CBS Sports
There is nothing better than sports. Admittedly, nothing will top the feeling as Opening Day in the MLB approaches, but it's hard to call gearing up toward the National Football League getting second place.
The drama of the offseason, the expectations from the draft, and the storylines carrying over from previous seasons lead to football year after year never failing to disappoint.
The youth movement is in full affect, with once greats Tom Brady, the Manning brothers, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, and others well into retirement, with only Aaron Rodgers still chugging.
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels look to carry on the youth movement after an unreal rookie campaign from C. J. Stroud last season, and players like Jordan Love and Brock Purdy are running with great opportunities they were given.
Before I begin my annual list, I always have to give out some flowers. Shoutout to the Good Griefs. I love this website, I love every single member, and the Editor in Chief/ CEO Kyle Leverone. Shoutout the MoeCast fellas, Chris Blake and Ethan Noone, for killing the game and always unapologetically dishing out our takes. We are stats guys through and through, but it is incredible the amount of restraint we have looking over the bias we have in our guys... at least myself and Chris.
Like always, I will lay out my background and what factors I bring into play in making this list. I like to put out this list as close to the season as possible, factoring in the weapons that will, and have, surrounding these quarterbacks, along with weighing their performance over the past 2-4 seasons, if applicable. Big-time throws, turnover-worth play rates, touchdowns touchdowns-to-interception ratio, along with completion percentage, are some of the biggest factors, with passer and quarterback ratings giving a good basis for what the underlying numbers have said.
For college guys, it is easy to rank them highly after dominating in college, but for players like Zach Wilson, it is easy to say why it is important to always under rank them, instead of over ranking them.
For reference, here are the links to my 2020 list, 2021 list, 2022 list, and 2023 list.
So, here we go! Thank you to those always following along, and sharing your thoughts.
#32 Bo Nix- Denver Broncos
AP News
Look. If you told me two years ago, that Bo Nix would be a first-round draft pick, let alone starting in his first season as a pro, I would have called you as delusional as a New England Patriots fan. To his credit, Bo Nix may have earned it, and could potentially prove me to be very wrong.
The 12th overall pick out of Oregon in last year's draft is a complete wild card. Already 24 years old, Nix began his career as an erratic, and sometimes electric, quarterback at Auburn. After hovering around a 60% completion rate and 16 interceptions to 39 touchdowns over 3 seasons, he transferred to Oregon, before completely taking off. After a solid 2022 season with 29 touchdowns to 7 interceptions, he became a Heisman finalist in 2023, with 45 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, while completing 77% of his passes and 4,508 yards. These statistics were nothing short of incredible, and he seemingly put the up-and-down tenure at Auburn behind him, but I still have a lot of questions as he enters the NFL. His decision-making is questionable, and his transition to a pro offense, especially under Sean Payton, may be a big adjustment. I am unsure if he is ready, but he could develop into an absolute stud down the line.
#31 Drake Maye- New England Patriots
NBC Sports Boston
New England got the Drake. After finally cutting the ties and moving on from Mac Jones, the Patriots selected Maye third overall in last years draft, and are handing him the keys to the franchise. Listen, I know Jacoby Brissett is starting Week 1, but with all due respect, who wants to write about Brissett? It's time to dive into the story of Maye.
The best word I can find to describe Drake Maye is "athlete". The guy can bring it. After a spectacular sophomore season in 2022, Maye took a slight step back last season, throwing for 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while completing 63.2% of his passes. Maye seemed to be a lock to be a top-two pick, but regressing in every category let Jayden Daniels surpass him. Maye is another wild care, a big-time passer who can make unbelievable throws but is definitely in need of some Montreal steak seasoning on the bench for a while. His decision-making is questionable, but he has the chance to develop into a stud. Slow, steady, and on low heat. Similar to a fine brisket.
#30 Bryce Young- Carolina Panthers
Bleacher Report
Sigh. If you were Bryce Young, your worst nightmare would not even compare to the season that he put together last year. The Panthers were a miserable 2-15, and fired Frank Reich, who everyone in the league seemingly knew was not going to work with the Panthers, after a 1-10 start. Young will look to turn the page in 2024.
