With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, there is already a wind swirl around the class’ best pocket passer. The recent trade barrage has left many wondering about Notre Dame’s QB Jimmy Clausen draft status.
Once pegged to go as high as fourth to the Washington Redskins, now the former high school wonder kid could very well slide into the top part of the second round. It all depends on what the Buffalo will do.
Sitting at ninth, the Bills controls Clausen stock. If the club follows a logical path, they will take the emotional Fighting Irish passer. They do have other needs, most glaring an anchor offensive tackle, but the number one priority is quarterback.
There’s little change the Buffalo will not win with their current group of QBs.
Former starter, Trent Edwards is not a franchise-type player. The other two Bills signal callers, Brian Brohm and Ryan Fitzpatrick, are little more than caretakers. They need to address the position now.
But with new head coach Chan Gailey believing in his ability to rehabilitate quarterbacks, there is a better-than-average chance the Bills will pass on Clausen.
With this in mind, here’s the Notre Dame product other possible destinations.
1. Minnesota Vikings (30th overall): If Buffalo do not take him, look for the Vikings to make a hard push for him. This will be the perfect fit for Clausen. Minnesota is loaded with young and extremely talented (RB Adrian Peterson and WR Percy Harvin) skill position players. They had a big and athletic offensive line and a top notch offensive coach (Brad Children). They also are desperate for an upgrade at the position, even if Brett Favre returns. Getting Clausen at this late stage of the round would be considering a steal.
2. Indianapolis Colts (31st): As much as he will fit in Minnesota, the Colts could be an even better landing spot for him. Indianapolis needs to upgrade the position this year. The current backups (Jim Sorgi and 2009 sixth rounder, Curtis Painter) are hardly starting material. In fact, the case could be made that neither should hold a backup spot in the league. Sorgi has looked lost every time he takes the field and in Painter’s case, his mop up duties late last season left too much to be desire of. With Payton Manning entering his 12th year, the team would be wise to commence the search for a future starter. Clausen’s skill set compares favorably with what Indianapolis covets in a quarterback.
3. Washington Redskins (4th): This is the more logical destination for the 6-foot-2 pocket passer. Mike Shannahan’s needs a new start at the position because despite all the accolades he has been throwing at projected starter, Jason Campbell, he knows the team will never win on a consistent basis with the former 2005 first rounder under center. Four years has clearly demonstrated this. But as the draft is being set up, Shannahan will most likely go for a big offensive tackle with the hopes of getting back in the later stages of the first rounds, possible trading with San Francisco at 17th.
4. Cleveland Browns (7th): Despite the recent signing of an ageing quarterback (Jake Delhome) and a talented but erratic one (Seneca Wallace), this team will still like to come out of this draft with a top tire prospect at the position. Those two moves probably take the team out of the running for Clausen with the seven overall pick. Could they move back in the first, ala 2007 when they got back in the first to take a Fighting Irish QB (Brady Quinn)? Not likely. A more palpable possibility is the second round (38th) but by then it could be too late.
Other intriguing landing spots are the Rams, if they do not take Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford at number one, the Raiders, because of owner Al Davis unpredictability, and the 49ers, where the need for a quarterback is still there despite Alex Smith’s promising play down the stretch last season.
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