NFL Free Agents 2012: 5 Teams That Should Be Targeting Matt Flynn

For three straight seasons Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel sat behind seven-time Pro Bowler Tom Brady, waiting for an opportunity to play and show the league that he was ready to lead a team.

The following season, Cassel led the New England Patriots to the postseason and just two years later, led the Chiefs to a 10-6 record and the AFC West title. Kansas City had won a combined 10 games over the previous three seasons.

On Sunday, Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn staked his claim as the next veteran backup quarterback ready for the limelight.

Making his second career start in the regular season finale against Detroit, the four-year veteran torched the Lions secondary for 480 yards and six touchdowns, both all-time records for a franchise that has been led by greats like Bart Starr, Brett Favre and current starter Aaron Rodgers.

These days, finding a franchise quarterback, let alone one that even helps the team, is a task within itself. Unless you land the top overall pick where starters like Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford and Eli Manning were drafted, attempting to acquire a startable signal-caller by draft can be a costly crap-shoot.

Just look at the last four seasons. While Tim Tebow (1:25, 2011) and Josh Freeman (1:17, 2009) have at least somewhat panned out, an even larger number of top selections haven’t: Blaine Gabbert (1:10, 2011), Jimmy Clausen (2:16, 2010), Mark Sanchez (1:5, 2009), Pat White (2:12, 2009), Brian Brohm (2:24, 2008), Chad Henne (2:25, 2008).

More than ever, teams are gambling on quarterbacks, red flags and all, both in the draft and in free agency. Last summer, the Cardinals bet the farm on former Philadelphia Eagles backup Kevin Kolb while just a couple months ago, the Oakland Raiders gave up a king’s ransom for former Bengal Carson Palmer.

Quarterback is not only the most important position, but it's also the hardest to fill. Just as Matt Cassel did in March of 2009, so too will Matt Flynn be cashing in this summer. Here's five teams who could use his services:

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Scouting Report: Matt Flynn

Despite just two starts in his career, the 26-year-old Flynn (not) surprisingly brings quite a bit to the table after sitting behind Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers the last four seasons.

After watching his performance on Sunday, one of my main takeaways was his innate confidence and composure inside the pocket. He quite honestly looked like a veteran out there. Flynn made numerous pre-snap adjustments, stepped up in the pocket to avoid pressure consistently and most importantly made pinpoint-accurate throws right on his receivers' hands.

In terms of pure quarterback attributes, the Texas native displayed above-average arm strength, proving capable of throwing the deep ball, but truly wowed with his arm accuracy. He knew when to put zip on the ball and threw a couple impressive lasers through tight windows of coverage.

Honestly, I like Flynn quite a bit. It's tough not to overvalue him, having seen him play just twice and succeed both times, but I think he could be a solid starting passer for a playoff-caliber team.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback has been a nightmare for the Cleveland Browns in recent years, and yet again in 2011.

After showing great promise last season, second-year quarterback Colt McCoy failed to stay healthy this season, raising concerns over whether he can be a starting quarterback. While most people, including myself, remain undecided on McCoy's career outlook, I definitely think it would be foolish for the Browns to look to replace him in the draft this season.

While bringing in a flashy player like Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III would certainly stir up some excitement, bringing in a veteran like Matt Flynn would be the smarter move.

For one, Flynn could start right away, something the Browns learned you shouldn't necessarily do with a rookie back in 2010. Secondly, the Browns would be able to use their fourth overall selection to improve their team elsewhere. Sure, grabbing a free agent quarterback costs money, but the Browns would be improving with solid starters in two positions.

There's certainly talent at the top of the draft this year and getting someone like Matt Kalil to bolster their line, Justin Blackmon to pair with 2011 draftee Greg Little or Trent Richardson to anchor the backfield would be great moves for the future of the franchise. At least one will be available when the Browns hit the clock.

Seattle Seahawks

In arguably his best season yet, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s 79.2 passer rating, placed him 21st among starting quarterbacks in 2011. Again I repeat, it was the best season of his six-year career, and he finished 21st. In 2010, his 63.9 rating would've placed him second to last.

I’m not sure why Seattle head coach Pete Carroll is so set on Jackson, but they really should look elsewhere.