A cannot miss prospect out of the University of Alabama, Young was selected first overall, even after questions about his smaller frame. Young was untouchable in college, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021, and finishing his career with 80 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Fast forward to his first season as a pro, Young had the worst passing grade, in the NFL out of 41 qualified quarterbacks. After being placed in an awful situation, Young deserves some grace. The 23-year-old needs to get his confidence back and find a way to make it work with his 5'10 200 200-pound frame, and this year will be a huge year for him.
#29 Jayden Daniels- Washington Commanders
ESPN
It is hard to put into words for my excitement heading into this season. Unapologetically a DC Sports fan, we have had too many quarterbacks in my lifetime to name, and by about Week 5, I end up rooting for us to tank the rest of the way, to get our next quarterback that will end up breaking my heart. Enter Jayden Daniels: the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, who flew up the draft boards last season.
The second-overall pick out of LSU was fantastic in college. It is hard to believe for some Arizona State fans, but after his transfer to LSU, Daniels really took off. In 2023 he threw for 40 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions, completing 72.2% of his passes, and also rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels has a good arm, and great legs, and will provide some explosive highlight plays. He will take some time to get settled, especially passing the football, but I am hopeful, not confident, that Daniels can develop into a star. Does that fall on Daniels or the Commanders you ask? I wish I could tell you, but I do not even know.
#28 Gardner Minshew- Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
I love Gardner Minshew. We know who the guy is. He is a great backup and average at best starter, but he always does everything he can to get a team to rally behind him. Minshew nearly brought the Colts to the playoffs after the Anthony Richardson injury last year, played good football with the Jaguars, and is looking to parlay some of that Minshew magic to Las Vegas last year. It is important to pump the breaks a little bit and look under the hood though.
Minshew ranked towards the bottom of the league in all passing grades last season but ended up throwing for 15 touchdowns to 9 interceptions leading the Colts to a 7-6 record in games starter for a team with low expectations. He does not make big-time throws, but has a great feel, and is a poster boy for the word "grit". He can run when he is in trouble and is a great bridge quarterback, but he will never wow you. There are many plays that he should make and doesn't, with his arm limiting him. I know one thing for sure, I will always root for Gardner Minshew.
#27 Sam Darnold- Minnesota Vikings
Vikings Wire- USA Today
What a rollercoaster of a career it has been for Sam Darnold. There is no doubt in my mind he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he has been placed into some awful situations and has not taken advantage of opportunities. Darnold has now had stints in New York with the Jets, with the Carolina Panthers, and backup in San Fransisco last year. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do in Minnesota as the full time starter.
I am not going to lie or mince words here. I am probably higher on Darnold than I should be. He really has not put anything together in the NFL, but his ceiling has always been prevalent. He just turned 27 years old, and in his extremely limited time in San Francisco last season, Darnold looked solid in a high-powered offense. He has a fantastic arm and can wow you on some plays, but always has poor decision-making on others. This is a make-it-or-break-it year for Darnold, and I am excited to see what he can do. I could see him getting a nice deal after this season, or being out of the NFL. Darnold needs to stay patient in the pocket and trust his arm and offense to succeed.
#26 Daniel Jones- New York Giants
Big Blue View
It is unbelievable the hate I got for ranking Daniel Jones #17 on my list last season. After being his biggest critic throughout his NFL career, Jones proved me slightly wrong after a slightly above-average season in 2022, but I made sure to highlight the lack of big-time throws he made. He was rewarded with a jaw-dropping $160 million dollar contract, and Giants fans started to rally around him after 2022. After the hate I got ranking him so low last season, I hate to admit that I was wrong. I should have ranked him even lower.
Beard or not, Daniel Jones stinks. He is an average passer and can make the necessary throws to win football games, but he will never make a big-time play in a key situation. He will always have the running ability and occasional game where he goes off (especially against my Commanders), but overall he makes way too many throws that make you shake your head. After another injury in 2023 knocking him out for 11 games of the season, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito both outplayed Jones in his six games. If Tommy DeVito, is outplaying you, it's time to take a long look in the mirror and assess your future. We know the athlete he is, but the fact of the matter is Jones is a turnover machine. Outside of his 2022 season, over his career, he has more turnover-worth plays than big-time throws. The Giants fixation on Jayden Daniels and trying to move up tells you all you need to know. Daniel Jones is a bad NFL quarterback.
#25 Will Levis- Tennessee Titans
Yahoo Sports
I have thrown around the word wild card a lot thus far, but Will Levis might be the official mascot. The boom-or-bust quarterback slid in the draft 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Kentucky, before finding a home in Tennessee and becoming the starter in Week 8 of last season. It was a rollercoaster the rest of the way.
