New NFL Caste System for Quarterbacks

[Truthteller]

Not sure if anyone else has noticed, but there's a new "Caste System" for quarterback's in the NFL: It seems only quarterback's that are allowed to become "entrenched starters" are "franchise quarterbacks". And the only way to become a "franchise quarterback" is to be a first round pick. This doesn't seem to bode well for the likes of Davis Mills, G. Minshew II and Taylor Heinicke going forward.

Not long ago there was no shortage of top, entrenched NFL starting quarterbacks that were either drafted after round 3 or came into the league as undrafted free agents. As recently as 2009, the list included Tom Brady, Kurtis Warner, Tony Romo, Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Delhomme, Matt Cassell and Kyle Orton. Bit prior to that, you had the likes of Mark Brunnell, Trent Green, Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Mark Bulger, Brad Johnson, Rich Gannon and countless others over the years.

Recently, however, where did those quarterbacks drafted after round 1 disappear too? Currently, not even one entrenched, starting white quarterback drafted after round one is younger than 30 years old? Have we gotten to the point that only white quarterbacks drafted in round one can aspire to become an entrenched starter? And it's not much better for black quarterbacks.


Here's the break down with current (2021) white QB's:

Teams with white QB's drafted #1 overall: Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit

Teams with starting white QB's drafted #2 overall: Indianapolis, New York Jets

Teams with starting white QB's drafted #3 to #6 overall: Carolina (Darnold), Atlanta, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants

Teams with starting white QB's drafted #7 to #12 overall: Buffalo, Tennessee, Pittsburgh

Teams with starting white QB's drafted #15 to # 24 overall: New England, Green Bay

Teams with starting white QB's drafted after round one: San Francisco (Rd. 2, Age 30), Las Vegas (Rd. 2, Age 30), Minnesota (Rd.4, Age 33), Tampa Bay (Rd.6 Age 44), Washington (Fitzpatrick/injured, Round 7, Age 39)


Teams with Black Starting QB's drafted in Round 1: New Orleans, Arizona, Miami, Houston (Watson/suspended), Kansas City, Denver, Baltimore, Chicago.

Teams with Black Starting QB's drafted in Round 3: Philadelphia (Rd. 2, Age 23), Dallas (Rd. 4, Age 28), Seattle (Rd. 3, Age 33).

 

[Freethinker]

Interesting research and theory. Definitely worth monitoring in years to come.

 

[Truthteller]

Thanks, Freethinker. I considered posting a similar thread in 2018/19, when I noticed white quarterbacks drafted after round 3 had virtually no shot to become full-time starters. Mostly due to the treatment of Case Keenum. In 2017 he had a 98.3 QB rating (7th in NFL) and led Minnesota to the NFC title game. Despite this, the ex-UFA was kicked to the curb. It's weird, the prior decade you had undrafted's like Warner, Romo, Delhomme, Kitna do big things (Super Bowls, Pro Bowls) and becoming established starters for years. With Keenum, it was thanks, but you can never be good enough?

Recently, looking back at drafts from 2015 to 2021, I've noticed few white QB's drafted after round 1 have been given any chance, except as an emergency starter (i.e Rudolph/Pitt) due to injuries. During that span, Winshew II (6th round) and Drew Lock (2nd) were pretty much the only white, non-1st rounders to get a legit shot (not due to injuries). All things considered, Minshew excelled on a horrid Jax team. Still, he was gone quickly and no one wanted him as a potential starter via trade? Lock showed potential in 2000 and deserved another shot, but Denver brought in perennially mediocre Ted Bridgewater?

Is this another progression of the Caste system?

If you can get rid of the likes of Warner, Flutie, Romo, Delhomme, Derek Carr, Cousins, Gannon and Tom Brady (or relegate them to back up status), that means there will be more available quarterback jobs (year-to-year) in the future, which opens the door to more black quarterbacks each year?

Just a theory. Hopefully the likes of Heinicke, Minshew II and Mills Davis will prove me wrong?

Extra point: Thanks for the heads up. I will edit it as soon possible.

 

[Bucky]

Appreciate the research and effort! Hoping the above mentioned Heinicke, Davis, and Minshew can buck that trend!

 

[Truthteller]

Thanks, Bucky. Did you catch the end of the Redskins @ Cowboys game last night? I got in around 11:30pm and Dallas was up by 49 points, so I only caught a few minutes of the game. Crissy went forth with a pre-planned attack of Taylor Heinicke, basically saying you can't win without a franchise quarterback and the Redskins dont have one.

I say it was a pre-planned because the Tribesman in the Truck had graphs and black/white photos of S. Jurgenson, Billy Kilmer and others ready, tracking the Redskins QB situation back to the 1960's. They intended to show Washington hasn't had a franchise quarterback in several decades. Crissy went on to say to Washington has to give up "whatever it takes" to find one -- kind of like when they traded up for Jason Campbell or basically throw away a ton to move up a couple spots for Robert Griffin?

