infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Wait, they didn't rate Eli above Luck? Dummies.
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The Top 6 Quarterbacks in the NFL
- Thread starter Playoffs
- Start date
oops. my bad.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Tier 2 (10)
6. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (1.77 average rating)
7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (1.85 average rating)
T-8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (2.23 average rating)
T-8. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (2.23 average rating)
T-8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (2.23 average rating)
T-8. Eli Manning, New York Giants (2.23 average rating)
12. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (2.31 average rating)
13. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (2.38 average rating)
14. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (2.50 average rating)
15. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (2.56 average rating)
Quite a few analysts said they would ideally put Rivers and Roethlisberger in the 1.5 range -- better than the typical Tier 2 player, but not as dynamic as the Tier 1 QBs. Eighteen of the 26 voters placed Rivers in the second tier. The same was true for Roethlisberger.
"Rivers can't run, but he can throw and he's smart," a defensive coordinator said. "He is definitely a two to me -- a real good quarterback."
Another defensive coordinator put Rivers in his first tier with Brees, Brady, Rodgers and Peyton Manning. He also described what separated the top-tier QBs from the rest in his mind. "A one to me is a guy that -- he is going to get 300 on you every game and you kind of know it," that coordinator said. "He's a guy you are going to have to manage, you're going to have to try to disguise and do different things against because he has seen everything. Those guys see everything. The twos are guys you can get. Like Eli, you can get him on some things and can disguise some things on him. But [the twos] still run their offense, they have control of it."
"Rivers can't run, but he can throw and he's smart," a defensive coordinator said. "He is definitely a two to me -- a real good quarterback."
Another defensive coordinator put Rivers in his first tier with Brees, Brady, Rodgers and Peyton Manning. He also described what separated the top-tier QBs from the rest in his mind. "A one to me is a guy that -- he is going to get 300 on you every game and you kind of know it," that coordinator said. "He's a guy you are going to have to manage, you're going to have to try to disguise and do different things against because he has seen everything. Those guys see everything. The twos are guys you can get. Like Eli, you can get him on some things and can disguise some things on him. But [the twos] still run their offense, they have control of it."
7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (1.85 average rating)
One of the offensive coaches placed Rivers and Roethlisberger in the top tier. He noted that Rivers wins with his mind while Roethlisberger wins with his physical abilities. Several GMs said they thought Roethlisberger had declined into the second tier over the past couple seasons. "If you were there in Pittsburgh, you saw him run the no-huddle, you saw the command, you saw him run and make plays," a coordinator said. "Other people will not think as much of him. He is a very good quarterback, able to get himself out of tough positions."
Said one GM: "Ben plays big-boy football -- and regardless of what you think, he knows how to win the game."
Said one GM: "Ben plays big-boy football -- and regardless of what you think, he knows how to win the game."
T-8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (2.23 average rating)
I was surprised to see Ryan command zero Tier 1 votes and six Tier 3 votes. Nearly everyone said Ryan needed to prove himself in the playoffs. There was a feeling Ryan would never be able to carry his team the way the very best QBs have.
That's not a knock, either. "If you told me I'm getting a guy who can win 10 games and get you to the championship game and lose, I'd take it in a heartbeat," one former GM said.
The other former GM said it's become clear to him Ryan cannot carry a team. "I think he has potential, but I see a guy that is a little bit hesitant and cannot pull the trigger," this former GM said. "From afar, it looks like the more Matt Ryan has on his plate, the less productive he becomes."
One evaluator noted that Ryan has benefited from outstanding receiving weapons: Julio Jones can win jump balls; Roddy White, a former wrestler, knows how to fight for position; and the recently retired Tony Gonzalez was a master at using leverage to make life easier for quarterbacks.
One of the pro personnel evaluators called Ryan a "solid starter who will never be a top-five player" at the position. Another put it this way: "He's the most disappointing guy to me. He does not have a great line or run game, but other guys overcome that and are better than Ryan has been. You can throw stats away at some point and it's just a feel for the player."
That's not a knock, either. "If you told me I'm getting a guy who can win 10 games and get you to the championship game and lose, I'd take it in a heartbeat," one former GM said.
The other former GM said it's become clear to him Ryan cannot carry a team. "I think he has potential, but I see a guy that is a little bit hesitant and cannot pull the trigger," this former GM said. "From afar, it looks like the more Matt Ryan has on his plate, the less productive he becomes."
One evaluator noted that Ryan has benefited from outstanding receiving weapons: Julio Jones can win jump balls; Roddy White, a former wrestler, knows how to fight for position; and the recently retired Tony Gonzalez was a master at using leverage to make life easier for quarterbacks.
One of the pro personnel evaluators called Ryan a "solid starter who will never be a top-five player" at the position. Another put it this way: "He's the most disappointing guy to me. He does not have a great line or run game, but other guys overcome that and are better than Ryan has been. You can throw stats away at some point and it's just a feel for the player."
T-8. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (2.23 average rating)
A few evaluators questioned whether Romo had the mind-set to play at the highest level consistently. It's a familiar refrain in league circles, a feeling that Romo is an undisciplined QB playing for an undisciplined organization with a poorly constructed roster.
"People want to knock him," one GM responded, "but the guy has talent and is one of the top 10 starters in the league."
Romo is 34 years old and coming off back surgery, but he still could be in line for a "monster" season, one evaluator said. "But I absolutely believe they will not win big with him. As soon as he decides it's a clutch moment, his brain goes elsewhere. He loses focus and tries to create something."
"People want to knock him," one GM responded, "but the guy has talent and is one of the top 10 starters in the league."
Romo is 34 years old and coming off back surgery, but he still could be in line for a "monster" season, one evaluator said. "But I absolutely believe they will not win big with him. As soon as he decides it's a clutch moment, his brain goes elsewhere. He loses focus and tries to create something."
T-8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (2.23 average rating)
Everyone likes Wilson. But not everyone loves him, especially when it comes to projecting how a 5-foot-10 QB would fare without a dominant defense and running game on his side. Still, Wilson came in ahead of Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III, three other young, mobile QBs.
"I love Russell Wilson," one GM said. "I like him for the intangibles, which Kaepernick has not displayed. I have Wilson as a three and think he might ascend to a two. I don't think he will ever be a one. Kaepernick has a chance to be a one, but he also has a chance to be a three or a four."
Evaluators across the board lauded Wilson for his decision-making, both with the football and in avoiding big hits when scrambling.
Still, some said they wanted to see more from Wilson in terms of decision-making and downfield accuracy from within the pocket. "He has a curl-flat wide open and cannot see it, so he spins out and rips it 40 yards downfield to make an amazing big play," one evaluator said.
A head coach said he'd rather have Sam Bradford than Wilson purely from a talent standpoint.
As noted previously, the numbers from Wilson and Kaepernick from within the pocket are solid, but that doesn't mean people in the league perceive them as effective pocket passers. One head coach said teams with good game plans have taken away escape routes and made Wilson struggle. Injuries at receiver and along the offensive line have not helped. "I want them to win games from the pocket at some point," one GM said of shorter QBs. "That is what will separate Russell Wilson -- besides a great 'D' -- from the Doug Fluties of the world. Eventually, you made them beat you from the pocket and they could not do it. Maybe he ascends to the bottom of that one tier, but I see him probably more top of the second."
"I love Russell Wilson," one GM said. "I like him for the intangibles, which Kaepernick has not displayed. I have Wilson as a three and think he might ascend to a two. I don't think he will ever be a one. Kaepernick has a chance to be a one, but he also has a chance to be a three or a four."
Evaluators across the board lauded Wilson for his decision-making, both with the football and in avoiding big hits when scrambling.
