The San Francisco 49ers and a handful of other teams are likely spending the next six weeks deciding if a quarterback is worthy of a high first round pick. Rumblings suggest the 49ers will look in a different direction with the No. 2 pick, but I would think they are at least considering the options for the time being.
There are a lot of questions about this year’s QB class, and that opens the door for some easy comparisons. NFL Network draft analysts Bucky Books and Daniel Jeremiah put together a ranking of quarterback prospects since the 2012 NFL Draft. It is based on how they were rated heading into the draft, not how they are rated now.
Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are at the top. The most notable name is probably Johnny Manziel, who flamed out in a big way. RG3 flamed out after one big year, but at least he had the big year in Washington. Manziel had some moments, but he never reached any sort of consistent level of production and is out of the league.
I am not entirely surprised to see DeShaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky ranked at the bottom of this list. DeShone Kizer and Patrick Mahomes are two other quarterbacks who could end up going in the first round as well. Other recent first round picks since 2012 have included E.J. Manuel, Blake Bortles, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Weeden.
Where do 2017 QB prospects rank among QBs drafted since 2012?
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2017
(via @MoveTheSticks & @BuckyBrooks) pic.twitter.com/tqHZuBg38Q