NFL: Breaking Down the Future Impact of the QB Class of 2013 - Part One

By Derrik Klassen

2013 NFL Rookie Draft Class. Photo credit NFL

This past NFL Draft's QB class was widely proclaimed to be "weak", but, contrary to common belief, they will have an impact next season. Geno Smith was almost unanimously said to be the top QB, so why wasn't he the first QB taken? Why would the Bills take EJ Manuel instead? Will Glennon take over for Josh Freeman? I am going to break down the first three QBs selected in part one of this three part series.


Buffalo Bills: EJ Manuel, 16th overall pick.
Rumors were spreading that implied Doug Marrone, former head coach at Syracuse, would be selecting the QB he worked with at Syracuse, which was Ryan Nassib. That obviously didn't happen as they took EJ Manuel instead. At first, the EJ Manuel pick baffled people due to him being "over-drafted", but as the draft progressed, the puzzle came together. The Bills loaded up at the WR position with Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and also Da'Rick Rodgers as a UDFA. EJ Manuel was clearly selected to run a fast paced offense considering the speed around him. CJ Spiller and EJ Manuel will most likely be running some form of the zone-read option. Also, TJ Graham and Marquise Goodwin both have blazing speed and will be a defensive coordinator's nightmare. A lot of pressure is being placed on EJ Manuel, but his supporting cast will make his life a lot easier.

New York Jets: Geno Smith, 39th overall pick
Personally, I didn't believe Geno was quite the QB people made him out to be, but getting him in the 2nd round was quite a steal. He has great arm talent, but it's his mental make-up and pocket presence that gives me doubts about him. Mark Sanchez will most likely be Smith's only true competition, but Sanchez needs to simply be gone. The Jets must decide whether or not to take the gamble on Geno as their franchise QB and stop wasting their time with their circus of QBs. Geno won't have to much talent to work with in NY, so it may be rather tough for him to accomplish anything, but if he really was the QB that people say he is, he'd be able to keep his team out of next year's top 10 in the NFL draft. He will have a tough road ahead of him and will have to deal with a rebuilding franchise.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Glennon, 73rd overall pick
Do the Bucs have doubts about Freeman? Will Josh Freeman be put in the back seat? Yes, they have doubts, but Freeman will be their starter next season. Freeman was playing rather well until about Week 15 last season. Josh Freeman has all the tools and has proven his ability, but he lacks consistency. The Bucs brought on Mike Glennon as a reminder that this is a make or break season for Freeman. In terms of arm talent, the two are quite similar, but they vary a bit in terms of decision making and such. While Glennon has starting capabilities, he will be on the bench this season as he breaths down Freeman's neck to remind him that his job is on the line.