Wednesday 17 May 2017 13:05, UK
In the NFL, quarterbacks tend to peak later in their careers.
Tom Brady just earned his fifth Super Bowl ring at the ripe old age of 39. In 2013, Peyton Manning threw 55 touchdowns in his age-37 season. Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints offence to a league-leading 426 yards per game last season, also aged 37. It's clear signal-callers mature as their careers go on.
However, as the older players dwindle, there will be a new generation of quarterbacks coming through the ranks, including the top selections from the 2015 and 2016 NFL drafts. It's been evident this off-season that the teams who boast one of these young QBs are doing the best they can to surround them with pieces that will turn them into household names.
Who are these players, and what can we expect from their offences in 2017 and beyond?
Winston has had a solid start to his NFL career since his No 1 overall selection in 2015, but the team around him has lacked talent. This off-season, the Bucs have attempted to change that by adding firepower to an offence whose only transcendent player was wideout Mike Evans.
It began in March, when DeSean Jackson was acquired through free agency. Entering his tenth year in the league, the former Washington Redskin still boasts lightning speed and his quickness will complement Evans' physicality. Jackson has scored at least one 60-plus yard touchdown in every season since 2009, and is capable of finding the end zone from any part of the field.
In April's draft, Tampa Bay went skill position-heavy, starting with tight end O.J. Howard at pick No 19. He's widely regarded as the best prospect at the position in a long time, and his selection is a big reason why the team were seen as "winners" in Philadelphia. Wide receiver Chris Godwin was added in the third round, as well as pass-catching running back Jeremy McNichols in the fifth.
Winston now has a plethora of stars around him, and Tampa Bay will be fun to watch moving forward.
From the get-go, Tennessee has been intent on surrounding Mariota with playmakers. Last offseason, they focused on bolstering their running game through a number of moves. In the backfield, DeMarco Murray was acquired from Philadelphia, and power back Derrick Henry was added in the second round.
Tackle Jack Conklin was drafted eighth overall and stepped straight in as a starter on a feisty offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus it was Tennessee, not Dallas and their formidable front five, who boasted the best group upfront in 2016 as Murray dashed for 1,287 yards and Mariota only took 23 sacks.
The 2017 draft was the icing on the cake for Mariota, as he was surrounded by receiving talent. Fifth overall pick Corey Davis is a true No 1 receiver, capable of both stretching the field and doing the dirty work underneath. Taywan Taylor, added in the third round, offers outstanding explosiveness and big-play ability. Tight end Jonnu Smith has the opportunity to learn behind savvy veteran Delanie Walker, who is still a favourite target for his quarterback.
Titans fans should be extremely excited about where this offence is heading. Expect Mariota to take a huge step in 2017.
Goff has the toughest task of the players on this list. After trading up to select him with the top pick in 2016, the Rams didn't draft again until the fourth round. This year, they didn't have a first round selection. In securing him, they've had to make sacrifices elsewhere.
He only started seven games in his rookie campaign, and the Rams lost them all. Outside of a resurgent Kenny Britt who's since been let go, everybody struggled. Sophomore running back Todd Gurley was held to 885 yards and only six touchdowns, and the offensive line was one of the worst in the league.
Jeff Fisher was fired, and new head coach Sean McVay made his intentions clear by using three of his first four picks this year on receiving weapons to support his 22-year-old passer. Tight end Gerald Everett will be Los Angeles' version of Jordan Reed in McVay's offence, across from last year's fourth-rounder Tyler Higbee. Wideout Cooper Kupp has great hands and could be targeted early and often, while Josh Reynolds is a much-needed vertical threat.
While they might still be a struggling team, the Rams have made plenty of changes since last year to help Goff. He could be leading a new-look attack by the time he heads to London in October.
After coming out hot with three straight wins, Wentz hit the rookie wall and struggled for the remainder of 2016. Right tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for ten games, during which the Eagles recorded only two victories and their serious issues at wide receiver were exposed. What did they do this offseason? They attacked the position head on.
The most highly-coveted free agent, Alshon Jeffery, signed a one year, $14 million deal in March. Torrey Smith followed shortly after. The team didn't stop there, adding deep threats Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson in rounds four and five of the draft.
There's no doubt Philadelphia's attack will be vastly improved in 2017. When available, Johnson and perennial Pro-Bowler Jason Peters form a duo of bookends who give Wentz every chance of success. Darren Sproles leads a committee of running backs with varying roles, while rookie Donnel Pumphrey adds even more explosiveness and can be used all over the field.
The Eagles may not yet be ready to compete for a Super Bowl, but it's clear they are making every attempt to surround their franchise quarterback with an offensive arsenal, and he could make the leap sooner rather than later.
