After we invested two weeks ranking the top-10 players at every single position group, from quarterbacks to kickers, its now time to rank departments by position groups. Quarterbacks.
Below, youll find all eight departments ranked by their 4 starting quarterbacks. Initially, its essential to note that all 4 quarterbacks per department matter. Thats why youll see the AFC West, which boasts the leagues finest quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, ranked so low. The other three quarterbacks dragged down Mahomes and the AFC West. Once again: All four quarterbacks matter. Balance matters.
The rankings are based upon the following factors:
How excellent were each of the beginning quarterbacks in 2015?
How good have each of the starting quarterbacks been to this point in their profession?
How excellent will they be next year? Not the next 5 years. Just 2020.
In his age-40 season, he led the league in completion percentage, and published career-highs in touchdown percentage and passer ranking. On the other hand, Ryan is revealing signs of a slow decrease– understandable, actually, given hes 35 years old and not every quarterback can age like Brees and Brady– however he was still good enough to throw for 4,466 lawns and 26 goals a season earlier.
The two newbies have actually strengthened the division. Bridgewater is still a bit of an unidentified after investing the past few seasons as a backup quarterback, however he flashed plenty of potential filling in for Brees last year, leading the Saints to a 5-0 record as a starter. Theres Brady, who experienced one of the worst seasons of his profession in 2019 at the age of 42, however that season, throughout which he graded out as an average, but not bad quarterback, came in an offending devoid of playmakers.
The NFC South might just have the best collection of quarterbacks out of the leagues eight departments.
In the end, the AFC West has one fantastic quarterback and three quarterbacks who could all conceivably play at a low level in 2020. I offered the edge to the NFC East over the AFC West because they have 2 top-10 quarterbacks compared to the AFC Wests only top-10 quarterback. Replacing Nick Foles, Minshew graded out as the 22nd best quarterback by DVOA and the 29th finest quarterback by total QBR, even though he managed to throw for 21 goals compared to only 6 interceptions, so theres still plenty of room for him to grow. The second-best quarterback in the division, as of this very moment, is Garoppolo, who in his first full season as a beginning quarterback, ranked 11th in DVOA and 12th in total QBR. Theres Brady, who experienced one of the worst seasons of his profession in 2019 at the age of 42, but that season, during which he graded out as an average, but not bad quarterback, came in an offending devoid of playmakers.
The only problem being, theres 2 big unknowns behind them in New York and Washington. While Jones certainly flashed potential sometimes as a first-round rookie, he also struggled regularly, particularly with holding onto the football. In a 12-start season that also consisted of one series in a 13th game, Jones fumbled 18 times. While Giants fans may be quick to point out that Jones threw for 24 goals, 12 interceptions, and a 87.7 passer ranking on a bad Giants offense, its crucial to note that the fumbles matter practically as much as the interceptions. None of this is intended to predict that Jones is going to be a bust. Its just indicated to be a suggestion that he still has a long methods to go. Perhaps hell ultimately get there, however it also may take another season or more based on what we saw in 2019.
Haskins might require even longer. While the last two starts of his novice season– when he finished 72.1 percent of his passes for 394 yards, four touchdowns, no choices, and a 131.3 passer ranking– offer hope for a better future, he still finished the season with a 58.6 completion percentage, 6.7 yards per attempt, 7 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 76.1 passer ranking.
Which is why the NFC East ended up on the bottom half of this list. Balance matters. With two top-10 quarterbacks and 2 bottom-tier starters who have a lot to show, the NFC East lacks consistency at quarterback..
I gave the edge to the NFC East over the AFC West since they have two top-10 quarterbacks compared to the AFC Wests only top-10 quarterback. If you desired to give the AFC West the edge because of how excellent Mahomes is, I d purchase it. I think it can swing either way.
Theres Minshew going into Year 2 after a surprisingly solid novice season as a sixth-round pick. Changing Nick Foles, Minshew graded out as the 22nd best quarterback by DVOA and the 29th finest quarterback by total QBR, even though he managed to throw for 21 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions, so theres still plenty of room for him to grow.
With one sure thing and 3 concern marks, Im hedging my bets by ranking the AFC South in the middle of the pack with the understanding that it might severely beat its ranking if adequate things go right during the upcoming season.
