Snap Judgments: How the Class of 2008 QBs stack up on depth charts

IRVING, Texas -- Musings, observations and the occasional insight as the NFL draft weekend winds down ...

�€� Quarterbacks make this league go round, and you have to think that most of the passers taken in the 2008 NFL draft landed in spots that are well-suited to give them chances to get on the field fairly quickly.

There were 60 quarterbacks who started for the NFL's 32 teams last season. In order of how I see them impacting their team's quarterback depth charts this season, here's how I break down the Class of '08 QBs so far:

1. Matt Ryan, Atlanta -- The Falcons won't want to rush the Franchise, but they also won't want to suffer through another season of watching Joey Harrington and Chris Redman as a starter. They're trying to win some fans back in Atlanta

2. Chad Henne, Miami -- Put me down for believing that Josh McCown could wind up being the Dolphins starter on opening day, but I think Henne is going to get every chance to leap-frog John Beck and be No. 1 in Miami by midseason.

3. Joe Flacco, Baltimore -- The Ravens will play Kyle Boller and/or Troy Smith early because they've said all along this spring that Flacco might need some time to acclimate to the NFL game. But a lot will depend on how comfortable Flacco looks in training camp. If he's solid and smooth in his execution, he's going to get a shot at some point in his rookie season.

4. Brian Brohm, Green Bay -- I don't view Brohm as immediate competition for Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers seem committed to the guy who has patiently waited three full seasons for his starting shot. But Brohm is at least now in position to be visible just over Rodgers' shoulder, and his presence gives Packers fans someone to clamor for if Rodgers struggles or gets off to a sluggish start.

5. John David Booty, Minnesota -- The Vikings are still Tarvaris Jackson's team. But Booty, who was taken by Minnesota with the second pick of the fifth round, makes things much more interesting in a way that merely re-signing veteran backup Gus Frerotte did not. Booty can throw the ball, and this is the pivotal third year for coach Brad Childress in Minnesota, so he can't afford to wait forever for Jackson to develop as a passer.

6. Erik Ainge, New York Jets -- Ainge went in the fifth round, 162nd overall, and he represents another option for a team that isn't quite certain of anything at quarterback other than Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington will be in a preseason competition. Ainge is probably destined to be a backup in the NFL, but he probably overachieved at Tennessee and might be able to surprise once again.

7. Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay -- I'm absolutely shocked that Jon Gruden took a quarterback. Shocked. Add the University of San Diego's Johnson to the mix that includes Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and, for the time being at least, Chris Simms. And don't forget -- Tampa still owns the rights to Jake Plummer. Who knows how the Bucs' always-fluid quarterback depth chart will shake out?