Ranking NFC East Starters: Quarterbacks & Running Backs
Ranking NFC East Starters: Quarterbacks & Running Backs
It’s important to compare the Philadelphia Eagles to their division rivals, as those teams will be their main competition for a playoff spot. This series will compare the starting rosters of the four NFC East teams, starting with quarterbacks and running backs.
Quarterbacks:
1. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Even with his recent injury issues, Wentz remains by far the best quarterback in the division. He was an MVP candidate just a season ago, and once again posted a passer rating north of 100 in 2018. He posted solid numbers with 21 touchdowns to only seven picks, but it was clear that he hadn’t returned to form. Even without an offseason to speak of, he has still rated the best passer in the NFC East by Pro Football Focus. Wentz’s back is healing just fine, and with a full training camp this time around, he looks to stave off doubters.
2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott’s game improved mightily after the midseason acquisition of WR Amari Cooper. He still won’t scare anyone in a shootout, but he’s proved to be the right guy to lead Dallas’ run-first offense. Even if his numbers aren’t Earth-shattering, he’s been winning games, boasting a 32-18 career record (0-2 playoffs). He won’t come to your mind when you think “franchise QB”, and it’s up to the Dallas front office to decide how to go about his incoming extension.
3. Case Keenum, Washington Redskins
Keenum is just a season removed from an impressive campaign with the Vikings in 2017. He couldn’t maximize his opportunity with Denver last season, but he wasn’t put in the best place to succeed. Keenum is nothing more than a bridge quarterback at this point, but when put in the right place (like he was in Minnesota), he’s a viable starter. For now, D.C. becomes the latest stop in his journeyman career, and he will likely have to deal with a young passer looking over his shoulder.
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants
Manning is 38 and looks every bit of it, but New York doesn’t seem to be in any rush to get rid of him. Dreams of Russell Wilson in Big Blue have been dashed, and barring a trade for Josh Rosen, Manning will once again start under center for the Giants. There’s a decent chance that New York takes a young quarterback early, but there haven’t been any indications on which direction they’ll go. As time passes, it looks more and more likely that Manning will indeed be the starter in 2019, but for the hopefully for Giants fans, he will be mentoring a high draft choice such as Dwayne Haskins.
Running Backs:
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
The 2x rushing champ is the main reason that the Cowboys believe in Dak Prescott as a franchise quarterback. Prescott went through the worst stretch of his career in the time that Elliott was suspended last season. 2016’s fourth overall choice has paced the league in rushing yards per game in each of his three seasons, and there’s a good chance he’s a 3x rushing champ if not for his 2017 suspension. Zeke commands attention in the box, opening up the read option and play action for Prescott. Elliott is not only the top back in the NFC East but the entire league.
2. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Barkley may very well be right behind Elliott in the NFL’s running back hierarchy. The Penn State superstar finished second in rushing, right behind Elliott, and also added an astonishing 91 catches (NFL rookie RB record). Playing behind a subpar offensive line, there were several times where he made plays in situations where negative yardage was almost guaranteed. A 230 pound back with 4.3 speed, SaQuads has already proven to be the right choice at #2 for the Giants the last draft.
3. Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears
The NFC East has an impressive collection of backs. Since 2016, only Elliott and Todd Gurley have more rushing yards than new Eagles RB Jordan Howard. For him to be third within his division says a lot about the top two. His yards per carry has declined each season, but behind high-end blockers and an unloaded box, he should be able to quickly return to peak form in Philly.
4. Adrian Peterson
Closing out the amazing stable of backs in this division is 3x rushing champion and Minnesota Vikings legend Adrian Peterson. Peterson recorded a 1,000-yard season at age 33, but his production trailed off late thanks to a litany of injuries to the Redskins line. Peterson showed that he had plenty of gas left in the tank, but he is at the end of the list because he turned 34 in March, and sophomore running back Derrius Guice is primed to assume the lead role in 2019.
-By: Micah Jimoh