Every year the NFL Network does its top 100 countdown based on the previous season. However, that’s the past, and we want to look forward to the future. Four of our writers have put together a 14 part series, predicting our top 10 at each position. We’ve also included the most under and overrated at each position. Today, we start the series with our top 10 quarterbacks.
10) Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
After a down year in 2018, Prescott bounced back last season under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Throwing for nearly 5,000 yards along with 30 touchdowns, he was more aggressive in the new offensive system. At 6’2″ and weighing over 230 pounds, he is one of the most physically imposing quarterbacks in the game. He can beat teams with his arm and legs, finishing third in yards per attempt and broken tackles last season. Under new head coach Mike McCarthy, look for Prescott to remain a top ten passer in 2020.
9) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
A victim of being overlooked when mentioning the best quarterbacks in the game, Stafford played at an elite caliber level last season before a back injury cut his season short. One of the most gifted passers in the game, he can make throws from all platforms and fit them into any window. Surrounded by one of the best wide receiver duos in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, look for Stafford to be in the comeback player of the year conversation.
8) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
One of the most under appreciated quarterbacks in the game, Ryan, is consistently one of the best statistical quarterbacks in the league. Lacking the physical and athletic gifts like other members of this list, Ryan relies on his football intelligence and accuracy as a passer to win games. Since being drafted third overall in 2008, he has had the most passing yards by any quarterback to start a career and has accomplished some monster seasons, none bigger than his MVP campaign in 2016.
7) Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite inconsistency and the inability to stay on the field, Wentz remains a top 10 quarterback in the league. Even with all the injuries at wide receiver, Wentz had one of the best four-game stretches of his career to close out last season. During that span, he threw for 901 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With top quality arm strength, mobility inside the pocket, and a keen football insight, he has all the makings of a franchise quarterback.
6) Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Coming off back to back Pro Bowl seasons, Watson is one of the most electrifying playmakers in the NFL. Even after the Texans made a head-scratching move by trading away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, Watson’s brilliance keeps the team relevant. A perfect quarterback for the new dual-threat era, Watson can make plays inside and outside of the pocket and is lauded for his leadership by teammates.
5) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Fresh off a 13-3 season and a first-round bye in the playoffs, many remain concerned about the play of Rodgers. After a 40 touchdown season in 2016, the former MVP has seen a decline in both his completion percentage and passer rating each of the past three seasons. No longer regarded as the best quarterback in the game, Rodgers still had an elite level caliber season in 2019, throwing for over 4,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. Following the Packers section of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love earlier this offseason, look for an extra motivated Rodgers to have a big season.
4) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
One of the most accurate passers the game has ever seen, Brees remains a top-five quarterback heading into the season. Last year at the age of 40, Brees looked as sharp as ever, setting new career highs in completion percentage and passer rating. Surrounded by one of the best groups of weapons in football plus the addition of Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason, look for Brees to once again make the Saints a premier contender in the NFC.
3) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
A human highlight reel, Jackson burst onto the scene last year in his first full season starting for Baltimore. Featuring game-breaking speed, Jackson regularly makes opposing defenders look foolish, rushing for over 1200 yards in his sophomore campaign. After being knocked on his passing ability and accuracy heading into the draft, Jackson took strides in his drop back passing ability and looked comfortable in the pocket when in rhythm last season.
2) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Often keeping the Seahawks around the playoffs each season based on his brilliance alone, Wilson remains among the elite in the game. Known for his escape and throw on the run abilities, no one is better at navigating the pocket then Russell. Yet to miss a single start in his NFL career, he also remains durable and consistent, throwing for 30 or more touchdowns in each of the last three seasons.
1) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Fresh off a super bowl victory and MVP during his first two years as a starter, Mahomes is the best player in the game. The most impressive arm talent the league has seen in a long time, what makes him so unique is his ability to create a highlight reel play out of nothing. Along with this, Mahomes consistently delivers in crunch time. After falling behind twice in the playoffs last season, he engineered two come from behind victories, none bigger than Super Bowl 54.
Most Underrated – Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Improving every year since being drafted, Wentz remains one of the most under-appreciated signal-callers in the game. Throwing for over 90 touchdowns in his first four seasons to 35 interceptions, he does not turn the ball over and kept the Eagles in contention every year since his rookie season. Look no further than last season, where he led the Eagles to an NFC East title without a wide receiver on the team finishing with over 500 receiving yards.
Most Overrated – Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson had a great 2019 season, leading the Ravens to the top record in the league and winning MVP. Jackson showed in the playoffs that he still needs to develop more as a passer to take the next step as a quarterback. In a nightmare performance, Jackson threw an interception and fumbled twice. In poor performance was part of the reason why the Tennessee Titans were able to upset the Ravens in the playoffs. With defenses beginning to figure out the Ravens offense, until Jackson can consistently make throws in the NFL, look for them to struggle in January.
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