Levis is the reincarnation of Jameis Winston. A polarizing player with a huge arm and good athleticism, who will put up big-time passing numbers, but could also be an interception machine. Through nine games in 2023, Levis threw for 8 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, finishing with 16 big-time throws to 14 turnover-worthy plays. The deeper analytics are not kind to Levis, putting a majority of his starts last year grading them towards the bottom of the league. Levis will still need time to develop, and probably will never become a polished passer, but has the tools to be a solid starter for the Titans in the future.
#24 Anthony Richardson- Indianapolis Colts
Fox Sports
Anthony Richardson is a guy that absolutely oozes with talent. I am a big fan of his and think that he has a chance to become a borderline top-10 quarterback in the future. Richardson is a playmaker, and was impressive through four games in 2023, but showed the risks he has for his long-term outlook as well.
At only 22 years old, Richardson never put up eye-popping numbers at the University of Florida, where he only started one full season. He only completed 54% of his passes and threw for 24 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. The big arm and great legs were always there, which enticed the Colts to draft him and start right away. Richardson had the same accuracy issues, with a sub-60 % completion rate through his limited time in the NFL, but he also flashed his huge potential with his dual-threat ability. Richardson needs to stay healthy this year, overcome the allegations of poor play in camp, and significantly improve his accuracy issues. His youth and ceiling have me hoping the Colts will remain patient, even if his first full season will be a struggle.
#23 Derek Carr- New Orleans Saints
Who Dat Dish
We know who Derek Carr is. He was run out of town in Las Vegas, after solid production but never breaking through, and continued that trend in New Orleans last year. He is great at not turning the ball over, but he cannot truly capitalize and lead you deep into the playoffs.
Carr should, and will, remain a starter in the NFL for quite some time, but his lack of awareness leads to frustration from Raiders, and now Saints fans. He threw for 25 touchdowns to only 8 interceptions last season, but ranked towards the bottom of the league with only 17 big-time throws, to 14 turnover-worth plays. He is extremely frustrating to watch at times, almost looking like he passes up the no-brainer play, to make a bigger play, and then settles on a checkdown. Carr will always be solid, but never amongst the elite.
#22 Caleb Williams- Chicago Bears
ESPN
This might have been my hardest player to rank on this list. Since high school Caleb Williams was set to become a superstar, and he proved every ounce of that potential at Oklahoma, and then USC. Williams started 33 games in college, throwing for 93 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions completing 67% of his passes and adding 27 rushing touchdowns. He was the Heisman in 2022 and finished his college career with a passer rating of 169.3. Williams is the highest-rated rookie on this list and it is not close.
Williams is facing a daunting task in his first season as a pro: winning with the Chicago Bears. Chicago has done a fantastic job surrounding him with weapons, from DJ Moore to Keenan Allen and Deandre Swift, while also bringing in a fellow rookie with the 9th overall pick in Rome Odunze. Williams has supreme arm talent, escapability to make highlight plays, and the pocket presence to make the necessary throws when needed. Time will tell if he will become amongst the elite, or what he precessar Justin Fields became with flashes of excellence but lack of consistency. Williams will be must-watch TV in 2024.
#21 Russell Wilson- Pittsburgh Steelers
USA Today
One word. Six letters. W-A-S-H-E-D. After a fantastic career in Seattle when he was one of the most consistent, and best quarterbacks in the NFL, he started to decline in Seattle during the 2021 season, before the Seahawks pulled the plug and got out at the right time. After an up-and-down two seasons in Denver, mostly down. Russ finds himself another new home, and one last opportunity to be a starter in the NFL.
It is hard to blame only Russ for the falloff over the last few seasons. There is no doubt he is a total diva and rubs some of the players the wrong way, but he has put together one of the best careers we have ever seen from a quarterback. He is a Super Bowl Champion, a 9-Time Pro-Bowler, and has thrown 334 touchdowns to only 106 interceptions. The past two seasons have been an obvious regression, but he still made some impressive throws and was surprisingly good under pressure. To touch on the negatives, his offensive outputs have been the lowest of his career, and his passing grade was 21st in the NFL last year. He has been sacked 100 times in the past two seasons, behind a poor offensive line, and his age not allowing him to escape as much. Wilson will need to change his style of play to get out the ball quicker, and he knows that if he starts to slip, Justin Fields will be looking to take over.
