NFL Draft 2014 results: Top three SEC QBs taken Saturday; AJ McCarron lands with Bengals

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Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) celebrates a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

AJ McCarron, 164th overall, Cincinnati Bengals

While Murray has the statistical advantage over the group, McCarron has the accomplishments and hardware. In four years at Alabama under Nick Saban, McCarron helped lead the Crimson Tide to two national championships and finished second in the Heisman voting in 2013.

However, despite all the trophies and rings that he can point to, there was a lot surrounding McCarron coming in. There were questions about his overall arms strength, plus many pointed to the fact that Alabama utilizes a strong running game that could mask his flaws tremendously.

Then, just when it couldn’t get much worse, there were the reports from around the league on Saturday morning that McCarron had “rubbed some teams the wrong way” during the interview processes.

McCarron, for these reasons and maybe some we’ll never know, did indeed fall until head coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals decided to take a chance on the title winner, and for an obvious reason…the uncertainty surrounding Andy Dalton.

AJ may eventually be the starter in Cincy should the team and Dalton not get the contract situation ironed out.

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