Positional Breakdown: Top 10 Quarterbacks

Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally made it! Well, not quite. But we're almost there! The 2022 NFL season is rapidly approaching and with that, I've decided to spice things up a bit. Instead of making full-on predictions, I will be making my own list of top 10 NFL players at each position for the upcoming season. This will be based on a variety of things, including past performance, age, supporting cast on their team, etc.

First, let's start with the most important position in football. The Quarterback. 

#10.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

There are a lot of people out there who don't think that Dak Prescott is a good quarterback. Perhaps playing for the most scrutinized team in football has caused his rep to take a hit. But Prescott has been a solid QB for his entire career and produced a career year last season, throwing for over 4,400 yards, and 37 TDs, all while leading Dallas to a 12-5 record and the NFC East title. Losing top wide receiver Amari Cooper will definitely hurt, but Dak will still be surrounded with another top weapon in Ceedee Lamb, the amazing running back duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, and a solid offensive line (fingers crossed they stay healthy). Is he a Super Bowl caliber quarterback? Maybe not, but with his arm talent, mobility, and weapons, he definitely earns a spot here in the top 10.

Projected stats: 66.0 completion %, 4,295 passing yards, 30 TD passes, 12 INTs, 305 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

#9.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

After his rookie season was cut short due to a torn ACL, Joe Burrow came back with a vengeance in his sophomore year, as he threw for over 4,600 yards and 34 TDs, while also leading the league in completion percentage (70.4) and yards per attempt (8.9). Burrow was also fantastic at throwing the ball down the field in 2021, leading the league with 12 deep ball touchdown passes. And with a new (and hopefully improved) offensive line, along with having weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins alongside him, Joey B looks primed to replicate or even improve on his 2021 numbers as the 25 year old will try to lead Cincy back to the Super Bowl.

Projected stats: 68.5 completion %, 4,413 passing yards, 31 TD passes, 10 INTs, 125 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs

#8.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Ever since he was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, Matthew Stafford (like a lot of #1 overall selected players) has had to endure a lot of criticism from the fans and the media from day one. The critics only chanted louder through his first twelve seasons in the league as he had only made three playoff appearances, while leaving each time without a playoff win. Even though he was immensely talented, it didn't matter because he couldn't win the "big one". But that changed last season in his first season with the Rams as not only did Stafford win a playoff game, but he won multiple, culminating in a clutch 4th quarter performance in Super Bowl 56 to win his first championship. And now, with elite weapons like Cooper Kupp by his side, and a offensive guru in coach Sean McVay, Stafford is in a perfect position to continue to put up gaudy numbers while keeping the Rams in the hunt to repeat as champs.

Projected stats: 66.7 completion %, 4,698 passing yards, 36 TD passes, 13 INTs, 40 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#7.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Some may diss him by calling him a running back. But, number one, Lamar's running ability is a huge part of what makes him such a special player to watch. And number two, his throwing ability really isn't as bad as some make it out to be. For starters. throughout the first five games of the 2021 season, Jackson threw for 1,519 yards, 8 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. He became the only player in NFL history to rush for over 300 yards and throw for over 1,500 yards in the same 5 game span. The Ravens were 8-3 with Jackson at the helm before he suffered a ankle injury in Week 14. Baltimore ended up losing their last six games and missed the postseason. That just goes to show how valuable and how great of a player Lamar Jackson truly is.

Projected stats: 65.7 completion %, 3,388 passing yards, 25 TD passes, 10 INTS, 880 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs

#6.

 

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

One of the best quarterbacks in the league for the past decade is now embarking on a new journey. After playing for the Seahawks for 10 seasons, Russell Wilson is now a member of the Denver Broncos. Wilson is coming off a 2021 season where he threw for over 3,000 yards, and 25 touchdowns while missing 3 games due to a broken finger. While he will turn 34 in November, Wilson is still one of the best signal callers in the NFL. Nobody in the league throws a better deep ball than Wilson. In Denver, he will be surrounded by good weapons such as Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Javonte Williams among others. Denver hasn't made the postseason since 2016. But with "Mr Unlimited" calling the shots, the Broncos have a great shot at ending their playoff drought. Broncos country, let's ride!

