The NFL season is possibly around the corner. With the first game scheduled to be played in a little over a month– and the Athletic released their ranking–, I thought it would be interesting to rate all the potential starting QBs for this season. I won’t be including rookies– and Jared Stitem– because while they are NFL players they haven’t done anything in the NFL for them to be compared to other NFL QBs. Everyone on this list has starter experience in the NFL.
- Patrick Mahomes
- Lamar Jackson
- Russel Wilson
- Drew Brees
- Deshaun Watson
- Carson Wentz
- Aaron Rodgers
- Tom Brady
- Kyler Murray
- Big Ben
- Matt Ryan
- Kirk Cousins
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Josh Allen
- Jimmy Garapalo
- Jared Goff
- Tyrod Taylor
- Matt Stafford
- Philip Rivers
- Derek Carr
- Dak Prescott
- Cam Newton
- Nick Foles
- Ryan Tannahill
- Baker Mayfeild
- Dwayne Haskins
- Sam Darnold
- Daniel Jones
- Drew Lock
- Gardner Minshew
- Ryan McMagic
- Marcus Mariota
- Jacoby Brissett
- Mitch Tribisky
Bonus:
- Tasom Hill. Stop pretending he’s an NFL QB.
I think a lot of the younger guys with only a year or two of starting experience will rise this year. The players I bolded will have the opportunity to rise and, in my belief, the potential to rise. For example, I think Dwayne Haskins is still a very young QB. He only started one season at Ohio State and less in Washington. He has the potential to explode after a rough first year.
On the other hand, Drew Lock has the opportunity to explode but I don’t think he has the talent to. I also included Teddy Bridgewater and Cam Newton in this category because while they are experienced starters this will be their first season back after being held back by injuries which have caused their stock to fall. They both have been elite in the past but they need to show they can be elite consistently again.
Thoughts on rookies:
I think Joe Burrow has all star potential but the Bengles + AFC North will hold him back. I’m afraid his career will be ruined like Matt Staffords was. We will all know he has the talent but his team always sucks. The opposite of Brady.
Tua also has all star potential but the Dolphins seem to have their act together and the only perennial good AFC east team might be coming back to earth.
Justin Herbert. If I had to call a bust from the 2020 draft this would be it. Just was never too impressed by him.
Jordan Love. Not many thoughts about him but Aaron Rodgers should demand a trade ASAP since Green Bay obviously doesn’t want to win.
Jalen Hurts I thought he would have been a great pick by the Ravens. A talented QB that may not be good enough to be a starter but could be an elite backup. His play style is obviously similar enough to Lamar Jackson that he would be a great backup.
Exit tweet: A similar past attempt of mine. I’ve put a little more thought into it and adjusted the criteria some since then.