Still, some said they wanted to see more from Wilson in terms of decision-making and downfield accuracy from within the pocket. "He has a curl-flat wide open and cannot see it, so he spins out and rips it 40 yards downfield to make an amazing big play," one evaluator said.
A head coach said he'd rather have Sam Bradford than Wilson purely from a talent standpoint.
As noted previously, the numbers from Wilson and Kaepernick from within the pocket are solid, but that doesn't mean people in the league perceive them as effective pocket passers. One head coach said teams with good game plans have taken away escape routes and made Wilson struggle. Injuries at receiver and along the offensive line have not helped. "I want them to win games from the pocket at some point," one GM said of shorter QBs. "That is what will separate Russell Wilson -- besides a great 'D' -- from the Doug Fluties of the world. Eventually, you made them beat you from the pocket and they could not do it. Maybe he ascends to the bottom of that one tier, but I see him probably more top of the second."
T-8. Eli Manning, New York Giants (2.23 average rating)
Quite a few voters paused and feigned anguish when asked to make sense of Manning following a brutal 2013 season. Seventeen of them placed Manning in the second tier.
"He is really a two when you supply him with the right weapons," a head coach said. "He is a guy that has the ultimate trust in a big wide receiver."
Some thought Manning would benefit from a scheme change this offseason, but most of the voters placing him in the second tier sounded a little apprehensive. "I see Eli having a hard time generating things on his own," one GM said. "I don't see a great decision-maker. He has never struck me as a take-charge, carry-the-team type of guy." That GM put Manning in the third tier. Another drew comparisons between Manning and the Kurt Warner who became gun-shy at times later in his career.
"Eli can go from a championship quarterback to throwing five interceptions in one game," an offensive coordinator said.
"He is really a two when you supply him with the right weapons," a head coach said. "He is a guy that has the ultimate trust in a big wide receiver."
Some thought Manning would benefit from a scheme change this offseason, but most of the voters placing him in the second tier sounded a little apprehensive. "I see Eli having a hard time generating things on his own," one GM said. "I don't see a great decision-maker. He has never struck me as a take-charge, carry-the-team type of guy." That GM put Manning in the third tier. Another drew comparisons between Manning and the Kurt Warner who became gun-shy at times later in his career.
"Eli can go from a championship quarterback to throwing five interceptions in one game," an offensive coordinator said.
12. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (2.31 average rating)
Flacco came in just ahead of Matthew Stafford, thanks to a couple of Tier 1 votes from evaluators honoring the dominant form Flacco showed during the Ravens' Super Bowl run.
"Flacco would be a guy that you probably either love him or hate him because he's a big guy, probably not the most mobile guy, and he's kind of got the droopy face, kind of like the Jay Cutler face, where it always looks like things are bad," an offensive coordinator said.
One defensive coordinator said he thought Flacco played with a grittiness that was appealing. Another saw shortcomings from a football standpoint. "He has a big arm, but he misses so many plays because he doesn't read defenses well," this second defensive coordinator said. "On film, you see guys open, but he doesn't throw it to the right guy."
"Flacco would be a guy that you probably either love him or hate him because he's a big guy, probably not the most mobile guy, and he's kind of got the droopy face, kind of like the Jay Cutler face, where it always looks like things are bad," an offensive coordinator said.
One defensive coordinator said he thought Flacco played with a grittiness that was appealing. Another saw shortcomings from a football standpoint. "He has a big arm, but he misses so many plays because he doesn't read defenses well," this second defensive coordinator said. "On film, you see guys open, but he doesn't throw it to the right guy."
13. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (2.38 average rating)
There's a feeling among evaluators that Stafford, more than any other QB outside the top five, has the talent to ascend into the first tier. He is arguably the most intriguing starter in the league.
"I've watched Stafford a lot and some of the decision-making is questionable," a defensive coordinator said. "[But] as a talent, I would have drafted the kid No. 1 when he was coming out of Georgia."
A head coach said it's critical for Stafford to work on his mechanics the way Brady and Peyton Manning have done over the years.
"I've watched Stafford a lot and some of the decision-making is questionable," a defensive coordinator said. "[But] as a talent, I would have drafted the kid No. 1 when he was coming out of Georgia."
A head coach said it's critical for Stafford to work on his mechanics the way Brady and Peyton Manning have done over the years.
14. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (2.50 average rating)
Evaluators want to see more from Kaepernick as a reader of defenses, playing within the pocket. They acknowledge his strong arm and dynamic running ability: Kaepernick, like Wilson, has good passing stats from within the pocket, with or without play-action. But there's still a perception around the league that neither is proven in that area.
"Kaepernick can affect the game on so many levels," a defensive coordinator said. "He's been to a Super Bowl, been in a championship game. He has kind of revolutionized some stuff. He is a different kind of 'two' than most of them, more multidimensional."
Kaepernick, like Wilson, has benefited from a dominant defense and running game, and his team hasn't asked him to carry the offense week after week.
But he's been resilient. "Last year, there were a number of people injured and he still kept finding ways to win," a different defensive coordinator said. "Those kind of guys who show that moxie at quarterback, as a defensive coach, that does factor [in] to me. It is not necessarily all based on their stats."
"Kaepernick can affect the game on so many levels," a defensive coordinator said. "He's been to a Super Bowl, been in a championship game. He has kind of revolutionized some stuff. He is a different kind of 'two' than most of them, more multidimensional."
Kaepernick, like Wilson, has benefited from a dominant defense and running game, and his team hasn't asked him to carry the offense week after week.
But he's been resilient. "Last year, there were a number of people injured and he still kept finding ways to win," a different defensive coordinator said. "Those kind of guys who show that moxie at quarterback, as a defensive coach, that does factor [in] to me. It is not necessarily all based on their stats."
15. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (2.56 average rating)
Foles just made the bottom of the second tier, even though three evaluators put him in the fourth tier, including one GM who called him "a four who played like a two" last season.
Another GM boldly placed Foles in the first tier based on what he saw last season. He kept Foles there upon additional reflection, but his was an outlying view.
Most wanted to see more. We've seen Matt Cassel and other QBs flash for a season or two before fading away. Still, the evaluators most familiar with Foles liked his future. When asked about the Cassel comparison, they thought Foles had a much better arm. But others wondered if part of one season wasn't enough to go on. "Foles could be like a Kerry Collins or Jake Delhomme, a three who plays like a two or four," one evaluator said.
Another GM boldly placed Foles in the first tier based on what he saw last season. He kept Foles there upon additional reflection, but his was an outlying view.
Most wanted to see more. We've seen Matt Cassel and other QBs flash for a season or two before fading away. Still, the evaluators most familiar with Foles liked his future. When asked about the Cassel comparison, they thought Foles had a much better arm. But others wondered if part of one season wasn't enough to go on. "Foles could be like a Kerry Collins or Jake Delhomme, a three who plays like a two or four," one evaluator said.
1. Brady
2. Rodgers
3. Roethlisberger
4. Luck
5. Wilson
6. Peyton
7. Brees
8. Rivers
9. Flacco
10. Romo
Honorable mention
Palmer
2. Rodgers
3. Roethlisberger
4. Luck
5. Wilson
6. Peyton
7. Brees
8. Rivers
9. Flacco
10. Romo
Honorable mention
Palmer
Good one on Palmer. When he's healthy he's pretty damned good. He just has had really bad luck with injuries.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
MMQB: NFL QB Rankings 2015
Andy Benoit
Andy Benoit
The other day, a group of us were carpooling back to Manhattan following The MMQB’s annual retreat. We got to debating Colin Kaepernick and where he ranks in the NFL quarterback hierarchy. That led to conversation about every starting quarterback’s spot on the list. Such palaver tends to happen when NFL geeks are enclosed in a confined space for several hours.
