With the 2018 college football season upon us, NFL scouts and media experts are drooling at the talent that’s going to be on display. While most of us are thinking about the upcoming games and the season as a whole, many have an eye beyond that as they have to make key decisions in the 2019 NFL Draft. As a result, BetDSI has posted a line on whether or not a quarterback will be taken first overall.
Quarterback is selected No. 1 overall in 2019 NFL Draft
Yes -275
No +200
Traditionally, the first pick overall has been devoted to quarterbacks in recent years. We all know that the NFL has become a passing league and teams who have quality, reliable franchise quarterbacks tend to win more than those who fumble at the position. For example: the top five passing quarterbacks (in terms of yards) last season each quarterbacked a team that won at least nine games. Eight of the top 12 quarterbacks led teams to the playoffs, and only one quarterback who finished in the top 12 in passing yards finished with less than nine wins.
But the question is which quarterback will be drafted first overall in 2019? Although Drew Lock is the early favorite, there is no clear-cut player that scouts and coaches have fallen in love with. There’s Lock, who is set to lead a Missouri team that may or may not make a bowl game this year. There’s Justin Herbert, who leads an Oregon team that’s in transition with a new coaching staff. There’s also Will Grier, who is the leader of a West Virginia team that could make noise in the Big 12. And then there’s Jarret Stidham, who is probably the quarterback with the best team around him but Auburn plays in the SEC where Alabama and Georgia are expected to be better.
Recent No. 1 overall picks:
2018: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
2017: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
2016: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
2015: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans
2013: Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs
2012: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
2011: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
2010: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
2009: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
A quarterback has been drafted first overall in seven of the last 10 NFL Drafts. Given how valuable the position is these days, it’s very likely the team selecting first overall takes a quarterback. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and usually the teams drafting at the top of the board are in desperate need of help at the position. That was exactly the case this year when four quarterbacks were drafted in the top 10.
If it’s not a quarterback, look for players like Ohio State linebacker Nick Bosa or Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver or Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams.
