Nobody "needed" a QB that year. Not to mention the draft had no cap. Part of the reason why teams who might've needed a QB avoided Rodgers is because he easily could've demanded Top 5 money.
It's more than just the ability out of college. It's the business side too.
Originally Posted by: blueleopard
Rodgers signed a 5yr 7.7M contract w/ Packers in 2005, in his slot with a slight bump for a QB. He had no basis nor a choice to demand top 5 money; except to play in Canada for half.
And if you polled the GMs/coaches, I'm certain many would love to have a top 5 player at QB backing up even Brady, Manning or in this case Favre for under 2M/yr. Heck , SF had Rattay, Dorsey ad Pickett in 2004; even they could have traded up to get AR, to go along w/ Smith-assuming they believed it was a tough choice between Smith and AR.
But here some teams that really needed a top 5 QB:
Wash at #24 and #9. They pick jason Cambell at #24-do they not move up when they see AR at 20, then 21 then 22 if they viewed AR as a top 5 pick? Of course they do, they would DARE take a chance that someone jumps ahead of them or that Oak and Balt will select him. And would they take a top QB at 9 and get a CB later, if they saw AR as a top 5.
Oakland- At #22 no one would believe they had to have Fabien Washinton instead of top 5 pick QB Rodgers; when they had 33 YO Kerry Colllins.
Balt at #21- had Boller who started 25 mediocre games in 2003-4; No way Balt drafts mark Carrier if they thought AR was a top 5 pick.
Jax #20-Had Leftwich start 27 mediocre games in 2003-4; they knew what they had also;no way they draft Matt Jones instead of top 5 pick QB.
Dallas #19 and #11- they had 33 yo Bledsoe-no way they dont take AR if he's a top 5 with one of these 2 pics.
Hou #16- after 3 failed years of Derrick Carr-out from under G money so cap hit yr 4 and beyond probably a wash; if not a savings-They draft AR if he's top 5.
KC- #15- 35 yo Trent Green was playing well-but they draft AR instead of MLB Johnson if they see hm as top 5.
Car #14- Delhomme had not yet blossomed though they liked him alot-but ya gotta think if ya got a chace at a top 5 guy dont ya take it.
NO#13-was over with the Aaron Brooks experiment. in 2006 they traded the farm for Brees; wouldn't they have just picked their franchise QB here is they thought he was top 5?
Det#10- Harrington had started 44 lousy games; they get a cap savigs if he's cut-it is impossible they dont draft AR here if he's a top 5 guy in their mind.
AZ#8-had 34 YO broken down Kurt Warner-even if they had a crystal ball knowing he'd catch lightining in 2 years-they still draft a top 5 QB at 9 instead of Rolle, no doubt!
And there is no doubt that Clev, Mia, Chic, and TB trade up from #2-5 in 2nd rnd once AR crosses #20 or they'd have picked him in the 1st if AR was a top 5 in their mind.
And Minn picked 2 busts Williamson and Erasmus James instead-the believed in Culpepper.