With the 2020 NFL regular season and postseason fully in the rearview mirror, now is a great time to complete the tall task of ranking the top 10 at every single position. We start with the most important: quarterbacks.

*These rankings are based on the 2020 season ONLY

Honorable Mention: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Murray didn’t quite live up to the MVP status that the media was prematurely giving him last offseason, but his quick ascension has Cardinals fans confident in their future. In Year 2, Murray increased his already-solid completion percentage by 2.8 points, and tossed six more touchdowns in the same amount of games. His rushing ability might have been even more impressive than his arm. He totaled over 800 yards on the ground and scored 11 touchdowns, good for seventh in the league.

10. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

After a sloppy sophomore season, Baker Mayfield decided to start doing more by doing less. He allowed his incredible backfield duo to take the lead and followed by posting the most efficient season of his career. Even with a career-low in passing attempts per game, Mayfield still threw 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, less than half of last season’s amount. Most importantly, behind his leadership, the Browns earned a playoff spot for the first time in my lifetime.

9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

With Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa garnering the most attention among rookie passers, it was a surprise to everyone to watch Justin Herbert emerge as the best of the bunch this year. His very first start was a precursor to his amazing year; he broke the 300-yard mark and nearly knocked off the mighty Chiefs back in Week Two. Just two weeks later, Herbert shredded the Bucs defense to the tune of 290 yards and three scores on 80% completion. He finished the year with 4,336 yards, shattered the rookie touchdown record (31), and took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

8. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

After torching the league for ten games in 2019, Tannehill proved that his age-31 breakout campaign was absolutely no fluke. Even with the OPOY lined up behind him at tailback, “Tanny” still threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns… with just seven INTs. His passer rating of 106.5 placed him fifth in the league, just a year after he paced every QB in that same category. What’s scary is that with the way the game is today, Tannehill might be just entering his prime. With him, Derrick Henry, and A.J. Brown on the same starting 11, the Titans should be making noise for years to come.

7. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

After becoming the league’s second-ever unanimous MVP, things weren’t as smooth in 2020 for the third-year man from Louisville. A 5-1 start quickly evaporated and nearly 3/4ths through the season, the Ravens were barely over .500. After a stint with COVID, Jackson returned and went on a ridiculous five-game stretch, throwing for over 800 yards, rushing for 430 more, and picking up 15 total touchdowns. Baltimore went undefeated in that span. Jackson also made sure to shake off his postseason demons and finally notch his first career playoff win.

6. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

If you read this list after Wilson’s first seven games, you’d be confused on how he fell this low. From Weeks 1-8, his average stat line looked like this: 307.3 YDS, 3.7 TD, 0.9 INT. He was on pace to hit almost 5,000 yards and take Peyton Manning’s TD record with him. Although he fell off a cliff during the last nine games, his second-half pace would still be pretty good. Wilson’s last nine games extrapolated to a 16-game season: 3,664 YDS, 25 TD, 12 INT. That’s a career year for a lot of guys. For Russ, it’s a bad stretch.

5. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

That’s right, a 43-year-old quarterback is still a top-5 QB in the National Football League. Brady continues to stand the test of time, winning an MVP at age 40, a Super Bowl at 41, and another at 43. Don’t think he’s some game manager at this point either. He just came off a regular season in which he threw 40 (!) touchdowns, the second-most of his career. I was one of the many who claimed before this season that Brady was no longer in the upper echelon of signal-callers. I stand very, very corrected.

4. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

After spending the offseason watching his coach/GM do his best to ruin a franchise, Deshaun Watson was forced to play with the cupboard bare in 2020. It didn’t matter. Despite absorbing the second-most sacks in the league, Watson completed over 70% of his passes, led the league in passing yards, and posted a sterling 33:7 TD-to-INT ratio. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to overcome a team burdened with the 30th ranked defense, and the Texans won just four games. Historic things could be in store next season as Watson tries to maneuver his way to another team.

