This is the tenth post in a series that will delve in to each NFL position, ranking the top 12 for all. After each has been dissected, I will give my final top 12 players in the NFL. To see the previous post in the series, click here.
Quarterbacks. The pillars of football. The most important position. It starts and ends with these guys. They take the fame and fortune but also so much of the scrutiny and blame. It's thin waters, and those who master it are easily the most respected of all players.
You know who they are. Let's do this shall we?
*In case you wonder why a player is on the list or why he is so high, some of these players are where they are based on how I think they will do in 2017. I will be including past achievements and experience - but not as much. So if you see someone that surprises you, it could be that I think they are set to explode this upcoming season.
Key:
- QB = Quarterback
- QBR = Quarterback Rating
- Yds = Passing Yards
- TD = Touchdowns
- INT = Interceptions
- Pct = Completion Percentage
Top NFL Quarterbacks of 2017
12. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys (2016)
2016: 104.9 QBR; 3,667 Yds; 23 TD; 4 INT; 67.8 Pct
*Won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year - Holds the NFL record for most passes thrown without throwing an INT to start career (previously held by Tom Brady)
Prescott is a rising star in the NFL. Smart, efficient, and even clutch. Now is he the 14th best player in the league? Definitely not. Could he be? Yes. He's good enough already to beat out the likes of Cam Newton, Kirk Cousins, Philip Rivers, and Alex Smith for the 12th spot on this list. I expect him to take a bit leap in 2017 - and in year three I expect him to be a top 10 QB.
Still don't get how he was voted as the fifth best QB living rn. Like. Yall's had Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Drew Brees lower.
Proj. 2017: 105.5 QBR; 3,900+ Yds; 27 TD; 7 INT; 70 Pct
11. Marcus Mariota - Tennessee Titans (2015)
2016: 95.6 QBR; 3,426 Yds; 26 TD; 9 INT; 61.2 Pct (15 games)
Like many drafts in past years, two top tier QB's have been selected right near each other, making the two inseparable for their entire careers. That is no more apparent then in 2015's 1st and 2nd overall draft picks, but unlike many drafts - both have turned out to be quite the players for their respective franchises. One holds ale the classic styles to the position whilst Marcus Mariota embodies the newer breed of QB. Both he and my 10 player have improved incredibly over the last couple years. What amazes me about both is how quite and humble they are. Rarely found in young players. They have both become the unspoken leaders of their teams.
Of course the big debate is which one is better. Hard to say. Unless one suddenly drops off, I see both of their trajectories going up. I'd probably take Jameis Winston due to his classic approach that works in all offenses and all forms of the game. But Mariota took a huge step forward with his overall throwing and reading of defenses in 2016, leaning less on his legs and making them more of a secret weapon that wasn't the main focus. Really like this standout from Oregon.
Proj. 2017: 105.7 QBR; 3,700+ Yds; 23 TD; 4 INT; 66.7 Pct
*600+ rushing yds; 5 rushing TD's
10. Jameis Winston - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015)
2016: 86.1 QBR; 4,090 Yds; 28 TD; 18 INT; 60.8 Pct
There's a lot of hype surrounding this dude entering his third year. From the "Hard Knocks" TV series documenting the Bucs 2017 offseason to the fact that Winston now has more toys at his disposal than he knows what to do with, Winston is the element that helps make this team click and what nakes the a Super Bowl contender. The NFC South is easily the best division in football, each team could make the playoffs and win the division crown. I think Winston will do enough to out play those of Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and reining MVP Matt Ryan. Not saying he's BETTER then they are (bad teams beat good teams, we don't say they are better though), but that he will do enough to out duel them for the crown. If he plays at all to his potential, he will be in talks for MVP in February, boosting him even higher then some of the others on this list in '18.
Proj. 2017: 97.7 QBR; 4,500+ Yds; 35 TD; 15 INT; 62.5 Pct
9. Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions (2009)
2016: 93.3 QBR; 4,327 Yds; 24 TD; 10 INT; 65.3 Pct
*NFL record most comeback wins in a single season (8)
We all figured out what Matthew Stafford was missing in his ingredient list to create an elite player: getting rid of one of NFL's greatest receivers. EVER.
Wait wha-?