Heinicke has already been dismissed by the media. At this point, he'll need a strong finish just to keep a #2 spot? Another white QB drafted after round 1 or undrafted, that will get no chance to develop.

Leonard fan has been posting quite a bit about Davis Mills (3rd rd). Watched the Texan's a bit, and was very impressed by Mills. Hopefully Mills will get a similar chance to develop like, for example, Dak Prescott (4th round), who just a few years ago was reviled by DWF's who begged Jason Garrett to draft a quarterback in round 1?

Tonight's a huge night for 4th round pick Ian Book. He was basically N.O.'s #4 quarterback this season, with little chance of ever playing. Not only did N.O. not use him, no other teams wanted him when he was kicked to the curb by Peyton. If he's solid tonight, he might have a career. If he stinks up the joint, he might be history -- like a ton of QB's drafted after round one the last 11 or 12 years!

 

[Leonardfan]

The Redskins woes start with their overrated black defensive linemen and secondary. Heinicke is good enough to be a starter in the league. Kirk Cousins was the Redskins best shot at a franchise QB and they let him walk a few years ago. The two "franchise" QBs the Redskins have brought in over the past 20 years were both black - campbell and the gremlin. Neither lived up to expectations with the gremlin being one of the biggest busts of all time. Campbell was also a disappointment but no where near the all time bust the gremlin turned out to be.

I feel the best QB not starting right now is Gardner Minshew. Davis Mills has been a nice surprise - I mentioned that in the weekly thread - he's the second best rookie QB behind Mac Jones. The Texans would be stupid to not build around him moving forward.

 

[white is right]

The Redskins woes start with their overrated black defensive linemen and secondary. Heinicke is good enough to be a starter in the league. Kirk Cousins was the Redskins best shot at a franchise QB and they let him walk a few years ago. The two "franchise" QBs the Redskins have brought in over the past 20 years were both black - campbell and the gremlin. Neither lived up to expectations with the gremlin being one of the biggest busts of all time. Campbell was also a disappointment but no where near the all time bust the gremlin turned out to be.

I feel the best QB not starting right now is Gardner Minshew. Davis Mills has been a nice surprise - I mentioned that in the weekly thread - he's the second best rookie QB behind Mac Jones. The Texans would be stupid to not build around him moving forward.

The best compliment for Campbell was he was steadily mediocre and Bob Griffin wasn't even that....

 

[Truthteller]

Good point, Leo. Looked it up, since the 1970 merger, I assume one could say it's either Mark Rypien (6th round) or Kirk Cousins (4th) as the best quarterback drafted by the Redskins. Gustave Frerotte (7th rd) might be the next best and he had a fairly mediocre career? Cousins put up better stats; Rypien won a SuperBowl.

So, even if Crissy is correct, history shows the Skins are not great judges of quarterback talent and do not draft wisely. So why not give Heinicke another shot to start next season? Wouldn't be surprised if they heavily pursue the black quarterback from Liberty in round 1.

Skins' should've kept Cousins, but since he was a 4th round pick, they probably figured he'd be easily replaced. They were wrong. Lots of busts in Washington over the years, in addition to Campbell and Griffin**, you had Patrick Ramsey and Heath Shuler. One bust after another the last several decades.


**In fairness to Bob G. III, he did have a great rookie season. So good, I remember it caused great, ex-poster Big Unreal to believe the NFL was rigging games to make him look good. BG III sure was making things look way to "easy" as a rookie, until he totally fell apart during the playoffs that year and never recovered.

 

[Leonardfan]

Good point, Leo. Looked it up, since the 1970 merger, I assume one could say it's either Mark Rypien (6th round) or Kirk Cousins (4th) as the best quarterback drafted by the Redskins. Gustave Frerotte (7th rd) might be the next best and he had a fairly mediocre career? Cousins put up better stats; Rypien won a SuperBowl.

So, even if Crissy is correct, history shows the Skins are not great judges of quarterback talent and do not draft wisely. So why not give Heinicke another shot to start next season? Wouldn't be surprised if they heavily pursue the black quarterback from Liberty in round 1.

Skins' should've kept Cousins, but since he was a 4th round pick, they probably figured he'd be easily replaced. They were wrong. Lots of busts in Washington over the years, in addition to Campbell and Griffin**, you had Patrick Ramsey and Heath Shuler. One bust after another the last several decades.


**In fairness to Bob G. III, he did have a great rookie season. So good, I remember it caused great, ex-poster Big Unreal to believe the NFL was rigging games to make him look good. BG III sure was making things look way to "easy" as a rookie, until he totally fell apart during the playoffs that year and never recovered.

In regards to the Redskins - although he was not drafted by them - Trent Green was another QB that they let get away. He will be tied with Kurt Warner forever since it was his knee injury that allowed Warner to come in and take over for the Rams. Green went on to have a nice career with the Chiefs leading some prolific offenses in the early 2000s. Brad Johnson was also a solid QB for the Redskins but again they let him walk away in free agency - he went on to win the Super Bowl with the Bucs.

 

[Truthteller]

According to Pro Football Reference, 18 quarterbacks drafted between 2018 and 2020 have not played in a single game this season. Most have been completely "washed-out" of the NFL, some never getting beyond pre-season. A couple are barely hanging around the fringes -- stashed on bloated practice squads, with little chance of ever playing in the league.

Also, 17 of those 18 are white? Only non white to be "washed-out" already is former Redskins first round pick Dwayne Haskins, who was last seen starting for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL. I was originally going to post this in the USFL thread, because most of those 18 quarterbacks (again 17 white) will likely be seen as prime targets for USFL teams, along with some slightly older ones like Chad Kelly and Paxton Lynch.

Of the 17 white quarterbacks drafted between 2018 and 2020 that have already been "washed-out", the most notable include Jake Luton and Ben DiNucci from the 2020 NFL Draft, Jarrett Stidham and Will Grier from 2019 NFL Draft and Luke Falk and uber-athletic Danny Etling from the 2018 NFL Draft.

 

[Truthteller]

When Tampa selected Kyle Trask at the end of round 2, anyone with half a brain knew he was not going to play in 2021, unless Brady was injured and missed and extended period of time. Backup Blaine Gabbert has only attempted 11 throws in blowouts. Nonetheless, Trask is in the cross-hairs of quite a few DWF's, who have already jumped to the conclusion that he's bust. This DWF takes Trask to the woodshed in a long-worded rant. His main gripe appears to be that Tampa didn't use the 2nd round pick on a affletic WR or CB.

Bizarrely, he claims the struggles of Packers QB Jordan Love does not bode well for Trask? Really?....Also, while he destroys Trask and claims Mac Jones is mediocre, he has nothing but praise for the Gators' current quota. One good thing about this hit-piece on Trask (and Jones), is a lot of commenters are rejecting his thoughts.

A ridiculous article that kinda sounds like someone who has nothing to write about…….of course no one expected him to be the backup this year for Brady

Wow, This article is really confusing and useless. Trask does not have NFL arm and tools? I guess not, tall (6'-4") accurate (69%) and big arm.....Trask could have defeated Alabama and Mac Jones in SEC Championship game if it wasn't for the Florida's lousy defense....He was projected to go first round right after that game until he played the bowl game with bunch of street and bench players and an injured foot.... Anthony Richardson has long way to go and it is not accurate.

I wish Google would stop sending me ‘articles’ written by fans who know less than I do.....

This is utter nonsense. Writer kudos for giving it the ole college try. But sorry this is ridiculous dumb

**https://thepewterplank.com/2021/12/30/buccaneers-re-evaluating-kyle-trask-pick-hindsight/

 

[Extra Point]

When Tampa selected Kyle Trask at the end of round 2, anyone with half a brain knew he was not going to play in 2021, unless Brady was injured and missed and extended period of time. Backup Blaine Gabbert has only attempted 11 throws in blowouts. Nonetheless, Trask is in the cross-hairs of quite a few DWF's, who have already jumped to the conclusion that he's bust. This DWF takes Trask to the woodshed in a long-worded rant. His main gripe appears to be that Tampa didn't use the 2nd round pick on a affletic WR or CB.

Bizarrely, he claims the struggles of Packers QB Jordan Love does not bode well for Trask? Really?....Also, while he destroys Trask and claims Mac Jones is mediocre, he has nothing but praise for the Gators' current quota. One good thing about this hit-piece on Trask (and Jones), is a lot of commenters are rejecting his thoughts.




**https://thepewterplank.com/2021/12/30/buccaneers-re-evaluating-kyle-trask-pick-hindsight/

This is one of the dumbest articles I've ever read.

Here's a quote from the article. "It is also telling that Trask was a lesser prospect than Mac Jones, who, by all accounts, has been the most mediocre quarterback in the league this season."

This is an imbecilic comment. I've seen no accounts that call Jones "the most mediocre quarterback in the league," let alone all.

How can anyone write something so stupid?

 

[Truthteller]

I agree, EP, terrible article. Glad commenters pushed back. Mac Jones finished top 10 among all starting quarterbacks in completion percentage as a rookie....top 13 in yards and yards per attempt. I think the only issue Jones had, was 13 int's. But Kansas City's QB also had 13 int's...even Brady threw 12. Overall, I thought he had a heck of a year....I won't even get into the fact that the Patriots had very little in terms of offensive weapons. Undrafted Jakobi Meyers was his #1 receiver?

It shows the stigma white quarterbacks now must carry if they are not 1st round picks. If they don't play right away, they are busts -- even behind Brady. If they play well (like Davis Mills), it's not enough to start, due to lack of upside?

I suppose the writer's beef with Trask is he spent 2021 as the #3, but that was the plan all along? Gabbert is basically Brady's new Brian Hoyer -- entrenched veteran backup/friend who will never push him for the #1 job.