Arizona Cardinals Find Their Future Face of the Franchise in Josh Rosen

The Arizona Cardinals used the tenth selection in the 2018 draft on QB Josh Rosen. The team isn’t expecting Rosen to start in ’18, however…

---

Arizona Cardinals Find Their Future Face of the Franchise in Josh Rosen

The Arizona Cardinals used the tenth selection in the 2018 draft on QB Josh Rosen. The team isn’t expecting Rosen to start in ’18, however he is expected to develop into the face of their franchise as their starting quarterback in ’19, or at latest 2020. Rosen has the highest floor of all the rookie quarterbacks thanks to a pro ready skill set and high end talent (arm strength, accuracy, timing, pocket awareness). If he’s given time to acclimate and the supporting cast develops, he should be one of the best selections from this draft when we look back in 2021.

QB Josh Rosen

• Size: 6’4” / 226
• Draft Selection: #10 (2018)
• Depth Chart: QB2 (learning behind Sam Bradford in ’18; potentially starter)
• ’18 Outlook: QB3+ (QB1 once he gets starting nod)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh3rosen
• NFL Comparison: Cross between Carson Palmer / Matt Ryan

Rosen is as pro ready as they come in this draft.

Outlook: Rosen is the most pro-ready, proto-type quarterback in this draft. A top recruit, he was the full-time QB1 @UCLA from the moment he stepped on campus. Arizona will expect him to sit/learn this year but ascend to the starting role in 2019. The team has stated they will start the best quarterback this year, so it’s possible he could beat out Bradford. Rosen’s arm talent, accuracy and football instincts are all as good as any QB to enter the NFL the past few years. The question with him is motivation and desire, this is a kid who borders on Jay Cutler type of body language on the field that could do him more harm than good in his quest to be great.

Opportunity: The Cardinals are implementing a run-centric offense under new OC Mike McCoy, with the passing game via play action and high percentage throws. This is a good system fit for veteran Sam Bradford, Rosen will fit in well but he’s best used on more vertical throws that take advantage of both his accuracy and arm strength. The supporting cast is at best average. WR Larry Fitzgerald is a hall of fame performer near the end of his career (entering his age 35 seasons), behind him are a bunch of prospects & unproven receivers such as rookie 2nd rounder Christian Kirk, J.J. Nelson, Chad Williams, Brice Butler and others. The team is excited about potential breakout TE Ricky Seals-Jones who flashed at the end of ’17, but he’s a converted WR who is still learning the position. All world RB David Johnson returns from season-long injury in ’17, he’s a fixture and the fulcrum point of the offense.

Long-term: Rosen has all the talent and intangibles to be a great starting quarterback, he just must demonstrate his ability to lead through adversity and sheer will. If he can mature into the captain of the team, the sky is the limit on his potential. Stylistically he looks like a cross between Carson Palmer (arm strength and accuracy) and Matt Ryan (gun slinger mentality and pocket awareness).

Rosen has the highest floor, as a multi-year starter, of this year’s crop of quarterback rookies, and only Lamar Jackson has a higher ceiling. If he can harness his talent, develop an authentic leadership style and stay healthy, Rosen could end up being one of the top 5 starting QB in the NFL. He also could end up as the next Jay Cutler.