The B1G won’t end its first-round quarterback drought in 2018, but these players could end it in 2019

Last year, I wrote about the B1G’s first-round quarterback drought and why it shouldn’t really matter anymore.

I still believe that. I mean, the amount of successful B1G quarterbacks in the NFL more than makes up for it. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins are all considered elite NFL quarterbacks (and if you don’t think Cousins is elite, perhaps you missed his record-setting deal).

So why still talk about the fact that the B1G hasn’t had a quarterback drafted in the first round since Kerry Collins in 1995?

Well, because the person who breaks that streak will forever claim that title. That’s not going to happen this year (sorry, Tanner Lee), but I actually think that there’s a pretty decent chance that it happens next year.

Here are all of the B1G signal-callers that I think could be first-round quarterbacks in 2019:

1. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

I know. He hasn’t started a game yet. As of right now, the dude is a redshirt freshman. Quarterbacks don’t leave Ohio State after three years. In that system, it rarely happens.

But Haskins has the tools that NFL scouts will drool over if he keeps OSU in the national title hunt in 2018. We already saw his ability to make big-time throws into tight windows. He can do that in or out of the pocket. At 6-3, 218 pounds, he already has the size that’s valued so highly at the next level. Having the combination of mobility, size and a big arm is the winning trio for the modern evaluation of the quarterback position.

Haskins still has a ton to prove on the college level. Technically, still has to prove that he’s worthy of the starting job. But I can’t erase Urban Meyer’s quote about him being the best quarterback prospect he’s ever seen. Haskins didn’t do anything to quell that claim in limited action last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he rises up draft boards in a hurry en route to a first-round selection.

2. Shea Patterson, Michigan

Another guy who hasn’t been declared his team’s starter could also be an intriguing NFL prospect after his third season. Assuming the Ole Miss transfer is eligible to play immediately, I have no doubt that he’ll win the starting job. As for looking like a first-round prospect, he has the ability to do that, too.

While skeptics are worried he’s the next John O’Korn, I’m more of the impression that he’s got more Johnny Manziel in him. That was his on-field comp when he was breaking records at Ole Miss, and understandably so. Like Manziel and Wilson, Patterson can make something out of nothing. His ability to make deep throws on a consistent basis separates him as a prospect.

He’s listed at 6-2, 200 pounds, which is past the cutoff to be declared a “short” NFL quarterback prospect. And for what it’s worth, he’s already got first-round buzz. In fact, WalterFootball.com has Patterson has the No. 1 overall pick next year. An early 247sports big board had Patterson as the No. 10 prospect in the 2019 class.

A lot of this will depend on Patterson’s ability to learn Jim Harbaugh’s system, which isn’t a given. As we learned, not everyone can pick it up like Andrew Luck did when Harbaugh was at Stanford. But Patterson is a smart kid with a solid track record and enormous potential to finally give Michigan that elite signal-caller.

3. Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

Obviously Thorson’s first-round hype took a hit when he tore his ACL in the Music City Bowl. And believe it or not, there was first-round hype. But if Thorson makes a full recovery and does play the majority of his senior year, he could be an enticing first-round prospect at this time next year.

Thorson might not have the upside that others in his class will have, but the four-year starter will have no shortage of good tape and wins under his belt. He’s more mobile than the numbers would suggest, and he averaged 3,000 passing yards in a pro-style system the last two years. At 6-4, 225 pounds, he’s got the size that scouts covet.

I think Thorson still has some work to do to prove that he’s first-round worthy. He’s still not a proven deep-ball guy yet, which you need to be as a first-round passer. Averaging 6.6 yards per attempt isn’t going to blow anyone away, either.

But if Thorson can put up some big numbers as a senior, he certainly has the foundation to earn that first-round attention.

And one more for the road…Elijah Sindelar, Purdue

Waaaaaaaait a minute. You’re telling me that Brees wasn’t a first-round pick but Purdue’s second-string quarterback will be? I know. That sounds crazy. I’m not saying that should happen, but there are a few reasons why it could.

Yes, Jeff Brohm played two quarterbacks last year. My gut says that he won’t do it again and that Sindelar will be the guy. You know, assuming he’s able to recover from the torn ACL that he PLAYED ON AND THREW FOUR TOUCHDOWN PASSES WITH IN THE FOSTER FARMS BOWL.

So yeah, the dude is all sorts of tough. He’s also extremely talented. His arm is unlike anything we’ve seen at Purdue in a long time. Another year in Jeff Brohm’s system could do him wonders. At 6-4, 225 pounds, he certainly has the size to be a first-round prospect. He might not be a household name for those outside of West Lafayette, but picture this scenario.

Let’s say Sindelar returns from his injury and becomes the starter like he was for the final four games of 2017. Let’s say he just matches his 4-game pace from 2017 over a 13-game season in 2018. That would’ve been 3,770 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Let’s say the redshirt junior posts those kind of numbers while leading to Purdue to its highest win total in a decade (8 wins). That’s going to turn some heads at the next level.

I think Sindelar has the potential to be a surprise star in this conference, and if he can do that, perhaps he’ll surprise everyone and end the B1G’s first-round quarterback drought.