QB Carousel 2013: There’s a new quarterback in town

Story posted April 12, 2013 in CommRadio, Sports, NFL Draft by Kris Rogers

Nflqbs 1

The 2013 draft class does not have an Andrew Luck, RGIII, or Russell Wilson waiting the top 10 draft picks, and it may not even have a Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden. This is the weakest draft class for quarterbacks since 2007, which featured busts such as Jamarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, which is why there's been a strong push for GM's to pull off a trade or bring in a free agent signal caller.

 

Alex Smith: Kansas City Chiefs

Traded by San Francisco 49ers in exchange for 2013 second round pick and 2014 conditional pick

Smith became expendable for the 49ers after a week 10 concussion paved the way for new starter Colin Kaepernick, who led the team to the Super Bowl.

2012 Stats: 1,737 yards, 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 70.2 completion percentage

Matt Cassel: Minnesota Vikings

Released by Kansas City Chiefs

After trading for Smith, the Chiefs released Cassel, who struggled for four seasons in Kansas City with injuries and inconsistent play. The Vikings signed him to backup current started Christian Ponder. Cassel is not expected to compete for the starting position.

2012 Stats: 1,796 yards, 6 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 58.1 completion percentage

Nflqbs 3

Colt McCoy: San Francisco 49ers
Traded by Cleveland Browns with 2013 sixth round pick in exchange for 2013 fifth and seventh round picks

McCoy was relegated to a backup role in Cleveland last season after first round pick Brandon Weeden beat him out for the starting job in Training Camp. In San Francisco, McCoy replaces Smith as the backup.

2012 Stats: 79 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 52.9 completion percentage

Jason Campbell: Cleveland Browns

Unrestricted free agent (played last season with Chicago Bears)

Campbell took over the Bears' starting job midway through week 10 last season after Jay Cutler suffered a concussion. Campbell lost that game as well as the next game against the Kaepernick-led 49ers.

2012 Stats: 265 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 61.2 completion percentage

Nflqbs 2

Kevin Kolb: Buffalo Bills

Released by Arizona Cardinals

Despite losing the starting job to John Skelton, Kolb played in all of the first six games of the 2012 season before missing the next seven with a rib injury. It is unknown whether Kolb will be a starter. Tarvaris Jackson is still in the fold in Buffalo and the Bills will likely draft a quarterback as well.

2012 Stats: 1,169 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 59.8 completion percentage

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Tennessee Titans
Released by Buffalo Bills

After a frustrating season in Buffalo, the Bills released Fitzpatrick. The Titans signed Fitzpatrick to backup third-year quarterback Jake Locker, who has shown flashes of brilliances when healthy.

2012 Stats: 3,400 yards, 24 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 60.6 completion percentage

Nflqbs 4

Matt Hasselbeck: Indianapolis Colts

Released by Tennessee Titans

After being released by the Titans, Hasselbeck is likely to serve a similar backup role for Andrew Luck with the Colts as Luck enters his sophomore season.

2012 Stats: 1,167 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 62.4 completion percentage

Matt Flynn: Oakland Raiders
Traded by Seattle Seahawks in exchange for 2014 fifth round pick and 2015 conditional pick

Flynn was the biggest free agent acquisition made by Seattle in the 2012 offseason, but he was beat out for the job by third round pick Russell Wilson, who had a tremendous rookie season. The Seahawks were in a position to shed Flynn's 3-year, $21 million deal while the Raiders were prepared to move on from Carson Palmer after he refused to restructure his contract.

2012 Stats: 68 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 55.6 completion percentage

Nflqbs 5

Carson Palmer: Arizona Cardinals

Traded by Oakland Raiders with 2013 sixth round pick in exchange for 2013 sixth round pick and 2014 conditional pick

Palmer's first full season in Oakland was mediocre, and with a large contract, the Raiders decided to move on. Arizona needed a veteran quarterback after parting ways with Kolb and Skelton, and Ryan Lindley has proven himself incapable of staying healthy or yet to even to be a starter.

2012 Stats: 4,018 yards, 22 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 61.1 completion percentage

John Skelton: Cincinnati Bengals
Waived by Arizona Cardinals

Skelton won the starting job from Kolb at the beginning of the season, but suffered an ankle injury. He remained on the sidelines until Kolb injured his ribs in the seventh game of the season, but he was ineffective and eventually lost the job to third-stringer Lindley. Skelton will backup starter Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, replacing backup Bruce Gradkowski, who signed with Pittsburgh.

2012 Stats: 1,132 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 54.2 completion percentage

This is clearly not the year to find a franchise quarterback in the draft. The push to acquire quarterbacks through free agency and trades is evidence of a lack of faith in the upcoming rookie class. Even quarterbacks like David Garrard and Pat White, who have not played in two seasons, have both signed contracts with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins respectively.

As always, there is a chance for diamonds in the rough, and coaches will be looking intently to see what prospects they can potentially mold into solid players come draft weekend.

Kris Rogers is a sophomore majoring in journalism. To contact him, email klr5734@psu.edu.