#20 Kyler Murray- Arizona Cardinals
Getty Images
I am sick and tired of Kyler Murray. It seems like the league is as well, and the awkward situation with the Cardinals led to them reluctantly locking him long-term. We know who Kyler is at this point, the often injured, magic man with his legs, but a diva that cannot always make the throws needed to win.
At least Kyler is always fun to watch, but the Cardinals will be a miserable ball club this year. After an MVP-caliber 2021 season before getting injured and fading down the stretch, Kyler was miserable in 2022 before his ACL injury and missed a majority of the season last year. When he played, it was the 2022 version of Kyler, with an average quarterback rating and lack of explosive plays with his legs that we once saw. At his peak, he is a volume passer who could scramble and get you first downs when no one is open, and at his floor, he is a banged-up average passer who does not make many volume plays. The truth probably lies in the middle, and a fully healthy Kyler should put him higher on next year's list.
#19 Deshaun Watson- Cleveland Browns
Yahoo Sports
Watson is a very interesting case. I always point out the fact that he is not a great person, and now I may have to point out the fact that he is not very good at football anymore. Watson was a superstar at Clemson and was fantastic with the Houston Texans, putting together one of the most underrated quarterbacked seasons over my lifetime. In 16 games during the 2020 season, Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a flawless 112.4 passer rating. This proved to be Watson's best season of his career, and it might have only been a flash in the pan.
Watson has only played in 12 total games since 2020 due to suspensions and injuries, and those 12 games with the Cleveland Browns have been extremely disappointing. Watson has thrown for 14 touchdowns to 9 interceptions, completing less than 60% of his passes with a PFF rating of 58.7 which ranks 53rd among qualified passers. The only reason that he is still rating towards the middle is the way he played in Houston, and how he was just starting to play his best football before the suspension. Watson is still only 28 years old, and if he can put a full season together, I would not be surprised if he can return to his previous form.
#18 Geno Smith- Seattle Seahawks
Sports Illustrated
Last season was a step in the wrong direction for Geno Smith, after putting together a spectacular 2022 season that came out of nowhere. He was still solid but continued his trend that started to bubble up towards the end of the 2022 season, making poor decisions later in the game. With Pete Carol out and a blend of veterans and younger weapons, Geno should continue his solid play entering 2024.
Over the first half of the 2022 season, it would not have been crazy to include Geno Smith in MVP talks. Smith had the third-highest passer rating in the NFL, before relegating to the league average in the second half. This continued into 2023 before Geno became one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL from Week 10 on. Smith did have better numbers overall in 2023 based on big-time throw rate and dropping his turnover percentage, but threw for 10 fewer touchdowns and had a passing grade of 10 fewer points than he did in 2022. Geno is as solid as you can get and continues to be a great story, but the acquisition of Sam Howell tells you all you need to know about Seattle's confidence in Geno going forward.
#17 Tua Tagovailoa- Miami Dolphins
This is where we get to the most interesting point on this list: the solidified average NFL quarterbacks. I have long been a critic of Tua and will continue to do so until he can put up a full season with consistent numbers. It is boom or bust with Tua, and you never know what you will get on any given Sunday.
It was the best season of Tua's career, finally being able to stay healthy for a full year, and he and Mike McDaniel's great relationship was on full display. Tua threw for a league-leading 4,624 yards, along with 29 touchdowns to 14 interceptions, and a 101.5 passer rating. It was a career-high in every single offensive category, but also a career-high in interceptions and turnover-worthy plays. He made some big-time throws, but ranked towards the top of the league in turnovers. Tua is a perfect fit for the offense, but he is not higher on this list due to his lack of arm strength and creativity. There is nothing wrong with a quarterback like Tua especially with an elite cast around him, but he will not be among the league's best until he takes the next step.
#16 Baker Mayfield- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sports Illustrated
Baker Mayfield had a huge year in 2023. When expectations could not have been lower, highlighted by having to take a 1-year provide-it deal in Tampa Bay after being let go by the Carolina Panthers, and later having a drawn out quarterback competition with Kyle Trask. Mayfield is now the solidified starter in Tampa after being locked up to a long-term deal, and Mayfield will look to continue to trend up after the bounce-back year.