Instead of sharing everyone’s thoughtful points and counterpoints from that drive, I’ve taken the petty liberty of divulging only my opinions in the below rankings. If Peter King, Robert Klemko, Emily Kaplan or executive editor (and official MMQB retreat driver) Mark Mravic want to share their opinions and rankings, they can make their own lists and pass it off as a column. It’s early-July NFL analysis at its finest. Here we go.
(The list is based off projected starting quarterbacks for 2015.)
32. Matt Cassel, Bills
Put EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor here if you want. Whatever—you get the idea.
31. Robert Griffin III, Washington
His mobility is not what it once was. That’s an issue, as he has mountains to climb to improve his mechanics and field-reading.
30. Marcus Mariota, Titans
Has there ever been so much mystery around a quarterback drafted in the top five? Nobody knows whether his style will flourish or flounder at the pro level.
29. Josh McCown, Browns
Better athlete than appears and he has the ability to play big in the pocket. Problem is, he’s only shown it as a backup fill-in, not a starter leading the offense.
28. Brian Hoyer, Texans
Plays well on the move. But appears to be one of those guys defenses figure out the more they see of him on tape.
27. Geno Smith, Jets
Bad decision-making has been his undoing. That can be corrected. And if it is, he has the pocket toughness to be a top-16 starting quarterback.
26. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
He’s TBD, of course. But the necessary skills appear to be there.
25. Blake Bortles, Jaguars
Much better athlete than we realize. Very possible he jumps 10 or more spots on this list in 2016.
24. Nick Foles, Rams
Has no special traits and can be too methodical at times. But that doesn’t mean he can’t oversee a ball control offense like St. Louis.
23. Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings
Was tightly managed last season before showing extremely encouraging signs down the stretch. The Vikings think they have their guy. Loosen the leash and let’s find out.
22. Sam Bradford, Eagles
He’s almost impossible to critique given his injury woes. But if healthy (huge if) he’s a snappy, accurate passer fit for a spread scheme.
21. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers
Raw tools are startling, but so are a lot of his decisions. There are also mechanical flaws.
20. Andy Dalton, Bengals
Outstanding before the snap but can be a total crapshoot after it.
19. Derek Carr, Raiders
Have to see how he does with the training wheels off, but skill-wise, it appears the Raiders have finally (finally!) found their franchise QB.
18. Alex Smith, Chiefs
Underrated mobility adds a dimension to a QB who operates under defined reads and who attempts safe throws almost exclusively.
17. Jay Cutler, Bears
Mistakes and leadership are problems, but there’s nothing a coach can’t ask him to do on the field.
16. Cam Newton, Panthers
A rare physical specimen who can make the “Wow!” throw. Unfortunately, it’s not always a good “Wow!”
15. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
An underappreciated athlete and good pure passer who has progressed every year in his career.
14. Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Could be lethal in Year 3 under Bruce Arians, especially given the personnel improvements around him.
13. Matthew Stafford, Lions
Owner of the best raw arm in the game, and he became more disciplined last season.
12. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Possesses unique skills that defensive coordinators hate to scheme against. But also has limitations that an offensive coordinator has to scheme around. Having Marshawn Lynch and a legendary defense makes that easier.
11. Eli Manning, Giants
Certified field general with the willingness and ability to spot tight windows and thread the ball through.
10. Tony Romo, Cowboys
Playing behind the league’s best O-line has allowed him to polish many areas of his once inconsistent game.
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons
Newfound ability to play on the move could catapult him higher on this list, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
8. Joe Flacco, Ravens
Maybe the strongest arm in the NFL (yes, arm strength matters), and he’s used it aptly in multiple schemes in recent years. It’s still incredible how little talk there is about his 2012 playoff run, which is probably the best ever.
7. Drew Brees, Saints
Physical skills are starting to wane, but being arguably the top pure progression passer in the league can obscure that.
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
Outstanding on three-step, five-step and seven-step dropbacks. There’s little more a coach could ask for.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Has evolved from a randomized, talent-based quarterback to a fully cerebral field general. And the talent’s still there.
4. Peyton Manning, Broncos
Don’t let back-to-back ugly postseason losses (Colts last year, Seahawks the year before) overshadow back-to-back seasons of daunting statistics. Arm strength has never been his game; field command, fundamentals and IQ have. Those are all still fully intact.
3. Andrew Luck, Colts
Has a chance to one day reach the All-Time Mt. Rushmore, right up there with Brady, Montana and whoever else you have. Right now, he’s already the best play-extending pocket passer in the game, by far.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
The most physically gifted passer in the league can also beat you with his brain.
1. Tom Brady, Patriots
No player of this era has done more with less. Talk to coaches around the league and they’ll tell you that however much command you think Brady has over that offense, triple it, and that’s about the actual amount.
Instead of sharing everyone’s thoughtful points and counterpoints from that drive, I’ve taken the petty liberty of divulging only my opinions in the below rankings. If Peter King, Robert Klemko, Emily Kaplan or executive editor (and official MMQB retreat driver) Mark Mravic want to share their opinions and rankings, they can make their own lists and pass it off as a column. It’s early-July NFL analysis at its finest. Here we go.
(The list is based off projected starting quarterbacks for 2015.)
32. Matt Cassel, Bills
Put EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor here if you want. Whatever—you get the idea.
31. Robert Griffin III, Washington
His mobility is not what it once was. That’s an issue, as he has mountains to climb to improve his mechanics and field-reading.
30. Marcus Mariota, Titans
Has there ever been so much mystery around a quarterback drafted in the top five? Nobody knows whether his style will flourish or flounder at the pro level.
29. Josh McCown, Browns
Better athlete than appears and he has the ability to play big in the pocket. Problem is, he’s only shown it as a backup fill-in, not a starter leading the offense.
28. Brian Hoyer, Texans
Plays well on the move. But appears to be one of those guys defenses figure out the more they see of him on tape.
27. Geno Smith, Jets
Bad decision-making has been his undoing. That can be corrected. And if it is, he has the pocket toughness to be a top-16 starting quarterback.
26. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
He’s TBD, of course. But the necessary skills appear to be there.
25. Blake Bortles, Jaguars
Much better athlete than we realize. Very possible he jumps 10 or more spots on this list in 2016.
24. Nick Foles, Rams
Has no special traits and can be too methodical at times. But that doesn’t mean he can’t oversee a ball control offense like St. Louis.
23. Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings
Was tightly managed last season before showing extremely encouraging signs down the stretch. The Vikings think they have their guy. Loosen the leash and let’s find out.
22. Sam Bradford, Eagles
He’s almost impossible to critique given his injury woes. But if healthy (huge if) he’s a snappy, accurate passer fit for a spread scheme.
21. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers
Raw tools are startling, but so are a lot of his decisions. There are also mechanical flaws.
20. Andy Dalton, Bengals
Outstanding before the snap but can be a total crapshoot after it.
19. Derek Carr, Raiders
Have to see how he does with the training wheels off, but skill-wise, it appears the Raiders have finally (finally!) found their franchise QB.
18. Alex Smith, Chiefs
Underrated mobility adds a dimension to a QB who operates under defined reads and who attempts safe throws almost exclusively.
17. Jay Cutler, Bears
Mistakes and leadership are problems, but there’s nothing a coach can’t ask him to do on the field.
16. Cam Newton, Panthers
A rare physical specimen who can make the “Wow!” throw. Unfortunately, it’s not always a good “Wow!”
15. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
An underappreciated athlete and good pure passer who has progressed every year in his career.
14. Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Could be lethal in Year 3 under Bruce Arians, especially given the personnel improvements around him.