Deshaun Watson lost his top receiver, but he tends to make those around him much better..
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4. NFC North.
Undoubtedly, the Bears beginning quarterbacks are holding the remainder of the division back. Whether its Trubisky or Foles who emerges as the starter — I presume itll be a mix of the two– the Bears plainly have the worst quarterback scenario in the division. Put it this way: It d be thought about a success if the Bears were to get simple competent quarterback play in 2020. The bar is mediocrity..
While Rodgers has actually unquestionably decreased, hes still a good quarterback, checking in at 13th in DVOA from a season earlier. At the time of his injury, he was playing like a top-five quarterback. Considering that he became a full-time starting quarterback in 2015, hes completing 68.1 percent of his passes averaging 4,215.4 backyards, 27.4 goals, and 10.4 interceptions per season, and has accumulated a 99.6 passer rating.
In Los Angeles, the Chargers are most likely to begin the season with Taylor, whose ceiling as a quarterback is probably a league-average starter, but Herbert is waiting in the wings. My finest guess is that well see both quarterbacks begin more than one game.
In 6 seasons, hes balancing 6.9 lawns per effort. While theres a possibility Mariota will usurp him, its been a couple of seasons given that Mariota has actually played at a high level. Over the previous 3 seasons, hes averaging 10.3 goals and 8.3 interceptions per season.
In the end, the AFC West has one excellent quarterback and 3 quarterbacks who might all possibly dip into a low level in 2020. Thats why the department is ranked this low, despite Mahomes presence. That stated, if you wished to flip the AFC West with the NFC East because of simply how much better Mahomes is than everyone else, I would not argue..
Patrick Mahomes is keeping the AFC West from being in the basement of these rankings.
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6. NFC East.
I found the NFC East amongst the most difficult departments to put on this list. At the top, youve got 2 top-10 quarterbacks in Prescott and Wentz. This is neither the time nor location to argue about which quarterback is much better, however we need to all come together to concur that theyre both top-10 gamers at their position group. That offers the NFC East a pretty high flooring..
With all that in mind, onto the list itself..
8. AFC East.
Even if Brady were still around in New England and Newton hadnt changed him, the AFC East would still likely be the worst department in football in terms of quarterback play. It was as just recently as the first 11 video games of the 2018 season that Newton looked like a great NFL quarterback. He might be the best quarterback in the division or the worst.
Assuming Newton is healthy enough to win the beginning task, I have no idea who will be the second-best quarterback in the department. Will it be Allen, who still has accuracy issues?
Maybe itll be Darnold, who got dealt a bad hand a year ago when mono sidelined him at the beginning of the season. But through 2 seasons (26 starts), Darnold is finishing 59.9 percent of his passes, balancing 6.9 yards per attempt, and has thrown 36 goals and 28 interceptions for an 81.1 passer score. Theres still time for him to ascend, however through two seasons, Darnold hasnt yet showed his ability to play quarterback in the NFL at a high level.
The NFC North only has one weak spot and three good-to-great quarterbacks. Thats good enough for them to finish in the middle of the pack.
Matthew Stafford (left) and Aaron Rodgers help raise the NFC North to No. 4 in these rankings..
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3. AFC North.
Theres an affordable case to be made that the AFC North will be the best department by quarterbacks in one year. Mayfield needs to rebound after a disappointing 2019 season that came after a great rookie year. And Big Ben was fantastic as just recently as 2018 before his 2019 season was doomed from the start.
At the top is Jackson, who does not require to rebound or prove his worth in 2020. After a record-setting MVP season, Jacksons status is safe and secure. Hes the very best quarterback in the division, perhaps the second-best quarterback in the whole league, and he still might continue to improve considering hes only 23 years of ages and just came off his first complete season as an NFL beginning quarterback..
Then, why is the division ranked at No. 3 rather of No. 1? Its since I can likewise see a circumstance where Mayfield does not enhance, Burrow undergoes growing pains as a novice on a bad group, and Big Ben shows his age. It can go in any case. By ranking them as high as No. 3, I tend to believe a minimum of two of the 3 unknowns will play well in 2020..
The more-likely circumstance sees Fitzpatrick starting come Week 1. By now, as Fitzaptrick enters his 16th NFL season, we all understand his limitations.
Does upside exist in the AFC East? Definitely. If Newton is healthy and the three young quarterbacks play up to their possible, the AFC East will exceed their position on this list. An entire lot requires to go right for that to occur.
Can Josh Allen take an advance this season?
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7. AFC West.
Mahomes is the best gamer in football despite position, making him the best quarterback in football by a wide margin, but even he could not raise the AFC West. No one really questions Mahomes qualifications after his MVP season and his Super Bowl winning season, so lets just move onto the other three.
Maybe Lock will establish into a excellent or great quarterback. Hes an unidentified after a five-start novice season. The point is, we simply do not understand after a five-start rookie season.
If Daniel Jones repairs his fumbling problem, the NFC East might be greater on this list next year..
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5. AFC South.
Theres a lot of capacity for the AFC South to make their positioning here look silly– as in, theres a great chance this department carries out a lot better than 5th in terms of quarterback play during the upcoming season. I desired to acknowledge that first. Theres just a great deal of unknowns.
Watson isnt an unknown. Despite the fact that he lost DeAndre Hopkins this season, whatever hes performed in his career to this point shows that he should have the ability to conquer the loss of his best receiver. Weve currently seen him get rid of the leagues worst offending line to drag the Texans to the playoffs. At this moment, hes supporting cast proof. Behind him are 3 concern marks..
Tannehill surprised the world a season ago by developing into among the leagues finest quarterbacks, leading the Titans to a 7-3 record, finishing 70.3 percent of his passes, averaging 9.6 backyards per attempt, throwing 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, and publishing a 117.5 passer rating. But it stays to be seen if he can duplicate that efficiency in 2020, due to the fact that the degree of problem was high. Tannehill wasnt examining the ball down below and enjoying his receivers produce huge plays. Instead, he was throwing the ball deep downfield into tight windows and was still coming away with a tremendous quantity of success. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Tannehill balanced the third-most air lawns per effort (9.6) while throwing into tight windows at the sixth-highest rate (19.6 ). Tannehill both should have credit for how well he played in 2019, however also an affordable measure of doubt that he can do it again in 2020. That does not indicate hell be bad. It just implies he might not finish 70 percent of his passes, average nearly 10 backyards per effort, and toss a goal on 7.7 percent of his passes again. Hes most likely going to fall back.
On the other hand, in Indianapolis, Rivers is need of a bounceback after a disappointing last season in Los Angeles. Rivers threw just three more goals (23) than interceptions (20) last season, and finished 15th in DVOA and 24th in total QBR — a bad season, by his requirements. Therere both reasons to think in a return (he was good under Frank Reich in San Diego) and a decrease (hes 38 years of ages). I tend to think hell play better than he performed in 2019, however not as great as he did throughout his peak.
Lamar Jackson leads what is generally a young group of quarterbacks in the AFC North.
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2. NFC West.
Wilson is either the second-best quarterback in football behind only Mahomes or the third-best quarterback depending on how you feel about Jackson. In either case, Wilson leads this collection of talented quarterbacks after ready the Seahawks to 11 wins in 2019.
The second-best quarterback in the division, as of this very moment, is Garoppolo, who in his very first full season as a beginning quarterback, ranked 11th in DVOA and 12th in overall QBR. Theres still room for him to grow. It also would not be surprising if it was Murray who emerged as the second-best quarterback in the NFC West by the time the upcoming season ends. After a Rookie of the Year season, Murray is set up to flourish in Year 2 with the arrival of Hopkins..
Bringing up the rear is Goff, who is on a downward trajectory after a frustrating 2019 season. Still, its worth bearing in mind that in 2017 and 2018, Goff balanced 4,246 backyards, 30 touchdowns, and 9.5 interceptions per season. And for as bad as he was in 2019, he still ranked 18th in DVOA. It wasnt like he was suddenly the worst quarterback in football. He just went from great to average. Am I confident in a rebound? Not totally. However I also think he can stay a typical quarterback, which does not drag down the entire division, especially if Garoppolo and Murray keep improving, and Wilson keeps playing at an MVP level as he has for the past couple of seasons.
Kyler Murray is part of a skilled group of quarterbacks in the NFC West..
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1. NFC South.
Theres an argument to be made that even before Brady and Bridgewater showed up in Tampa Bay and Carolina, respectively, that the NFC South was currently the very best division in terms of quarterback play..
