A New Era: Ranking The NFL’s Next Generation of QB’s

The NFL’s success is largely based on the level of quarterback play that is found throughout the league. With quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and more quickly heading towards the end of their illustrious careers, the league will have no shortage of young signal callers to lead the NFL into a new era.

Here are the top twelve quarterbacks under thirty currently in the league that will lead the NFL into the future.

12. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Since coming into the league in 2014, Carr has compiled 122 touchdowns and over 18,000 yards with a supporting cast that has been mostly average at best. In 2016, Carr led the Raiders to a 12-3 record before going down with a broken leg that ended his MVP-caliber season along with Oakland’s chances to make a run in the post-season. With the Raiders making big splashes so far in the off-season, expect Carr to continue to put up big numbers and lead Oakland back to playoff contention.

11. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Although Allen didn’t put up stellar numbers in his rookie campaign, he led the Bills to five wins in his eleven starts and his potential was on full-display throughout the season. He has top level arm talent and the athletic ability at his size is up there with Cam Newton when it comes to the position. Buffalo must make it a priority to surround him with weapons, as Zay Jones was the only threat on the outside for most of the season until Robert Foster emerged as a solid deep threat later in the season. If Buffalo can find the right pieces, Allen has the potential to dominate the league for years to come with his impressive skill-set.

10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Although Dak Prescott will very rarely make any throws that will “wow” you, he has done nothing but produce for the Cowboys since being drafted in 2016. He’s put up 85 total touchdowns and has won 32 of his 48 starts. He has led Dallas to two division crowns, two playoff appearances, along with a playoff victory in 2018. He does rely on the level of play around him, but with star running back Ezekiel Elliott and top target Amari Cooper just entering their primes, Prescott should be able to keep Dallas in playoff contention for the foreseeable future.

9. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy G finally got his chance to start after New England traded him to San Francisco mid-way through the 2017 season. After being named the starter, he led the 49ers to five straight wins to closeout the season. Going into 2018, Garoppolo had the 49ers looked at as dark-horse playoff contenders by those who cover the NFL. That is until Garoppolo tore his ACL just three games into the season and missed the rest of the year. Questions still surround Garoppolo and where he stands in the league, but expect those to be put to rest in 2019 and into the future. From Brian Hoyer in Cleveland, to Matt Ryan in Atlanta, head coach Kyle Shanahan has gotten the most out of his quarterbacks everywhere he’s been. I expect no different from he and Jimmy G in San Francisco.

8. Sam Darnold, New York Jets

Leading up to the 2018 draft, Darnold was viewed as a top quarterback prospect and drew comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger because of his frame and his ability to extend the play. He had the tendency to be reckless with the football at times while at USC, and that showed throughout his rookie season with the Jets. Darnold started the season and in his first nine starts, he threw 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, before missing a handful of games with a foot injury. His time out may have proved beneficial as when he returned from injury for the final four games, he threw six touchdowns and had only one interception. If New York can continue to bring in talent to surround him with and he can continue to protect the football, Darnold should emerge as one of the league’s top quarterbacks.

7. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson is not only one of the most electrifying quarterbacks, he’s one of the most exciting players to watch in all of the league. His ability to take off from the pocket and make big plays with his legs makes him one of the toughest players to account for in the NFL. While in the pocket, he’s one of the leagues most accurate passers, completing almost 70 percent of his throws in 2018. He has elite arm strength and his quick release adds to his abilities as a passer. He does however have a history of ACL injuries, suffering one in his rookie season and one in his time with Clemson. Hopefully Watson can have a long, healthy, and successful career as he has the talent to be one of the greats.

6. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns shocked some people when they decided to take Baker Mayfield with the first pick in the 2018 draft, but it proved to be the right choice as Mayfield would go on to break Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson’s rookie passing touchdown record. Mayfield’s moxy and gun-slinger mentality has resurrected the Browns from their long-time stay in the NFL’s basement. The supporting cast surrounding Mayfield for the distant future should not be an issue as the Browns have added talent like Odell Beckham Jr and Kareem Hunt to an already talented offensive unit. If head coach Freddie Kitchens can build on the creativity he showed in his time as the interim offensive-coordinator, Mayfield and the Browns should emerge as contenders for years to come.

5. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

Under the guidance of young offensive-guru Sean McVay, Jared Goff has led the Rams to back to back playoff appearances including a trip to the Super Bowl in February. Goff emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate in the 2018 season after putting up 32 touchdowns and over 4600 yards through the air. Goff is one of the NFL’s most natural throwers of the football and with McVay’s innovative mind, he will be one of the league’s top quarterbacks for the next decade.

4. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

With 33 touchdowns, 3200 yards, and an 11-2 record, Carson Wentz was well on his way to becoming the MVP of the league in 2017 before tearing his ACL in week 14. He put up solid numbers in his return from the knee injury in 2018, but again couldn’t finish the season due to a back injury. Wentz has no fear when it comes to tucking the ball away and using his athletic ability to make plays with his legs, but will need to learn how to manage the amount of hits he takes. He has great arm strength and accuracy, and outside of his rookie season, he takes care of the football. If he can stay on the field, he’s one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the league.

3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

At 30 years old, the 2012 third round draft pick, Russell Wilson, has already found great success in the league. He’s quarterbacked his team to two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy. His small stature (5’10”) has had little impact, as he hasn’t missed one start in his seven year career and he seems to be getting better as his career rolls on. Wilson has begun to elevate the play of those around him as great quarterbacks do, and has emerged as an elite player at the position. Although he has found immense success so far in his career, his best may still be yet to come.

2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

After backing up Alex Smith in his rookie season, Mahomes was given the keys in his second year and burst onto the NFL scene. Throwing for 50 touchdowns and 5000 yards, Mahomes took home the MVP trophy in only his second season. He was an offsides penalty away from leading his team to the Super Bowl in 2018 and having a rematch with the Rams. His premiere arm strength and creative style of play make him one of the NFL’s most electric players. He may not be able to keep up the gaudy numbers he had in 2018 but nonetheless, he has solidified himself as one of the leagues best quarterbacks for years to come.

1. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck entered the NFL as one of the most polished quarterback prospects out of college the league had seen since Peyton Manning. Throughout his first seven years, Luck has put up great numbers and has led the Colts to decent success in the post-season. However, Luck missed most of 2015 and all of 2017 with injuries and his career was in flux. He returned in 2018 and looked better than he ever has, putting up 40 touchdowns and leading Indianapolis to the playoffs. For the first time in his career, he had good protection from his offensive line. The Colts front office has put the team in a great position to compete for the AFC crown for years to come, and it’s safe to say Andrew Luck’s best football is ahead of him.

Sources:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/