There are two types of teams in the NFL: Those that have a quarterback and those that don't.
And honestly, many franchises currently fall into the latter category. Yes, with the 2016 NFL Draft just a couple weeks away, numerous war rooms simply must be in the quarterback business.
Of course, not every team is in the exact same position with the game's most important position; there are varying degrees of need here. Some need a starter for the coming season, others for 2017 and beyond. And some are just desperate for competition or a quality backup.
Here are the NFL teams that should be most interested in scooping up a signal caller in this month's draft, Schein Nine style:
1) Cleveland Browns
I know they signed Robert Griffin III and I like the fit for both the player and the team. It's smart for RGIII to hitch his wagon to Hue Jackson. And I think, if Griffin is healthy and humbled after the last few years in Washington, there is legit upside potential.
But we have to acknowledge the possible downside and the questions about Griffin that led him to be jettisoned by the Redskins.
The Browns pick second in the draft. They simply must select a franchise quarterback. There's conflicting buzz on which top QB Cleveland prefers: Jared Goff or Carson Wentz? I've made my feelings known: The Browns should take Wentz. Here's what one NFL general manager texted me about the North Dakota State product: "He's Joe Flacco, but a better athlete. I think he will be better than Flacco." A major compliment, considering Flacco's excellence and winning ways.
The new regime in Cleveland needs to draft a quarterback to build its future around. This is not up for debate.
2) Los Angeles Rams
GM Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher continue to profess their love for Case Keenum, but I don't buy it -- mainly because I've watched Keenum play. The guy is not an NFL starting quarterback, plain and simple.
Nick Foles had a miserable first season with the Rams. And according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, "One source with knowledge of the dynamics already has predicted that Foles likely will be gone by the start of training camp, and that he definitely will not be on the team before Week 1."
Los Angeles currently holds the No. 15 overall pick. If Goff somehow falls, the Rams need to pounce. If Paxton Lynch is there, the intriguing Memphis product must be in the mix.
The Rams also should consider trading up. If that means giving up future top picks, you do it. This franchise can't leave another draft without a quarterback. I penned a Schein Nine on this exact same topic (QB-needy teams) prior to the 2014 draft, when the Rams had a pair of first-round picks, and explained why the franchise needed to snag a signal caller. Well, the Rams came away from that draft with a franchise player (Aaron Donald), but not a franchise quarterback. Three guys the organization could have drafted with their non-Donald pick: Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Imagine what this team would look like with one of those guys under center.
3) Denver Broncos
John Elway is bright. He is a top-five all-time quarterback. He's currently a top-five league executive. Elway brilliantly built a Super Bowl winner -- and a consistent winner -- through the draft and free agency.
He also botched the quarterback position by allowing Houston to wrest away Brock Osweiler last month. And trading for Mark Sanchez, who plays his worst when it matters the most -- what is this, amateur hour?
Denver needs to draft someone -- and frankly, trade for a veteran not named Sanchez, too. A first-round QB (like Paxton Lynch) would be nice, but the Broncos can also find a solid player to develop on Day 2 (like Connor Cook).
Yeah, yeah -- I know the Colin Kaepernick-to-Denver chatter remains omnipresent, but ...
4) San Francisco 49ers
... I have continually argued that Kaepernick should not give up a penny of his guaranteed $11.9 million base salary for 2016 (a sacrifice that could grease the skids on a relocation to Denver). Stay put in San Francisco, play in a Chip Kelly offense that is extremely beneficial for dual-threat QBs and see if you can get your career back on track.
But, even if Kaepernick does remain a Niner, the franchise has to protect itself from the possibility that the 28-year-old QB never regains his old form. If Wentz is gone, Goff could be on the board when San Francisco's pick comes up at No. 7. The 49ers also could have options to trade up or back and find a way to add to the roster at quarterback.
Here's the truth: Kaepernick hasn't dazzled since 2013, and Blaine Gabbert is Blaine Gabbert.
5) New York Jets
Paging Ryan Fitzpatrick ... Paging Mr. Ryan Fitzpatrick ...
The 33-year-old quarterback needs to come to terms with the fact that there is not a broader market for his services. Consequently, he needs to come to terms with the Jets. Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Chan Gailey all aided his career year in 2015. He knows that, right?
But even if (when) Fitzpatrick re-signs, the Jets have to draft a quarterback at some point between the first and third rounds. They still need a future starter/replacement for Geno Smith. No, I'm not convinced 2015 fourth-rounder Bryce Petty is this guy. Trading a pick for Mike Glennon would be very logical, too.
6) Dallas Cowboys
The backup quarterback position doomed Dallas in 2015, with the Cowboys forced to play the likes of Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and (gasp) Kellen Moore when Tony Romo got hurt. The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Dallas needs both a backup QB and QB of the future. If Wentz is there at No. 4, don't think twice about it: Immediately turn in the card! If not, Dallas should look to draft someone like Connor Cook in Round 2.
7) Philadelphia Eagles
Philly spent a lot of cash on Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel. Neither is a guarantee, neither inspires a whole lot of confidence.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles draft a quarterback at No. 8 overall. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade up to get a franchise quarterback. I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a quarterback later on.
Anything's possible when you employ a pair of underwhelming quarterbacks in their late-20s.
8) Buffalo Bills
This will ruin my rep as a Rex Ryan critic/realist, but I totally side with him and Bills management when it comes to Tyrod Taylor. Regardless of what Taylor's agent tells you, the quarterback hasn't proven himself just yet -- and Buffalo does not have to act on demands for a long-term deal.
I like the concept of the Bills thinking about a young quarterback. And it doesn't necessarily have to be an early pick. Maybe this is the team that opts to groom Cardale Jones.
9) Arizona Cardinals
Arizona is set at the top with Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. But Palmer, fresh off of a fantastic regular season but a roughNFC title game, isn't getting any younger. Logan Thomas wasn't the answer as a developmental quarterback. And general manager Steve Keim is always looking to smartly add depth at the position.
I'd love to see the Cards draft Cardale Jones (or someone else to develop) between Rounds 3 and 6. Think about the upside of Jones -- and his cannon arm -- in Bruce Arians' offense.
Follow Adam Schein on Twitter @AdamSchein.