Mayfield has always been a feisty competitor, which has worked against him when he is not playing well, but when everything goes right like last season, Mayfield starts to win people over again. He stepped in for Tom Brady after his retirement, and outplayed him compared to Brady's last season, leading Tampa to an unlikely playoff appearance and trouncing the Philadelphia Eagles. He still has his flaws, locking in on receivers too much and making some poor decisions, but he can lead a game-winning drive when needed. He can make the big throw, and he will have his turnovers, but he started playing his best ball at the tail end of last year. Mayfield finished with a career-high 28 touchdowns, his first 4,000-yard passing season, and had his best quarterback rating since 2020. Mayfield should always find himself towards the middle of this list, but if he goes back to his old form, look for him to take a slide.
#15 Jared Goff- Detroit Lions
The Oakland Press
You have to feel good for Jared Goff. After getting booted out of Los Angeles with the Rams, Goff has settled in and found a true home in Detroit. He will never live up to the potential he once had as a first overall pick, but he is a slightly above average quarterback, that you can go deep into the playoffs with.
Goff has put together one of the best turnarounds in recent memory, going from an afterthought to the main guy that Dan Cambell and the Lions cannot live without. Goff is an efficient pocket passer, who is a great fit for the Lion's explosive offense. Goff has always had a cannon for an arm and a lack for spectacular plays, but he always finds a way to get the ball to his biggest playmakers. He has one of the best field visions in all of football but has continued to struggle when pressured, and he is not higher on this list due to the lack of wow plays. Goff set a career high with a 67.3% completion rate, with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Goff has elevated his play significantly, and although he may never be a star, he has become a very solid NFL quarterback.
#14 Dak Prescott- Dallas Cowboys
On3
Dak Prescott was nothing short of spectacular in 2023. He was one of the best, if not the best quarterback in the NFL during the regular season last year, a huge step in the right direction after a down year in 2022. Prescott has become a confident, mature, and precise passer, and is the true leader of a solid Dallas Cowboys team. With all this being said, why is Dak so low on this list? Well, if you only watched one game of Dak Prescott's 2024 season, and it happened to be on the biggest stage in the playoffs vs the Packers, you would think he might be the worst quarterback to ever walk the face of the earth.
Do not let Dak Prescott's overall numbers in the playoffs last year fool you. As the heavy favorite at home vs the number 7 seeded Green Bay Packers, Prescott threw two awful interceptions in the first half, with one of them being a pick-6, leading to being down 27-0 and later a 16-point loss. He threw some garbage time touchdowns towards the end of the game, but he had already made his mark. It is a shame (not for me), that his MVP-caliber season was overshadowed by this embarrassing performance, but the best quarterbacks elevate their play when it matters the most. Prescott finished 2023 with a career-high 410 completions and a 69.5% completion rate, with 36 touchdowns and a career-high 105.9 passer rating. Dak is a solid and accurate quarterback, but will not break the top 10 again until he proves he can win the big-time games.
#13 Brock Purdy- San Francisco 49ers
DAZN
This is where I start to have the most fun. Brock Purdy has gotten off to an incredible start to his NFL career. We all know the story, as Purdy was the last pick in the NFL draft, before outplaying Jimmy G and Trey Lance to become the franchise quarterback for the most talented roster in the NFL. Purdy has been great, but not spectacular, and still needs to take another step up before being considered "elite".
If you hate turnovers and boneheaded players, Brock Purdy is the quarterback you need to watch. Purdy refuses to make bad plays, racking up 44 touchdowns over his first 21 career regular season games, to 15 interceptions. Purdy led the league last season with a 113 passer rating and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl before falling to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Purdy did little to disappoint on the brightest stage, but he will never be a quarterback that will put a team on his back, like Mahomes and others ahead of him, leading to a Super Bowl title. Purdy has a below-average arm, below average athleticism, but can make precise big-time throws towards the middle of the field, and also can cash in an occasional deep ball. He is a very intelligent passer, and I am very content with having him here on my list. The bottom line is this: Purdy is as solid as a rock, but if you put Brock Purdy on a team like the Carolina Panthers or Washington Commanders, he would be a nobody.
#12 Trevor Lawrence- Jacksonville Jaguars
WNCT
Last year was extremely disappointing for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Formerly one of the biggest quarterback prospects of all time, Lawrence has been very good in the NFL but has yet to become one of the game's elites. He has all the tools to get there one day, but until he fixes his flaws, he will be a borderline top-10 quarterback.
