2021 NFL Stock Up, Stock Down: AFC QB's
With the Julio Jones trade likely being the last blockbuster move of the offseason, the time has finally come where we can make knowledgeable season predictions. In this edition of “Stock Up, Stock Down”, we will discuss every projected starting QBs outlook for 2021 and whether it’s gone up, remained the same, or plummeted.
AFC North
PITTSBURGH: Ben Roethlisberger
Age 39, 3803/33/10 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: DOWN
The Steelers collapsed last season after starting 11-0, leading to many rightfully scrutinizing the play of longtime QB Ben Roethlisberger. Although his basic stats don’t tell the whole story, his abysmal mark of 6.3 yards per attempt shows that he’s far from his former gunslinging glory. The Steelers are the only team in their division without a young franchise QB.
BALTIMORE: Lamar Jackson
Age 24, 2757/26/9 (YDS/TD/INT), 1005/7 (rYDS, rTD) in 2020
Stock: UP
In 2019, Lamar Jackson led the league in passing touchdowns despite Marquise Brown being his #1 receiver. In 2020, Jackson returned from a bout with COVID-19 and dragged Baltimore to the postseason in spectacular fashion (with Marquise Brown still his #1). Now in 2021, Jackson may finally have a competent receiving corps for the first time in his career. Defenses, beware.
CLEVELAND: Baker Mayfield
Age 26, 3563/26/8 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: UP
After tossing 35 interceptions in his first two professional seasons, Mayfield took a backseat to the Browns backfield and became a hyper-efficient game manager. He now oversees arguably the most talented roster in football and will benefit from the return of Odell Beckham, Jr. If last year wasn’t enough of a breakout, 2021 could be special.
CINCINNATI: Joe Burrow
Age 24, 2688/13/5 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: NEUTRAL
With a season (injury-shortened) under his belt and the addition of former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase in the draft, Burrow’s stock should be going up. The issue is that the 2020 #1 overall pick needed OL to help much more than he needed receiving help. Chase won’t see many targets if Burrow is always on his backside.
AFC South
TENNESSEE: Ryan Tannehill
Age 32, 3819/33/7 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: UP
After the losses of Jonnu Smith and Corey Davis, Ryan Tannehill’s stock was plummeting in the wrong direction. Next thing you know, the Titans trade for Julio Jones and give themselves the league’s best-receiving duo. Oh, and Taylor Lewan is coming back to protect Tanny’s blindside.
INDIANAPOLIS: Carson Wentz
Age 28, 2620/16/15 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: UP
After an abysmal 2020 season, Carson Wentz’s stock had dropped to nearly nothing. His fortunes flipped when Philadelphia traded him to Indianapolis, reuniting him with the coach that oversaw his 2017 All-Pro campaign. Asking someone to turn back the clock four years is a bit much, but the 2019 version of Wentz should satisfy Colts fans for the next half-decade.
HOUSTON: Deshaun Watson
Age 25, 4823/33/7 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: DOWN
Deshaun Watson had an incredible statistical campaign in 2020, setting himself up to be traded to a less dysfunctional organization. Then over 20 women accused him of sexual assault. Not much more to say there.
JACKSONVILLE: Trevor Lawrence
Age 21, Rookie
Stock: DOWN
As the most-hyped QB prospect since Andrew Luck, Lawrence’s pre-draft stock was through the roof. Nothing has changed about the long-locked signal-caller, but as the #1 overall pick, he is joining the NFL’s worst team.
AFC East
BUFFALO: Josh Allen
Age 25, 4544/37/10 (YDS/TD/INT), 421/8 (rYDS, rTD) in 2020
Stock: NEUTRAL
Following one of the best breakout seasons (relative to prior production) you’ll ever see, there’s not much more room for Allen’s stock to go up. The Bills haven’t changed all that much in the offseason, but Allen should be happy that his OC Brian Daboll is hanging around for at least one more year.
MIAMI: Tua Tagovailoa
Age 23, 1814/11/5 (YDS/TD/INT) in 2020
Stock: UP
Similar to Ben Roethlisberger, Tua was simply not as good as his stats might suggest. In the middle of a potential playoff run, he had to be benched for the NFL’s resident journeyman, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Of course, he was just a rookie, so a year of growth alone should send his stock soaring. Adding Will Fuller helps too.
NEW ENGLAND: Cam Newton
Age 32, 2657/8/10 (YDS/TD/INT), 592/12 (rYDS, rTD) in 2020
Stock: UP
It appears that Bill Belichick and I share the same idea that Cam Newton’s horrible 2020 performance was due to a complete lack of receiving talent. The Patriots addressed the issue in free agency, bringing in Nelson Agholor, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith. Don’t let the presence of Mac Jones scare you, either. We’ve seen New England draft a QB early on just to ship them out a few years later.
NEW YORK (JETS): Zach Wilson
Age 21, Rookie
Stock: DOWN
Wilson’s stock soared during the pre-draft process, but life is going to be a lot harder as a New York Jet than as a BYU Cougar. With one of the worst offensive lines in football and an offense that leaves a lot to be desired, we could see some growing pains for the 21-year-old.
AFC West
KANSAS CITY: Patrick Mahomes
Age 25, 4740/38/6 (YDS/TD/INT)
Stock: UP
After watching their superstar quarterback get pressured a historic amount of times in Super Bowl 55, the Chiefs quickly brought in reinforcements to their offensive line. Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, and Orlando Brown Jr-- all former Pro Bowlers/All-Pros-- were acquired this offseason.
LAS VEGAS: Derek Carr
Age 30, 4103/27/9 (YDS/TD/INT)
Stock: DOWN
Derek Carr actually had a great season last year, but the Raiders aren’t getting any better. They continue to trot out terrible defenses and just lost their second-leading receiver to free agency. Jon Gruden could be nearing the end of his time in Vegas.
LOS ANGELES (CHARGERS): Justin Herbert
Age 23, 4336/31/10 (YDS/TD/INT)
Stock: UP
Justin Herbert put together the best statistical season a rookie QB has ever experienced and the Chargers rewarded him with an All-Pro lineman. Assuming the team stays healthy (never a guarantee with the Bolts), Herbert’s impressive first-year could be his floor.
DENVER: Drew Lock
Age 24, 2933/16/15
& Teddy Bridgewater
Age 28, 3733/15/11 (YDS/TD/INT)
Stock: DOWN
Unless they pull off a wild move, the Broncos will be wasting one of the league’s most talented rosters by starting a less-than-mediocre quarterback. It says a lot about both of these players that they’re even in competition with one another, but either way, the city of Denver loses. Now about that Aaron Rodgers guy…
*All statistics are sourced from Pro Football Reference and/or StatMuse
Writer
-By: Micah Jimoh