The NFL Draft is the golden ticket for teams to find their next Quarterbacks. While the teams are rethinking their roster plans, there’s one question that comes to mind: is it a fair trade to gamble on a fresh rookie? Maybe it is, if you are a 27-year-old QB looking for a second, or third chance. But if you’re a top rookie prospect like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, then probably not so much. Thanks to Sam Darnold’s last season performance with the Minnesota Vikings, there’s some clarity on how good teams can build up their rosters around a supposedly ‘non-elite’ player.
When Sam Darnold stepped into the Vikings, he was competitive and careful. His performance completely changed the team’s game, and he is no longer a second choice in the league. It’s safe to say the QB is more or less the poster boy for teams who need good results from their QB from the get go. And then there’s the obvious conclusion: If Darnold can do it, why can’t other unexplored QBs perform the same way? Why bid on a college kid when you can get a guy with real NFL snaps? It wouldn’t be shocking if even Minnesota went that route again next offseason.
NFL insider, FOX Sports analyst, Peter Schrager put it best on X, “The second layer to the QB conversations in Indy was who can be the “stop gap” or “bridge QB” that can win games and/or mentor the young QB in the room w/ no ego. Sam Darnold (Minnesota) and Marcus Mariota (Washington) ended up being homerun cost-efficient signings last March.” No question that teams are looking for veteran QBs, who can hold things together, mentor younger players, and win games without ego clashes.
The second layer to the QB conversations in Indy was who can be the “stop gap” or “bridge QB” that can win games and/or mentor the young QB in the room w/ no ego. Sam Darnold (Minnesota) and Marcus Mariota (Washington) ended up being homerun cost-efficient signings last March.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 3, 2025
Let’s talk about the Vikings for a second. They believe Sam Darnold can hold things down for another year. Giving them that flexibility in drafting, as there is no pressure to draft a QB in Round 1, they can shift their focus to bigger priorities. Like, to load talent at other positions like wide receiver, because if they lose Justin Jefferson, that would be absolute chaos. Then to beef up the O-line to keep whoever’s under center upright. Or maybe, adding some talented playmakers to their defense.
Before Darnold’s 2024 season, nobody was lining up to hand him the keys to an NFL offense. Critics had already branded him a bust for his season with the Jets and the Panthers. But when the Vikings brought him in as a bridge QB, the QB picked up as if he was always a starter. To think of it, even the Commanders pulled a similar move with Marcus Mariota, and guess what? It worked there too.
This raises another question: With very few good QB options in this year’s draft, will we see an increase in such strategies from other teams?
The 2025 draft strategy
Say what you want, but the NFL has a copycat tendency. After watching the Vikings and the Commanders’ success, others might decide to follow the Darnold blueprint, to prioritize experience over potential. To be no longer interested in drafting a QB in the first round. And why would they? It only makes more sense to sign a guy who’s been around the league, as they can pay him way less, and move forward without the hassle of developing a rookie.
To talk about teams, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, the Steelers added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and even the Raiders are exploring the veteran market. That leaves only a handful of teams looking for a rookie QB. This might be a tough reality for players like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. They once were the high draft picks with a top 10 status. But now? Their potential landing spots are reducing in numbers.
The question no longer is who will draft these young QBs, but when. And for some, it could mean waiting a lot longer than expected. Maybe they’ll draft a quarterback at some point, maybe in the Round 3 or 4. But the idea of them spending a top pick on someone like J.J. McCarthy is less likely. When experienced guys like say, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance are there.
However, the trade market is way more appealing. If Darnold and Mariota’s success made a huge shift in draft strategy, seriously influencing how teams are approaching the draft, things might shift a bit for rookie QB and their draft prospects. But for veteran QBs looking for a new home? This could be the start of a brand-new golden age.
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