Lawrence lacks consistency. He ranks amongst the league's best in big time throws, and has a bazooka for a right arm, but also registered 24 turnover-worthy plays and 21 total turnovers last season. The Jags were primed for a playoff spot, before a sudden and notable collapse. Lawrence regressed from 2022 to 2023 in passing touchdowns, 6 more interceptions, a lower passer rating, and a lower completion percentage, but was plagued by injuries, and it was still only Lawrence's third season as a pro. Lawrence needs to make better plays and trust the system and his teammates, while also improving on taking big hits, including sacks, to provide more consistent play. Lawrence is primed for a breakout, but will not improve on this list until he does so.
#11- Aaron Rodgers- New York Jets
Jets X-Factor
I am unapologetically a huge Aaron Rodgers fan. There is not a more fun quarterback to watch growing up, as his creativity, arm strength, and accuracy make him one of the most talented, if not the most, talented quarterback of all time. His injury last season was a tragedy to not only Jets fans but football fans as a whole, and at 40 years old coming of an Achilles injury, I am still confident Rodgers will be amongst the game's best.
There is not much more to be said about the legacy Rodgers will have once he decides to hang them up, but I will do it anyway. Rogers is a 4-time MVP, 4-time first-team All-Pro,10-time Pro Bowler, and the Super Bowl 45 MVP. Rodgers was playing at the height of his powers in 2020, and 2021, winning back-to-back MVPs before his last season in Green Bay in 2022. From 2020-2021, Rodgers had 8,414 yards, 85 touchdowns only 9 interceptions, and the best passer rating in the league for both of those years. Although he has struggled in the playoffs, and took a slight step back in 2022, Rodgers is still a no-brainer to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year.
#10 Jordan Love- Green Bay Packers
Packers Talk
The Jordan Love breakout was a revelation in 2023. I was very low on him, but if the Green Bay Packers know how to do anything, it's finding a franchise quarterback. Love was drafted in 2020 in the first round, and sat behind one of the best in the business, Aaron Rodgers, for three years making only one start before becoming the full-time starter last season. And, believe it or not, after one season at the helm I feel very confident putting him in the top 10, and above his predecessor, Aaron Rodgers.
Love was an elite quarterback last season, especially as the season went on, showing off his cannon for an arm and consistency when the team needed him most. After some growing pains through the first seven games of the season, Jordan Love took off in Week 8, playing his best ball and ranking in the top 10 in every offensive category the rest of the way. Love continued this strong play into the playoffs, dominating the Dallas Cowboys and nearly beating the San Francisco 49ers in the next round. In his first full season as a starter, Love threw for 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 4,159 passing yards, and a 96.1 quarterback rating. Love was known for his big-time throws, ranking in the top 5, and was very Matthew Stafford-like in his arm angles to fit balls into tight windows, and his strong plays in the pocket. Love will continue to take off in 2024.
#9 Kirk Cousins- Atlanta Falcons
NBC Sports
This one may ruffle some feathers. Every single year when I do this list, I like to put out the first thought that pops into my head when I think of Kirk Cousins. As a Redskins/Football Team/ Commanders fan, I did not appreciate, and realize, how good Kirk Cousins was until he was gone. His career took off in Minnesota putting up fantastic numbers but not winning the big one, and now he will look to bounce back after a devastating injury in Atlanta.
171 touchdowns. 23,265 yards. 67.9% completion rate. 101.2 quarterback rating and only 55 interceptions. Kirk Cousins had one heck of a past six years in the great state of Minnesota. Kirk is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL, the most important trait in my eyes, and was playing some of his better football at times in 2021 and put together another good season in 2022. He was also solid last year in his eight games before the Achilles injury, putting together his lowest turnover-worth play rate, but also was not throwing the football down the field as much. He is an elite pocket passer, and I think has a chance to thrive in an Atlanta offense. Kirk is now 36, and coming off a devastating injury, but his consistency over his career and numbers continuing to be solid allow me to comfortably put him at this spot.
#8 C. J. Stroud- Houston Texans
AP
C. J. Stroud might have been the best storyline in football last season. Coming out of Ohio State, some people had doubts, including myself, about how he would adjust to being in the NFL under a rookie head coach. Turned out that I was acting like a big dummy, and Stroud was fantastic right off the jump. Not only was his play on the field impressive, but Stroud quickly became the team leader and led the Texans to an unlikely playoff birth.