13. Matthew Stafford, Lions
Owner of the best raw arm in the game, and he became more disciplined last season.
12. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Possesses unique skills that defensive coordinators hate to scheme against. But also has limitations that an offensive coordinator has to scheme around. Having Marshawn Lynch and a legendary defense makes that easier.
11. Eli Manning, Giants
Certified field general with the willingness and ability to spot tight windows and thread the ball through.
10. Tony Romo, Cowboys
Playing behind the league’s best O-line has allowed him to polish many areas of his once inconsistent game.
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons
Newfound ability to play on the move could catapult him higher on this list, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
8. Joe Flacco, Ravens
Maybe the strongest arm in the NFL (yes, arm strength matters), and he’s used it aptly in multiple schemes in recent years. It’s still incredible how little talk there is about his 2012 playoff run, which is probably the best ever.
7. Drew Brees, Saints
Physical skills are starting to wane, but being arguably the top pure progression passer in the league can obscure that.
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
Outstanding on three-step, five-step and seven-step dropbacks. There’s little more a coach could ask for.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Has evolved from a randomized, talent-based quarterback to a fully cerebral field general. And the talent’s still there.
4. Peyton Manning, Broncos
Don’t let back-to-back ugly postseason losses (Colts last year, Seahawks the year before) overshadow back-to-back seasons of daunting statistics. Arm strength has never been his game; field command, fundamentals and IQ have. Those are all still fully intact.
3. Andrew Luck, Colts
Has a chance to one day reach the All-Time Mt. Rushmore, right up there with Brady, Montana and whoever else you have. Right now, he’s already the best play-extending pocket passer in the game, by far.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
The most physically gifted passer in the league can also beat you with his brain.
1. Tom Brady, Patriots
No player of this era has done more with less. Talk to coaches around the league and they’ll tell you that however much command you think Brady has over that offense, triple it, and that’s about the actual amount.
I think Luck does keep downfield plays alive better than those guys. Not a knock on them by any means, but amongst chaos in the pocket Luck is seemingly always a threat to make a 20+ yard completion.
We'll just have to agree to disagree here. Roethlisberger with his strength in the pocket and Wilson and Brees with their mobility - and I would include Rodgers but he's already rated higher - seem to gain extra seconds better than Luck. I ain't saying Luck isn't proficient at it, just that those guys seem to do it better IMHO. After all, this is kind of subjective.
...unless you know of some site that keeps play extension as a stat. PFF maybe? I don't know, I just haven't seen it anywhere.
I don't doubt there is some stat somewhere for it, but I'm not about to go sifting around for it. Maybe one of the PFF peeps can chime in.
I think when you factor in size, strength, speed, pocket presence, and play IQ to keep the focus downfield there's not another quarterback in the league who combines them all better than Luck right now, with Rodgers the possible exception barring size/strength. But I generally agree, not a big argument to be had. They're all pretty freaking good.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
2015 NFL QB Tier Rankings
Mike Sando, NFL Insider
Mike Sando, NFL Insider
Welcome to our second annual "Quarterback Tiers" project, with a voting panel of 35 league insiders (up from 26 last year). The process was straightforward: The coaches and evaluators I polled placed each of the 32 projected starters into one of five tiers, with Tier 1 reserved for the very best and Tier 5 reserved for the very worst.
While it's far from rigid, our NFL front office and coach voters typically categorized the tiers as follows:
In the end, we averaged the tier rankings for each quarterback to produce a 1-32 ranking across four tiers (no starting QBs received enough Tier 5 votes to fall into the fifth tier). There was movement in the pecking order from our piece last year. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees slipped. Luck and Ben Roethlisberger surged. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady held firm and were the only unanimous Tier 1 players. And perhaps surprisingly, Derek Carr holds an early lead on Teddy Bridgewater among the 2014 draftees.
There's a lot to digest, so we won't delay any longer. First, though, a big thank you to our panel: eight personnel directors, six general managers, four head coaches, five offensive coordinators, five defensive coordinators, three salary-cap managers, two ex-GMs, two ex-head coaches, and one offensive assistant coach.
Tier 1 (6 QBs total)
T-1. Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers
7. Philip Rivers | San Diego Chargers
While it's far from rigid, our NFL front office and coach voters typically categorized the tiers as follows:
• Tier 1 quarterbacks can carry their teams week after week and contend for championships without as much help.
• Tier 2 QBs are less consistent and need more help, but good enough to figure prominently into a championship equation.
• Tier 3 are quarterbacks who are good enough to start but need lots of support, making it tougher to contend at the highest level.
• Tier 4 is typically reserved for unproven starters or those who might not be expected to last in the lineup all season. Voters used the fifth tier sparingly.
We gave each insider anonymity so they could speak candidly. They did not disappoint. The 35th and final insider, a longtime defensive coordinator, could not believe it when I told him five of the previous 34 had left Andrew Luck outside the top tier on their ballots. "Those five guys didn't play against him. He is a 1, I am telling you. He is f------ good. Nobody blocks anybody up front, and he is still good."• Tier 2 QBs are less consistent and need more help, but good enough to figure prominently into a championship equation.
• Tier 3 are quarterbacks who are good enough to start but need lots of support, making it tougher to contend at the highest level.
• Tier 4 is typically reserved for unproven starters or those who might not be expected to last in the lineup all season. Voters used the fifth tier sparingly.
In the end, we averaged the tier rankings for each quarterback to produce a 1-32 ranking across four tiers (no starting QBs received enough Tier 5 votes to fall into the fifth tier). There was movement in the pecking order from our piece last year. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees slipped. Luck and Ben Roethlisberger surged. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady held firm and were the only unanimous Tier 1 players. And perhaps surprisingly, Derek Carr holds an early lead on Teddy Bridgewater among the 2014 draftees.
There's a lot to digest, so we won't delay any longer. First, though, a big thank you to our panel: eight personnel directors, six general managers, four head coaches, five offensive coordinators, five defensive coordinators, three salary-cap managers, two ex-GMs, two ex-head coaches, and one offensive assistant coach.
Tier 1 (6 QBs total)
T-1. Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers
Average rating: 1.0 | Change in rating: +3.7%
2014 Rank: T-1
Rodgers tied with Brady in the voting as a unanimous Tier 1 choice, but he gets top billing based on feedback from voters. A personnel director with NFC North experience called him "unequivocally" the best in the league. An offensive coach who studied every offensive snap for Green Bay and New England last season called Rodgers better than Brady by a noticeable notch...
T-1. Tom Brady | New England Patriots2014 Rank: T-1
Rodgers tied with Brady in the voting as a unanimous Tier 1 choice, but he gets top billing based on feedback from voters. A personnel director with NFC North experience called him "unequivocally" the best in the league. An offensive coach who studied every offensive snap for Green Bay and New England last season called Rodgers better than Brady by a noticeable notch...
Average rating: 1.0 | Change in rating: +3.7%
2014 Rank: T-1
None of the voters had reservations about placing Brady into the top tier as the quarterback's 38th birthday approaches, and likewise, none raised the Deflategate scandal as a factor in voting.
"Brady is still on another level because he just mentally dominates every game, every time," an offensive coach said...
3. Andrew Luck | Indianapolis Colts2014 Rank: T-1
None of the voters had reservations about placing Brady into the top tier as the quarterback's 38th birthday approaches, and likewise, none raised the Deflategate scandal as a factor in voting.
"Brady is still on another level because he just mentally dominates every game, every time," an offensive coach said...
Average rating: 1.14 | Change in rating: +23.8%
2014 Rank: 5
Luck went from a disputed Tier 1 QB one year ago to a resounding choice after again carrying a weak roster to the postseason.