Yup. Stafford could no longer just zing the ball to Megatron every play, resulting in TD's half the time and INT's the other. He was forced to play smart football last year with an offense that wasn't nearly as "explosive" as in past years - nor with a great running game. So what did Stafford do? He didn't regress. Not only that - he PROgressed. Like winning ball games all on his own. He set an NFL record for most comeback wins EVER by a single QB/team in a single season with eight. Eight times his team was down in the fourth, eight times he made brilliant throw after brilliant throw to get Detroit into the playoffs last year.
Oh, and Stafford is now the highest paid player in NFL HISTORY. How much does Detroit think he's worth? $27 million a year. And yet, not a single analyst, writer, or coach disagrees with this decision. When you find an elite QB, you better hold on to him no matter what, cuz we know how long it takes to find one in this league - just ask the Jets. They've been searching for almost 50 years since Hall of Famer Broadway Joe led them to their only SB trophy. Good job Lions. Now, it's time to stop putting Stafford in positions where he has to get you out of holes every other game. Then you'll have a shot of winning a playoff game for once - and then a Lombardy. Can they do it? No. But hey Lions fans, why not dream a little?
Fun fact: Stafford is one of 5 players to throw for 5000 yards in a season by the way. A list that consists of him, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, and of course, Drew Brees who is the only player to ever throw for 5000 more than once. And by more than once, we mean frickin' five times.
Proj. 2017: 101.6 QBR; 4,700+ Yds; 30 TD; 11 INT; 67.3 Pct
8. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints (2001)
2016: 101.7 QBR; 5,208 Yds; 37 TD; 15 INT; 70.0 Pct
*Led league in passing yards - set NFL record for most pass completions (471) against a career high 673 pass attempts
How is one NFL's greatest players only eighth? Time to make way for the younger generations whilst veterans dominate (spoiler: Rodgers, Brady, and Big Ben round out the top three despite their age).
Brees stats may be amazing, but he hasn't been to the playoffs since 2011. Winning is an important stat. And while New Orleans has most certainly done their part to upgrade everything around Brees, I take Tampa and Atlanta as the two top contenders while New Orleans and Carolina fight for the basement, even if they both get winning records. Brees was ranked as the 16th best player in the league this year. He's just not up there anymore. Of course you say "well Brady is 40" - yeah well Brady JUST won a SB while orchestrating the greatest comeback in NFL history. Brees just did his usual job for fantasy owners while finishing 7-9. He's a great QB, but just cuz you throw for 5000+ yds doesn't make you the best. Matt Stafford did it. He also set the record for most comebacks. Why is no one talking him up? Cuz he's not the best. Neither is Brees. Not even close.
Enough "hate" - Brees is one of the top ten greatest ever to play the game. That time is past. But from a playing perspective, he's still out dueling Father time along side Brady in incredible fashion. 5000+ ain't nothing to laugh at. 17 years is a long time. So a standing ovation will most definitely be needed when this guy hangs up the cleats.
Proj. 2017: 103.8 QBR; 5,000+ Yds; 36 TD; 16 INT; 72.7 Pct
7. Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts (2012)
2016: 96.4 QBR; 4,240 Yds; 31 TD; 13 INT; 63.5 Pct (15 games)
Luck has dropped off a bit in recent years. But I'm expecting a slow rise back to the top - and you've gotta respect what he's done regardless of his team around him. He alone makes Indi a playoff threat. Of course Indi and fantasy owners should be worried with his likely hood of missing the first game of the season - if not more. Giving Luck an even harder task and an even bigger hole that he will have to get the Colts out of. But he can do it. He's got that ability to give them the hope - or in this case the Luck to win every game, even if they are down by 28 points.
All you need is a little bit a Luck.
Proj. 2017: 95.1 QBR; 4,600+ Yds; 33 TD; 10 INT; 59.2 Pct
6. Derek Carr - Oakland Raiders (2014)
2016: 96.7 QBR; 3,937 Yds; 28 TD; 6 INT; 63.8 Pct (15 games)
Would Carr have won MVP if he hadn't been injured and brought Oakland at least to the final four? Maybe. He would've had a good chance at least, as he was easily in the top four of the best QB's last season and he was definitely his own teams MVP. It's a shame his season ended in week 16 - the magical run that Carr would've led for the Black Hole would have been something special and might have beaten Brady's Patriots for a trip to Super Bowl 51. Expect Carr to continue his excellent play in 2017.