Another player that was hard to pin down on this list, I almost wanted to put Stroud closer to the top 5. At 22 years old Stroud set multiple rookie records, beginning his career with 191 pass attempts before his first interception, the most passing yards in a single game by a rookie with 470 vs the Buccaneers on November 5th, and the youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game. Stroud finished the season with 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and 4,108 yards passing, completing 63.9% of his passes with a 100.8 quarterback rating. Stroud had 32 completions of over 20 yards, which was third in the NFL, and also ranked the best in the league with the lowest turnover-worth play rate for passes over 20 yards. He was confident, calculated, and extremely accurate, something very rare for a rookie. I love what Stroud did last season, and if he continues this trend, he should crack the top 5 next season.
#7 Jalen Hurts- Philadelphia Eagles
PhillyVoice
Last year was a really weird season for Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. After getting off to a 10-1 start, although with some serious flaws especially on the offensive side of the ball, Philadelphia fell off a cliff in their last six games, going 1-5. A banged-up group entered the playoffs playing a scrappy Buccaneers team in Tampa and got embarrassed. What is next for Jalen Hurts and Philly? A revamped offense will truly put Hurts to the test to see if he can be that guy.
It's hard for me to admit but I am a big fan of Jalen Hurts. The guy is the ultimate leader and has improved significantly from an athlete who could not throw the football, to a supreme athlete who is a very good thrower as well. Hurts set a career-high for passing touchdowns and passing yards, but his quarterback rating fell over 10 points to 89.1, he was running the football less and threw for a career-high 15 interceptions and 5 lost fumbles. After only 19 interceptions in his first career 34 starts, the 15 interceptions in 17 games is concerning. Jalen still had the explosive plays, less than in the past, but also improved as a pocket passer, something increasingly important for his longevity. Hurts still ranks in the top 10 after a down year, and his ceiling will put him closer to the top 5. He was banged up last year with a weird offensive scheme, and should be closer to the 2022 Jalen Hurts next year if healthy.
#6 Matthew Stafford- Los Angeles Rams
Marca
I am here for the people who have stopped caring about Matthew Stafford to tell you this: he is still really, really, really good. After a huge 2021 season throwing for a career-high 41 touchdowns, but also 17 interceptions, Stafford took a step back in 2022, playing in only nine games throwing 8 interceptions and 10 touchdowns, with his worst quarterback rating since 2014 in Detroit. Stafford bounced back in a big way last season, leading Los Angeles to an unlikely playoff berth.
Think about this. As a youngish man myself, Stafford has been picking apart offenses since I was in kindergarten and he was at the University of Georgia. After a fantastic and underrated career in Detroit, Stafford finally gained his respect when he got traded to the Rams, putting them over the top and winning the Super Bowl vs Cincinnati. Stafford had major elbow surgery that offseason, which led to the uncharacteristic 2022, before playing in 15 games last season and putting up big numbers. Stafford threw for 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with 3,965 yards and a 92.5 quarterback rating. Among all qualified quarterbacks, Stafford had the second-lowest runover rate in the league, while ranking 5th in the league in big-time throws. Stafford is as consistent as you can get, and can make a throw in any situation, from any arm angle, to lead a team to victory. We all need to appreciate Matthew Stafford more.
#5 Lamar Jackson- Baltimore Ravens
ABC27
The 27-year-old Lamar Jackson is now a 2-time NFL MVP. Although Jackson's 2023 seasons did not come even close to his record-breaking 2019 MVP season, Jackson was spectacular last year, continuing to improve throwing the football, while still being the best running quarterback in football.
Lamar threw the ball the most in his career last season, completing a career-high 67.2% of passes, and it paid big dividends as Baltimore went 13-3 in the games he started. Lamar is consistently putting him good throwing numbers year after year now, with a supporting cast that ranks probably towards the middle of the league instead of towards the top. Lamar registered a career-high passing grade last year, a career-high of 3,678 passing yards and his best quarterback rating since his unbelievable 2019 season. The only reason that Jackson is not higher on this list, is what happens to him every year in the heat of the winter: he does his best Houdini act in the playoffs, disappearing when his team needs him the most. Lamar is a joy to watch and is only getting better, but needs to prove he can win the big one, before being an all-time great.
