How GMs and fantasy managers become geniuses — the late qb swing
This isn’t the franchise QB aisle. This is the scratch-and-dent section. But if you dig around long enough, you just might find something that still works … or an all-time legend.
Ewers, Shough, and Milroe aren’t being drafted to save anyone’s job on Day 1. They’re the “what if” picks. The “we believe in our development staff” picks. The ones you squint at on draft day and talk yourself into with words like “traits,” “tools,” and “upside.” You’re not looking for perfection — you’re looking for potential that hasn’t been coached out yet.
The truth? Most of these guys will bounce around practice squads before eventually co-hosting a college football podcast. But if one of them actually lands in the right place, with the right staff, and just enough time to figure it out that’s the kind of lottery ticket that turns GMs and dynasty managers into geniuses.
Quinn Ewers – The Bounce Back
Best fits: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders
Quinn’s career arc feels like it’s still loading. He’s got the arm, the pedigree, and finally showed real growth last season — but it might’ve been too little, too late. Truthfully, he might’ve returned to Texas if Arch Manning wasn’t already breathing down his neck. Now he enters the NFL as a Day 2 wild card who needs a redshirt year and a strong support system.
Digging Deeper - ‘Best Fits’ for Ewers
Los Angeles Rams
This is the ideal long-term setup. He gets to sit behind Stafford, learn from McVay, and inherit an offense that’s built to make QBs look good. If the flashes continue to build, he could be the next “how’d we let him fall that far?” guy.
Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s a clear structure here — something Quinn’s never really had. He wouldn’t have to start immediately, and Mike Tomlin’s no-BS culture might be exactly what Ewers needs to smooth out the chaos and sharpen the focus.
Las Vegas Raiders
This is the high-variance swing. Vegas could take him in the second or trade back into the first if they fall in love. He'd be walking into a talented offense with real expectations — but it could also get weird fast. The upside is there, but so is the flameout risk.
Tyler Shough – The Sleeper with a Scar
Best fits: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks
If NFL teams drafted traits and vibes instead of résumés, Shough would’ve gone Round 1 years ago. He’s big, athletic, and throws a gorgeous ball when he’s upright. But injuries have turned his career into a highlight reel interrupted by ice packs. That said, someone’s going to take a late swing — and they might quietly hit.
Digging Deeper - ‘Best Fits’ for Shouogh
Cleveland Browns
No true starter is locked in long-term, and Stefanski’s timing-based offense is a great place for a raw-but-smart QB to learn the ropes. If Shough stays upright, he could be this year’s “wait, is this guy… kinda good?” storyline.
Detroit Lions
Probably the best-case outcome: no pressure, strong coaching, and a QB room that could use a developmental wildcard. If Jared Goff ever moves on, Shough could be waiting in the shadows, armed and ready.
Seattle Seahawks
They brought in Sam Darnold, which buys time — but if Sam becomes, well… Sam, Shough could see the field earlier than expected. He has the kind of tools that make GMs whisper “starter traits” while ignoring their medical staff shaking their heads.
Jalen Milroe – The Wild Engine
Best fits: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys
Milroe is the ultimate rollercoaster QB — dynamic, explosive, and occasionally terrifying (for everyone involved). He can turn broken plays into highlights, and if he ever learns to process like a pro, he could be an absolute problem. He’s not polished. He’s not ready. But he’s a Day 3 pick with Day 1 tools — and that’s how legends start.
Digging Deeper - ‘Best Fits’ for Milroe
Cleveland Browns
No true starter is locked in long-term, and Stefanski’s timing-based offense is a great place for a raw-but-smart QB to learn the ropes. If Shough stays upright, he could be this year’s “wait, is this guy… kinda good?” storyline.
Detroit Lions
Probably the best-case outcome: no pressure, strong coaching, and a QB room that could use a developmental wildcard. If Jared Goff ever moves on, Shough could be waiting in the shadows, armed and ready.
Seattle Seahawks
They brought in Sam Darnold, which buys time — but if Sam becomes, well… Sam, Shough could see the field earlier than expected. He has the kind of tools that make GMs whisper “starter traits” while ignoring their medical staff shaking their heads.
Final Thought
Let’s be real: quarterback success isn’t just about arm talent or college stats — it’s a twisted cocktail of timing, system fit, coaching competency, locker-room vibes, and blind luck. Half of these guys have the physical tools to play in the league. The real question is whether they land somewhere that doesn’t immediately try to “fix” them into oblivion.
And yeah, most of them won’t work out. That’s how this goes. For every breakout star, there are five cautionary tales and one dude selling crypto. But if even one of these Day 2 or 3 swings hits? That’s how you steal value. That’s how GMs get contract extensions. That’s how dynasty managers get insufferable.
So go ahead — call your shot, talk yourself into the upside, and prepare for heartbreak. It’s draft season. This is what we do.