Projected stats: 67.3 completion %, 4,318 passing yards, 34 TD passes, 8 INTS, 345 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs

#5. 

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

At number five, I'm going with Justin Herbert. I've already raved about how good Herbert is in my previous article, so I won't babble on here. But Herbert is an absolute stud, and I think this season with all the new additions the Chargers made to surround him with more help (especially on defence), Herbert will flourish as he continues to get more comfortable in his second season with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Can you say, MVP?

Projected stats: 67.5 completion %, 5,105 passing yards, 41 TD passes, 11 INTs, 264 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs

#4.

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The GOAT checks in at number four. Last season, Brady finished 2nd in the MVP race (could definitely make a argument that he should've won it) as he led the league in completions (485), passing yards (5,316), and passing touchdowns (43). The fact that he's playing at such a high level in his mid 40s is just absolutely insane. He'll have a new coach as defensive coordinator Todd Bowles takes over for the Bucs in place of Bruce Arians, and Rob Gronkowski retired (again). But with a stout offensive line, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Leonard Fournette at his disposal, it doesn't seem like 2022 will be the year where Father Time finally catches up with Brady. Chalk up another 30+ TD, 13 win season for the GOAT.

Projected stats: 673. completion %, 4,895 passing yards, 38 TD passes, 13 INTs, 30 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs

#3.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

There is a reason why the Bills are considered to be one of the top Super Bowl favourites coming into this season. Of course, they have an elite defence that finished #1 in yards allowed last season. But the main reason why the Bills are in the Super Bowl hunt is because of Allen. His dynamic, dual-threat style of play is such a treat to watch on Sundays. He threw for 4,407 yards, 36 TDs, ran for 763 yards, and 6 rushing TDs in 2021, and yet that is considered to be a "down year". He has the strongest arm in the NFL, and is surrounded by a bunch of weapons. The best is certainly left to come for Allen, who is still only 26 years old.

Projected stats: 66.8 completion %, 4,708 passing yards, 36 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 775 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs

#2.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

The back-to-back MVP checks in here at number two. Sure, Rodgers and the Packers have accomplished very little in the playoffs over the past three seasons. But take a look here at Rodgers' combined touchdown to interception ratio over the last two seasons: 85 to 9. Yes, that's not a typo. Rodgers has thrown 85 touchdown passes to just 9 interceptions. Of course, Rodgers will now have to navigate the 2022 season with All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. But the Packers still have a great running back duo with Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon, one of the best coaches in the league in Matt Lafleur, and a very talented defence. Plus, Rodgers has gone 7-0 in games without Adams over the last three seasons. Rodgers will continue to carve up defences in 2022.

Projected stats: 67.1 completion %, 4,233 passing yards, 33 TD passes, 5 INTs, 108 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

#1. 

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

4,839 passing yards. 66.3 completion percentage. 37 touchdown passes. Most quarterbacks can't even come close to those numbers. And yet, these are the numbers that Patrick Mahomes put up last season, and people are saying that he had a "down year". 37 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards is a down year for Patrick Mahomes. He may not have Tyreek Hill at his disposal anymore, but if anything, the Chiefs may have a more diversified receiving corps with new additions JuJu Smith Schuster and Marquez Valdes Scantling leading the way. And of course, Travis Kelce is still there, along with legendary coach Andy Reid. Combine all of this with his all-world talent, and I think Mahomes reclaims his spot as the NFL's best quarterback in 2022.

Projected stats: 66.5 completion %, 4,785 passing yards, 39 TD passes, 6 INTs, 340 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs

Honourable mentions:

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings: Cousins has been a very solid quarterback for years now (threw for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns last season). It's just if I need a quarterback to win a championship, I would take the other 10 guys over him. 

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: Murray is a special talent, one of the most exciting young players in the league today. Just don't like the fact that he (and the whole team really) start off fast, but finish slow every season.

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders: Carr's career has gone in a similar trajectory as Stafford, with both quarterbacks putting up good numbers, but playing on bad/mediocre teams. With Davante Adams joining the squad, I wouldn't be shocked to see Carr play at a high level in 2022.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: Watson is super talented, but he didn't play at all last year due to multiple sexual harassment allegations and he may not play at all this season too. Can't be in the top 10 if you're not on the field.