Quarterback Acquisition Rankings

There's no winning in today's NFL without a capable quarterback. That's why every team needs one. Or more. If they don't have one they have to get one. SI's Chris Burke recently ranked the quarterbacks that might be available this offseason.

1.   Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (through 2019)
2.   Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots (through 2017)
3.   Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills (through 2021)
4.   Kirk Cousins, impending free agent
5.   DeSahaun Watson, draft prospect
6.   Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (through 2021)
7.   DeShone Kizer, draft prospect
8.   Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (through 2017)
9.   Mitch Trubisky, draft prospect
10. Nick Foles, Kansas City Chiefs (through 2017)
11. Brian Hoyer, impending free agent
12. Patrick Mahomes, draft prospect
13. Mike Glennon, impending free agent
14. Matt Barkley, impending free agent
15. Ryan Fitzpatrick, impending free agent
16. Case Keenum, impending free agent

Tyrod Taylor at #3 is a bit of a surprise but he might be a fine fit for some team. He was mostly terrific in that wildly entertaining game against the Seattle Seahawks last season. If he can make a habit of playing like that against a defense like that he can win some games.

I see the potentially available quarterbacks more like this.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots
The 2017 quarterback shuffle starts with Garoppolo although recent reports are that the Patriots won't make him available.

2. A.J. McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals (through 2017)
It's puzzling as to why McCarron isn't mentioned more as a potential answer to a team's quarterback woes. If Garoppolo's considered available why not McCarron. Both are under contract through 2017. Both are ready to start and aren't doing so in their current situation.

3. Mike Glennon, impending free agent
This is probably a reach but he rates high for me for the simple fact that he's actually available. He won't cost a draft pick. He's shown some potential as a starter. Maybe an innovative offensive coach like Kyle Shananhan can get the best of that potential out of him.

4. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (through 2019)
Perhaps it's because I suffered through the Vikings assembly line of quarterback retreads throughout the 1990s but I have some reservations with older, richer quarterback solutions. If Romo moves on from Dallas it would have to be to a team ready to win now. So, he's not the answer for every team.

5. Kirk Cousins, impending free agent
I just don't think that Cousins will be available.

The soon-to-be rookies are next on my list.
6. DeShaun Watson
7. DeShone Kizer
8. Mitch Trubisky
9. Patrick Mahomes
10. Davis Webb

A team that doesn't get at least one of the above will probably be waiting for Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft. Why is it that the next quarterback class is so often the better one?