A lot of buzz is being generated about which QB will go off the board first on May 8th. Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville (AAC), Blake Bortles of Central Florida (AAC), and Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M (SEC) are the three top picks at the moment, but the winds of change could blow in at any moment.
During this time, fans of each conference compete for bragging rights on which conference produces the best (and which rival conference produces the worst) players for the NFL. With this in mind, we have a fair list of the QB position since 2003, with the best and worst of each conference over the last 10 years.
Two rules were needed to keep things balanced. First of all, best picks could come from any round, even even undrafted players. Worst picks however could only come from the first three rounds. It is hard to make a "worst" list when half the quarterbacks picked since 2003 never played a full season. Secondly, the conferences are judged at the time, so even though Missouri is currently in the SEC, they were in the Big 12 when Blaine Gabbert was drafted.
Pac-12:
Best: Aaron Rodgers (1st round in 2005 from California)
Hard to argue against Rodgers, who sat on the bench behind Brett Favre for three seasons before hitting the field and becoming one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL and a reason the Packers are perennial favorites in the NFC North.
Worst: Matt Leinart (1st round in 2006 from USC)
Leinart appeared to have the makings of a great career with excellent weapons in Arizona. Instead, Leinart barely saw the field in four seasons in the desert before moving on to Houston and Oakland. Over his career, he threw 15 touchdowns against 21 interceptions.
Big 10:
Best: Russell Wilson (3rd round in 2012 from Wisconsin)
It may seem a little early to proclaim Wilson the best in the Big 10 over the last ten years, but his competition was slim to say the least. Regardless, Wilson already has a Super Bowl ring, and the arm and athleticism to keep them coming in Seattle.
Worst: Drew Stanton (2nd round in 2007 from Michigan State)
While Stanton has hardly been an NFL failure, having only seen the field in twelve games, the only other quarterbacks drafted in the first three rounds from the Big 10 since 2003 were Stanton, Wilson, Chad Henne, and technically Terrelle Pryor (since his pick in the supplementary draft cost Oakland a third-round pick). The other three have simply had more success.
Big 12:
Best: Robert Griffin III (1st round in 2012 from Baylor)
Another player seemingly picked well before we have a full sample of their time (especially considering Griffin's injury-slowed sophomore campaign). That said, the other competitors have been Sam Bradford, who never lived up to his first overall selection billing, and Josh Freeman, whose uneven play in Tampa Bay cost him that job. Griffin has the brightest future of the three.
Worst: Blaine Gabbert (1st round in 2011 from Missouri)
A classic example of throwing a player to the wolves before he is ready. Gabbert spent most of his career running for his life and helping to shorten Maurice Jones-Drew's career with an overload of carries. Over three seasons, he completed just 53.3 percent of his passes, and threw 24 interceptions against 22 touchdowns.
SEC:
Best: TIE. Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) and Eli Manning (Ole Miss)
These two players could be two halves of the most unstoppable quarterback ever. Cutler has gaudy regular season stats, but limited postseason success. Manning's play in the regular season has been schizophrenic, but he has a couple rings. However, if Manning keeps up his play from last season, where he led the league in interceptions, Cutler may get this category by default.
Worst: JaMarcus Russell (1st round in 2007 from LSU)
Cannot say much more than has already been said. A 52.1 percent completion percentage, 18 touchdowns versus 23 interceptions, 25 fumbles … Russell's career was a mess, and it is unlikely he will find another NFL job.
ACC:
Best: Philip Rivers (1st round in 2004 from NC State)
Rivers barely tops Matt Ryan to win the ACC with a solid resume. He's not destined for the Hall of Fame yet, but 32,000 yards with 221 touchdowns and only 104 interceptions are some amazing numbers for the man who replaced Drew Brees in San Diego. Ryan has a lower completion percentage and higher touchdown to interception ratio.
Worst: Charlie Whitehurst (3rd round in 2006 from Clemson)
When you use a third-round pick, you expect to get back a starter, hopefully someone you can build around. What you do not want is a career backup, moving from team to team. Whitehurst was stuck behind Rivers in San Diego, behind Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle, and went back to San Diego. Now he is with the Titans. While Christian Ponder has not had amazing success, he has had more of a career thus far.
Big East:
Best: Dan Orlovsky (5th round in 2005 from UConn)
No conference is more devoid of life over the last ten years than the Big East. Only seven quarterbacks have been drafted at all. Even though Orlovsky has barely seen the field, he is still the best quarterback to come out of the Big East.
Worst: Brian Brohm (2nd round in 2008 from Louisville)
Of the seven quarterbacks, only two were taken in the first three rounds: Brohm and Dave Ragone (also out of Louisville). Brohm did not throw a touchdown in three games with five interceptions. He now plays in the CFL.
Other:
Best: Ben Roethlisberger (1st round in 2004 from Miami (OH))
Ben beats out Tony Romo and Andy Dalton as the best of the rest. While his career has had some ups and downs, he has two rings and was the second fastest player to 25,000 yards.
Worst: J.P. Losman (1st round in 2004 from Tulane)
Losman had a decent year in 2006, but left the NFL with more interceptions than touchdowns, 35 fumbles, and a 59% completion percentage.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
