Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings (2013)
By: Matt Harmon
June 30, 2013
Administrator’s note: Despite the fact that this year’s rookie class was amazing and introduced us to four new exciting talents, there will be no rookie quarterbacks in my top ten list. There is just too much good talent at the position right now who are more established than the three rookies. Don’t worry Redskins, Colts, and Seahawks fans, I bet you will see your signal callers on these lists for many years to come.
1) Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
2) Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
3) Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
4) Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
5) Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
6) Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
7) Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
8) Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
9) Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
10) Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
June 30, 2013
Administrator’s note: Despite the fact that this year’s rookie class was amazing and introduced us to four new exciting talents, there will be no rookie quarterbacks in my top ten list. There is just too much good talent at the position right now who are more established than the three rookies. Don’t worry Redskins, Colts, and Seahawks fans, I bet you will see your signal callers on these lists for many years to come.
1) Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
- Rodgers is still the best football on the player on the planet. Rodgers had one of the best seasons we have ever seen from a quarterback in 2011 and his 2012 season was a nice follow up. He signed a new contract this offseason making him the highest paid player in the NFL. It is a well-deserved reward because he is not only the best passer in the league, but also an adept runner. He does not pick up tons of yardage like the younger quarterbacks, but he can move the chains with his legs. Rodgers needs to work on how many sacks he takes, but the additions of Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin in the draft should help balance out the offense. Another otherworldly type 2011 performance is a stretch, but not impossible for Rodgers.
2) Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
- Tom Brady’s stats may fall a bit this year, due to questions about his supporting cast, but that should in no way change our opinion about him. Brady is an extremely cerebral passer who has excelled in a wide variety of offensive attacks in his career. Whether it be the run based offenses in the Super Bowl years, the bombs away Brady/Moss show of 2007-2009, or the mismatch based two-tight end attack of the past few years. What type of offense will Brady run this year? Your guess is as good as mine, but I am quite confident he will be tremendous as always.
3) Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
- It is amazing to think that just about over a year ago we were all wondering if we were going to ever see this legend take another snap in the NFL again. Manning came back with a vengeance this year as he looked every bit the player we knew and loved back in Indianapolis. It is no small feat to transition to a new team after thirteen years with the same franchise. The only worry is that Manning looked pretty old and worn down in the Broncos’ lone playoff game. If Manning is fully healthy, we could see an even better version of the player we saw last year.
4) Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
- Brees had a mixed bag of a season last year as he put up a record breaking 5,177 passing yards, but tossed 19 picks. Of course, he was without his head coach, Sean Payton, and perhaps this is the reason for some of his “struggles”. Nevertheless, Brees is an elite quarterback who operates this offense with incredible efficiency and uses the varying types of weapons in this offense to torment defenses. I am betting we see a better version of Brees in 2013.
5) Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- I feel like I am always defending Big Ben. This guy is a stud who has won two Super Bowls in a very young career. He has also developed from a caretaker of a run based offense to the gun-slinging star who takes complete advantage of a great skill set. While he still has a problem with missing games due to injury, he still should be regarded as an elite quarterback. I do not think Mike Wallace leaving will affect him all that much, and I bet he turns third round rookie Markus Wheaton into a Wallace type threat. If his young offensive line stays healthy and jells, I bet we see his best season yet.
6) Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
- Matt Ryan is about to hit his prime, which is pretty scary because he has been a great player already in his young career. Last year he once again outdid himself to the tune of 4,719 yards and 32 touchdowns. This year, Julio Jones will likely only be better, and Stephen Jackson will be in tow to both balance out the offense and catch passes out of the backfield. We have not yet seen the best Ryan has to offer us, and if he can win a playoff game, the positive public perception of him would only grow.
7) Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
- There was a ton of talk that Manning was an elite quarterback before last season. I was on board with that assessment, until his second half of the season collapse. Injuries derailed Hakeem Nicks and the offensive line collapsed. Manning went even 10 for 10 on touchdowns and interceptions in the second half of the year, until he and the Giants throttled the hapless Eagles in Week 17. I am beginning to worry that Eli is a quarterback who can only play at an elite level only when everything goes right. True elite quarterbacks elevate the performance of everyone around them. Despite all of that negativity, Eli is a proven two-time Super Bowl winner who is extremely clutch. I will not be in the slightest bit surprised if Manning rebounds strong this year.
8) Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
- Am I being impulsive putting Flacco this high on my list? Maybe, but the last time we saw Flacco he was hoisting the Lombardi trophy and being MVP of the biggest game of the season. He had a rough stretch during a portion of last season, but overall his numbers are remarkably consistent over his career. If his playoff performance at the end of the year is any indicator Flacco could be ready to take the next step as a player in 2013. If Flacco becomes the reason the Ravens win, instead of just a piece of the puzzle, than he earns this ranking, and his fat new contract.
9) Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
- Another controversial edition to the list, Romo had a good season last year, but as usual, collapsed in his most important game of the season. Why do I rank him as a top ten player? No team in the league relies on the pass more than the Cowboys, and without Romo they are probably a four win type of team. I bet that if the Cowboys actually developed a consistent running attack and a passable defense, then maybe Romo could shed the choker label and actually be recognized as an upper-echelon quarterback in this league. Until then, as much as a may be a somewhat Romo apologist, we have to regard him as a good player, but one who is, in fact, a choker.
10) Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
- I am a fan of Jay Cutler. Yes, the guy seems like a jerk, and some of his pouty ways are flat out inexcusable for a leader of a team, and an adult in general. He also is always capable of going out and having a meltdown type of game. However, Cutler still has almost unrivaled arm talent and can make about any throw asked of him. He came to Chicago after his best season in Denver, and he has yet to consistently play to that level, but I am not sure if people realize just how bad some of the offenses he was playing in were. Whether he was getting pummeled thanks to his inept line, dealing with terrible receivers, or being forced into poor schemes designed by terrible offensive coordinators like Mike Martz or Mike Tice, Cutler has not had things easy in his Bears career. This year with Marc Trestman at the helm and a balanced supporting cast, I am going to bet on Cutler, which means this ranking will either blow up in my face, or I will look like a genius; there probably isn’t an in between.
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