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Matt Leinart- a Baltimore Raven
By Michael Abromowitz- Michael@thefootballexpert.com

I know the NFL season has just begun, and the NFL Draft is all long time away, but already I can predict that there is a strong chance that Matt Leinart will be a Baltimore Raven.

First off, to help simplify things, I will list all the NFL teams that are fine at the QB position or have young prospects as their future QB (ex.  Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell). 

1. Indianapolis Colts- Peyton Manning
2. New England Patriots- Tom Brady
3. Pittsburgh Steelers- Ben Roethlisberger
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Donovan McNabb
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Trent Green ( I know he is aging, but KC will not be high enough anyways)
6. Carolina Panthers- Jake Delhomme
7. Cincinnati Bengals- Carson Palmer
8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Byron Leftwich
9. Atlanta Falcons- Michael Vick
10. New York Jets- Chad Pennington
11. Tampa Bay- Brian Griese
12. Buffalo Bills- J.P. Losman
13. Seattle Seahawks- Matt Hasselbeck
14. New York Giants- Eli Manning
15. New Orleans Saints- Aaron Brooks (you may argue, but I think he is a solid starter)
16. Washington Redskins- Jason Campbell
17. Chicago Bears- Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman (Grossman will be back, and the Bears like Orton
18. St. Louis Rams- Marc Bulger
19. San Diego Chargers- Drew Brees and Philip Rivers
20. Cleveland Browns- Charlie Frye
21. San Francisco- Alex Smith
22. Minnesota Vikings- Daunte Culpepper
23. Houston Texans- David Carr (The team has not given up on him)
24. Green Bay-Aaron Rodgers

So which teams could need a franchise QB.

1. Dallas Cowboys- Drew Bredsoe- age is a factor.
2. Denver Broncos- Jake Plummer- do not know if he will be in Denver next year.
3. Detroit Lions- Joey Harrington- if he fails this year, the Lions will be looking.
4. Oakland Raiders- Kerry Collins- needs a good season, also is getting up there in years.
5. Tennessee Titans- Steve McNair- age is a factor.
6. Miami Dolphins- Gus Frerotte- needs to have a good year.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Kurt Warner- needs to have a good year.
8. Baltimore Ravens- Kyle Boller- injury did not help, needs to prove something this year.

These 8 teams could be looking for a quarterback in the first round.  But, I project (like everyone else) Leinart will be a top 5 draft pick, so a few of these teams will be out of the running.  As of now, I figure the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans will not have a top 5 draft pick. 

I think Oakland will probably not have a top 5, but there still could be a chance, so I will not eliminate them.  Baltimore is a possible top 5 pick because the team has looked that bad.

Who is left:

Oakland, Miami, Arizona, and Baltimore

It all comes down to what I think the QB situation will be for each team at the end of the year.

Oakland- I think Kerry Collins will do fine.  The Raiders have started with the toughest NFL schedule, and it is not Collins fault the defense is weak.

Miami- Gus Frerotte shined in Week 1, and if Ricky Williams does will when he comes back, Frerotte could put up some quality numbers.

Arizona- I was optimistic about Warner, but with his age as a factor, he might not be the starter in Arizona next year.

Baltimore- Kyle Boller is not the answer.  The Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league, a solid running back in Jamal Lewis, all the Ravens need is a decent QB.

With that, I figure Baltimore and Arizona as the 2 most likely of the 4 to draft a QB in the first round.

To decide between Baltimore and Arizona, I ask myself, "Which team is more likely to draft QB no matter who is on the board?"

That gives me my answer:.

Under Dennis Green, the Cardinals have chosen Best Athlete Available with Larry Fitzgerald and Antrel Rolle.  Dennis Green likes his athletes.  He also needs to improve his defense, so he will not hesitate to draft a stud defenseman.  Also, if J.J. Arrington proves not to be the answer, Reggie Bush- Lienart's teammate would fit well in Green's offense.  If he enters the draft, Bush would be Best Athlete Available.  

Baltimore has one major hole- the quarterback position.  I will not waste time with the defense, because the defense is solid.  The team has a great RB and a solid WR corps, a QB may be the missing piece.  Baltimore fans are tired of Boller, and the team knows it.  Without hesitation the Ravens will draft Leinart. 

Baltimore could improve, and not have a top 5 draft pick.  But, I think just like the past (trading up to get Boller), the team will not be afraid to trade up.

The NFL draft is a long time away, but there is already a good chance that Matt Leinart will be a Baltimore Raven, if not a Raven than a Cardinal, and if not a Cardinal than a Dolphin. 

At least I know one thing, Leinart will not be a Colt. 

*Note:  Free agency was held constant, becuase it is unpredicatble.