Tim Tebow: Top Five Teams That Should Draft Him

Whether you love Tim Tebow or despise him, there is no doubt he is one of the greatest college football players in history. He accomplished great achievements as the QB of the Florida Gators. Two National Titles, Heisman Trophy Winner and countless other awards. He may be one of the most decorated college player’s ever. Tebow finished his career at Florida with 145 TDs (57 rushing); 9,286 yards passing and 2,947 yards rushing. These are impressive numbers for any college QB, but especially for one in arguably the toughest conference in college football (SEC). So why is there a lack of respect? Well there is the so called “NFL Draft Experts” that put him as a second or even third round draft pick. The reason for this, they say, is bad mechanics that they love to point out such as:
- Long delivery and throwing motion
- Bad footwork
- Sub-par accuracy
These are areas of his game that are often pointed out to make their case. However, there are some that point out his intangibles that he will bring to an NFL franchise. Tony Dungy, who coached Peyton Manning, said on The Dan Patrick Show that: “As a coach, I always like winners," Dungy said, according to the website. "Tim Tebow doesn't have the classic throwing motion, he doesn't have the accuracy, maybe, right now that some people are looking for, but I think when he gets into a pro system that really stresses throwing the ball accurately, the big thing is he makes the people around him better. And he's won. ... I think he's going to be a great player in the NFL.” Mark Trestman coached QB’s such as Bernie Kosar and Steve Young, worked with Tebow earlier this year and said “There is no formula, for greatness.”Comments like these from great coaches should make people step back and look at what he brings to an NFL team. I will outline the top five teams that should, and will benefit the most from drafting Tebow in the first round. No, I am not talking about a “situational” QB. I’m talking about a full time, starting QB in the NFL.

Number Five: Jacksonville Jaguars

Of course this is the most popular team that may look to draft Tebow. The reason, of course, is to sell tickets. The Jaguars franchises has struggled in recent years to keep fans interested and therefore are losing T.V deals with major cable providers such as CBS, Fox, ESPN and NFL Network. Another area of interest is the coaching situation in Jacksonville. Though Jack Del Rio retains his job for now, there have been reports that Urban Meyer would be interested in taking the coaching job in Jacksonville if Tebow would happen to be drafted by the organization. However, Jacksonville really has no number one receiver up to his point. Mike Sims-Walker is the team’s best receiver, who put 63 catches for 869 yards and seven TD’s. A bright spot though is having Maurice Jones- Drew at running back. Jones – Drew put up respectable numbers with: 1391 yards rushing with 15 TD’s rushing, which was second in the NFL.

Number Four: San Francisco 49ers

With first year coach Mike Singletary, a thousand yard back in Frank Gore and a talented young defense; San Francisco may be a quarterback away from a Super Bowl contender. Also having a top rated rookie receiver in Michael Crabtree doesn’t hurt either. Crabtree put up respectable numbers with 48 catches and 625 yards. Not bad for only playing in 11 games this past season. Then of course you have Vernon Davis at tight end, who put up huge numbers this past season. With 78 receptions, 965 yards receiving and 13 TD’s; he is a QB’s dream and any linebacker’s nightmare. Singletary has changed the culture in “The Bay Area”, by bringing a winning attitude back to San Francisco. If paired with the intense winning attitude of Tebow anything could be possible. My only reservation would be the fans of the 49ers. It is no secret that Tebow is a very vocal Christian and lets his views be known without any hesitation. This may not go over well in the very “Liberal”, San Francisco area. However, given time and with good team play, Tebow should have no problem being accepted.

Number Three: Miami Dolphins

Here is another “Florida Connection” team that would be an ideal fit for Tebow. Whether Chad Pennington is healthy and if he can be ready for next season is up for debate. However, if he does return Tebow will get to sit for some time and learn from a Veteran. If Pennington loses his spot to Chad Henne, I believe the Dolphins could have a great QB competition between Henne and Tebow. Either way the Dolphins would ultimately win and find the best QB for their franchise. Of course there is the wild cat offense that the Dolphins run better than anyone else in the NFL. With RB’s Ricky Williams (who may be in his last season) and Ronnie Brown they are a scary thought for any defense in the NFL because of their receiving ability’s aside from being good rushers. Then you have WR Ted Ginn. Jr, who has blazing speed and is a deep threat potential on every offensive play. Ginn can also line up in the back field on “Wild Cat”, formations and is one of the best special teams return men in the NFL. By putting Tebow in under center and sprinkling in a little QB Pat White, the Dolphins would have a dangerous and explosive offense this coming season.

Number Two: Carolina Panthers

Imagine if you will Tim Tebow under center with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart lined up in the back field. Now put Steve Smith in the slot and Muhsin Muhammad on the outside. That equals big offensive plays for Carolina and big matchup problems for any defense. The fact is for the Panthers QB Jake Delhomme has seen his better days pass way by. QB Matt Moore will not give much more (no pun intended) than Delhomme either. The Panthers are, I believe, a QB away from becoming an instant Super Bowl contender. Having two thousand rushers (Williams and Stewart) will take pressure off Tebow and allow the Panthers to have great balance on offense.

Number One: Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders finished their last seven games of the season at 3-4, which was an improvement from the first nine games in which they had a record of 2-7. There QB play from JaMarcus Russell was atrocious and so were his numbers. He completed a measly 48 percent of his passes for 1,287, 3 TD’s and 11 INT. Those are not what starting QB numbers in the NFL should be. Sorry Raider nation but Russell is a bust. However, I believe that taking Tebow in the NFL draft will change the culture in Oakland. Tebow can bring a great winning attitude to the Raiders and bring the leadership that the Raiders are lacking from Russell. The Tom Cable situation only makes the prospects of Urban Meyer coaching in Oakland that more plausible, which having Meyer would be a upgrade from Cable and then some. Of course a big reason to bring Tebow there is the two new rookie receivers that Oakland drafted last year. One of them happens to have played with Tebow in Florida. I’m talking about WR Louis Murphy, who had a decent rookie year considering who he played with at QB (Russell). Overall Oakland Raiders what do you have to lose? You have won 20 games in five seasons.
Al Davis is known to do crazy things, to say the least, at draft time. However, drafting Tim Tebow, may be the smartest thing he does in a decade.