NFL Network's Vic Carruci wonders, "did the Bengals panic in the process of trying to find a new franchise passer?"
In the opinion of most talent evaluators and analysts, Dalton is a developmental player. He is considered a long-term project who might one day be ready to step into the starting role, but that isn't likely to happen any time soon.
Some analysts, such as NFL Network's Mike Mayock, liked Dalton better than Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett. But the best that could be hoped for from most of the quarterbacks in the draft is to make an impact in a few years, at the earliest.
Unfortunately, at the end of the day, analysts are often wrong with their assessments of players. Wyche wonders if the Bengals shouldn't have drafted Blaine Gabbert fourth overall, rather than a phenom wide receiver in A.J. Green. But haven't most of the same analysts and experts decried that, along with Gabbert, there's simply no franchise passers in this draft?
Dalton appears to be a fine quarterback, but there's never been an impression that the Bengals are going to make Dalton a long-term franchise quarterback. He'll compete for the job this year and being a second round quarterback, the team has the room to make a change if necessary in the future.
But at the end of the day, it was Jay Gruden and Marvin Lewis who loved what they saw in Dalton.
"His accuracy is uncanny — it’s not even close," said Gruden. "The other quarterbacks are very good and all have great qualities, but to me Andy, by far, is the most accurate and poised quarterback. Anticipation and accuracy is important in any offense, and very important in this one. He can do a lot of things. He can move in the pocket and has a great feel for the pocket. He's a great leader and he’s a winner. He loves football, and that’s important."