Read American Football Quarterback Rankings: 16-1
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In the long summer days of July, football season can feel like a distant mirage. As the unsatisfying queasiness dissipates from the lunacy of the NFL Top 100 list, the team of writers here at Read American Football decided to do their own rankings. Instead of undertaking the asinine task of trying to determine whether or not Antonio Brown is a ‘better player’ than Aaron Donald, we’ve just handled the quarterbacks.
Combining the lists of eight writers, the resulting list is something of a consensus on where the starting signal-callers stand in relation to their peers.
However, debate should still be rife, as fans and journalists alike go to war for the man they deem to be their franchise quarterback.
NOTE – As a group we decided to name the following quarterbacks the starters of their teams; Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Mike Glennon and Paxton Lynch. Also, we determined it wouldn’t be fair to rank Deshaun Watson of Houston. As such, this list is only 31 quarterbacks long.
If you missed it, you can see who we ranked at 31 through 17 here, if not, you can see number’s 16 to one below:
16) Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Of all the places for a rookie quarterback to land, the 2016 Dallas Cowboys’ offense is as good as it gets. A phenomenal offensive line, backed up by Ezekiel Elliott and a perfectly capable receiving corps, it can be easy to underestimate what Dak Prescott did in his first year in the NFL. But for a newbie to throw 23 touchdowns to four interceptions with a completion percentage of 67.8%? To be considered the median NFL starting quarterback after one season? Astounding. Don’t forget, Dak was only denied a place in the NFC title game by Aaron Rodgers’ reality-defying late-game heroics.
15) Andy Dalton - Cincinnati Bengals
Personally, I believe the decline in Dalton’s play from 2015 to 2016 has been over-evaluated. Having lost sideline connoisseur Marvin Jones, the drop-off in play from running back Jeremy Hill compounded an unfavourable set of circumstances for Dalton to repeat his 2015 performance. Sporting that fresh ginger haircut, there’s nothing I believe this man cannot do with a receiving group including the likes of A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tyler Eifert, and Flash impersonator John Ross out of Washington University. Whilst critical pieces of the offensive line have left town (namely Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler), the arrival of Joe Mixon could revitalise a stale running game- opening up Dalton’s opportunities to hit Green and Ross way downfield.
14) Jameis Winston - Tampa Bay Bucaneers
Jameis Winston’s progress is often measured side-by-side to Marcus Mariota, given their near-parallel college careers and entry into the league as consecutive draft picks, but that seems to be unfair. Mariota and Winston operate similar offenses when considering the kind of talent around them and the throws they make, but do it in vastly different ways. As Mariota uses his legs to flee the pocket, Winston sits back and trusts his arm to put the ball into a position whereby Mike Evans can go to work. In an effort to give the former Florida State Seminole a few more tools going into the new season, the Bucs signed veteran speedster DeSean Jackson and drafted a tight end cheat-code out of Alabama, O.J. Howard. If Winston can get the ball into the right areas, he has the personnel to inflict serious damage on opposing defenses.
13) Carson Palmer - Arizona Cardinals
Palmer was something of a polarizing figure in the rankings, being listed as high as 9 and as low as 17. Curiously, the grizzled Cardinals signal-caller has been regarded as both a factor of success and failure. The 7-8-1 record of the Cards last year was as unsatisfying to watch as it is to look at that disgusting tie in the third column. Palmer will be 38 next season, and his hopes of retiring with a ring will be hanging largely on the production of superstar running back David Johnson.
12) Marcus Mariota - Tennessee Titans
The evolution of an offense can be a beautiful thing to watch, and Marcus Mariota certainly grew into the Titans’ combination of power running and downfield play action concepts. Disregarding a few horrendous cross-field interceptions, the second-year Oregon man had many opportunities to gallop outside the pocket, and find receivers breaking open all over the field. With the introduction of new playmakers in Corey Davis and Eric Decker, things could be heating up in Nashville.
11) Derek Carr - Oakland Raiders
Just missing out on being ranked as a top ten quarterback, the highest paid player in professional football is certainly on the cusp of greatness. Similar to Mariota, Carr has the pieces around him in the Bay to do something special, and a failure to do so would probably land at his feet. With what some might call the best offensive line in football (although Dallas would heartily dispute this) to keep him upright, passes could zip into Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and new tight end Jared Cook. Add in Marshawn Lynch’s return to the NFL, and the Raiders under Derek Carr’s direction could be heading for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.
