2008 NFL Draft Quarterback Prospect Joe Flacco: The next Big Ben?

When you watch Joe Flacco play quarterback you are reminded of an NFL starter from a small college:  Big Ben. The starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers starred at the University of Miami (OH) in college before being taken in the first round.  Flacco is currently the fifth rated quarterback out of 110 draft eligible, according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper. 

His stock likely won't rise or fall too much considering the other quarterbacks entering the draft this year. Flacco stands 6'6, weighs 232 pounds, and his 40 time is around 4.90.  He will be drafted early, but likely in the late-second or early-third round. As long as he is healthy and performs to his skill level at the combine he'll be drafted on the first day. 

One thing that may hurt him on draft day is that he played for a Division I-AA school at Delaware.  This is the same division that current Vikings starter Tarvaris Jackson played in. "T-Jack" is one of the only I-AA quarterbacks to be taken on the first day.He didn't impress much in his first season although he did begin to improve down the stretch.

Which teams might be looking to take Flacco?

I think the Chicago Bears should really look at nabbing Flacco on the first day. Flacco is a big, strong presence in the pocket whose patience could really add some stability to the quarterback position.

There are some teams that are almost there but don't quite have it at the quarterback position right now. Even though they went 1-15 in 2007, I think the Dolphins are a lot better then people think. They lost six games this year by three points or less, two of them being in overtime. With Trent Green likely to come back next year it could be a good situation for Flacco to learn Miami's offense under a veteran quarterback.

        Down in Tampa Bay Jeff Garcia turns 38-years-old next year and inching closer and closer toward retirement. It would be another prime situation for Flacco to apprentice under a veteran quarterback for a year and learn the offense. The Bucs have two young quarterbacks on the roster already with Simms and McCown but likely won't keep them both. The Detroit Lions could also look at Flacco as a successor to Jon Kitna. 

        Flacco has the size, strength, and pocket presence to be a great quarterback at the next level.  I think he's going to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL for many years once he gets his shot.