1. Aaron Rodgers- Green Bay
The reigning MVP still holds the top spot on my list heading into 2015-16 season. No one plays the game better than Rodgers at this point. The Packers are an early favorite of mine to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in 2016.
2. Tom Brady- Patriots
Brady is an extremely close number two on this list. The reigning Super Bowl champ hoisted his fourth Lombardi just a few months back, and by no fault of his own I don’t see him holding a fifth in 2016. Brady’s defense was decimated through free agency, and the possibility of missing the first four games of the season is still very real. That being said, Brady is still a man among boys when it comes to QBs in the NFL.
3. Andrew Luck- Colts
If there were a fantasy style draft of all NFL players for teams to start over, Luck would be the first overall pick. He is the most talented quarterback to enter the league since the two guys ahead of him on this list. This season the Colts have given him all the offense weapons he could ever need. They probably could have helped Luck more by using their first round pick on a defender but a talented young WR helps too.
4. Ben Roethlisberger- Steelers
Classic Big Ben always finds his way near the top of QB ranking lists. The two-time Super Bowl champion hasn’t lost a single step in his game and his team is reloading with younger talent to replace the old guard of the mid 2000’s.
5. Russell Wilson- Seahawks
Speaking of Lombardi trophies, this guy was one bad play from holding up his second in his first three seasons. While I strongly believe that a lot of Wilson’s early career success has to do with his defense and run game, that does not take away from what he has done under center. There have been plenty of young quarterbacks surrounded with talent that fail time and time again.
6. Drew Brees- Saints
The Saints had a dismal 2014 season, but this was not the fault of the former Super Bowl champion. It was rumored this offseason that every single player on the Saints roster was on the trade block except for Brandin Cooks and Drew Brees. The Saints reluctance to let him go even at the age of 36 speaks to Brees’ ability.
7. Phillip Rivers- Chargers
While both Rivers’ future with the Chargers and the Chargers’ future in San Diego are in question, one thing that isn’t is that Rivers is still a top 10 QB in this league.
8. Tony Romo- Cowboys
As a Redskins fan, putting Romo this high on the list didn’t feel right, but it’s hard to argue that he didn’t earn it. Romo had his best season in 2014 and if Dez Bryant’s “Not a catch” had been a catch, Romo could have found himself as the NFL MVP.
9. Joe Flacco- Ravens
Flacco at nine is higher than I wanted him. After reordering this list several times, he ended up here over and over. While Flacco is not elite and never has been, he has always been very good.
10. Peyton Manning- Broncos
The man, the myth, the legend, #18, it hurts to see him fall this far on the list. The fact of the matter is that Manning’s body is no longer as sharp as his mind. His injury at the end of the 2014 season had him playing his worst football since he was a rookie. I’m afraid this season may be the end of the road for Manning.
11. Matt Ryan- Falcons
Matt Ryan is the king of consistency. He has only missed two games in his seven-year career and has passed for over 4,000 yards the last four seasons. Ryan is a good quarterback, but he needs a better defense and a better offensive line if the Falcons are to return to the postseason.
12. Carson Palmer- Arizona Cardinals
Palmer has had some of the worst luck around when it comes to his time in the NFL. From being forced into early retirement via the god forsaken T.Ocho reality show, two ACL tears, and a trade to Oakland, few envy the career of Palmer. That being said Palmer is still a very good quarterback and his Cardinals could take the number two spot in the NFC West in 2015.
13. Eli Manning- New York Giants
Eli Manning is the only QB ever that could win two super bowls and come in at 13 out of 32 quarterbacks. He needs a lot of help to make it back to the postseason but in the NFC East anything is possible.
14. Alex Smith- Kansas City
Smith gets a bad rap for being labeled a game manager, but I have never understood why that is such a bad thing. He is careful with the ball and still managed to half a good year without having a single WR score a touchdown (still can’t believe that was actually a thing).
15. Matthew Stafford- Lions
Stafford has a cannon for an arm and a great WR duo…that’s about it.
16. Cam Newton- Panthers
Everyone in Carolina is still waiting for Newton to make that step into becoming a true passer. He made it to the playoffs in 2014, but he was no match for a top defense.
17. Andy Dalton- Bengals
Dalton may be the best least-clutch player in the league. His never ending mediocrity may just make the Bengals turn for the hope of greener pastures in the form of the Alabama star, AJ McCarron.
18. Colin Kaepernick- 49ers
Kaepernick chose a really bad time to hit the mid career slump because the 49ers need consistency and leadership now more than ever.
19. Sam Bradford/ Mark Sanchez- Eagles
If Bradford had a clean bill of health, he would be a bit higher on this list. He may rise quickly through the season, but for now, his ACL and the threat of Sanchez keeps him at 19.
20. Ryan Tannehill- Dolphins
The Dolphins paid Tannehill like a franchise quarterback, now its time for Tannehill to win like one.
21. Teddy Bridgewater- Vikings
As long as AP is still AP, Bridgewater may fly up this list. He outplayed all other rookie QB’s last season and should continue to improve.
22. Derek Carr- Raiders
Ask and you shall receive. Amari Cooper should make Carr a very happy and hopefully successful man. Carr showed potential in his rookie campaign and the Raiders are making the right moves around him.
23. Jay Cutler- Bears
Cutler had a terrible 2014 season that ended by being benched for the “infamous” Jimmy Clausen. Anyone who gets benched for Jimmy Clausen has a lot of issues to work out.
24. Nick Foles- Rams
This is a make or break year for Foles. He is the unquestioned starter in St. Louis and now he needs to back that up.
25. Jameis Winston- Buccaneers
I think Winston will struggle in year one, mostly turning over the ball. Him being at 25 is less about him being good and more about how bad everyone else is below him on this list.
26. Robert Griffin III- Redskins
This is the make or break year for RGIII. If this season goes down the same miserable path as the last two, RGIII will find himself in another uniform…on the bench.
27. Geno Smith- Jets
I do not think Geno Smith is a good quarterback, simple as that.
28. Blake Bortles- Jags
Bortles struggled a lot in year one. He got some help in free agency but I don’t expect more from year two.
29. Marcus Mariota- Titans
In my opinion, Mariota has more upside than Winston in the long run. For now, I expect very little from his rookie campaign, especially since he hasn’t even signed yet.
30. Brain Hoyer/Ryan Mallet- Texans
The Texans are going with the Hoyer/ Mallet combo…that’s a bold strategy Cotton.
31. EJ Manual/Cassel/Tyrod Taylor- Bills
I have always liked EJ Manuel and felt that the Bills never gave him the support he needed. I’m also pulling for Tyrod Taylor because why not. This three-headed monster would be last on the list but none of them spent the offseason in rehab.
32. Johnny Manziel- Browns
I want Manziel to be great in this league; he was to much fun to watch in college to see him dwindle away in the pros. But anyone who spends the majority of the offseason in rehab finds themselves on the bottom of the list.
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