Rick Spielman, the Vikings vice president of player personnel, was asked last week what position is the most difficult to predict success for in the NFL draft. He didn’t hesitate to reply “quarterback.”
“Just in general, you look at the history of number one quarterbacks from whenever, that’s the biggest bust area in the first round,” he said. “I can’t tell you what the percentage is, but do you think a guy is 50-50, maybe? …That’s the one position where not only skill is involved, but the mental part of the game is involved, the quick-reaction part of the game is involved, the character and leadership part of the game is involved. …There are so many things that go into that position besides just physical ability, that’s where a majority of the busts are going to come.”
Three quarterbacks were taken on the first round of Saturday’s NFL draft, including Matthew Stafford, first overall to Detroit. The others were Mark Sanchez, No. 5 to the New York Jets, and Josh Freeman, No. 17 to Tampa Bay.
The Lions have drafted six quarterbacks in the first round since 1961: John Hadl, 1962; Pete Beathard, 1964; Greg Landry, 1968; Chuck Long, 1986; Andre Ware, 1990; and Joey Harrington, 2002. Hadl and Beathard never played for the Lions, going to the AFL. Landry was competent and even played in the Pro Bowl. Long, Ware and Harrington were disappointments.
The Vikings, who began as an expansion franchise in 1961, have drafted two quarterbacks on the first round, Tommy Kramer in 1977 and Daunte Culpepper in 1999. Both were major contributors here, although the franchise’s consensus all-time quarterback, Fran Tarkenton, was a third round choice.
Perhaps the pitiful Lions franchise, 0-16 in 2008 and last NFL title in 1957, will have success with Stafford, an intriguing prospect from Georgia. If nothing else, luck should be on their side.