Before losing their final two contests, the Seahawks were very much in the mix for the NFC's sixth and final playoff seed. With a solid defensive unit and at least semi-adequate offensive attack, the Seahawks could be an NFC West contender in 2012 with a quality quarterback.

That means someone other than Jackson.

Rather than reaching for someone like Oklahoma's Landry Jones with the Seahawks' 12th pick in the draft, signing Flynn would be a very smart move. Despite lacking elite star power, the Seahawks receiver corps is highly underrated and runs four to five options deep. In a system like that, I really can't see Flynn failing.

As far as I am concerned, Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck are the only worthwhile quarterbacks coming out of college this year. Without a real shot at either and hopefully smart enough to realize Jackson is not the answer, the Seahawks could very well be in on Flynn this spring.

Washington Redskins

Last April, the Washington Redskins missed out on drafting a quarterback, opting to trade their 10th overall selection rather than gambling on Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder. With the sixth overall pick this season and potentially two teams ahead of them looking quarterback (Indianapolis and Cleveland), the Redskins may be faced with another dilemma.

Regardless of what happens, neither Rex Grossman nor John Beck should be starting for the Redskins come the 2012 regular season.

While the ‘Skins were sub-par on both sides of the ball in 2011, I personally feel like they don't belong labeled as a team in rebuilding mode. They've lost 10 games each of the past three seasons but they have the pieces in place to turn the corner. They're solid defensively and on special teams, led by rookie hybrid Ryan Kerrigan. They have a good offensive line once Trent Williams returns and decent, young playmakers at both running back and wide receiver. Now, they just desperately need a quarterback replacement.

We may not know how good Flynn is at this point in time, but I guarantee it's better better than Beck and Grossman.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Whether you judge by QB Passer Rating on ESPN or Football Outsiders’ DYAR, the industry came to a consensus that the single worst quarterback this season was Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Blaine Gabbert.

With the Missouri native at the helm, the Jaguars finished the regular season 5-11, winding up with the seventh overall selection in this April’s draft. As of now, sources indicate that no matter how bad Gabbert was this season, the Jaguars will not be in on another quarterback, whether Robert Griffin III is there for the taking and rightfully so—rarely should you take a quarterback in back-to-back drafts, let alone in round one. 

However, I would still not rule the Jaguars out on Flynn.

Like the Redskins, I don't feel like the Jaguars are in a rebuilding state. They boast one of the league’s most efficient defenses, an MVP candidate in running back Maurice Jones-Drew and at least one quality target, tight end Marcedes Lewis. With a proficient passer, they’d make some noise in 2012.

Gabbert’s makeup and skill set screams starting NFL quarterback to me, but his 2011 performance certainly showed that if anything, he is not ready. He looked timid in the pocket and lacked confidence in his ability to make plays, something we never saw from him playing in the Big 12.

While others are, I am not ready to call him a bust quite yet, but I think he could greatly benefit from some veteran leadership while he mans a backup role for a few seasons. Flynn could provide that much in the same way, as Rodgers tutored him through his entire rookie contract.

Regardless, the Jaguars have a window of opportunity to compete right now with division foes Indianapolis rebuilding and Tennessee reeling. They need a quick fix, and Flynn would be that guy.

Denver Broncos

While the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins may be more likely suitors, the AFC West champion Denver Broncos make for an interesting dark-horse candidate in this spring’s bidding war for Flynn.

While current Broncos starter Tim Tebow has certainly won over the Denver fanbase this season, VP of Football Operations John Elway will more than likely be on the lookout for a replacement quarterback sometime over the next couple seasons.

Before anyone gets up in arms, yes Tebow led the Broncos to the postseason but he also joined former Oakland Raider JaMarcus Russell as the only starters to complete less than 50 percent of their passes in a season since 2006.

Tebow has easily been one of the most exciting players to root for in 2011 but primarily because he has been a guy constantly defying the odds. His Broncos made the playoffs because they got hot for six weeks while the Chiefs were bipolar, the Chargers vastly underperformed and the Raiders lost their star running back ... not because the Broncos were the best.

There’s only so far that the Broncos can go with Tebow at the helm, and 2011 showed that ceiling.

Denver can continue the experiment, loading the offense with playmakers and assembling an elite defense. I'll be there every step of the way rooting for them as well. However, they’ll have to hit on quite a few more pieces than if they simply went with a prototypical quarterback.