AJ McCarron Has a Good Chance to Supplant Andy Dalton in the Future

AJ McCarron had to feel a little humbled through the 2014 NFL draft process. After being projected as a second-round pick by Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com and leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to two national championships, McCarron had to wait until fifth round to hear his name called.

After the hurt feelings are healed, McCarron may realize that he couldn't have handpicked a better landing spot.

The Cincinnati Bengals already have Andy Dalton under center, but his grip on the No. 1 quarterback spot isn't air-tight.

Dalton has led the Bengals to the playoffs three years in a row, but through the regular season, he has had his ups and downs.

During Weeks 9, 10 and 11 in the 2013 season, Dalton threw eight interceptions and just five touchdowns.

Even more troubling is Dalton's inadequacy in the postseason.

Butch Dill/Associated Press

The Bengals haven't won a playoff game with Dalton under center, and the quarterback has been dreadful in those games. He has thrown just one touchdown pass in three playoff contests and has been picked off six times. 

His QB rating in the postseason is just 56.2, per Pro-Football-Reference.

If the Bengals start slow in 2014 or flop completely during the season, McCarron might get a look midway through his rookie year, or early in his second campaign. The Bengals do have 32-year-old Jason Campbell, but he isn't a long-term solution.

While McCarron isn't spectacular in any area, he does take care of the football. That's something Dalton has obviously struggled to do.

McCarron threw just 15 interceptions in four years at Alabama.

David Kohl/Associated Press

That was undoubtedly attractive to the Bengals' brass. Cincinnati's defense allowed the third fewest yards in 2013. Having a quarterback who doesn't turn the ball over is especially enticing.

McCarron is familiar with teams with that type of identity. His Crimson Tide teams were similar.

So why did he drop to the fifth round?

ESPN's Adam Schefter said during the ESPN broadcast of the draft that McCarron's demeanor "rubbed teams the wrong way."

McCarron might not have said the right things during interviews with teams, but he was politically correct after being drafted.

Per Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today, McCarron said:

"

First, let me say that it's a blessing to be in the NFL. It doesn't matter if you're taken No. 1 overall or No. 199, like (New England quarterback Tom) Brady. It doesn't matter when you get picked, just about where you go and making the most of it when you get there. You've still got to perform no matter where you get picked, and I'm just excited and blessed about this opportunity.

"

Maturity will help McCarron grow as a man, a teammate and a quarterback.

Unless Dalton is able to find a measure of consistency and get the Bengals over the postseason hump, head coach Marvin Lewis might be looking for a change.

It's hard to say when that would happen, but McCarron is likely going to be ready and waiting for his opportunity to pounce.