The combine is over and the NFL Draft is quickly approaching. For teams that struggle to win (*cough cough Cleveland Browns), this event is basically the pinnacle of their season. This year, there just so happens to be a plethora of quarterbacks available with the potential to turn a team into a playoff contender. All of these names have bounced around in discussions as likely first round selections, if not the top pick overall, making this one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory. Mock drafts have been in abundance as fans across the league continue to speculate where the top players will land. Here at The Shield, I will be breaking down each position leading up to my overall, mock draft in a few weeks. Let’s start with the most talked about and arguably most important positions on the field, the quarterback.

Josh Rosen, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

He’s tall, patient, and has footwork NFL scouts dream about. Josh Rosen is an elite pocket passer with tremendous potential. While not the most mobile of quarterbacks, this proves to be beneficial for Rosen who doesn’t aimlessly run around and throw up a ball in desperation. His accuracy is undoubted, but his health is a concern. Rosen has faced multiple concussions since he tends to hold on to the ball longer than others. This is turn results in the pocket collapsing and the taking of more hits. He also had shoulder surgery coming into his junior year, but the effects on his throwing were minimal. If not for durability issues and a “weaker” arm, Rosen could easily be the first QB taken off the board. Possible landing spots: Broncos, Jets.

Baker Mayfield, University of Oklahoma

Out of all the quarterbacks in this year’s class, Baker Mayfield is certainly my favorite. In his final year at OU, Mayfield finished the season with an incredible 43/6 touchdown to interception ratio and walked away as the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner. Even though he is recognized as having one of the best collegiate careers for QBs of all time, many people have compared him to NFL-bust Johnny Manziel. While both men are known for their outgoing personalities, NFL scouts are concerned that Mayfield’s off the field issues might derail his career like they did to Manziel. The former Sooner has shot down these correlations, saying he is much more respectful and loves the game. The other knock on Mayfield is his size, which in my opinion should not matter. Both Drew Brees and Russel Wilson stand under six foot and have won Lombardi Trophies, making height “immeasurable” when it comes to a player’s talent. With his past success and drive for winning, Mayfield is a sure-fire first rounder. Possible landing spots: Jets, Cardinals

Sam Darnold, University of Southern California (USC)

“He’s a combination of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, but better.” Jets fans throughout Floral Park Memorial were making statements like these when discussing Darnold following his first half-year start at USC in 2016 that ended with a remarkable performance in the Rose Bowl. With the hopes of going 0-16 in 2017, supporters of Gang Green developed the “Suck for Sam” campaign in hopes that they’d finally land a franchise signal caller. But here we are in March and times have changed. Darnold is still regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the draft, but a season that did not live up to the lofty expectations derailed most of the hype train. As for New York, Mark Sanchez might be the only USC quarterback to be drafted by the Jets for at least another year. With the Browns expected to take Saquon Barkley first overall, the 3-13 Giants are in line to land the product out of Southern California. Even with turnover problems and deep ball inaccuracy, Darnold would have the ability to learn from Eli Manning in his first season and take the team’s reigns in 2019. Seen as the next Andrew Luck by scouts around the league, Darnold will most likely be taken within the first few selections. Possible landing spots: Giants, Browns

Josh Allen, University of Wyoming

If I said there was a quarterback who could sling a ball basically 70 yards WITH EASE, wouldn’t you want him to lead your franchise? Josh Allen has the best arm in the draft, and it’s not even up for debate. With the pure strength similar to Patrick Mahomes from last year, Allen has the ability to spread a defense by throwing the ball on a dime in any location. He has been compared to the Eagles’ Carson Wentz because of his prototype frame and capability of running when necessary but carries the biggest boom or bust potential. In his two collegiate years as a starter, Allen never held a completion rate above 56 percent and struggled when under pressure. He is inconsistent with some of his deep balls but for the most part, has enormous skill. Allen is a true first-round talent who could also be the first quarterback taken. Possible landing spots: Browns, Broncos

Lamar Jackson, University of Louisville

Is he a running back? A wide receiver? A quarterback? Like Lamar Jackson himself, I’m tired of this question constantly being asked. Yes, he did struggle on some throws at the combine, but who doesn’t? Out of all the signal callers available in the draft, Jackson is certainly the most athletic, and he’s just as capable of throwing like the other prospects. The former Heisman trophy winner has drawn praise for his composure in the pocket and elusiveness, being compared favorably to Michael Vick. Although Jackson can be inconsistent and turnover prone, his exceptional playmaking ability makes for an intriguing option at the back end of the first round. Possible landing spots: Chargers, Bills

In the years to come, we will find out just how this QB draft class compares to some of the best in NFL history. Most experts point to the 1983 draft that featured future Hall of Fame inductees Dan Marino, John Elway and Jim Kelly as the strongest of all time. Jet fans can only hope that this is not a repeat for them, as the Gang Green passed on Marino, who went on to throw for the fifth most passing yards in NFL history, to draft Ken O’Brien. The future of several franchises depends on this draft.