Well, the first three weeks of preseason are pretty much over, and we have a fairly good idea of who is going to be starting at QB on almost every team. As of now, there are 11 rookie/sophomore QBs that are looking at starting game 1 of the regular season, even though one of them is only getting the start because the regular starter is injured, and another is still in a QB competition. However, because there is a chance they will start, they are included in this post. So, let's get the young QB rankings going after the jump.
11. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
In a perfect world, Foles would have no business being on this list, as he would be buried behind Micheal Vick and Mike Kafka on the depth chart. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, Vick staying healthy is a pipe dream and Mike Kafka enjoys falling short of expectations. because of this, Foles will enter week one as the starting QB for the Eagles, even though he will be back on the bench as soon as Vick returns, unless he somehow has a epiphany and dominates every game, which is highly unlikely. Foles is a strong-armed QB who struggles with accuracy and is not mobile at all. He is very different from Micheal Vick, so the coaches will have to alter the playbook according to Foles. Foles is a poor QB who will struggle from being forced to play too early, but at least Eagles fans can rejoice knowing their starter is about to return.
10. Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
Christian Ponder is the definition of an overdrafted QB being forced to play too early. The plan for Ponder was for him to sit behind McNabb and then take over this year, but McNabb sucked, leading Ponder to be thrown in. The Vikings have a poor defense, and very few offensive weapons outside of Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson. They did improve their O-line with the addition of Matt Kalil, and Ponder should improve from last year, but it won't be enough for Vikings fans to be confident in him. However, Ponder does have a lot of potential, and could possibly end up being a quality starter if the Vikings add some offensive pieces around him.
9. Brandon Weedon, Cleveland Browns
Brandon Weedon was one of the most overrated QBs in this past year's draft. At 28 years old, he doesn't have the time to adjust to the NFL, and will need to produce immediately to be successful. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely he does that. He is a typical drop-back, pocket QB and can make all the throws, but he will struggle with the other parts of being a starting QB. For starters, he has very few legitimate receiving threats, with Greg Little as his top WR. In addition, he comes from a wide-open, mickey mouse offense at Oklahoma State. The offense there was very basic and easy to play in, which boosted his stats quite a bit. In the NFL, that will hurt him as he will struggle to grasp the offense, and make the proper reads. Combine that with the usual rookie adjustment to the speed of the NFL, a QB like him would take about 3 years to adapt to the NFL. Unfortunately, he doesn't have that time, as he will be 31 in 3 years. Weedon will definitely struggle in the NFL, and the Browns will be worse off for it, as Trent Richardson will be their only offense this season.
8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Just as Weedon was one of the most overrated QBs in the draft, outside of Tim Tebow, Russell Wilson is by far the most overrated QBs in the NFL. Wilson definitely has talent, but at barely 5'10, he is just too short to make it in the NFL. He is a dynamic QB, but will need to play in a system specifically built around him in order to succeed. He struggles dropping back in the pocket and throwing the ball, mostly since he can't see whats going on. Even though many of his fans say Wisconson had a huge O-line, while that is true, he never threw to his receivers. He threw to spots. His WR was supposed to be there to make the catch, but he had no idea whether he was there or not. This will not work in the NFL, and he will struggle to adapt.
7. Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars
If we were going on last year's performance alone, Gabbert would be at the bottom of this list, but he seems to have improved tremendously. Apparently, some real WRs were all he needed to kick-start his NFL career. The additions of Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon should help him tremendously, but with the possibility of a Maurice Jones-Drew trade, it is unknown just how much they could help. MJD was the offense last year, and the O-line isn't much better either. Gabbert should improve from last year, but not enough for him to warrant a higher spot on these rankings.
6. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
Tannehill comes into a unique situation in Miami. He came in knowing 85% of the playbook, more than the veterans he was competing against knew. In addition, he is playing under the OC that was his HC in college. Tannehill has the upside to be one of the best QBs in the NFL, but it all comes down to whether he can pull all of his skills together and become what he can be. He has great accuracy and arm strength, is already one of the best QBs in the NFL when it comes to throwing on the run, has the speed to make plays with his feet and comes from the same pro-style offense he will play in now. The only issue I see is him getting the David Carr syndrome. He has a lot of talent, but Miami has at least one major hole on the O-line and lacks any starting-caliber WRs outside of Davone Bess and Brian Hartline. If his confidence is damaged early, he may end up failing.
5. Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
Jake locker is finally getting his chance to start the season as the number one QB. He has a great running game anchored by Chris Johnson, and a nice platoon on WRs, including star Kenny Britt and rookie Kendall Wright. In addition, the Titans also added some nice free agent pieces, including OG Steve Hutchinson and pass rusher Kamerion Wimbley. These additions put the Titans in a position to be the favorites for the 2nd place spot in the AFC South and makes them potential wild card contenders. In the end, it all comes down to Locker and whether he can or can't move the chains and put up points with this offense. If he does succeed, the Titans can nab a wildcard spot in an AFC that lacks depth.
4. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
RGIII is the definition of a huge upside, huge risk player. He has tremendous athletic ability, is deadly accurate and has great arm strength. The issue is the mental aspect of the game. While there is no denying he is extremely intelligent, his football IQ does draw some question marks due to how simple his Baylor offense was. He had big numbers, but mostly due to the fact that the Baylor offense relied on bubble screens and easy, simple passes. In fact, Titans WR, and RGIII's top target at Baylor, Kendall Wright has come out and admitted that the Baylor offense didn't even use a playbook. That in and of itself is mind-boggling. in fact, there are many high school football teams whose offenses are complicated enough to need a playbook. If that offense was that simple, the adjustment period for RGIII will be at least 2 or 3 years. If he can weather that storm, he has the potential to be a great playmaker.
3. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck is probably the most pro-ready QB to come out of college since fellow Stanford Cardinal John Elway was drafted number one overall in the legendary 1983 QB draft. Luck has the accuracy, athletic ability and mental prowess to be an immediate star in the NFL. He comes from a very complicated pro-style offense at Stanford, so the adjustment period will be shorter for him. He is also helped by the fact that the Colts drafted his favorite college target, Coby Fleener, in the 2nd round. He should come out and succeed immediately, but he is this far down the list simply because he has yet to take a snap in a regular season NFL game. If he impresses this year, he may rise even further.
2. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton is the only QB on this list to start a playoff game, leading the Bengals to an impressive finish. Dalton may not have all the athletic ability some of these QBs have, he is one of the smartest QBs in the NFL, and that is what puts him this high, and that is why he is so successful. While he may not have the arm strength to fit the ball into a tight space, he does have the intelligence and accuracry to find to open play and deliver it were only the WR can make a play on the ball. he also gets a lot of help from the supporting cast around him, with WR AJ Green looking like a future All-Pro. Dalton has the ability to play well for a long time and lead the Bengals far.
1. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Was there really any question as to who would get this spot? Newton is already ranked among the top QBs in the league, with a unique combination of size, athleticism and arm strength that makes him a top threat. He has the ability to gun it deep, make the tight throw, or take off for a big run. He puts up running stats that would put Tim Tebow to shame, while slinging out an amazing 4,000 yards in his rookie year and reviving WR Steve Smith's career. Newton is easily a top NFL QB, and will remain there.
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