3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Unlike the NBA, the NFL does not have a “Most Improved Player” award. Regardless, I will be naming Allen the unofficial 2020 recipient of the fantasy award. Just compare the difference in his raw stats between 2019 and ‘20:

2019: 16 games, 10-6 record,  58.8 comp%, 3,089 YDS, 20 TD, 9 INT, 85.3 RATE, 49.4 QBR

2020: 16 games, 13-3 record, 69.2 comp%, 4,544 YDS, 37 TD, 10 INT, 107.2 RATE, 81.7 QBR

From below-average passer to bonafide superstar.

1b. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

In just 15 games, Mahomes threw for 4,740 yards and 38 TDs and nobody blinked an eye. This kind of greatness has become expected from the 25-year-old quarterback. If not for the Chiefs dominating the AFC so thoroughly, he could’ve played the 16th game and hit 5,000+ yards and 40+ TDs for the second time… in three years. Only Drew Brees has accomplished the feat multiple times (and he had 33 INTs between those two seasons compared to a likely 18 for Mahomes). Mahomes’ postseason was just as incredible. A week removed from a concussion, he threw for 325 yards and 3 TDs in the AFC Championship. And even if the box score doesn’t support it, those who watched know that despite unprecedented pressure, Mahomes still had one of the best performances in Super Bowl history.

1a. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

In what’s become a common theme in the career of Rodgers, his team fell one game short of the Super Bowl. That shouldn’t take away from the prolific season that he had for Green Bay. Falling just a yard short of 4,300 yards, Rodgers amassed unthinkable totals of 48 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 70.7% completion percentage. His passer rating of 121.5 was second all-time behind his own mark of 122.5 set in 2011. And if you think TD: INT ratios like that are anything new for Rodgers, look at this:

Aaron Rodgers’ 35+ TD Seasons

2011: 45 TD, 6 INT

2012: 39 TD, 8 INT

2014: 38 TD, 5 INT

2016: 40 TD, 7 INT

2020: 48 TD, 5 INT

No other QB has more than one such season (38+ TD, < 9 INT).

*all statistics are taken from Pro Football Reference & StatMuse

Writer

-By: Micah Jimoh

Zach Wilson is one of the most interesting players in the 2021 draft class. He had a meteoric rise up draft boards this season. Entering the season as a relative unknown, Wilson caught my eye early after a dismantling of Louisiana Tech’s defense. He had 325 yards and two touchdowns with a 92% completion percentage. 

Over the next few months, Wilson would capture the attention and hearts of football fans everywhere, his stellar play leading BYU to their best season in a decade. With his great play, Zach Wilson has entered his name into the early first-round conversation, but who is Zach Wilson as a player? For that, we look to the tape.

If there’s one word I’d use to describe Zach Wilson’s play, it’s fun. At no point in watching Wilson will you feel sleepy. There is no yawning while watching him play. He will make some of the craziest throws that you will ever see. Routinely you will see Wilson roll out and hit a 50+ yard throw into a tight window, all on the run of course. He will evade rushers, then fling a pass right on the money downfield. He is great throwing on the run, still able to put balls in extremely tight windows.

There’s not a tight window that Wilson did not love to challenge, and more times than not he hits the throw. This is due to his great arm talent. The ball flies out of Wilson’s hand, with more than enough zip. His ball placement at times is mind-boggling. He will put a ball only where the receiver can get it. Wilson sometimes reminds me of a professional dart thrower, how he can so accurately put passes precisely where it needs to be. Wilson has good overall accuracy, there aren’t many errant passes on his film.

What I love a lot about Wilson is how tough of a runner he is. He’s more than capable of scrambling, and he’s fearless when he runs. You can see his passion for the game every time he takes off. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to score and bring his team to victory. He has good speed but I wouldn’t call him the most elusive in the open field. In the pocket, he’s a bit more mobile, able to sidestep defenders and move around the pocket before finding a man downfield.

There is a lot to like about Wilson, with his fearless style combined with great arm talent and ball placement. I feel that what makes Wilson so great is what can possibly hamper him in the future. As mentioned earlier, there isn’t a tight window that Wilson isn’t willing to challenge. There are some dangerous throws on tape that could’ve been picked off. He reminds me a lot of Baker Mayfield, or for an even higher-end comparison Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, in his gunslinging mentality. I think a team needs to have him sit a year to reign him in a bit.

