BY : Mike Rifkin
ESPN talked with executives, scouts, and coaches to put together lists of the top 10 players at each position entering the NFL season. Below will be how ESPN ranked the quarterbacks, then I will explain what they got right and what they got wrong. So let the debate ensue.
ESPN RANKINGS
- PATRICK MAHOMES – CHIEFS
- JOE BURROW – BENGALS
- JOSH ALLEN – BILLS
- LAMAR JACKSON – RAVENS
- MATTHEW STAFFORD – RAMS
- JUSTIN HERBERT – CHARGERS
- CJ STROUD – TEXANS
- AARON RODGERS – JETS
- JARED GOFF – LIONS
- DAK PRESCOTT – COWBOYS
HONORABLE MENTIONS : BROCK PURDY (49ERS), JORDAN LOVE (PACKERS), JALEN HURTS (EAGLES), TUA TAGOVAILOA (DOLPHINS), KIRK COUSINS (FALCONS), TREVOR LAWRENCE (JAGS)
RIFKIN’S RANKINGS
- PATRICK MAHOMES – CHIEFS : They did get the best quarterback in the league right. Mahomes’ magic was on full display last season taking a Chiefs team that every talking head said wasn’t good enough to another Super Bowl Championship. The most underrated part of Mahomes’ game is his running ability, which was a factor in the Chiefs playoff run.
- JOSH ALLEN – BILLS : There’s one reason I am putting Allen over Joe Burrow and that’s durability. Allen is a consistent MVP candidate and at times has put the Bills on his back. Here’s a hot take but I think Allen can thrive without Stefon Diggs in Buffalo. But a veteran executive called Allen “overrated” and has “immense talent but makes a lot of mistakes.” He does turn the ball over, but to call Allen overrated is a stretch, the only thing I hold against him is not winning in the playoffs, but most of the time that’s not all on him.
- JOE BURROW – BENGALS : Burrow is elite, but the one issue he has had at times is staying on the field. It’ll be interesting to see how Burrow operates this season without running back Joe Mixon and receiver Tyler Boyd, but he will have Tee Higgins. Burrow needs a bounce back season and stay on the field if the Bengals are going to challenge the Chiefs in the AFC.
- LAMAR JACKSON- Ravens : Ok, so they got the first four right (maybe not the order) Lamar is the best dual threat Quarterback in the league. He had career highs in completion percentage and yards. Lamar’s last two regular season games against the Dolphins and Ravens earned him his second MVP award. If there’s something to hold to Lamar is that he has to get it done in the playoffs.
- BROCK PURDY – 49ERS : Call him a system quarterback, the fact is Brock Purdy has a very high upside. Does Brock Purdy have a great arsenal of weapons? Yes, but Brock Purdy has been great at getting those guys the ball. He was top 10 in yards, touchdowns, and QBR.
- DAK PRESCOTT – COWBOYS : Find me a quarterback who gets more disrespect than Dak? The answer is you can’t and when I say disrespect it comes from his own owner. Prescott had another great year, and yes the Cowboys failed in the playoffs (again) but there are very few quarterbacks more consistent than Dak. Luckily for him someone will give him a payday after the season.
- AARON RODGERS – JETS : I said find me a quarterback who is more disrespected than Dak, now find me one who has as much pressure than Aaron Rodgers? The Jets have the longest playoff drought in the league, and this season they expect that to be broken. It’ll truly be a success though if Aaron lasts five snaps.
- JARED GOFF – LIONS : The Lions are on the prowl in the NFC and they are led by a former number one pick. Goff, since being out of the spotlight of LA has been phenomenal. If there’s a nitpick to Goff’s game, it’s he has to better on the road. But now the Lions have expectations and their 50 million dollar quarterback is going to have to be big in their success.
- JALEN HURTS – EAGLES : Yeah, the Eagles choked the NFC East away last season and Jalen Hurts was at the forefront of that. I think the choke job came with the Eagles getting away from who they are. But with a new Offensive coordinator and a upgrade at running back, Hurts should have an MVP type season.
- TUA TAGOVAILOA – DOLPHINS : Is this a homer pick? Probably, but Tua is coming off a season where he was at the top of a lot of passing categories. If he can continue to stay healthy the Dolphins have found their franchise QB, the first since Dan Marino. Tua is extremely accurate and he has a great supporting cast surrounding him.
HONORABLE MENTIONS : MATTHEW STAFFORD ( RAMS), JUSTIN HERBERT (CHARGERS), CJ STROUD (TEXANS), JORDAN LOVE (PACKERS), KIRK COUSINS (FALCONS)
So you’re asking why he didn’t put Stroud or Love on his list? Well the answer is simple, I need to see more. Both had fantastic first seasons starting, but what happens if the league adjusts to them and how will they handle expectations.
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