"Luck didn't get a 1 from everybody?" a GM asked. He was incredulous. "You want to talk about a guy who makes the team? He is Michael Jordan. Their defense sucks. Every game, he has to outscore everybody. He is the epitome of a 1. If I was to draft tomorrow any player in the NFL, it would be Andrew Luck one, Aaron Rodgers two."...
4. Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers2014 Rank: 5
Luck went from a disputed Tier 1 QB one year ago to a resounding choice after again carrying a weak roster to the postseason.
"Luck didn't get a 1 from everybody?" a GM asked. He was incredulous. "You want to talk about a guy who makes the team? He is Michael Jordan. Their defense sucks. Every game, he has to outscore everybody. He is the epitome of a 1. If I was to draft tomorrow any player in the NFL, it would be Andrew Luck one, Aaron Rodgers two."...
Average rating: 1.37 | Change in rating: +25.7%
2014 Rank: 7
"He throws to win games by himself and he can do it every week," an offensive coach said. "He could throw for 350 every week. I did not give him his due until I really saw this past year, with the average defense and only one top receiver, getting it done every week and keeping his interceptions down."...
5. Peyton Manning | Denver Broncos2014 Rank: 7
"He throws to win games by himself and he can do it every week," an offensive coach said. "He could throw for 350 every week. I did not give him his due until I really saw this past year, with the average defense and only one top receiver, getting it done every week and keeping his interceptions down."...
Average rating: 1.43 | Change in rating: -37.6%
2014 Rank: T-1
Some of the voters who placed Manning in the top tier did so reluctantly because they questioned whether he could still carry an offense for a full season given what they saw as obviously diminished throwing ability...
6. Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints2014 Rank: T-1
Some of the voters who placed Manning in the top tier did so reluctantly because they questioned whether he could still carry an offense for a full season given what they saw as obviously diminished throwing ability...
Average rating: 1.49 | Change in rating: -43.1%
2014 Rank: T-1
Brees nearly fell out of the top tier even though his 71.6 Total QBR score in 2014 was the third-highest mark of his nine-year tenure with the Saints. Some thought he deserved another year as a 1 because the team's struggles last season had more to do with a diminished supporting cast on both sides of the ball...
2014 Rank: T-1
Brees nearly fell out of the top tier even though his 71.6 Total QBR score in 2014 was the third-highest mark of his nine-year tenure with the Saints. Some thought he deserved another year as a 1 because the team's struggles last season had more to do with a diminished supporting cast on both sides of the ball...
Tier 2 (8 QBs total)7. Philip Rivers | San Diego Chargers
Average rating: 1.66 | Change in rating: +6.3%
2014 Rank: 6
Rivers placed solidly into the top of the second tier, but voters wouldn't argue strongly against including him in that top group. In Rivers, they see a supreme competitor who does a fantastic job compensating for physical limitations that might keep him from projecting into the top tier, especially at this stage...
8. Russell Wilson | Seattle Seahawks2014 Rank: 6
Rivers placed solidly into the top of the second tier, but voters wouldn't argue strongly against including him in that top group. In Rivers, they see a supreme competitor who does a fantastic job compensating for physical limitations that might keep him from projecting into the top tier, especially at this stage...
Average rating: 1.71 | Change in rating: +23.2%
2014 Rank: T-8
Last year, more than one-third of voters placed Wilson in the third tier, questioning whether he could carry a pass-oriented offense week after week, as the better quarterbacks have been able to do. Only one voter placed Wilson in the third tier this time, as other voters acknowledged the role Wilson played in the Seahawks reaching back-to-back Super Bowls. In total, 11 of 35 voters said Wilson was a 1, up from three of 26 voters one year ago.
"At the end of the day, the won-lost record of your quarterback and the leadership goes hand-in-hand," a former GM said. "He has been in the last two Super Bowls. You can say all you want about the defense, but the Bills had a good defense the last two years. What did it get them? Wilson has that late-game magic."
Why did one coordinator leave Wilson in the third tier?
"Because I think he needs Marshawn Lynch and the defense [to be great] to do what he has done," the coordinator replied. That same coordinator said his college scouting report on Wilson read like a report would read for a top-tier prospect, but he gave a lower grade overall based on concerns over Wilson's height. An offensive coach said "the bubble is going to burst" for Wilson if the day comes when the team needs him to throw the ball frequently.
"He is not a 1," a head coach said. "He cannot win the whole thing. Is that why they are not paying him? I think you could make an argument to put him down as a 3, but I would say he is a 2. The running back and the tight end can help him. If you can make the game one-dimensional for him where he has to be a total pocket passer, it gets tough. Green Bay had four interceptions on him [in the NFC Championship]."
Another head coach called Wilson a 1 in Seattle's current system, but a 2 in any other. A defensive coordinator who placed Wilson in the top tier said he thought Wilson could succeed as primarily a pocket passer. He called Wilson a winner and a player able to make every throw needed. He also thought throwing from the pocket consistently wasn't necessarily a requirement.
"They do not make him sit in the pocket and win games, but his combination of smarts, poise and athletic ability makes him a 2," a GM said. "I think he is a good 2. I do not see him taking over games from a throwing standpoint. He is in the right place because of the defense and run game, which plays to his strengths."
An offensive coordinator who has worked with traditional pocket passers placed Wilson in the top tier without reservation. Rodgers, Brady, Luck, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Romo, Joe Flacco and both Mannings were also 1s on this coordinator's ballot.
"If they were throwing it like New Orleans, he'd have as many yards as Brees," this coordinator said. "He beats you doing the things he does. He is a 1, and he is up there with Aaron and Luck because of his uniqueness and all the s--- he can do."
9. Tony Romo | Dallas Cowboys2014 Rank: T-8
Last year, more than one-third of voters placed Wilson in the third tier, questioning whether he could carry a pass-oriented offense week after week, as the better quarterbacks have been able to do. Only one voter placed Wilson in the third tier this time, as other voters acknowledged the role Wilson played in the Seahawks reaching back-to-back Super Bowls. In total, 11 of 35 voters said Wilson was a 1, up from three of 26 voters one year ago.
"At the end of the day, the won-lost record of your quarterback and the leadership goes hand-in-hand," a former GM said. "He has been in the last two Super Bowls. You can say all you want about the defense, but the Bills had a good defense the last two years. What did it get them? Wilson has that late-game magic."
Why did one coordinator leave Wilson in the third tier?
"Because I think he needs Marshawn Lynch and the defense [to be great] to do what he has done," the coordinator replied. That same coordinator said his college scouting report on Wilson read like a report would read for a top-tier prospect, but he gave a lower grade overall based on concerns over Wilson's height. An offensive coach said "the bubble is going to burst" for Wilson if the day comes when the team needs him to throw the ball frequently.
"He is not a 1," a head coach said. "He cannot win the whole thing. Is that why they are not paying him? I think you could make an argument to put him down as a 3, but I would say he is a 2. The running back and the tight end can help him. If you can make the game one-dimensional for him where he has to be a total pocket passer, it gets tough. Green Bay had four interceptions on him [in the NFC Championship]."
Another head coach called Wilson a 1 in Seattle's current system, but a 2 in any other. A defensive coordinator who placed Wilson in the top tier said he thought Wilson could succeed as primarily a pocket passer. He called Wilson a winner and a player able to make every throw needed. He also thought throwing from the pocket consistently wasn't necessarily a requirement.
"They do not make him sit in the pocket and win games, but his combination of smarts, poise and athletic ability makes him a 2," a GM said. "I think he is a good 2. I do not see him taking over games from a throwing standpoint. He is in the right place because of the defense and run game, which plays to his strengths."
An offensive coordinator who has worked with traditional pocket passers placed Wilson in the top tier without reservation. Rodgers, Brady, Luck, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Romo, Joe Flacco and both Mannings were also 1s on this coordinator's ballot.
