5 Backup QBs Worth Taking a Chance on After NFL Preseason Week 1

If you wanted to be incredibly corny you would look up the definition of "jumping the gun" and put it right here to open this column. I know, one week is too fast to judge a player. I agree. But that doesn't mean these five players haven't shown enough to warrant a closer look.

Matt Schaub built a huge following after two regular season starts and impressive preseason play, which led to him becoming the franchise quarterback in Houston. These five guys might not be to Schaub status just yet, but they are on my radar as players to watch over the next three games.

Put a gun to my head and make me start my roster with a backup quarterback, these would be my guys.

1. Ryan Mallett, New England Patriots

You could tell watching Mallett play at Arkansas that he had the tools to be a very good NFL quarterback. The only issues I had with Mallett at Arkansas were his character questions and his slow feet.

Behind a good offensive line, the cement blocks Mallett calls feet aren't an issue. In a strong locker room, the character questions definitely aren't an issue. Given the choice of straightening up or being out of the league, Mallett will walk the straight and narrow, at least until he's earning enough money to live comfortably post-football.

If I have to take one quarterback sitting No. 2 or lower on a depth chart to build around, I'm taking Mallett.

2. Stephen McGee, Dallas Cowboys

McGee's ability as a pure passer got lost at times at Texas A&M due to an offensive system during his early years built more on the run game and an option look. The Cowboys, and now the Denver Broncos, know that McGee can sling the football. He's also a very mobile quarterback who can get out of the pocket to both create time and pick up yards.

McGee might be a cleaner version of Tim Tebow, albeit with less upside as an overall player.

3. Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers

Matt Flynn is expected to be a hot commodity on the free-agent market once the 2011 season ends. Flynn, who started one game during the Packers' 2010 season, has been a longtime favorite of mine since entering the NFL. Flynn is an unremarkable quarterback, but he wins, and he throws a very catchable ball.

Flynn is also smart, and won't force throws or make bad decisions. He's an advanced game manager in that way. He'll pick up vertical yards when the opportunity is there, but he won't force bad throws deep.

4. Brian Hoyer, New England Patriots

I actually really like Hoyer, and did last preseason as well, but the guys above him here are more a personal preference. If you handed me the keys to a 33rd team in the NFL next season, I would be happy to take Hoyer as my quarterback.

You can credit the system in New England for Hoyer's impressive play in meaningless games, but you cannot credit the system with his flawless and agile dropbacks in the pocket, or his ability to step up to elude pass rushers and create passing windows.

Hoyer may get overrated due to his playing for the Patriots and the media's hopes of finding the next Tom Brady or Kurt Warner, but don't let that deter you in considering Hoyer a legitimate NFL starter.

5. Vince Young, Philadelphia Eagles

It seems almost unfair to list Young here, but he is a backup. If Young can get his accuracy and footwork under control, something Andy Reid and Co. proved they could do when adjusting both Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, then I would take him in a second.

The keys to Young's one-year contract in Philadelphia are his learning when to run, mastering the art of reading a defense and hitting his hot reads. If he can do that, Young could be a dangerous quarterback worth taking a flier on.