Every year I rank the NFL's top quarterbacks, and I absolutely dread writing the intros. So much goes into this. There are so many attributes, stats and variables to consider. This year I've decided to forego the exhaustive explanation, and simply let my rankings speak for themselves. For past intros with more insight into my process, please go here:
2017 QB Power Rankings
2016 QB Power Rankings
All right, it's that time ladies and gentlemen...
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The vast majority of this piece was written on Friday, December 14, so some statistics may have changed.)
TIER 7: Spot Starters with Little Upside
50. A.J. McCarron, Raiders - Frascella's 2017 Rank: 50th, 2016: 57th
It's been a bizarre season for the former Alabama standout. Prior to the '18 campaign McCarron signed a two-year deal with the Bills, and it looked as if he'd have a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job. Ultimately, Buffalo selected Josh Allen with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, and head coach Sean McDermott again favored Nathan Peterman (inexplicably). That left McCarron out in the cold; though the Bills did a nice job picking up a 5th-round pick from the Raiders in exchange. Perhaps Jon Gruden, the "QB Whisperer," thinks he can whisper McCarron into a better pro player than he is. In reality, he'll probably stick in the 45-to-65 ranking range in coming years.
49. Trevor Siemian, Vikings - 2017: 45th, 2016: 32nd
Siemian showed some flashes as John Elway's chosen starter in the past, but the former is too inaccurate and football-dumb to sustain a No. 1 job. He's mobile, athletic and has a decent arm, so he makes for a very serviceable NFL backup.
48. Blaine Gabbert, Titans - 2017: 42nd, 2016: 46th
I guess he's kind of the same thing as Siemian. Both are mobile QBs who struggle with accuracy. However, Gabbert will move to scramble, whereas Siemian generally moves to create throwing lanes. Again, neither guy can be leaned upon as a full-time starter. They are simply security blankets.
47. Jacoby Brissett, Colts - 2017: 27th, 2016: 75th
A run-heavy QB who did an admirable job filling in for Andrew Luck last season. Brissett will never be a trusted pocket quarterback.
46. C.J. Beathard, 49ers - 2017: 55th, 2016: DNP
Not much to say, here -- Kyle Shanahan has coached him well in his opportunities. Sometimes Beathard makes surprisingly good throws, but those instances are spread out. He's just a backup.
45. Colt McCoy, Redskins - 2017: 40th, 2016: 44th
What a gruesome injury. What a shame. He's a great kid and professional backup. Not sure if he'll come back from this.
44. Cody Kessler, Jaguars - 2017: 34th, 2016: 28th
I've always felt he got a raw deal from Hue Jackson in Cleveland, but now I'm starting to wonder -- maybe he just isn't any good. In flashes I've liked his spunk and competitiveness, but Doug Marrone seems petrified to let Kessler loose. Marrone is a ground-and-pound conservative coach by nature, but this has been rather extreme. Almost seems like Kessler is a clone of former starter Blake Bortles.
TIER 6: Decent Backups or Works in Progress
43. Jeff Driskel, Bengals - 2017: 93rd, 2016: DNP
He hasn't looked terrible since Andy Dalton went down; Driskel has decent mobility, a loose-looking arm and admirable aggressiveness. He looks like a nice, little backup thus far. Who knows? Maybe he'll challenge Dalton in mini camp next season.
42. Chase Daniel, Bears - 2017: 57th, 2016: 55th
Did a fine job holding down the fort while Mitchell Trubisky was out. Outstanding head coach Matt Nagy gets most of the credit, though. Some of his tricky schemes led to wide-open targets, but Daniel wasn't always on the money during his starts. Nagy should undoubtedly be Coach of the Year.
41. Matt Barkley, Bills - 2017: 56th, 2016: 41st
When is this guy gonna get some love? Barkley started one game for the Bills this season, a 41-10 romp over my wildly inconsistent Jets. In his first start in quite some time, and his first ever start as a Bill, Barkley tossed for 232 yards and two touchdowns without a single turnover. He always responds when given an opportunity. During an extended stint with the Bears, he was about as impressive as a fill-in quarterback can be. The kid can play. I'm a fan.
40. Brock Osweiler, Dolphins - 2017: 44th, 2016: 45th
A serviceable NFL backup -- though his laughingstock reputation would suggest otherwise. He really isn't that bad.
39. Josh Allen, Bills - Rookie
He hasn't looked terrible since Andy Dalton went down; Driskel has decent mobility, a loose-looking arm and admirable aggressiveness. He looks like a nice, little backup thus far. Who knows? Maybe he'll challenge Dalton in mini camp next season.
42. Chase Daniel, Bears - 2017: 57th, 2016: 55th
Did a fine job holding down the fort while Mitchell Trubisky was out. Outstanding head coach Matt Nagy gets most of the credit, though. Some of his tricky schemes led to wide-open targets, but Daniel wasn't always on the money during his starts. Nagy should undoubtedly be Coach of the Year.
