Assessing the NFL teams in need of QB and QBs in need of a team

With teams starting to begin their off-season work-outs, several questions remain at quarterback for a number of of them, we take a look the players who could provide the answers.

It's the most important position on the field, the man who starts under centre and calls the shots but a number of franchises entered free agency in limbo.

Despite Brock Osweiler's shock trade to Cleveland, the Bears' move for Mike Glennon and Washington handing Kirk Cousins another franchise tag, very little of note happened at the position leaving some high-profile names on the market.

With this year's Draft not particularly stocked with talent, the names of DeShaun Watson, Mitchell Trubisky and DeShone Kizer are moving up boards but do solutions remain on the market?

Jay Cutler

Although Cutler is not the most charismatic quarterback, he is clearly the best free agent passer left on the market.

He should still have the arm talent to throw powerful deep balls, despite undergoing surgery on a torn right labrum last season. He also has a pocket presence and understanding of NFL defences that separates him from the rest of the remaining QBs.

Cutler's wife Kristin Cavallari told paparazzi that the 33-year-old 'hasn't made a final decision yet' on whether he would continue playing into his 12th NFL season, but a one-year starting deal might prove too tantalising to resist.

Even with his nonchalant temperament, Cutler is still the quarterback who GMs would feel most comfortable developing a draftee behind, ideal in a class where most prospects are raw.

Colin Kaepernick

After opting out of the remaining year of his contract in San Francisco, Kaepernick presents a solid opportunity as a free agent signing.

Criticised for his skills as a passer, Kaepernick - at the age of 29 - actually showed small signs of improvement on a dreadful team in 2016. He exhibited better pocket presence, read progressions and touch.

There are other reasons why Kaepernick remains unsigned. The controversy surrounding his decision to kneel for the national anthem appears to be ongoing, with suggestions that NFL owners may not feel he is worth the potential headlines that come with it.

Kaepernick has been reported as requesting a salary of up to $10m a year, a figure which teams are unwilling to pay. His wish seems less outrageous when compared to the three-year, $45m contract the Chicago Bears gave Mike Glennon.

Kaepernick is a known quantity in the league but to maximise his chances of success, he needs to be paired with a strong pistol read-option running game.

If Kaepernick is to earn the money he reportedly wants, his best chance may come post-draft. There are, though, a limited number of starter openings in the league and he may be forced to become a back-up.

Robert Griffin III

Griffin played in just five games for the Browns last season, completing 59.2 per cent of his throws for 886 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. During his time in Cleveland, RGIII's negatives continued. He suffered from a lack of anticipation and a tendency to stick to one-read.

The mobility that was his distinct strength has dwindled due to injuries. Most pertinent; his knee surgery following Washington's 2012 play-off exit. Griffin has suffered six separate injuries in his six seasons in the NFL. Offensive co-ordinators have reason to fear utilising Griffin out of the pocket due to his injury history.

After the Browns acquired Brock Osweiler from the Texans, Griffin was released for the second time in as many years. When a player facing their final starting chance is released from Cleveland, their career forecast is obviously not promising. Griffin may land as a backup on a team keen to try and rekindle some of his rookie magic, but his time as a first-string quarterback appears to be over.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

The 'Fitzmagic' 2015 season seems like a long time ago. After the Jets paid Fitzpatrick a one-year, $12m deal his 2016 was underwhelming. Fitzpatrick passed for 2,710 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions at a completion rate of 56.6 per cent. It culminated in his release after a 4-12 record.

At 34, and having had his last real payday, Fitzpatrick may not want to go through the grind of training camp again.

Nonetheless, he is a decent option as a backup for teams with his experience of NFL offences making him valuable as a second-stringer.

Other Free Agent Quarterbacks: Austin Davis, Blaine Gabbert, Bruce Gradkowski, Shaun Hill, Thaddeus Lewis, Dan Orlovsky, Christian Ponder and Charlie Whitehurst.

While the players may find themselves in limbo, it's a similar story for franchises still seeking the man to hang their hat on next season.........

Cleveland Browns

The Browns' reaction to their acquisition of Brock Osweiler was revealing. They executed the trade for the second-round pick, not the player. Osweiler aside, the Browns are left with Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan. This is certainly a quarterback group that could be upgraded.

Houston Texans

With Tony Romo's signing made impossible, the Houston Texans are in "quarterback hell" with Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden as their only options under centre.

New York Jets

To say the Jets are 'quarterback needy' is an understatement. Their quarterback depth chart is currently led by Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. McCown is 38 years old and in the bottom tier of the position. Petty is not the required standard. Meanwhile, the selection of Hackenberg in the second round remains highly questionable. Pressure on head coach Todd Bowles is mounting, and he may not be able to afford another bad quarterbacking year. The Jets, though, are restricted by their cap space, which is currently at $9.2m.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars may want a second-string quarterback more capable of pushing Blake Bortles than Chad Henne.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers seem comfortable with Bryan Hoyer as their starter this season, with the team happy to draft a player or wait a year for Kirk Cousins. Conversely, general manager John Lynch said that the team still has a good relationship with Colin Kaepernick.