Updated Feb. 15, 2019
This is a feature I do every year prior to the combine. I will attempt to predict where the prominent free agent and rookie quarterbacks will land during the offseason. Here’s the full list of the significant quarterbacks available this spring:
Blake Bortles
Teddy Bridgewater
Nick Foles
Dwayne Haskins
Daniel Jones
Case Keenum
Drew Lock
Eli Manning
Kyler Murray
Ryan Tannehill
Tyrod Taylor
With so many teams that need quarterbacks, this game of quarterback musical chairs is going to make this spring extremely interesting.
So, why wait? I’m going to project all of these quarterbacks to teams on this page, and I may update this if I hear anything, or if any news breaks. Here are my projections, alphabetically:
Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars 
I wanted to assign Blake Bortles to the CFL. He’d be a great fit in Canada, as he usually has success outside of the United States and could benefit from a league that is scrambling quarterback-friendly. Plus, Canada has a wide assortment of domestic beers for Bortles to consume while he’s partying.
Bortles, however, might be given another chance. If so, it could be in Green Bay. Bortles has a good relationship with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and the Packers need a better backup than DeShone Kizer.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Saints 
Teddy Bridgewater did not play well in his only start last season, but with yet another year of recovery, there’s a chance he could be back to his old self. Either way, he’ll make for a high-quality backup at the very least.
It would make sense for the Panthers to pursue Bridgewater. Cam Newton might miss some time next year with his shoulder problem, so Carolina must obtain a backup plan. Bridgewater would be a good fit, as offensive coordinator Norv Turner coached him well for two years in Minnesota.
Nick Foles, QB, Eagles 
Most mock drafts have a quarterback slotted to the Jaguars, but I believe they’ll go the veteran route. They don’t have a new front office, while their roster is ready to win now, given their tremendous defense and rushing attack. They’re a good quarterback shy of being in Super Bowl contention, and Foles could be the answer.
Foles makes the most sense. He’s the best veteran quarterback on the market, and by joining Jacksonville, he could reunite with his former quarterbacks coach, John DeFilippo, who is now the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State 
The Giants really wanted Justin Herbert, but unless they want to wait a year, they’ll have to find a new quarterback to fall in love with. Perhaps that’ll be Dwayne Haskins, who stands a good chance of being the first signal-caller selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Given that the Giants are the first quarterback-needy on the clock, they’re the favorites to obtain Haskins.
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke 
Charlie Campbell reported that the Redskins like Daniel Jones, but don’t expect him to be available at No. 15. Perhaps that’s a sign that they’ll trade up for him. The Redskins have a dire need for a new quarterback, given that Alex Smith’s career is in jeopardy. Smith won’t be able to play in 2019 at the very least, so Washington must do something at the position. It makes more sense to draft a quarterback than add another high-priced veteran, so I expect the Redskins to be in the running for the Duke product.
Case Keenum, QB, Broncos 
I have the Dolphins selecting Kyler Murray in my 2019 NFL Mock Draft. However, there’s a chance they won’t be able to select a quarterback, and we’ve seen teams like the Bears in 2017 and Cardinals in 2018 go after veterans after taking a signal-caller in the first round. The Dolphins could utilize the same strategy, as there is a chance they won’t be able to land Murray. Plus, there’s no guarantee Murray, or whichever quarterback they draft, will be ready to play right away.
There’s a connection with Keenum to the Dolphins. His quarterbacks coach in 2013 with the Texans was Karl Dorrell, who now coaches the Dolphins. Perhaps Keenum will reunite with Dorrell, if given the choice in free agency.
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri 
Charlie Campbell reported during the Senior Bowl that the Broncos prefer Drew Lock over the other quarterbacks. Lock is the sort of signal-caller John Elway has preferred over the years, so it would make sense for him to select the Missouri product.
Eli Manning, QB, Giants
It almost seems crazy that the Giants would want to bring back Eli Manning for another year. Yet, it sounds like that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Reports indicate that Manning will return for another year, while the rookie quarterback New York selects prepares to take over for the two-time Super Bowl champion.
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
I’ve had Kyler Murry slotted to the Dolphins in my 2019 NFL Mock Draft ever since he declared. Murray is a very sketchy prospect, given that he’s only 5-foot-9, has just one year of experience and may decide to play baseball. Team sources both Charlie Campbell and I have spoken to said that Murray should be chosen on the second day of the draft, but will probably be go in the first frame because he’s a hot name.
With that in mind, I can’t think of another team more likely to select Murray than the Dolphins. Incompetent owner Stephen Ross loves big names. He invites D-list celebrities to his games in an attempt to sell tickets. He may believe that Murray will accomplish the same goal.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins 
There are no coaching connections between Ryan Tannehill and the Titans as far as I know, but it would make sense for Tennessee to sign him. The Titans have the 12th-most cap space in the NFL, so they’re in a position where they can pay up for a better backup quarterback. They need to do that more than any other team, given Marcus Mariota’s extensive injury history.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Browns 
Tyrod Taylor struggled as Cleveland’s starter in two-and-a-half games last year, but he can still be a stellar backup in the NFL. It makes sense for him to go back to Baltimore, where he used to serve as a reserve and is well liked. The Ravens should add a veteran quarterback to their roster with Lamar Jackson having no experience, so it would be a logical move for Baltimore to obtain Taylor.
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