robert ethan
12-29-2010, 08:21 PM
Checked back on QBs drafted in the 20s overall over the past 20 years. Interestingly, the guy with the best rookie stats was former Bronco Tommy Maddox (25) who had 4 starts. His passing numbers weren't great and I don't think he got another start in the NFL for 10 seasons after that. Rex Grossman (22) had 3 starts, but his passing numbers were mediocre. He only had 4 more starts combined in his next two seasons. Todd Marinovich (21) had a single strong start as a rookie, but imploded after that and had only 7 more in his career. Jim Druckenmiller (24) did nothing as a rookie or thereafter. Of more recent vintage are Aaron Rodgers (24) who didn't get a start his first three seasons after being considered as the top pick prior to the draft.
Jason Campbell (25) was drafted by Washington with a pick acquired from the Broncos in 2005. The picks Denver got from the Redskins in that deal were spent on Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall the following year, and ultimately brought Orton, Ayers, D. Thomas, Tebow, Decker, and others. Campbell didn't get a start his rookie season. Brady Quinn was in a similar situation to Rodgers a couple years later and ended up at (22). He just threw 8 passes his first season and not many more as a sophomore.
So, I'd say that Denver has gotten a solid return on Tebow to this point from a historical perspective. All the QBs taken in the 20s over the past two decades have averaged about 1 start as a rookie with a passer rating of around 60.
Jason Campbell (25) was drafted by Washington with a pick acquired from the Broncos in 2005. The picks Denver got from the Redskins in that deal were spent on Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall the following year, and ultimately brought Orton, Ayers, D. Thomas, Tebow, Decker, and others. Campbell didn't get a start his rookie season. Brady Quinn was in a similar situation to Rodgers a couple years later and ended up at (22). He just threw 8 passes his first season and not many more as a sophomore.
So, I'd say that Denver has gotten a solid return on Tebow to this point from a historical perspective. All the QBs taken in the 20s over the past two decades have averaged about 1 start as a rookie with a passer rating of around 60.