2017 NFL QB Rankings #9-1: The Best Around

9.  Kirk Cousins – Alright, alright, even I was surprised with where Cousins ended up, but I’ll defend it.  Cousins had his poor games, but he was not the reason for the Redskins poor performances.  While I will admit that he’s not worth the franchise tag that the Redskins will be paying him this year, they would be well to sign him to a long term deal so they could put money towards better skills players.  As far as stats go, it’s hard to argue that he’s was inadequate in any way.  67% completion percentage, almost 5000 yards, and just over 8 yards per attempt.  The 25-12 TD to INT ratio is the only red flag, and a 2-1 ratio is better than quite a few other starting quarterbacks.  The Redskins have a couple of new receivers, and a pair of young running backs with high potential.  If not for the Cowboys and Giants in the way, I may give the Redskins a fighting chance in an NFC wildcard race.

8.  Russell Wilson – He’s been good for as long as he’s been around, and it’s starting to feel like he’s becoming a tad underrated.  We all expect him to lead his team to a division title and into the playoffs.  He makes players around him better, despite occasional horrendous offensive line play and injuries.  He’s got talented receivers, adequate running backs, and a perennial top 10 defense.  Assuming he stays healthy, Wilson is a dual threat which tends to freeze defenses.  His only competition in the NFC West might be the Cards, and it’s hard to see them catching the Seahawks unless Carson Palmer can have a bounceback season.    

7.  Ben Roethlisberger – So Ben, guess you decided not to retire.  Which is good news for the Steelers, considering they have what is looking to be their most productive season yet.  They have arguably the best running back in the league in Le’veon Bell, and a top 3 wideout in Antonio Brown.  On top of that, they have Martavis Bryant, who looks better than ever.  Finally a season with the Steelers at full strength, the likes of which we may have never seen in the Roethlisberger era.  

6.  Derek Carr – Coming back from a broken leg, we may get to see a Raiders offense at its full potential in a rough and tumble AFC West.  With the addition of Marshawn Lynch, and a Del Rio defense that gets better by the season, the Raiders can be the 2^nd or 3^rd best team in the AFC and a top 5 overall.  This offseason, he was extended to a 5 year contract, so the Raiders will have him for a long time. 

5.  Dak Prescott – A 2^nd year starter in the top 5? You bet.  Let me point you to week 6 of the 2016 NFL season.  247 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 INTs.  In a vacuum, that stat line would seem a bit below average, and you wouldn’t be surprised, considering the running back behind him.  Back to it though, 2 interceptions, that’s half of his total for the season.  He had HALF of his total interceptions in this game.  His season ratio? 23-4.  That’s almost 6-1.  You could argue that they adjusted the system to be more rookie-friendly, but I could counter with the fact that the system led them to a 13-3 regular season record.  Now, I believe that there’s bound to be some decline, but not much.  Maybe a 25-9 ratio or something similar.  With Zeke behind him, he is expected to be a facilitator 1^st and a playmaker only when pressed.  The Cowboys are in for a good stretch of football over the next few years.

4.  Drew Brees – In the age of the passing offense, there has been few QB’s as prolific as Drew Brees.  While they did lose Brandon Cooks to the Pats, my money is on Willy Snead in 2017.  With Adrian Peterson in the backfield, defenses will have to respect the running game marginally more than in the past, and a play action could give Brees wide open receivers.  I fully expect another 5000 yard season, and if the defense can be average, the Saints could be a legitimate playoff contender.

3. Aaron Rodgers – Dare I say it? The best passer in the….no.  I’ve made my argument, but as you can see here, Rodgers sits at #3 for 2017.  While I do think that if he can stay healthy and play till he’s 40, he may be able to be considered the 2^nd best quarterback of all time (It’s hard to beat 5 rings).  I will say that Rodgers has done more with less.  The Green Bay secondary was not good last year, and the running back situation was less than ideal.  Yet despite their failures, the “run the table” mentality prevailed, willing them to a playoff berth and an NFC championship appearance.  I would be surprised if the Packers finish anywhere but 1^st in the NFC North.    

2. Matt Ryan – Nothing leaves quite the taste in your mouth like the Falcon’s loss in Super Bowl 51.  Everyone’s next big question is obvious: Do the Falcons, led by Matt Ryan, continue to dominate in the NFC South?  A quick glance at their roster suggests that they will be just fine.  Julio is still Julio, and they have a core of WRs behind him that many teams would love to have.  They also have 2 running backs who are multi-functional.  The drawback to going all in for the Falcons this year is that they play in what is probably one of the most exciting divisions in the NFL.  They’ll have to win games against an evolving Saints offense, a Panther’s team with something to prove, and a Buc’s team on the up and up.  I’d count on a 10 win season this year, but it will be a feat to recreate 2016.  

1. Tom Brady – What is there to say?  He is, and will continue to be the best QB in the league until he one day suddenly retires.  But until that magical moment, he will dominate unprepared defenses, discourage otherwise exciting offenses, and make all other QB’s look inefficient and mediocre.  This year he has even more weapons than before, receivers and running backs alike.  It may seem ridiculous to bank on a 16-0 season, but looking over the upcoming season, it’s difficult to find losses.  When you’re the GOAT, you sit alone at the top.