WASHINGTON (106.7 The Fan) -- Joe Flacco was the first to move on the NFL's quarterback carousel. Does that put Kyler Murray in play for the Washington Redskins in their offseason quest for a quarterback?
The Baltimore Ravens agreed Wednesday to trade Flacco to the Denver Broncos. Flacco was never a realistic option in Washington. Flacco, the former Super Bowl MVP, makes more than the Redskins can afford as long as injured quarterback Alex Smith’s $20.4 million remains on the books.
Flacco to Denver could help the Redskins in the draft, though. The Broncos, who own the No. 10 pick, now probably won’t select a quarterback.
That means roughly three teams – the New York Giants (No. 6), Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 7) and Miami Dolphins (No. 13) – are looking for a passer ahead of Washington’s No. 15 pick.
There's also the Nick Foles factor. The Giants, Jaguars and Dolphins comprise the presumed shortlist for the Philadelphia Eagles backup/folk hero, who is reportedly not on the radar for the division rival Redskins. NFL Network reported "mutual interest" between Foles and the Jaguars.
And it's not counting the possibility of the Oakland Raiders (No. 4) or Cincinnati Bengals (No. 11) unexpectedly drafting a quarterback or some other team trading up into the top 14.
Still: Four first-round-caliber quarterbacks and four QB-needy teams means the Redskins are in position to get one in the NFL draft on April 25. Which one?
One scenario: The Giants choose Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, the Jaguars follow with Missouri’s Drew Lock, and the Dolphins take Duke’s Daniel Jones (whom Washington has been watching with interest recently).
That means Murray would be available for the Redskins to select. A lot of fans would rejoice at getting the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma in the first round.
There are some red flags. No. 1 is size. Murray is listed at 5-feet-10, 195 pounds, and those numbers appear ambitious. He’ll be measured at the NFL Combine on Feb. 28.
He will also be grilled in team interviews on whether he really wants to play football and won't revert to his baseball Plan B should the first couple of years in the NFL be tough. Murray’s recent interview on the "Dan Patrick Show" was a mental meltdown.
No prospects rise quicker in the draft than quarterbacks. Murray’s decision to forgo a baseball career for the NFL has some forecasters taking him more seriously. Suddenly, he’s being touted as a top-10 pick, out of range for the Redskins.
Flacco’s trade scrambled the board for quarterbacks. Now, if the Redskins can't find a quarterback in the draft, they will need to expand their search.