Photo Credit: People Magazine
You guys know me at this point - I just call it like it is. I just tell you exactly what is going on. I'm writing this after midnight with a limited time window, so I have no choice but to speed through with one-line synopses for each player. Here's the archive, to catch up:
November 2022: Frascella's Top 125 QBs
June 2022: Frascella's Top 50 QBs
September 2021: Frascella's Top 34 QBs
And here's my quick ranking criteria:
1. This list can't ONLY be based on 2022 stats and performance. Otherwise, I could just provide you with a link to review the raw numbers on your own time. Let's say the 2022 season gets 65-75% of the weight.
2. The context of the past couple seasons must at least be considered, as well. Really, the whole context of the player unless things have changed quickly and dramatically.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This piece is dedicated to my great friend DJ Toby, aka "Donny Clams" aka "Captain Live" - get well soon, Donny!
All right, let's roll...
Dishonorable Mention
51. Zach Wilson: Easily one of the worst quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
TIER 6: Backups or maybe not even that
50. Joshua Dobbs: Was forced to start for the Titans with the season on the line - showed a couple flashes of competent play and totally outplayed Malik Willis his backup.
49. Skylar Thompson: Can't believe he was forced to start a playoff game... and kept the Dolphins in it against the "supposedly" better Bills!
48. Jarrett Stidham: Took the reins from Derek Carr after his reign ended in Vegas, then lit up the 49ers for a surprisingly good performance.
TIER 5: Got starts, but are they really starters?
47. Trey Lance: Has the potential to be a top-35 QB relatively quickly, but we gotta see him back healthy and finding better passing rhythm within Kyle Shanahan's famous offense.
46. Marcus Mariota: Eyeballing it, he should be like No. 34 or 35, but I docked him for quitting on his teammates after he got benched.
45. P.J. Walker: Would never quit on his teammates the way Mariota did.
44. Colt McCoy: A true professional in terms of leadership and preparation, but he just isn't a naturally talented QB at the NFL level.
43. Davis Mills: I think he has the potential to be better than this with Lovie Smith gone - the Texans need a competent offensive system on the whole.
42. Teddy Bridgewater: Not as good as he used to be, but still a reliable backup QB in this league.
41. Mitch Trubisky: Always shows decent flashes, then commits boneheaded turnovers.
40. Carson Wentz: Ah, how the once-mighty have fallen.
39. Desmond Ridder: QB rating was higher than I initially realized and he brings the rushing attack as well.
38. Gardner Minshew: QB rating should have been higher with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert and a strong offensive line around him.
37. Jameis Winston: Not sure he'll ever be himself again given the serious back injuries.
36. Baker Mayfield: Showed a lot more promise with the Rams than he did with the lowly Panthers.
35. Tyler Huntley: Pro Bowler right here! Wait... what??
34. Sam Darnold: Ended up being better than both Mayfield and Walker in Carolina.
33. Kenny Pickett: Made the expected rookie mistakes, but showed fearlessness and some toughness.
TIER 4: Backend starters or first-tier backups
32. Matt Ryan: Frank Reich got too impatient with him; it's not that he's good, he's just better than Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles at this point.
31. Bailey Zappe: Might already be better than his teammate Mac Jones; hard to really tell due to limited reps.
30. Mike White: Being the Jets' best quarterback isn't really sayin' much, I guess.
29. Cooper Rush: Was very impressed by his time under center in the absence of Dak Prescott.
28. Taylor Heinicke: Textbook definition of a "fringe starter" in this league right now.
27. Mac Jones: Not terrible IMO, just blah.
26. Jacoby Brissett: One of my personal favorite fringe starters in the game right now.
25. Andy Dalton: Crafty vet had a helluva season - 9th overall in standard QB Rating.
24. Russell Wilson: It was the season from hell, but Sean Payton should breathe some life back into Old Russ.
TIER 3: The tier that goes on forever
23. Deshaun Watson: Gotta see it before I believe it - he looked terrible in Cleveland.
22. Justin Fields: Absolutely love his rushing attack, but I wanna see improved passing and some wins for Chicago.
21. Ryan Tannehill: Breaking down physically in his veteran years, but he was still 11th overall in standard QB rating.
20. Jimmy Garoppolo: Really just need to see him stay healthy through an entire season at this point.
19. Brock Purdy: One of the stories of the year - sucks he had to get hurt in the NFC Championship Game!
18. Tua Tagovailoa: I'd have him higher if I wasn't so damn concerned about his concussions and the sustainability of his NFL career.
17. Kyler Murray: Ran Kliff Kingsbury out of town and alienated his teammates this season as well.
16. Geno Smith: My favorite story of the year! If he can come close to repeating this success I'll move him into my top 12 or 13.
15. Matthew Stafford: It was a lost season for this wily veteran, but he's still the reigning Super Bowl champion QB.
14. Derek Carr: Can't wait to see where he lands this offseason!
13. Dak Prescott: Tumbling down my list faster than Kellen Moore's fall from grace.
12. Tom Brady: My final ranking of his career! Shed a tear!
11. Kirk Cousins: Solid and steady, but what the hell was that last throw and decision in Minnesota's playoff loss to the Giants?
10. Daniel Jones: Very close with Cousins and Prescott, but he outdueled Cousins in the playoffs and shows more aggressiveness in his rushing attack than the others right now.
9. Jared Goff: The most underrated player in the NFL right now, IMO.
8. Trevor Lawrence: All arrows are pointing upward - could get to as high as No. 5 or 6 next season.
TIER 2: Not quite megastars, right now
7. Lamar Jackson: Could be as high as No. 5, but really needs to get healthy and stay healthy at this point in his career.
6. Aaron Rodgers: Same thing I wrote about Derek Carr!
5. Justin Herbert: Needed to secure that playoff victory over the Jaguars to get into my Tier 1. He did not.
TIER 1: The best of the best
4. Jalen Hurts: Would have been MVP of the league if he played 16 or 17 games.
3. Josh Allen: I'm not giving up on him in this tier, yet! People are overreacting to an uncharacteristic stretch of play after a very concerning UCL injury to his throwing arm.
2. Joe Burrow: Ya gotta beat Mahomes in the Conference Finals when he's clearly less than 100%.
1. Pat Mahomes: To me he's not perfect, but he's still the best in the game right now.
Okay... bring on the debate @LegendSports7 on Twitter!!
John Frascella is a published sports author and NFL writer for Razzball. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things football and basketball.