#4 Joe Burrow- Cincinnati Bengals
WCPO
2023 was an unfortunate year for the Joe Burrow army. After an up-and-down start of the season battling through a calf strain, Burrow was starting to hit his stride before a wrist injury ended his season. Burrow and the Bengals have notoriously gotten off to slow starts, before picking it up and making deep playoff runs. Although Burrow has now had two seasons ended due to injury, he still ranks in the top 5 due to his play when he is on the field: a cold-blooded assassin.
After a recording breaking season in 2019 at LSU, Burrow began his career in 2020 off on the right foot, on a miserable Bengals team, before leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021. Burrow through his first 52 games has thrown for 97 touchdowns to 37 interceptions, with an NFL record 68% of his passes completed. Burrow is a pure pocket passer, with pocket mobility to stretch plays and allow for his weapons to get open for him. Burrow can make throws on the run, make big-time passes, and limit turnover-worth plays to a minimum. Although Burrow's interceptions have ticked up recently, he plays much better as the season goes on and has proven he can put up big numbers in the playoffs. Burrow will always be a top 5-10 quarterback if he continues to play like he has, but has to remain healthy and make a playoff run this year for Burrow to remain among the elite of the elite.
#3 Justin Herbert- Los Angeles Chargers
The Spun
Justin Herbert can absolutely ball. After question marks surrounding his leadership and the questionable decision to return to play his senior year at Oregon, Herbert took the league by storm in 2020 and has not slowed down since. Herbert might have the strongest arm in the league and can make plays inside and outside of the pocket. Even if the Chargers are not good this year, Herbert will still put up big numbers.
The main criticism for Herbert is that he cannot single-handedly carry the Chargers to the playoffs. I am here to tell you this: that is a dumb take. Herbert has compiled 114 touchdowns to 42 interceptions as a pro, throwing for at least 4,300 yards every season before his injury-shortened 2023 campaign. Herbert last year posted an identical quarterback rating to his 2022 season, while he was throwing more deep balls at a more efficient rate. The short and middle games were less efficient than in years past, but Herbert was great under pressure and rarely has turned the ball over less than he did at the beginning of his career. Herbert is truly elite and put up huge numbers, at least eventually, in a Jim Harbaugh led offense.
#2 Josh Allen- Buffalo Bills
Forbes
Josh Allen should have a couple of MVPs by now. Allen has electrified the NFL since he stepped on the field, seemingly figuring out his accuracy issues that plauged him in college, while being able to run with the football more than people expected. Allen and the Bills are looking to contend like usual, and in a year where expectations are lower than normal, Allen could unleash his MVP form and lead the Bills to a deep run.
No one doubts Josh's abilities at this point. Allen can make any throw you can think of, and even some that seem impossible, while also making the necessary throws. He led the league in big-time throws last season, and although he had 18 interceptions and 4 last fumbles, his turnover-worth play rate was less than 3%, showing some unfortunate luck, and just how many plays the Bills ran through Josh's abilities. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns for a quarterback with 15 and 3 in the playoffs and led the league in first down rushes for a quarterback. I am not sure if we have ever seen a quarterback with Josh's passing and running talents at his size, and he is only getting better.
#1 Patrick Mahomes- Kansas City Chiefs
KCUR
What is there left to say? There is no reason to overthink the top slot, with Patrick Mahomes reigning supreme in every aspect of his game. There is no one that you would rather quarterback your team right now, or over the next 10 years, than Mahomes. The 3-Time Super Bowl Champion and MVP, 6-time Pro Bowler, and 2-time NFL MVP won his third Super Bowl last season, with arguably his weakest surrounding cast. By the time Mahomes calls it a career, he will be known as the best to ever play the game.
Although Mahomes did not post eye-popping numbers last season, let's take a look at what he has done over his NFL career. In 96 regular season games started, Mahomes has 219 touchdowns to 63 interceptions, completing 66.5% of his passes with a 103.5 quarterback rating. He also has a 15-3 career record in the playoffs, with 41 touchdowns and 8 interceptions with an NFL record 105.8 quarterback rating. We are witnessing greatness every single time he steps onto the field, and he has no weaknesses in his game. Just when you think the creativity has run out, he can run for a long first down, or do something on the football field that we have never seen before. He is just as comfortable in the pocket as he is on the run, and Mahomes's game should age like a fine wine. We have never seen a team and quarterback that enters into every season with a Super Bowl or bust outlook, especially after beating a far superior 49ers team in the Super Bowl last year. Mahomes is truly in a league of his own.
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