Quarterbacks typically go earlier than expected in the NFL Draft -- and 2013 isn’t going to be an exception, according to one league executive. An NFL general manager expects quarterbacks to “fall like logs” when the draft kicks off later in April, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
NFL Draft 2013: Quarterbacks expected to ‘fall like logs’ according to Adam Schefter
Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson, E.J. Manuel and Ryan Nassib could hear their names called earlier than expected at the 2013 NFL Draft, as quarterbacks are expected to “fall like logs.”
Steve Dykes
The anonymous general manager made his prediction even after the Cardinals, Raiders and Bills made moves to acquire Carson Palmer, Matt Flynn and Kevin Kolb.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be the first team to take a quarterback. The Jaguars hold the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and have been linked to West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith. In SB Nation's latest mock draft, the Jaguars are indeed projected to take Smith with the No. 2 overall pick.
Smith is the only quarterback selected in the first round in SB Nation's latest mock draft, but E.J. Manuel, Tyler Wilson, Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib are all projected to be second-round draft picks.
While some may be doubting the quality of this year’s quarterback class, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King thinks the first round could see three QBs taken, with Manuel and Nassib joining Smith:
I can’t wait to see the Nassib and Manuel shows. When I talk to teams leading up to the April 25 first round, I keep hearing both Nassib and Manuel as late-first-round prospects. Nassib in particular, and certainly more than Manuel.
The 2013 draft class doesn’t have a slam-dunk option at quarterback, but Smith is widely expected to be the first quarterback drafted -- and even he has question marks surrounding him. Without slam-dunk prospects, NFL teams could opt to address other needs with first-round picks, and then gamble on a quarterback in the second round -- which could cause a domino effect.
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