In addition, I think Wilson’s a bit raw as a quarterback. He isn’t the fastest processor or reader of the field. I don’t think he’s bad or hopeless, but he definitely isn’t Joe Burrow. I wouldn’t call him a bad decision-maker, he just a lot of times looks for the big play. A noticeable thing I feel he should improve on is, he will see his target, pump fake, then throw it anyway to a covered up receiver. I see most of his missed passes due to timing as well. I think that sitting and learning could help him further learn and progress as a quarterback, learning how to get himself in a rhythm and play a tad bit less loose (You don’t want to reign him in too much though.) He’s just missing some of the subtle nuances you want from your quarterback, but he’s still young and has room to grow.

After watching Wilson, I can easily see his great upside. He has a ton of arm talent and a major knack for making big plays happen. He has good accuracy and some great ball placement. He is a very fun gunslinger with a ton of potential. He has some problems currently though. I think he still has some things to work on with his overall game to become a more complete player. A team should draft him high with the intention of sitting him for a year or two and ironing out some kinks. He has some risk attached to his playstyle, but also has some major franchise quarterback potential.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen

With college football back for nearly every conference, almost every top 2021 quarterback prospect (sorry Trey Lance) have been able to play and prove why they deserve to be a top pick. So far as a whole this class has impressed me more than 2020; with 6 quarterbacks standing out as potential early-round prospects. With November nearly behind us here are my top 6 quarterbacks of the 2021 NFL Draft.

6: Kyle Trask, Florida

The rise of Kyle Trask over the past year has been quite special to watch. Last year in relief for Feleipe Franks, Trask looked like a good starter with solid potential. Few had Kyle Trask as one of the front runners for the Heisman Trophy before the season, but the Manvel Texas native has defied all expectations to make Florida one of the highest-powered offenses in the league.

Trask has improved all year with his accuracy, making tight window NFL level throws throughout the season. He can make accurate throws on all levels of the field, and has shown great composure in the face of pressure all season. He has been really good in the pocket, really showing he can navigate around while keeping his eyes downfield. He’s carved up defenses so far this year, with 31 touchdowns and a 70% completion percentage.

The reason I have Trask at 6 is because of a few physical limitations. He doesn’t have the worst arm in the world, but it isn’t on the level of say Trevor Lawrence or Justin Herbert. It’s a good serviceable level arm. He might not be able to make every throw every time at the next level. He also isn’t the best athlete in the world, he might struggle a bit to extend plays. That being said, I think he has the potential to be a really good starting quarterback for a team. There’s a lot to like him as a quarterback, and he could be really good on the right team.

5: Mac Jones, Alabama

Mac Jones is having an equally great season to Kyle Trask, currently 2nd in the Heisman race. He has been extremely accurate, with a 77% completion percentage. He is currently 2nd in the SEC in passing yards with 2,426. He doesn’t have nearly as many touchdowns as Trask, but don’t forget running back Najee Harris already has 16 touchdowns in 7 games this season. Alabama is currently 3rd in college football in points per game. Mac Jones has Alabama in this position with a combination of great accuracy, anticipation, and pocket movement. Jones has been a surgical pocket passer and has shown great toughness, getting off tough throws while taking a hit.

Despite the season Jones is having, he is lower on the list for the same reasons as Trask. He just has a solid arm, especially compared to some of the other guys coming up on the list. He also doesn’t have that much athleticism, don’t expect Jones to break off big runs. Have Jones operating in the pocket, making tough accurate throws, and he can possibly be your quarterback of the future.

4: Trey Lance, North Dakota State

Trey Lance has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. At 6’4 226 he certainly has the size and the looks of an NFL quarterback, and he has the arm to match. He was phenomenal at North Dakota State last season with 28 touchdowns and 0 interceptions to go with a 66% completion percentage. He dominated the FCS with a great powerful arm and the great deep ball. Lance is also a really good athlete and can create magic running the ball. He’s a threat with his arm or his legs, and with enough time could be a big-time player in the NFL.

