The 2016 NFL draft class is considered deep at quarterback, with players like Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, Jacoby Brissett, Cardale Jones and Kevin Hogan potential first round targets.
There are a number of teams in the draft that are expected to target the quarterback position, including the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Many draft scouts see Jared Goff and Carson Wentz as the top two prospects in the draft and other players could get attention as draft workouts and the interview process starts.
The Cleveland Browns have the number two overall pick in the draft and the team is expected to go after a quarterback. ESPN reports that the team is likely moving on from Johnny Manziel this offseason and that means the team likely will bring in another young quarterback to develop. Early mock drafts have the team going after Goff, but Cleveland.com reports that Carson Wentz also could be a target after meeting with Hue Jackson at the Senior Bowl in Alabama.
Wentz has ideal size to be an NFL quarterback and NFL.com reports that Wentz has started to generate "buzz" as a potential top 10 pick with his performance at the Senior Bowl. Paxton Lynch could be a target for teams in the middle of the first round, as the Rams and Eagles could consider taking a QB when they pick between 10-15. The 49ers pick at number seven and could consider taking a QB if they feel Coli Kaepernick is not the QB of the future, while the Texans are also interested in a quarterback.
The Texans used four starters last season and want more consistency from the position. The Dallas Cowboys are also in the mix, as they proved to have a glaring weakness at quarterback behind Tony Romo, who missed most of the season with injuries. Here is a look at some of the top quarterbacks in the draft this year:
Jared Goff, Cal
Goff comes into the draft process as the top rated quarterback after putting up 4,719 yards with 43 touchdowns and 13 interceptions at Cal last season. Goff has a great arm and also is an accurate passer, something that NFL scouts likely will enjoy in the evaluation process. Goff put up great stats against tough competition in the Pac-12 and could be a top five pick.
Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Some scouts think that Wentz could be a top 10 pick despite playing at an FCS school, as he has ideal size and arm strength to be an NFL QB. Wentz dealt with injuries and threw for 1,669 yards with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions last season while completing 64 percent of his passes for the Bison.
Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Lynch put up strong numbers at Memphis last season with 3,778 yards with 28 touchdowns and three interceptions, but some scouts think he still needs some time to develop into an NFL starter. Teams that have a quarterback option for next season but not the future could consider Lynch as a potential player to sit for a year and learn as a backup.
Connor Cook, Michigan State
Cook put up some solid stats at Michigan State and won a ton of games while playing in college. One knock on him was that he was not voted as a team captain last season, but his numbers were strong with 3,131 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions and he could be a potential target in the mid-to-late first round.
Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Hackenberg has great size at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds to be an NFL quarterback, but some scouts think he needs to improve his accuracy. Hackenberg only competed 54 percent of his passes last season while throwing for 2,525 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. Bill O'Brien coached Hackenberg at Penn State and could consider him as an option for the Texans.