"If they were throwing it like New Orleans, he'd have as many yards as Brees," this coordinator said. "He beats you doing the things he does. He is a 1, and he is up there with Aaron and Luck because of his uniqueness and all the s--- he can do."
Average rating: 1.83 | Change in rating: +18%
2014 Rank: T-8
Romo produced like a top-tier quarterback last season when the Cowboys supported him with a dominant ground game, averaging 31.5 drop-backs per game, down from 40.9 over the past two seasons combined. The new approach put less pressure on Romo to make riskier throws.
"Last year's formula was outstanding for him and I'm wondering why they have not done that forever," an offensive coordinator said. "I do not care how sexy he looks throwing, he is a 2 to me because I know if it ends up in his hands, it is 50-50 [whether] he is going to make the big mistake."
The numbers don't necessarily support Romo being unreliable in crunch time. In fact, since 2011, Romo ranks second to Brees in Total QBR among 11 qualifying quarterbacks during fourth quarters and overtimes with the score tied or his team trailing by no more than eight points. His .500 winning percentage in those games (16-16 record) is best in the league over that span among those 11 quarterbacks.
"Solid 2 all day long," an offensive coach said. "Last year, he played like a 1 because they ran it and kept it out of his hands. That helped him and his interceptions went under 10. Romo, Flacco and [Matt] Ryan are just such solid 2s, but it seems to me Romo has done more."
Three defensive coordinators placed Romo in the top tier, as did one head coach, one offensive coordinator, a salary-cap manager and a director of analytics.
"Unequivocally, he is a top 6-7 quarterback," a personnel director said. "What they did offensively was perfect for him this past year where they had a strong run game and they could create space for people. Romo can find people and make all the throws. He had only one year where he threw a ton of picks. He has thrown picks at inopportune times, but it is not like Jay Cutler where he's in the 14-15 range per season. Romo can make a play to win the game."
A GM placed Romo in the second tier based on some of the mistakes Romo has made, but he also thought the Cowboys would be lost without him, as they were against Arizona last season.
"You never really want to put it on his shoulders game in and game out," a personnel director said. "They have done that in the past and it did not work out as well. When you give him the tools and add some run game and protection, he is much better."
10. Joe Flacco | Baltimore Ravens2014 Rank: T-8
Romo produced like a top-tier quarterback last season when the Cowboys supported him with a dominant ground game, averaging 31.5 drop-backs per game, down from 40.9 over the past two seasons combined. The new approach put less pressure on Romo to make riskier throws.
"Last year's formula was outstanding for him and I'm wondering why they have not done that forever," an offensive coordinator said. "I do not care how sexy he looks throwing, he is a 2 to me because I know if it ends up in his hands, it is 50-50 [whether] he is going to make the big mistake."
The numbers don't necessarily support Romo being unreliable in crunch time. In fact, since 2011, Romo ranks second to Brees in Total QBR among 11 qualifying quarterbacks during fourth quarters and overtimes with the score tied or his team trailing by no more than eight points. His .500 winning percentage in those games (16-16 record) is best in the league over that span among those 11 quarterbacks.
"Solid 2 all day long," an offensive coach said. "Last year, he played like a 1 because they ran it and kept it out of his hands. That helped him and his interceptions went under 10. Romo, Flacco and [Matt] Ryan are just such solid 2s, but it seems to me Romo has done more."
Three defensive coordinators placed Romo in the top tier, as did one head coach, one offensive coordinator, a salary-cap manager and a director of analytics.
"Unequivocally, he is a top 6-7 quarterback," a personnel director said. "What they did offensively was perfect for him this past year where they had a strong run game and they could create space for people. Romo can find people and make all the throws. He had only one year where he threw a ton of picks. He has thrown picks at inopportune times, but it is not like Jay Cutler where he's in the 14-15 range per season. Romo can make a play to win the game."
A GM placed Romo in the second tier based on some of the mistakes Romo has made, but he also thought the Cowboys would be lost without him, as they were against Arizona last season.
"You never really want to put it on his shoulders game in and game out," a personnel director said. "They have done that in the past and it did not work out as well. When you give him the tools and add some run game and protection, he is much better."
Average rating: 1.94 | Change in rating: +15.8%
2014 Rank: 12
Some question Flacco for the same reason they question Wilson. Both have played for teams with strong defenses and ground games, making their jobs easier. A GM who placed Flacco in the second tier said he could make a case for him as a 3, noting nearly identical career stat lines for Flacco and Andy Dalton in winning percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating. Their career Total QBR scores are also right around 53, just ahead of Ryan Tannehill...
11. Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons2014 Rank: 12
Some question Flacco for the same reason they question Wilson. Both have played for teams with strong defenses and ground games, making their jobs easier. A GM who placed Flacco in the second tier said he could make a case for him as a 3, noting nearly identical career stat lines for Flacco and Andy Dalton in winning percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating. Their career Total QBR scores are also right around 53, just ahead of Ryan Tannehill...
Average rating: 2.03 | Change in rating: +9.1%
2014 Rank: T-8
Ryan commanded more second-tier votes than any other quarterback with 28 -- one more than Flacco. Some voters thought Ryan had the tools to move into the top tier while conceding it should have happened by now...
T-12. Eli Manning | New York Giants2014 Rank: T-8
Ryan commanded more second-tier votes than any other quarterback with 28 -- one more than Flacco. Some voters thought Ryan had the tools to move into the top tier while conceding it should have happened by now...
Average rating: 2.17 | Change in rating: +2.7%
2014 Rank: T-8
Manning received 10 votes in the third tier, matching the total for the 11 quarterbacks listed ahead of him in the rankings. He was still solidly in the second tier, with some league insiders saying he was trending up at age 34...
T-12. Matthew Stafford | Detroit Lions2014 Rank: T-8
Manning received 10 votes in the third tier, matching the total for the 11 quarterbacks listed ahead of him in the rankings. He was still solidly in the second tier, with some league insiders saying he was trending up at age 34...
Average rating: 2.17 | Change in rating: +8.9%
2014 Rank: 13
Stafford was the lowest-rated player to command a top-tier vote, but there were also eight third-tier grades from voters frustrated by the lingering gap between Stafford's physical gifts and his on-field performance. The two voters to give Stafford a 1 ranked first and seventh among easiest graders overall...
14. Cam Newton | Carolina Panthers2014 Rank: 13
Stafford was the lowest-rated player to command a top-tier vote, but there were also eight third-tier grades from voters frustrated by the lingering gap between Stafford's physical gifts and his on-field performance. The two voters to give Stafford a 1 ranked first and seventh among easiest graders overall...
Average rating: 2.49 | Change in rating: +3.5%
2014 Rank: 16
Newton moved solidly into the bottom of the second tier after getting a slight majority of third-tier votes one year ago. As one GM said: "I feel a little better on him, but you still have to manage him. There are more solid 2s."...
...2014 Rank: 16
Newton moved solidly into the bottom of the second tier after getting a slight majority of third-tier votes one year ago. As one GM said: "I feel a little better on him, but you still have to manage him. There are more solid 2s."...
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
cont'd...
Tier 3(10 QBs total)
15. Carson Palmer | Arizona Cardinals
25. Marcus Mariota | Tennessee Titans
Tier 3(10 QBs total)
15. Carson Palmer | Arizona Cardinals
Average rating: 2.69 | Change in rating: +13.8%
2014 Rank: T-21
Palmer has an 11-2 record in his last 13 starts and ranks ninth among qualifying quarterbacks in Total QBR (67.8) over that span, which dates to Week 11 of the 2013 season. So it's not a huge surprise that some of the voters said they would've been inclined to make him a 2, if not for the fact that Palmer is coming off a torn ACL at age 35...
