Who is an underrated free agent QB?

By: Jake Rajala

NFL Free Agency is the first window that gives squads an opportunity to improve their roster. The most important position to cover is none other than the QB. Well, there will be a few big names that get a hundred million dollar contract, but it’s important to keep an eye on the underrated faces. There are a few under-the-radar profiles that seek a prove it deal or a low-dollar contract. With that said, I’m going to untwine five underrated free agent QBs.

Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota put on a show in the last game of the regular season. Mariota threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for a TD. It isn’t impossible for Mariota to be a prominent QB in the league. After all, he did make a lot of magic early in his career. We’ve witnessed QBs like Geno Smith and Sam Darnold revive their career. Perhaps Mariota can go to a team like the New York Jets, who carry many weapons.

Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson had the opportunity to play with a Sean Payton-coached squad last season. This means he had a Harvard-like QB training for a year. Wilson has all of the tools, but he needs to learn how to utilize his ability well. Wilson would fit well in New Orleans in my opinion. The Saints OC Klint Kubiak loves the play action, which is delightful for Wilson.

Kyle Trask

Kyle Trask had to sit behind Tom Brady early in his career and then he wasn’t quite ready to take the keys away from Baker Mayfield to the team. I would like to see Trask get a chair with a team that is very desperate for a QB. Trask had first-round talent. Trask may fit well in Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Trask still has a lot of potential at 26 years old!

Trey Lance

Trey Lance doesn’t see the field like Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, but he does have off-the-chart dual-threat ability. Lance reminds me of Taysom Hill, as they both can take it the distance with their legs, and they have impressive arm strength. I’d like to see Lance return to the Kyle Shanahan offense in San Francisco, push for the starting job in Pittsburgh, or find a role with the Denver Broncos under Sean Payton.

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz didn’t help his case to be a starting QB again in his latest showcase. Let’s be fair and acknowledge that he was playing a Vic Fangio defense with back-up weapons. It wasn’t a coincidence that Andy Reid picked Wentz to be the back-up QB to the best QB in the league. Wentz has all of the gifts to be a sharp QB. At 32 years old, I’d like to see him in a Colts uniform (and replace Joe Flacco) and push Anthony Richardson for the QB1 spot.

Honorable Mention:

Taylor Heinicke

Taylor Heinicke is a scrappy QB who can surprise foes with his legs. Taylor is more than a fluke that almost beat Tom Brady in a playoff game. Taylor may have thrown 20 TDs to 15 interceptions, but I’d like to see him in an offense that has more weapons than he’s ever had in his career. I’d love to see Heinicke in a Carolina Panthers uniform, so Bryce Young can feel Taylor breathing down his neck.