The NFL's Best Young Quarterbacks - 2007 Edition

The National Football League has a lot of great, young, intriguing quarterbacks who will become terrific leaders in each of their offenses in the near future. Some of the names may be recognizable, and some may not to the typical viewer. Typically, it takes a young quarterback a couple of seasons to get used to life in the pros, the speed of the professional football game, and everyday life in a tough league. This article will highlight some of the games best young quarterbacks, each with a bright future in the pros.

Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos

Ever since the day that Jay Cutler was drafted, many coaches in the league felt that he had the ability to become a special player. Though there are times when he can get inconsistent throwing the football, Jay sports a rocket arm and is a true playmaker. His consistency is one thing that is currently holding him back, but once he gets more playing experience and years in the league, he could become one of the games elite pass-throwers. Jay Cutler exhibited great poise in the pocket when he played at Vanderbilt University, and it is starting to show with every game he plays. Cutler will be a fantastic quarterback one day, and his statistics could be similar to Peyton Manning, in his prime, playing with another top young WR, Brandon Marshall.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

So much for that Eli Manning trade, as Rivers looks to be the better quarterback out of the two, and I believe that his potential for growth is much higher as well. Rivers was originally drafted by the New York Giants, but was traded on draft day to the San Diego Chargers, in exchange for Eli Manning and a great deal more. Rivers will be a fantastic NFL quarterback in his prime. He has made slight adjustments to the gun-slinger, sidearm approach he took at North Carolina State, but his throwing style (which scouts had questioned) didn't seem to be that big of an issue when he actually got to the pros. Rivers will eventually need to get more receiving targets, but I like his potential to grow and become an elite signal caller in the National Football League.

Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings

Out of the other two quarterbacks, Jackson is truly a boom-or-bust prospect. Drafted out of a small I-AA school (Alabama State), Jackson started the 2007 season out horribly. He has made some improvement as the season has gone on, and he has the arm strength and mobility to succeed as an NFL passer. His decision making must improve though, and his potential solely rests on head coach Brad Childress' ability to develop him. If Childress takes a pro-active approach to helping Jackson improve, his value will skyrocket through the roof, and he could become the best quarterback in the NFL. On the flip side, if he continues to struggle in future seasons, he could become the next David Carr: plenty of potential, but ultimately, failed expectations.

All three of these quarterbacks show a great ability to throw the football, and are young enough to make significant changes in their game so that they can all become eventual pro bowl quarterbacks. We will have to examine all three very closely as they continue their young NFL careers.