10) Philip Rivers - Los Angeles Chargers
As the team moves north in California, Philip Rivers will be eagerly awaiting the chance to get back out on the field following his team’s offseason moves. The offensive line is bolstered by incoming rookies Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp, and first round pick Mike Williams from Clemson adds to an already impressive Chargers’ receiving corps. At 35 years old, we have a very good idea of who Rivers is, and his appearances in nine playoff games mean a young team can continue to look up to their veteran lieutenant.
9) Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions
In his last two seasons, Matt Stafford has thrown 56 touchdowns to 23 interceptions, with a 16-16 record. In the fourth quarter, Stafford has ice in his veins. Trailing in the fourth quarter is of no concern to 29 year old, and the loss of Calvin Johnson has had no significant effect on the quarterback’s play. If Stafford wants to hold his place in the top ten, stewarding the team down the stretch will be key. Losing their final four games in the regular season, Stafford completed 60% of his passes in those games; a 5 percent decrease from his season average of 65%.
8) Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers
Firstly, we have to admit Cam’s 2016 season was shockingly awful. Completing a stomach-churning 53% of his passes, the Super Bowl 50 participant looked like a shell of his former self. Some writers punished Newton for this downturn, as he was ranked tenth or lower in three lists. Nevertheless, the rest of the group felt like Newton was capable of recapturing that 2015 form that named him league MVP. Either way, 2017 will be crucial for how we see Cam- average with a rare capability of greatness, or regular top tier QB.
7) Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts
Thoroughly recovering from his 2015 season blighted by injury and generally terrible play, Luck blew away critics that had said he was a bust. Making throws I didn’t think were actually possible, Luck was right among the best in the league going downfield last season. His ability to keep plays alive and fling the football 40 yards through the sky like its no man’s business is nothing short of miraculous. If you’re asking this writer, Andrew Luck belongs higher than seventh on these rankings.
Also, as an interesting addition, Cam Newton should be looking at the resurgence of Luck as something he could jump on himself. Luck’s completion rate crashed to 55% in his 2015 season, before recovering to a much more viable 63% in 2016.
6) Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers
If you looked at the stat sheet, Ben’s 2016 season of 3819 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions looks perfectly acceptable for the long-time top ten QB. Break down the film though, and a different story presents itself. His talent undeniable, Roethlisberger had a stinker against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. Throwing three interceptions with a completion percentage of 55%, it was enough to prompt Read American Football writer Joe Hulbert to say it was the worst he’d ‘ever seen an elite quarterback play’. Some writers penalised the at times out-of-sorts Roethlisberger, ranking him as low as nine. However, as other writers kept the faith, Big Ben continues to sit high.
5) Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons
Into the top five, and the reigning MVP Matt Ryan gets the nod. Decimating defenses with the help of now absent offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Ryan completed fewer passes in 2016 than he had in his previous five seasons. ‘Making it count’ was the tale of the tape. Setting career bests in yardage, touchdowns, and completion percentage, Ryan looked untouchable last season. If he can continue his dominance following the departure of Shanahan, then the 32 year old could solidify his place in the upper echelons of QB rankings lists late in his career.
4) Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks
It’s incredible that Russell Wilson made it this high, considering his offensive line has consistently failed to provide adequate protection. Sacked 41 times in 2016, Wilson has been clobbered over 40 times in each of his seasons in the NFL, save only his rookie year. Nevertheless, he continues to pilot the Seahawks to 10 win seasons. Ball security is a strong feature of the 28 year old’s game, as just 19 interceptions have been given up over the last two years.
3) Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees has led the league in passing yardage for the last three seasons. Drew Brees completed 70 percent of his passes in 2016. Drew Brees has missed one game since 2010. Drew Brees is the third best quarterback in the NFL. With two guys so far ahead of everyone else, the Saints veteran is the choice for the ‘best of the rest’. Now, onto those two…
2) Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
As Aaron Rodgers floated out of the pocket in the dying seconds of the NFC Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys, fans across the world just sort of knew what was coming next. Spiralling a pass down the sideline, Jared Cook dragged his toes to set up the game winning field goal. It was the kind if thing everyone else on the list (including the man at number one) just can’t do. And yet…
1) Tom Brady - New England Patriots
…he’s not number one. Because this man here, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady is the greatest quarterback we’ve ever seen play in the National Football League. Five Super Bowl Rings, the most recent of which coming in the most improbable of circumstances. Ranked number one unanimously, putting Brady at the top of the pile was the easiest thing I’ve done all year.