41. Matt Barkley, Bills - 2017: 56th, 2016: 41st
When is this guy gonna get some love? Barkley started one game for the Bills this season, a 41-10 romp over my wildly inconsistent Jets. In his first start in quite some time, and his first ever start as a Bill, Barkley tossed for 232 yards and two touchdowns without a single turnover. He always responds when given an opportunity. During an extended stint with the Bears, he was about as impressive as a fill-in quarterback can be. The kid can play. I'm a fan.
40. Brock Osweiler, Dolphins - 2017: 44th, 2016: 45th
A serviceable NFL backup -- though his laughingstock reputation would suggest otherwise. He really isn't that bad.
39. Josh Allen, Bills - Rookie
Pre-draft, everyone kept saying "raw" and "arm strength" -- and don't get me wrong, both of those things are true about Allen. But not as many were talking about his scrambling ability, which has been superb. At this early stage in his NFL career, he's more of a playmaker than quarterback. He throws every ball 170 MPH with zero touch. His passing game is a project, but at least he's big, strong and athletic. Much better than we can say about Peterman (unranked).
38. Blake Bortles, Jaguars - 2017: 28th, 2016: 31st
He lost his job to Cody Kessler, so, ummm, yeah. In all honesty, though, the Jags are better off with Bortles under center. Kessler has essentially been invisible. In a vacuum, Bortles is probably a solid backup in this league.
37. Brian Hoyer, Patriots - 2017: 30th, 2016: 26th
A pro's pro. Has played well in stints as a starter throughout his career. Prepares well, gets rid of the rock quickly and lets his playmakers do the work. If Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Bill O'Brien trust you, you definitely have something to offer at the QB position.
36. Teddy Bridgewater, Saints - 2017: 36th, 2016: 27th
Hopefully he'll get one last chance to start elsewhere in the future. He fought hard to come back from a gruesome leg injury. Teddy looked sharp during the preseason with the Jets. Wishing him the best, going forward.
35. Josh Rosen, Cardinals - Rookie
As expected, it's been an up-and-down rookie campaign for Rosen. The Cardinals organization wasted some of his time with Sam Bradford calling the shots early, but it hasn't made too much of a difference in Rosen's development. He's a nice touch passer and a ballsy kid, but his lack of mobility is concerning, and the Cardinals seem to be a ways away from winning. Gonna have to be patient, here.
34. Lamar Jackson, Ravens - Rookie
He may not have much freedom to toss the rock around, but Lamar is making things happen with his fresh legs. He's clearly one of the fastest quarterbacks of all time -- already in the same breath with Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham and Colin Kaepernick -- and when he does pass, he's been connecting on some key third-down conversions. Jackson has given head coach John Harbaugh the spark his club needed. Maybe Baltimore will keep Harbaugh around, after all.
33. Nick Mullens, 49ers - 2017 and 2016: DNP (undrafted)
Nicky Mullens, huh? This kid has been super impressive filling in for "The Greek God" Jimmy Garoppolo. Some of Mullens' success can be attributed to Kyle Shanahan's crafty offensive playcalling, but most of it goes to Mullens' moxie, surprising talent and poise. Impressive victory over the veteran Seahawks Sunday, and Seattle needed that win. Mullens out-dueling Russell Wilson - how about that? I love an underdog story like this. I mean, who doesn't?
32. Sam Darnold, Jets - Rookie
Ah Ahh Ahhh...Ah Ahh Ahhh...Ah Ahh Ahhh Ah Ahhhhhhh.
That was my attempt at duplicating the music that symbolizes a Golden Boy. It's also that majestic sound you hear in the movies when someone has a dramatic epiphany. It also kind of sounds like church music.
Darnold appears to have it all -- the looks, the demeanor, the all-around ability and the youth (he's still just 21). But, again as expected, the rookie's on-field results have been mixed. Here at The Fro Zone, we've covered him extensively thus far -- I wrote an all-inclusive report card, and Raj Leventhal assessed the handling of Darnold's injuries in the context of the Jets' overall relevancy as a team -- but in a way, we can toss those pieces out the window, now.
Something changed this week.
In a magical all-around performance against a very tough Texans team, Darnold threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. He also scrambled for 35 yards, many of which came during critical junctures of a tight ballgame.
Now, 253 yards may not knock your socks off, but remember that Robby Anderson is the Jets' best offensive "weapon" and Isaiah Crowell wasn't available to balance the run-pass attack. The Texans have two of the best defensive players in the world in J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, and they were chomping at the bit against a depleted Jets squad. Yet, after the game, they paid direct respect to Darnold:
After a handful of extremely shaky starts and missed games due to injury, two major things changed for Darnold: (1) He ran when nothing was there (which fellow rookies Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have done plenty of) and (2) He checked down to his backs when nothing was available downfield. In his worst starts, Darnold held on to the ball too long, missing many opportunities to pick up three-to-seven yards on dump offs to Crowell, Elijah McGuire or Trenton Cannon. Making that adjustment against Houston, Darnold was able to open up cleaner downfield looks for Anderson and improving tight end Chris Herndon.