16. Alex Smith | Kansas City Chiefs2014 Rank: T-21
Palmer has an 11-2 record in his last 13 starts and ranks ninth among qualifying quarterbacks in Total QBR (67.8) over that span, which dates to Week 11 of the 2013 season. So it's not a huge surprise that some of the voters said they would've been inclined to make him a 2, if not for the fact that Palmer is coming off a torn ACL at age 35...
Average rating: 2.77 | Change in rating: +6.4%
2014 Rank: 18
There are different types of 3s. Smith is the type voters view more favorably because he generally will not lose the game, and he's a good teammate. However, voters do not think he has played a leading role in his 25-13-1 record as a starter over the past three seasons. Smith is seventh in winning percentage and 19th in Total QBR over that span, rankings that line up very closely with those for Andy Dalton, another quarterback in the third tier...
17. Ryan Tannehill | Miami Dolphins2014 Rank: 18
There are different types of 3s. Smith is the type voters view more favorably because he generally will not lose the game, and he's a good teammate. However, voters do not think he has played a leading role in his 25-13-1 record as a starter over the past three seasons. Smith is seventh in winning percentage and 19th in Total QBR over that span, rankings that line up very closely with those for Andy Dalton, another quarterback in the third tier...
Average rating: 2.86 | Change in rating: +13.9%
2014 Rank: 23
Voters moved Tannehill more solidly into the third tier, with most suggesting a 2 would be his ceiling. Tannehill has made statistical gains every year even though the Dolphins have struggled to build a capable offensive line, running game and receiving corps around him. The defense also fell apart late last season. Even with those mitigating factors, some voters wanted to see more from Tannehill...
T-18. Colin Kaepernick | San Francisco 49ers2014 Rank: 23
Voters moved Tannehill more solidly into the third tier, with most suggesting a 2 would be his ceiling. Tannehill has made statistical gains every year even though the Dolphins have struggled to build a capable offensive line, running game and receiving corps around him. The defense also fell apart late last season. Even with those mitigating factors, some voters wanted to see more from Tannehill...
Average rating: 2.94 | Change in rating: -17.7%
2014 Rank: 14
Voters raised questions about Kaepernick's accuracy and ability as a pocket passer. They see the football equivalent of a pitcher with a little variety beyond a fastball. In general, the sentiment was that Kaepernick regressed last season as his fundamentals suffered and the 49ers failed to maximize his abilities...
T-18. Andy Dalton | Cincinnati Bengals2014 Rank: 14
Voters raised questions about Kaepernick's accuracy and ability as a pocket passer. They see the football equivalent of a pitcher with a little variety beyond a fastball. In general, the sentiment was that Kaepernick regressed last season as his fundamentals suffered and the 49ers failed to maximize his abilities...
Average rating: 2.94 | Change in rating: +1.9%
2014 Rank: T-19
Thirty-one of 35 voters placed Dalton among the 3s, giving Dalton the most such votes. Most thought he could become a 2. None said he could become a 1...
T-20. Derek Carr | Oakland Raiders2014 Rank: T-19
Thirty-one of 35 voters placed Dalton among the 3s, giving Dalton the most such votes. Most thought he could become a 2. None said he could become a 1...
Average rating: 3.11 | Change in rating: N/A
2014 Rank: N/A
This relatively high ranking for an un-established player reflects a fair amount of projection from voters excited about the potential they've seen to this point. Carr was statistically poor as a rookie, averaging a league-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt while ranking 28th out of 33 qualifiers in Total QBR...
T-20. Jay Cutler | Chicago Bears2014 Rank: N/A
This relatively high ranking for an un-established player reflects a fair amount of projection from voters excited about the potential they've seen to this point. Carr was statistically poor as a rookie, averaging a league-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt while ranking 28th out of 33 qualifiers in Total QBR...
Average rating: 3.11 | Change in rating: -19.1%
2014 Rank: 17
With the exception of Robert Griffin III, no player in the survey produced stronger negative reactions than Cutler produced...
22. Nick Foles | St. Louis Rams2014 Rank: 17
With the exception of Robert Griffin III, no player in the survey produced stronger negative reactions than Cutler produced...
Average rating: 3.20 | Change in rating: -25%
2014 Rank: 15
Voters gave Foles the benefit of the doubt heading into 2014, but not after a down season. His average ranking fell 25 percent from 2.56 to 3.2, the fourth-largest percentage dip among the 27 returning starters. Some evaluators are interested to see how he fares away from Chip Kelly's offense...
T-23. Sam Bradford | Philadelphia Eagles2014 Rank: 15
Voters gave Foles the benefit of the doubt heading into 2014, but not after a down season. His average ranking fell 25 percent from 2.56 to 3.2, the fourth-largest percentage dip among the 27 returning starters. Some evaluators are interested to see how he fares away from Chip Kelly's offense...
Average rating: 3.23 | Change in rating: -3.6%
2014 Rank: T-21
Bradford fell a bit in the rankings based on his inability to stay healthy in recent seasons, making just seven of 32 potential starts since 2013...
T-23. Teddy Bridgewater | Minnesota Vikings2014 Rank: T-21
Bradford fell a bit in the rankings based on his inability to stay healthy in recent seasons, making just seven of 32 potential starts since 2013...
Average rating: 3.23 | Change in rating: N/A
2014 Rank: N/A
Bridgewater made it into the third tier after a 13-game rookie season featuring 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. That's not bad, but it's tough not to notice how much Bridgewater lagged behind Carr, his fellow 2014 rookie, in this survey...
Tier 4 (8 QBs total)2014 Rank: N/A
Bridgewater made it into the third tier after a 13-game rookie season featuring 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. That's not bad, but it's tough not to notice how much Bridgewater lagged behind Carr, his fellow 2014 rookie, in this survey...
25. Marcus Mariota | Tennessee Titans
Average rating: 3.54 | Change in rating: N/A
2014 Rank: N/A
...
26. Jameis Winston | Tampa Bay Buccaneers2014 Rank: N/A
...
Average rating: 3.77 | Change in rating: N/A
2014 Rank: N/A
...
27. Blake Bortles | Jacksonville Jaguars2014 Rank: N/A
...
Average rating: 3.83 | Change in rating: N/A
2014 Rank: N/A
Bortles played sooner than anticipated and got very little support, making it tougher to evaluate him fairly. Voters were not particularly critical of Bortles, but that doesn't mean they were optimistic, either.
"I'm not feeling it," one offensive coach said, offering faint praise by calling Bortles an "ascending 4."
Bortles ranked 28th in completion rate last season (58.9 percent), despite completing 65 screens in 73 attempts. Only Cutler attempted more screen passes last season.
"I did not like how he threw the ball. He looked lost," an opposing head coach said.
A personnel director was among several voters who said they questioned Bortles' accuracy coming out of college.
...
28. Robert Griffin III | Washington Redskins2014 Rank: N/A
Bortles played sooner than anticipated and got very little support, making it tougher to evaluate him fairly. Voters were not particularly critical of Bortles, but that doesn't mean they were optimistic, either.
"I'm not feeling it," one offensive coach said, offering faint praise by calling Bortles an "ascending 4."
Bortles ranked 28th in completion rate last season (58.9 percent), despite completing 65 screens in 73 attempts. Only Cutler attempted more screen passes last season.
"I did not like how he threw the ball. He looked lost," an opposing head coach said.
A personnel director was among several voters who said they questioned Bortles' accuracy coming out of college.
...
