With two quarterbacks theoretically starting this year that were drafted on day 3 in the 2022 NFL Draft (Purdy and Howell), there is a chance the NFL could be on the cusp of major change. Clayton Tune is the latest in this recent line of day 3 QBs that could be starters.
Day 3 picks are always valuable, but it seems that more and more quarterbacks that could be impactful are being taken later. Purdy took over the locker room last season and was an injury away from possibly being in the Superbowl. Sam Howell should have been nowhere near the 5th round, but he fell (we can only guess) because he has never eaten a hamburger. Washington took too long to get him into the starting lineup, but when they did, the team had a spark and beat a Dallas team that had a lot to play for. Now early reports are that he is excelling in OTAs.
Flash forward to the 2023 draft and there were multiple day 3 picks at the quarterback position that again could be steals. The first to quickly mention is Dorian Thompson Robinson going to Cleveland. Obviously, Watson is the starter but who knows how the locker room will feel about that. It was not too long ago Philly had just signed Wentz to a massive contract and an injury paved the way for Hurts to take the job and not look back. This is a different situation, but the framework remains the same. An incumbent who most likely does not command the locker room, and a young QB who is a proven leader that could pull the rug out from under the starter. However, that is not the one we want to focus on.
The Cardinals pulled the trigger on Clayton Tune, who again should have been a day 2 pick. Early reports suggest he is doing really well, and we are not surprised in the slightest by this. Tune could be this year’s Brock Purdy. Both had a ton of starting experience and ended up in situations with wide open playing time. Purdy’s was due to unexpected injuries, Tune is because Arizona has no reason not to play him. We feel Kyler has played his last snap in Arizona one way or another. They should definitely be targeting Caleb Williams and likely have no aspirations for winning. This begs the question as to why in the world would you be starting Colt McCoy. Tune is a very underrated athlete, with a strong arm, that needs some mechanical clean up. If he is ahead of schedule as reports indicate, the Cardinals have nothing to lose by rolling with Tune. If he is much better than his draft slot (which he is) then the Cardinals could have found a potential franchise QB on day 3 with two likely top ten picks in the 2024 Draft. This team needs a ton, and having a Qb in place with those picks could be huge (plus whatever they would get for a Kyler trade). Or, Tune himself becomes a valuable trade piece. If he is unsuccessful and fails, then Caleb Williams is the consolation prize.
We truly believe that Clayton Tune could be an absolute steal if Arizona plays him early as they should. He has the arm and athleticism combination of Will Levis, yet was taken 3 rounds later. He comes with much more humbleness and less expectations, and he should be all the better for it. Tune could be the future in Arizona, as long as they are smart and give him the chance to show it.