So, everything considered, things are looking up for Darnold and his fans. Of course, we'll have to see if he can repeat this type of clean, smart effort. Something tells me he's feeling a lot better about himself.
Be on the lookout for Part II of my QB rankings later this week!
38. Blake Bortles, Jaguars - 2017: 28th, 2016: 31st
He lost his job to Cody Kessler, so, ummm, yeah. In all honesty, though, the Jags are better off with Bortles under center. Kessler has essentially been invisible. In a vacuum, Bortles is probably a solid backup in this league.
37. Brian Hoyer, Patriots - 2017: 30th, 2016: 26th
A pro's pro. Has played well in stints as a starter throughout his career. Prepares well, gets rid of the rock quickly and lets his playmakers do the work. If Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Bill O'Brien trust you, you definitely have something to offer at the QB position.
36. Teddy Bridgewater, Saints - 2017: 36th, 2016: 27th
Hopefully he'll get one last chance to start elsewhere in the future. He fought hard to come back from a gruesome leg injury. Teddy looked sharp during the preseason with the Jets. Wishing him the best, going forward.
35. Josh Rosen, Cardinals - Rookie
As expected, it's been an up-and-down rookie campaign for Rosen. The Cardinals organization wasted some of his time with Sam Bradford calling the shots early, but it hasn't made too much of a difference in Rosen's development. He's a nice touch passer and a ballsy kid, but his lack of mobility is concerning, and the Cardinals seem to be a ways away from winning. Gonna have to be patient, here.
34. Lamar Jackson, Ravens - Rookie
He may not have much freedom to toss the rock around, but Lamar is making things happen with his fresh legs. He's clearly one of the fastest quarterbacks of all time -- already in the same breath with Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham and Colin Kaepernick -- and when he does pass, he's been connecting on some key third-down conversions. Jackson has given head coach John Harbaugh the spark his club needed. Maybe Baltimore will keep Harbaugh around, after all.
33. Nick Mullens, 49ers - 2017 and 2016: DNP (undrafted)
Nicky Mullens, huh? This kid has been super impressive filling in for "The Greek God" Jimmy Garoppolo. Some of Mullens' success can be attributed to Kyle Shanahan's crafty offensive playcalling, but most of it goes to Mullens' moxie, surprising talent and poise. Impressive victory over the veteran Seahawks Sunday, and Seattle needed that win. Mullens out-dueling Russell Wilson - how about that? I love an underdog story like this. I mean, who doesn't?
32. Sam Darnold, Jets - Rookie
Ah Ahh Ahhh...Ah Ahh Ahhh...Ah Ahh Ahhh Ah Ahhhhhhh.
That was my attempt at duplicating the music that symbolizes a Golden Boy. It's also that majestic sound you hear in the movies when someone has a dramatic epiphany. It also kind of sounds like church music.
Darnold appears to have it all -- the looks, the demeanor, the all-around ability and the youth (he's still just 21). But, again as expected, the rookie's on-field results have been mixed. Here at The Fro Zone, we've covered him extensively thus far -- I wrote an all-inclusive report card, and Raj Leventhal assessed the handling of Darnold's injuries in the context of the Jets' overall relevancy as a team -- but in a way, we can toss those pieces out the window, now.
Something changed this week.
In a magical all-around performance against a very tough Texans team, Darnold threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. He also scrambled for 35 yards, many of which came during critical junctures of a tight ballgame.
Now, 253 yards may not knock your socks off, but remember that Robby Anderson is the Jets' best offensive "weapon" and Isaiah Crowell wasn't available to balance the run-pass attack. The Texans have two of the best defensive players in the world in J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, and they were chomping at the bit against a depleted Jets squad. Yet, after the game, they paid direct respect to Darnold:
Watt to Darnold: "You're gonna be a great pro."#HOUvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/wEcUg6zdXz— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 16, 2018
After a handful of extremely shaky starts and missed games due to injury, two major things changed for Darnold: (1) He ran when nothing was there (which fellow rookies Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have done plenty of) and (2) He checked down to his backs when nothing was available downfield. In his worst starts, Darnold held on to the ball too long, missing many opportunities to pick up three-to-seven yards on dump offs to Crowell, Elijah McGuire or Trenton Cannon. Making that adjustment against Houston, Darnold was able to open up cleaner downfield looks for Anderson and improving tight end Chris Herndon.
So, everything considered, things are looking up for Darnold and his fans. Of course, we'll have to see if he can repeat this type of clean, smart effort. Something tells me he's feeling a lot better about himself.
Be on the lookout for Part II of my QB rankings later this week!
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