NFL mock draft: 3 teams that Max Duggan could thrive on
By John Buhler
An NFL team could be finding a potential gem in TCU superstar quarterback Max Duggan.
Regardless of the outcome of the national championship game vs. Georgia, TCU starting quarterback Max Duggan will be turning pro.
The Heisman Trophy finalist announced that he will be forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility shortly before the College Football Playoff even began. After beating Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, Duggan and the rest of the Horned Frogs will be getting all they can handle and then some vs. Stetson Bennett IV and the reigning national champion Bulldogs. Is Duggan ready for what is next?
Here are three teams that could be in the mix to take Duggan in day two of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Max Duggan would be a strong backup for Kyler Murray on the Arizona Cardinals
While it remains to be seen what becomes of Kliff Kingsbury regarding the Arizona Cardinals, the franchise may look at addressing its backup quarterback position this offseason. With Colt McCoy probably winding down at this point of his playing career, it would serve Arizona to find a signal-caller who could be a close approximation to starter Kyler Murray. Wouldn’t Duggan be just that?
In the right situation, Duggan could be some version of a McCoy or a Case Keenum as an NFL quarterback. Although he does not have the talent of Murray, Duggan has big-time grit and other intangibles to help build a winning culture around. Given that Murray is undersized and coming off a major injury, Duggan may be tasked with starting a game or two for Arizona should he go there.
Where the Cardinals make a great deal of sense for Duggan is that they are not devoid of talent. It may be a coaching thing more than anything, which is why owner Michael Bidwill could move off Kingsbury after the season ends. Ultimately, adding a player like Duggan into the fold helps raise the floor in Arizona. Murray can get the Cardinals to their zenith, but the bottom cannot drop out.
Using a day-two or an early day-three pick on Duggan is not a terrible idea for the Cardinals here.