For all of those skeptics worried about the future of the passing game in the NFL, fear not. This year's draft crop should ease such concerns.
The quality at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end makes offensive coordinators smile from San Francisco, where they have few doubts about the passing attack, to Houston, where they had no clue how to attack without Warren Moon.Other than the Super Bowl champion 49ers, the Cowboys, Dolphins, Patriots and Raiders, how many pro teams are comfortable with their air games?
Certainly not the Oilers, who have a shot at Steve McNair or Kerry Collins, the prime prospects at quarterback. Houston goes third Saturday, after expansion teams Carolina and Jacksonville.
Houston general manager Floyd Reese says there are eight or nine "franchise" players in this year's draft. The speedy, elusive, strong-armed McNair, at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds, is one of them.
"If you get a franchise player and fill a need, you can kill two birds with one stone," Reese said.
Reese insists he's not concerned with McNair's lack of big-time opposition after playing in Division I-AA.
"In my mind, a kid coming from that situation has a better chance of being better in a better environment," he says. "They won eight games. Without him, they win zero."
Either of the new teams might go for McNair or Collins, too. One scenario has the Panthers trading the top pick to Washington for the fourth overall choice, a second-rounder and a player off the Redskins' roster. Then the Panthers would take Collins after the Redskins grab running back Ki-Jana Carter, Collins' teammate at Penn State.
Other quarterbacks who could go high - if not in the opening round - include Rob Johnson of Southern Cal, John Walsh of Brigham Young, Chad May of Kansas State, Todd Collins of Michigan and Eric Zeier of Georgia.
"McNair is head and shoulders above everybody in the quarterback ratings," said Dwight Adams, a scout for Buffalo.
There are plenty of exciting, game-breaking receivers, with three who might go in the first dozen picks: Michael Westbrook of Colorado, J.J. Stokes of UCLA and Joey Galloway of Ohio State.
"I really believe all three of them would fit in here," said new Seattle Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson, whose team picks eighth.
"Michael Westbrook has the size and the speed, but he's probably not as refined as the other two at this point. Joey Galloway is not as big, but he's probably got as much speed as anybody who has come out for a long time.
"J.J. Stokes is 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds. He supposedly ran 4.7, but he ran better than that. I would say he's 4.6 and just a natural athlete who's got the size."
Rick Mirer has spent two seasons in Seattle with only one standout target, Brian Blades. He must be smiling at the prospect of teaming with Westbrook, Galloway or Stokes.
Other receivers who will go early, if not in the first round, are Jack Jackson of Florida, Frank Sanders of Auburn and Kez McCorvey of Florida State.
Tight end, a trouble spot for years, is loaded. Another Penn State product, Kyle Brady, is the best prospect and might sneak into the top dozen.
Christian Fauria of Colorado, Mark Bruener of Washington, Lovell Pinckney of Texas, Pete Mitchell of Boston College and Jamie Asher of Louisville will get strong consideration. All could be quick starters in a league with few outstanding tight ends.
"Most people think this is a draft with an edge on offense," Giants general manager George Young said. "There's some quality and depth in every offensive area."
Particularly in two areas, quarterback and tight end, where the pickings have been limited in recent years.
"I don't think the colleges have been producing players at the same rate," Jets GM Dick Steinberg said. "Players from the '70s and '80s who were playing football are now playing basketball."
Not all of them. Many of those standouts who chose football - offensive football - will be on the draft board this weekend. But not for very long.