There definitely are a lot of questions regarding Trey Lance. As with every FCS player, did he just dominate the lower-level competition. Can his success translate to the NFL? Can he fully read the field, or is he just one side of the field reader right now? Lance is also inconsistent with his accuracy at times. He has to clean up a good amount of footwork issues. There are certain nuances to his game that aren’t there quite yet, which isn’t surprising as he only had one season starting. He hasn’t had time to truly develop. Right now Lance is like a pot roast. He needs time to really cook and fully develop. If taken out too early, he might just be too raw and unable to fully reach his potential. It might take some time, but Lance has the potential to be a top quarterback.

3: Zach Wilson, BYU

Zach Wilson has been special this year at BYU. Wilson currently is 3rd in the NCAA in passing yards with 2,724. He has a 74% completion percentage to go along with 26 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. There are at least 2-3 throws Wilson makes every game that makes you shake your head. Football should not be this easy. His deep ball accuracy is incredible, he can put it in a tight window from 50+ yards out. He can do it on the run too. His general accuracy has improved from last year, making him more of a complete passer.

Zach Wilson is a gamer. It is his biggest strength. His ability to make big-time throws outside of the pocket as the play breaks down is what makes him a top 3 quarterback, it is also going to lead to some frustrations early on. He is going to play hero ball. He looks for the big play. It is going to be important to reign him in a bit, have him play a bit more in a system, and learn when it’s best to take the big gamble. I’m not quite sure yet if he has an elite arm or just a very good arm, and I think his mechanics are possibly to blame for that. Some of Wilson’s throws are pure arm strength, not using the lower half of his body completely. He still is a prospect and it’s important to remember that. He is not a complete product yet. If he plays early he might have some growing pains. A team could look to sit him for a year (Falcons?) and really groom him into being the franchise quarterback for the next 10+ years.

2: Justin Fields, Ohio State

I talked about Justin Fields in last week’s edition of Weekly Risers, and even though he struggled a bit against Indiana, I still really like Fields as a top 5 prospect this year. He has so much going for him as a passer. He’s great at moving around the pocket, and has a nice arm. His decision making is good, and his accuracy is top-notch. Fields currently lead the NCAA in completion percentage at 79.6% through 4 games. He can get it done with his legs too, a truly electric runner in the open field. He looks like the modern NFL star quarterback.

While a really good prospect, Fields is not perfect. He still is really young. There are certain nuances that still need to be developed. He still is only a true junior and is only a 2nd-year starter. He needs to learn when it is best to scramble and make a play, and when he needs to get rid of the ball or take a sack. He needs to learn to live and fight another down sometimes. It is something that should come with experience and time in the league. Overall Fields is in the mold of the modern NFL quarterback that can get it done both through the air and with his legs. Right now he is easily a top 5 player in this class and a potential franchise quarterback.

1: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

It feels like we’ve been waiting 3 years for this. If you watched any of Lawrence in high school at Cartersville or even at the Elite 11 prior to college, you’ve been waiting for Lawrence to be the #1 pick in the draft for a long time. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Lawrence would be the #1 pick going into this year, and it’s easy to see why.

Trevor Lawrence has everything you look for in a franchise quarterback. He has the size at 6’6 220. He has the elite cannon of an arm. He has an outstanding college resume, with only one loss in his collegiate career coming in last year’s national championship against LSU (possibly the greatest college team of all time). He won a national championship as a true freshman. He has it all. He has a phenomenal deep ball, with a blend of elite arm strength and elite accuracy and placement. He has great ball placement on throws of all levels. He doesn’t panic, he has great poise under pressure. He reads coverage well. He has tremendous athleticism, especially for his size, and he uses that size to take hits and keep battling. He makes great throws on the run and off-platform. If you were to create a quarterback in a lab, it would most likely look like Lawrence. But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

As for negatives, Lawrence will sometimes lock in on his first read. Sometimes he goes into a play with almost a predetermined plan, but any further criticisms would just be nitpicking. He’s improved every year in college. This season he has 17 touchdowns to 2 interceptions to go along with a 70% completion percentage. Lawrence is the real deal and is rightfully deserving of all the hype he’s received over the past two years.

All Stats from Sports Reference College Football, ESPN, and SEC Sports

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen