Why the need to draft QBs in the first round may be dying.

The strategy of drafting quarterbacks in the early rounds may have taken a hit this season. The success rate for rookie QBs selected early is extremely low, while veteran QBs are finding considerable success in the NFL. This raises the question: do teams really need to invest in QBs so frequently?

Looking around the league, we see that quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold lead in touchdown passes this season. Justin Fields has guided his team to a 3-1 start, Brock Purdy—selected as the last pick—has had a solid early season, and Joe Flacco is thriving with the Colts after a strong run with the Browns, and Gardner Minshew has a 2-2 record.

 Investing in rookie QBs costs high first-round picks, which could be better used to strengthen the offensive line, address defensive needs, or add depth to the receiving corps. Despite the consistent demand for QBs in the early draft rounds, the hit rate remains concerning.

 Teams should consider a new strategy that doesn’t revolve around drafting rookie QBs. Instead, they might benefit from bringing in veterans who fit well within their systems. We’ve seen enough evidence over recent seasons to recognize that experienced players can still perform at a high level.

 While it’s not guaranteed, I’d like to see more teams embrace this approach—building around veterans looking to extend their careers. This could make football more exciting, allow teams to develop complete rosters, and make the first round of the draft less predictable.

Psalm 23