Evaluating the Potential Landing Spots for Josh Rosen

The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine has produced two clear winners thus far: DK Metcalf and Kyler Murray. After measuring in at above the hypothetical threshold of 5’10”, Murray has firmly established himself as an early first round pick. How early? Well,

On NFLN, Kim Jones states people are starting to believe "almost universally" that Kyler Murray will be the No. 1 pick by the Cardinals.

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 2, 2019

It would make a lot of sense for Arizona to pair their new, offensive-minded head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, with a quarterback that fits his system. Plus, we already know Kingsbury is a fan.

However, drafting Murray first overall would mean the Cardinals must move on from Josh Rosen, the quarterback they traded up for in last April’s draft. Arizona has shown a willingness to amend their mistakes, as they fired head coach Steve Wilks after just one season on the job.

Rosen struggled mightily in his rookie campaign. In 14 games, he completed only 55% of his passes, while throwing for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. An incompetent coaching staff, putrid offensive line and barren receiving corps provided no assistance for the rookie. Rosen might not have the shine he had coming out of UCLA, but with the right team he could have a Jared Goff-like revitalization.

If Arizona decides to move on from Rosen, there aren’t as many teams with a need at quarterback as you would initially think. Believe it or not, there’s barely a handful of realistic trade partners for Arizona, but there are some very intriguing scenarios. Let’s take a look at where Rosen could land:

Realistic Possibilities

Washington Redskins

The Cardinals leapfrogged the Redskins during the draft to snag Rosen; now rumors are swirling that Washington may still be interested in the UCLA product. Washington has a desperate need for a young quarterback. Alex Smith’s devastating injury leaves them with a hole at QB in the immediate future, but Smith was never the long term answer either, regardless of the money Washington paid him.

Fortunately for the Redskins, they have the ammunition to land Rosen and resolve the quarterback situation. They own the 15th overall selection in the 2019 draft and it would be hard for the Cardinals to say no if Washington made the pick available.

Arizona would take a slight hit on overall value (Rosen was drafted 10th overall), but considering his poor rookie season, this would be a win for the Cardinals. As for the Redskins, they only consider this move if they are not blown away by Missouri’s Drew Lock and Duke’s Daniel Jones, the likely quarterbacks available at the 15th selection.

New England Patriots

As a Bills fan who desperately coveted Rosen in the draft (just ask my teammates), Rosen in a Patriots uniform would crush my soul. New England has to consider finding a replacement for Tom Brady. He can’t play forever, right? The Patriots should take advantage of the opportunity and secure the heir to Brady.

The Patriots currently hold a whopping 12 selections in the 2019 draft, including two in the second round and three in the third. New England could offer their picks at 32nd, 56th and 97th overall to Arizona. The total value of those selections nearly equates to the value of Washington’s 15th overall selection, based on the NFL Trade Value Chart (1042 to 1050).

Despite New England’s need for youth at the position and the clear fit between Rosen and offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels’ system, I can’t see Bill Belichick giving up three top-100 selections for a player that won’t play next season (and maybe not even the season after). I would not put it past the evil genius to low-ball Arizona and still pull of a deal, though. I can already envision Belichick flipping a retiring Rob Gronkowski and a fourth-rounder for Rosen. I’m already pissed off and it hasn’t even happened yet, damn it all.

New York Giants

After opting to take RB Saquon Barkley second overall in a loaded quarterback class last year, the Giants trapped themselves with a washed, 38 year-old Eli Manning behind center. New York needs to find a new franchise quarterback ASAP as possible. If the Cardinals take Murray and another team leapfrogs New York to presumably take Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, trading for Rosen suddenly becomes the Giants’ best option.

Unfortunately, the Giants are not teeming with assets. They could offer the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft – Arizona would certainly accept – but that would be a massive overpay. Instead, New York could offer next year’s first round pick and perhaps a mid-round pick to sweeten the deal.

Need a Quarterback, but have Better Alternatives

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are in a similar position as the Giants, as they need to move on from an atrocious incumbent starting quarterback in Blake Bortles. However, the Jaguars are much closer to contention than the Giants. It seems like ages ago, but the Jaguars only one year removed from an AFC Championship berth. Thus, the Jaguars are likely going to look towards a veteran quarterback who can help them win now, preferably one with a large appendage.

Nick Foles and Jacksonville makes so much sense. Foles needs a new team now that Carson Wentz is fully healthy and the Jaguars need competence at the most important position in sports. Although the Jaguars are operating with the least amount of cap space in the league, there is always a way to make the money work. Only if Foles signs elsewhere could Jacksonville enter the Rosen market.

Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton has been the epitome of an average NFL quarterback throughout his career. He succeeds when he has talent around him and fails when he needs to create on his own. (Well, there was that one time Dalton made the clutchest play in the history of sports. Thank you, Andy Dalton.) Should new head coach Zac Taylor want to move on from “the Red Rifle” and build his own team, Josh Rosen could be a potential option.

Admittedly, Rosen is likely not Cincinnati’s first, or even second option to replace Dalton. The Bengals would rather just draft a quarterback with their 11th overall selection and get an extra year of team control. If they aren’t enamored by Drew Lock or Daniel Jones, they would most likely play out 2019 with Dalton and turn to the loaded 2020 draft class, which includes Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert and possibly Georgia’s Jake Fromm.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are in basically the same situation as Cincinnati. They have a new head coach in Brian Flores and will want to move on from Ryan Tannehill, who’s even more mediocre than Dalton. Miami would rather draft a quarterback in 2020 (#TankForTua) than trade assets for Rosen.

Dark Horses

Pittsburgh Steelers

Antonio Brown wants out of Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger is already 37 years old. It might be time to usher in a new era of Steelers football. I have no idea how the details of a trade centered around a Josh Rosen-Antonio Brown swap shape out, but it is quite a fascinating starting place.

Arizona could electrify their offense by pairing Murray with Brown, coincidentally the cousin of Murray’s favorite target at Oklahoma. Conversely, Pittsburgh will likely never bottom-out and be afforded the opportunity to draft a quarterback as talented as Rosen. They could start over with a new core of Rosen, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner.

A trade between the representatives of Super Bowl XLIII just might be the best move for both franchises.

Buffalo Bills

Only in my dreams does a Josh Allen for Josh Rosen swap come to fruition. #ChosenRosen4Life