nearly all of the new players coming to the team will be through the draft. This is Heckert's third draft, and No. 4 is his highest pick with the Browns. Heckert's first two drafts here have been ... pretty good. In 2010, they picked up starters Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Colt McCoy and Shawn Lauvao. In 2011, they traded down from No. 6 and ended up with starters Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Greg Little and Jason Pinkston. Will any of those players become stars? Maybe. Haden and Sheard seem the most likely to make the Pro Bowl. Perhaps Little will take a significant step forward as a receiver, especially if the Browns add another wideout. But Heckert has yet to draft a player who excites the fan base, the kind of player whose jersey is one fans immediately want to buy. Nor have any of these players changed the 4-12, 5-11 rut that has trapped the team in the last four years. He has a chance to do that tonight. Most fans want Alabama running back Trent Richardson. Others like receiver Justin Blackmon. Many are fearful the Browns will trade down, settling for quantity rather than star power. Yet it's hard to imagine the Browns dropping more than a few notches from the No. 4 pick. Part of the reason for the 2011 draft day deal with Atlanta was to set up this season's draft. Yes, the Browns traded the draft rights to Julio Jones for Taylor, Little and Owen Marecic. The Browns also added the No. 22 pick and a fifth-rounder this season as part of the trade. The Browns are counting of Heckert's drafting skill, because they have done so little in free agency in the last three years. Here's a list of signings: 2012: Two defensive ends, Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker. 2011: running back Brandon Jackson along with defensive backs Dimitri Patterson and Usama Young. 2010: tackle Tony Pashos, tight end Ben Watson and linebacker Scott Fujita. When Heckert said the Browns would "not go crazy" in free agency, he certainly told the truth. This Browns front office has taken a slow and steady approach, adding decent players and not trashing the salary cap. But good teams all have a couple of great players. It's time for Heckert to find some, and this draft gives him that chance. |
