2023 NFL Quarterback Picture: Where Do They Stand?
With the NFL and Fantasy Football seasons both fast approaching, it was the perfect time to rank the NFL's starting signal-callers heading into the preseason and training camps.
One thing to note, no rookies who are probable to start will be ranked. This means Bryce Young in Carolina, CJ Stroud in Houston, and Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis will all be left off. This will give us a total of 29 quarterbacks ranked!
So without further ado, let's dive in!
29. Kyle Trask / Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's still being determined who the Buccaneers throw out there, but it will be the worst in the NFL. Mayfield has looked horrendous in any clip shown on social media, and while I am a firm Kyle Trask believer, he has yet to look much better. If you're a Tampa Bay fan, you better beg Tom Brady for his return—also a waste, given Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Get a quarterback who won't suck.
28. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
The worst returning starter in the NFL. He was so bad that Malik Willis came in for him. Willis wasn't even that good, but he was better than him! Then, they went and drafted Will Levis. Twelve games in 13 touchdowns last year is insane. Please, start Will Levis so my eyes don't suffer. Where would this team be without Derrick Henry?
27. Sam Howell, Washington Commander
Their team name and quarterbacks have been relatively similar lately—inconsistent and odd. But Howell has a chance to change that. This kid has an absolute cannon of an arm and is a solid decision-maker. I can't put him any higher due to his lack of play, but given what has been said and how he's looked, he could be a real surprise for the rest of the NFL.
26. Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
In any Arthur Smith let offense, the quarterback never matters, given how much he runs the ball. But Ridder could be an excellent Quarterback for the dirty birds. It took him a while to warm up, but his final game looked solid, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. With the drafting of Bijan Robinson, his job should be even easier on offense. But have faith, Atlanta; you got a good one just waiting to blossom.
25. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Talk about shoes to fill. For how long, Aaron Rodgers was Mr. Green Bay, and now Love is expected to come in and fill that void. Since your team has had two quarterbacks in 30 years, you're expected to be suitable for a while. I don't think Love will be the worst in the NFL, but be patient. It will take time, but Love has an incredibly high ceiling that could launch him up this list.
24. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Fields is an incredible athlete, that is without a doubt. But to move him up, I need to see more consistency in the throwing. I'd use his mobility as a threat. Let him work out of the pocket and work on throws on the run.
If Eberflus creates the offense to match what he needs to throw, this Bears team could cause some trouble for playoff contenders, and Fields will spearhead it. Plus, maybe he'll finally throw for 4000 yards. No one has ever done that on the Bears. The only team in the NFL for that to happen.
23. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
A few of you just looked at Pickett over Fields and scoffed in disgust. But allow me to explain. Pickett is in a far better situation to succeed. Pickett has a real chance With a solid running back in Najee Harris, reliable pass catchers in Diontae Johnson and Pat Friermuth, and a stellar defense. That is if he can overcome the toughest division in the NFL and the worst offensive coordinator in the NFL, Matt Canada.
22. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
It feels weird putting Russell Wilson this low on a list of best quarterbacks in the NFL. But after last year, I had no choice. The man has more bathrooms than he had touchdowns the previous year. He is also super corny.
But I hope that Sean Payton can help turn it around. If Payton can't, that team has lost so much capital that they'll be like the Rams without a super bowl. Not a spot you want to be in. Also, the "Dangerwich" was not very good.
21. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
This man gets way too much flack. This franchise has done the opposite of helping this man, and it shows. The Cardinals will probably be the worst team in the NFL this year. Hopefully, they'll get some talent for whoever is the next quarterback there.
Murray is injured currently, hence why he is so low, but I believe he'll be stout wherever he ends up, and Arizona will be happy with Caleb Williams and Joe Alt!
20. Mac Jones, New England Patriots
The definition of "mid." Mac Jones won't be an insane game-changer at the NFL level. He is a solid starter, doesn't get me wrong, but he isn't going to give you a prayer when you need it.
Bill Belichick is known for his defensive ideas, so it makes sense why he isn't like a previous QB with the Patriots. Matt Patricia is going to the defense, so there is hope for Mac Jones now that he isn't dealing with him.
19. Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders
How does this man keep winning? Seriously. It feels like he never tries, and his team wins. Granted, he had Kyle Shanahan, and now he has Josh McDaniels, so that might be a bit different. I do expect him to be solid but nothing insane.
A good run game with Josh Jacobs and a few decent receiving weapons show hope, but he won't be outstanding. Just barely above Mac Jones due to the rings and winning.
18. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford is a quarterback you can't dislike, so it hurts me to put him this low. It was only done due to the injuries. He's struggled with that arm, but he's healthy and elite. He will have Cooper Kupp back, so there's a good shot he even rises. I hope he stays fit to rise back up my list. Hopefully, the supporting cast around him is still solid enough to get him there.
17. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
The NFL's "Mr. Irrelevant," and he paid off. After crippling injuries to everyone in front of him, eventually including him, Purdy had to step up, and he did. Granted, it was due to the star-studded cast around him, including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Nick Bosa, but he earned his flowers. I'm just hesitant, given his arm injury concerns and that he wasn't just a product of the crew around him.
16. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
I wrote him off. He proved me wrong. Geno Smith is a solid quarterback in the NFL. He cannot win a playoff game (come back to this after he does), but he is solid. With the addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the draft, plus Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf still being on the roster, they've got a solid group of guys for him to throw to. We'll see if his little Cinderella story ended or not.
15. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
He is a man who has never deserved the amount of hate he gets. However, I'm happy he can prove himself again in New Orleans. Carr is very talented; he got stuck with a nasty head coach last year.
With weapons galore like Olave, Kamara, and Michael Thomas around him, he has a chance to be solid. I mean 4000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns solid. Don't sleep on Derek Carr.
14. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Quite possibly the most disrespected man in the NFL. The definition of consistency is that he has earned his starting job. With the addition of Jordan Addison, not to mention that one guy who wears 18, he has all the tools to be great again.
The NFL community better give this man his flowers. However, he is not a Hall of Famer. I've seen posts about it recently; the NFL community needs to improve.
13. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Four thousand four hundred yards and 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. Jared Goff was a good quarterback last year and the least discussed in the NFL. This Lions team is on the severe upswing, and they'd be even scarier if Jamison Williams decided not to gamble. Either way, the Lions will be a frightening opponent, and Jared Goff is not someone to be taken lightly.
12. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Yeah, Dad did not have a good season last year, but have you heard of a down year? He had 4450 yards and 37 touchdowns the year prior, which is still within his reach. I blame Mike McCarthy for being a joke of a head coach.
Dakota has all the talent needed to do that again. Quarterbacks rarely are one-year wonders in the NFL, and Rayne Dakota (Yes, that is his real name) has everything needed to do it. Bet on Dak to go back to his elite self.
11. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Please stay healthy. That is all. What else needs to be said? What else do you need with Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and now possibly Dalvin Cook? If he stays healthy, be afraid. Tua will be scary; you better believe it. With Mike McDaniel running that team, as long as Tua stays healthy, they can win that loaded AFC East division.
10. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Let me explain. Daniel Jones's most significant issue was the turnovers and inability to put it all together. Then he got the NFL's coach of the year to help him. The turnovers went down, and all he needed to do was assemble it.
When you add his rushing and receiving, he had 3900 yards and 22 touchdowns to only 11 total turnovers. This was a significant change from years prior. Now, with a few decent weapons (barring Saquon Barkley's return), who knows what he can do? Daniel Jones is not one to take lightly.
9. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
I'm not the only one who remembers how good this man was in Houston, right? Watson is incredible, and while he didn't have a phenomenal year last year, all the signs point to him turning it around this year. With a good crew around him, a strong run game to support, and a very good defensive unit, Watson is poised to return to his former self and prove me right.
8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
With the addition of Kellen Moore, Herbert is my favorite "Dark Horse" for MVP. The man is already so talented, and you now give him one of the best offensive minds in football? The league is in serious trouble. Not to mention the drafting of Quentin Johnston, the NFL is looking for trouble. Be on the lookout for Herbo unless he blows another 27-point lead.
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of the blown lead, here is the man he blew it to! Lawrence was the best pure prospect since Andrew Luck came into the NFL, and he has shown why. He can do everything needed on the football field and more. Now, he gets to add Calvin Ridley as well. Doug Pederson has himself a fearsome unit, one that I would not want to play. Be ready for the playoff Trevor.
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is so remarkably undervalued. Not so much anymore, given his payday, but it was well-earned. People quickly forgot he was the MVP leader until he got injured. He is only one of three active MVPs in the NFL, and the entire team depends on him. If he and JK Dobbins stay healthy for a whole season, the NFL will be in shambles again.
5. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Did you forget he won NFL MVP two out of the last three seasons? He had a somewhat down year, but that happens when you lose the second-best receiver in all football. Now that he is with the Jets and has everything he could want, I fully expect him to return to the form of him where he throws 40 plus touchdowns and less than seven interceptions.
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The Madden 24 cover athlete is spectacular, but one thing keeps him down. He has a turnover problem. Josh Allen has had 40 turnovers when we combine his interceptions and fumbles over the past two years.
He is this high due to his insane talent. but until he is a bit safer with the ball and we have confirmation that his best target is not leaving him, I just can't put him above the other three.
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
I hate putting him this high, but he earned it. Four thousand four hundred yards and a trip to the Super Bowl will get you there. Not to mention the return of the best offensive line in the NFL and a stellar receiving core; I don't see him coming down soon. He'll be fine as long as he can keep the turnovers down and keep winning.
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Sheisty, Joe Cool, whatever nickname you give him, is incredible. This man has consistently been solid, and that is with a young team around him. With Jamaar Chase and Tee Higgins getting better, his team will only get better.
Interceptions were a concern, but they got better throughout the season. If Joe Mixon returns and doesn't get in trouble, be scared of this Bengals team again.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Do I need to explain myself? Super Bowl, NFL MVP, he is the best player in the NFL, and it is not close. No signs of actual loss in the Chiefs or by him; I see no reason they think he is losing this top spot. If you believe he is, you are wrong.
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