The regular season is here! I expect that, by the beginning of next season, most of these rankings will be different. For now, let’s finish up the last few quarterback division rankings.
Deshaun Watson
Well, had I written this a week ago, it’s safe to say that Andrew Luck would have been easily no. 1 on this list. This week, with the retirement of Andrew Luck, the makeup of the division has changed completely. For all of the criticism about Deshuan Watson’s accuracy coming out of college, Watson has been extremely solid. In only 23 games, he has thrown for over 5,500 yards, 45 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions. Heading in to year three, I expect a big year from Deshaun Watson. The Clemson product has been able to do what he has done to this point in his career with suspect offensive line play, to say the least. His mobility has been a huge asset to the team. However, this year the Texans invested two draft picks in the offensive line, It seems the Texans plan is similar to the one the Seahawks have with Russell Wilson. Both teams rely heavily on the play making ability of the two quarterbacks and don’t invest much into protecting them. Instead, they invest in the defense and weapons for them. The Seahawks took that model and turned it into a Super Bowl. The Texans are getting better, but they aren’t quite that good yet.
Nick Foles
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback found his way to a great situation, not to mention quite a few dollar signs. Foles has been a career backup, but beating Tom Brady in the Super Bowl works wonders for your perception, popularity and ultimately, paycheck. Foles has thrown for over 11,000 yards, 68 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. His position on this list may not be as much of credit to his name as it is an indictment on the other two quarterbacks in the division. Similar to Kirk Cousins, I think Foles is in a great situation in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have quite a defense in place and Foles has to be just average to compete. If everything goes well, the Jaguars should be able to squeeze into the playoffs. All in all, the fact that Foles has been a career backup should be concerning for Jaguars fans.
Marcus Mariota
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston were supposed to be the future of the NFL. Up to this point, neither has proven to be very much of anything. The biggest knock to this point on Mariota’s career has been injuries. Mariota has yet to play a full season for the Titans. When he is on the field, the former Oregon Duck hasn’t been much more than a game manager. Mariota has managed to throw for 12,000 yards, 69 touchdowns and only 42 interceptions. One thing Mariota has been good at, is making plays with his feet. Mariota. The Titans overall played really well last year, this coming year is the last year on Mariota contract. Like the Buccaneers, the Titans are in a precarious situation with their quarterback. We’ll see how this season plays out.
Jacoby Brissett
The biggest unknown in this division is definitely Jacoby Brissett. The former backup to Tom Brady is in a good position this year with the Colts. The sudden retiring of Andrew Luck definitely made headlines, but quietly, Chris Ballard has built quite a team in Indianapolis. Can Jacoby Brissett lead this team to the playoffs? In his career, Brissett has thrown for 3500 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. This team was all but a lock for the playoffs before the Luck news. Even with Luck gone, there is talent all over the field on defense and on offense for the Colts. Also, let’s not forget Frank Reich is a brilliant offensive mind. Maybe, just maybe, it won’t be so bad after all Colts fans.