Average rating: 3.91 | Change in rating: -30.5%
2014 Rank: T-19
One head coach wound up being the easiest grader overall -- and it wasn't even close -- placing 30 of the 32 quarterbacks in the top two tiers. The lone exceptions? Matt Cassel (Tier 3) and Griffin (Tier 4), which pretty much sums up where people around the league see Griffin at this stage of his career...
29. Josh McCown | Cleveland Browns2014 Rank: T-19
One head coach wound up being the easiest grader overall -- and it wasn't even close -- placing 30 of the 32 quarterbacks in the top two tiers. The lone exceptions? Matt Cassel (Tier 3) and Griffin (Tier 4), which pretty much sums up where people around the league see Griffin at this stage of his career...
Average rating: 3.94 | Change in rating: -12%
2014 Rank: 24
There aren't enough starting-caliber quarterbacks to go around, and it's getting tougher to find prospects with training in pro-style offenses. Those factors explain how McCown projects as a starter for the second consecutive offseason...
30. Brian Hoyer | Houston Texans2014 Rank: 24
There aren't enough starting-caliber quarterbacks to go around, and it's getting tougher to find prospects with training in pro-style offenses. Those factors explain how McCown projects as a starter for the second consecutive offseason...
Average rating: 4.03 | Change in rating: +5.9%
2014 Rank: 29
Hoyer hasn't won the job yet, but voters considered him the favorite, making him the choice for the purposes of this project. One personnel director called Hoyer an overachiever, which is somewhat high praise for a guy who will be on his sixth team in as many seasons.
"He did a good job with what they asked him to do in Cleveland," a GM said. "He kept them in games, did not make big mistakes. They have to play a certain way and manage it with him."
An offensive coach said he'd take Hoyer over McCown based on how they functioned under pressure. One voter noted that when Green Bay lost Rodgers to injury in 2013, the Packers could have signed Hoyer, but they chose Seneca Wallace instead.
31. Matt Cassel | Buffalo Bills2014 Rank: 29
Hoyer hasn't won the job yet, but voters considered him the favorite, making him the choice for the purposes of this project. One personnel director called Hoyer an overachiever, which is somewhat high praise for a guy who will be on his sixth team in as many seasons.
"He did a good job with what they asked him to do in Cleveland," a GM said. "He kept them in games, did not make big mistakes. They have to play a certain way and manage it with him."
An offensive coach said he'd take Hoyer over McCown based on how they functioned under pressure. One voter noted that when Green Bay lost Rodgers to injury in 2013, the Packers could have signed Hoyer, but they chose Seneca Wallace instead.
Average rating: 4.20 | Change in rating: +1.6%
2014 Rank: 28
Multiple voters could not believe an NFL team would sign Cassel to be a potential starter in 2015...
32. Geno Smith | New York Jets2014 Rank: 28
Multiple voters could not believe an NFL team would sign Cassel to be a potential starter in 2015...
Average rating: 4.29 | Change in rating: +4.3%
2014 Rank: 32
...
2014 Rank: 32
...
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
So basically everyone so far is agreement (a) Hoyer is our QB and (b) he sucks.
This has to be the scariest comment yet:
If so far has been overachieving...
This has to be the scariest comment yet:
If so far has been overachieving...
Totally agree. Not sure why Wilson keeps getting dissed like this. My theory is some of these guys are stat-happy. And because, as you said, Wilson plays in a balanced (I'd almost say 'run-first') offense and a stud defense. Because he doesn't put up the fantasy football-like stats these guys like to see they don't think he can play. I guess these same bozos would downgrade Roger Staubach in today's NFL because he had a stout defense and Tony Dorsett in the backfield.
:mariopalm:
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I really hope that a bang upped, mentally PTSD, fired Schaub being ranked 5 spots higher wasn't supposed to cheer us up.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
I thought I remembered it was something like that. If our QB is ranked 32 before the season starts, but he takes us to the SB, I really won't care about the ranking.
I would rank Wilson 5th behind
1. Brady
2. Rodgers
3. Big Ben
4. Luck
5. Wilson
1. Brady
2. Rodgers
3. Big Ben
4. Luck
5. Wilson
handswarmer
Rookie
- First rookie quarterback to win two playoff games
- Most wins by a quarterback in first six seasons: 62 (regular season only)
- 2nd most combined regular and postseason wins in first three years as a quarterback: 36 (tied with Dan Marino)
- Only quarterback to start and win a playoff game in each of his first five seasons
- Most touchdowns in a postseason: 11 (tied with Joe Montana and Kurt Warner)
- Most touchdowns without an interception in a postseason: 11 (tied with Joe Montana)
- First quarterback to have a passer rating over 100 in all four games of a single postseason
- Most consecutive playoff games with at least three passing touchdowns: 3 (tied with Bernie Kosar, Kurt Warner, and Aaron Rodgers)
- Most consecutive road playoff games with at least one passing touchdown: 7 (tied with Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre)
- Fastest quarterback to record 5 touchdowns in a game: 16:03
- Most road playoff wins for a quarterback: 7
eriadoc
Texan-American
Look Joe, we like you just fine, but you really should be enjoying the last few days off before you have to report.
handswarmer
Rookie
Rank this, use this metric that.....its all bullshit....who wins, who makes the plays when he has to, who would you ask to take the ball on a cold, windy field in January and win a game......that's your answer....only a few in this "list" have done it.....many have not....some get all the ESPN attention, some do not.....but they win....and win.....and win.....
I don't get the defensiveness. Flacco's done well and he's been rewarded. Now he's paid like a top qb and he and the Ravens are perenially considered in the mix. The guy's not without his warts though and so he's not generally rated in the top few qbs year in and year out. No biggie.
He's in a pretty freakin' good spot on the whole.
handswarmer
Rookie
I've a seen a few of these "lists"-- all the guy does is win and win in the post season...
He's done lots of things other than just win. You've got opaque Flacco-colored glasses on.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Texans fans look really silly, no stupid on this. We'd be dancing a freaking jig if Flacco was our QB.
I don't honestly know what a jig is but we'd be dancing one.
I don't honestly know what a jig is but we'd be dancing one.
Which texans fans would that be? I haven't seen a poster one say they wouldn't want Flacco or that he's some kind of inferior qb.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Seriously?
Sure. I don't see much Flacco hate around here, if any really. I don't see an outpouring Flacco love either, but big whoop. The general consensus seems to fall anywhere from good-ish to elite-ish. Which on any given sunday is pretty much Joe Flacco.
If there's some anti-Flacco mob I guess I just haven't been to the meetings.
If there's some anti-Flacco mob I guess I just haven't been to the meetings.
If he were our QB & we won a Super Bowl... I'd bite my tongue.
If he were our QB & he couldn't get us over the BS Schaub couldn't overcome, I'd be like Steelbtexan
playa465
Veteran
eriadoc
Texan-American
What is stupid about saying that Flacco is not a top 6 QB? No one said the guy was chopped liver.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
People sure act like it. Dude is a plus QB. People around here act like Staubachs grows in the back yard. Just add water.
Doesn't work like that. Sometimes you have to be happy with the Schaubs and Flaccos.
eriadoc
Texan-American
Don't know who's acting like it. Hell, in my mocking post to Mr. Flacco upthread, I even started it with "we like you just fine". He's just not a top 6 QB, precisely because Staubachs don't grow on trees. But yeah, I'd take him on the Texans. Of course, in that fantasy land world, I may as well pick and choose, and I could probably pick and choose 6 guys I'd take ahead of him. That's all.
handswarmer
Rookie
Flacco has never had written like AJ....He never had a rb like AF. The one year he had Kubiak as OC, he set records. Imagine him on the Texanstalk and it would have been 2-3 Super bowls....easy....
F*ck sake TO, dry your eyes. Nobody's taking a dump on your qb.
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