Proj. 2017: 100.3 QBR; 4,400+ Yds; 34 TD; 9 INT; 63.8 Pct
4. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons (2008)
2016: 117.1 QBR; 4,944 Yds; 38 TD; 7 INT; 69.9 Pct
*2016 MVP
Poor Ryan. He did all the work to win a Lombardy to then sit on the sideline and watch a 25 point lead quickly diminish while his D got absolutely manhandled by the GOAT.
From week one to sixteen, Matt Ryan was absolutely the best QB of 2016. He deserved that MVP. Rodgers and Brady both PLAYED like the top but didn't do it all year. Ryan kept a steady pace of dominance in 2016. He unseated the top two (Brady and Rodgers) with 58 votes for MVP while the aforementioned players had 45 and 44 (those two are super close and the votes show that I'm not the only one who thinks that), leading Atlanta do a magical season that turned into a pumpkin in February. I kinda wanted to cry for Ryan. If it had been his fault then bummer. Not the case. As I said, he just sat on the sideline. His defense helpless. The coaches were stupid and had the offense be all conservative when they got the ball, and Ryan did take that one sack that put em out of field goal range. Overall, the blame doesn't fall on Ryan. Maybe like 15% of it. He's the QB, so as a good leader, he takes the blame, even if not his own.
Ryan's got confidence that will take him far no matter who his surrounding cast is. Can Ryan join the five-five thousand crew? Why not. He was just shy last year.
Proj. 2017: 103.4 QBR; 5,100+ Yds; 38 TD; 10 INT; 61.6 Pct
4. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks (2012)
2016: 92.6 QBR; 4,219 Yds; 21 TD; 11 INT; 64.1 Pct
Wilson is a masterful magician. His smooth moves within the pocket as he creates strokes of brilliance dazzle. Yeah yeah yeah. Lot of fun words there in that one sentence. But he's all those things. And more. A Super Bowl QB. Top four QB easily. Not to much to say except that he will continue stellar play in 2016.
Proj. 2017: 96.8.4 QBR; 4,000+ Yds; 26 TD; 10 INT; 68.9 Pct
3. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)
2016: 95.4 QBR; 3,819 Yds; 29 TD; 13 INT; 64.4 Pct (14 games)
Big Ben baby. Gotta love it. He's so not your average joe QB. But that's what I love. An absolute monster on the field, Pittsburgh would have done better the last few years if Ben hadn't gotten hurt for a few games. We all got to see how dominant they are when the Three B's (Brown, Bell, Ben) are in the playoffs, only to get manhandled by the Patriots. They must find a way to beat them - they do that? Ben is winning his third super bowl.
Proj. 2017: 97.7 QBR; 4,500+ Yds; 41 TD; 16 INT; 64.5 Pct
2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots (1999)
2016: 112.2 QBR; 3,554 Yds; 28 TD; 2 INT; 67.4 Pct (12 games)
*Super Bowl MVP
The GOAT. Don't argue. He is. Is he the number 1 QB right now? No. He is not. But he's still amazing. Better than almost everyone else around. He wins. He's the winningest player in NFL history. He's 40 though. Father time hasn't won the duel yet, but it will inevitably. But watching the preseason, it's easy to tell that e's still winning that battle as he does all other battles.
Proj. 2017: 105 QBR; 4,300+ Yds; 37 TD; 4 INT; 63.5 Pct
1. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers (2005)
2016: 104.2 QBR; 4,428 Yds; 40 TD; 7 INT; 65.7 Pct
*NFL leader in passing TD (40) and total TD (44) - highest career passer rating in NFL history (104.1)
Rodgers the White. Gandalf the White. Potato. Potato. Same things. He plays the position better then anyone else. While he hasn't won the super bowls like Brady, he hasn't had the top coaching nor the best supporting casts like Brady. Until now. Green Bay's offense is hitting it's peak for the first time in Rodgers' career. He will explode more than people would think possible. They think he's hit his ceiling, he hasn't. The fact that he gets his team to the playoffs every year despite not great players to work with shows who he his.
If he plays the way he has for his entire career, he may end up being the GOAT despite the lack of Lombardy's.
Proj. 2017: 105.1 QBR; 4,600+ Yds; 45 TD; 8 INT; 64 Pct