It’s summertime offseason content time! As the season approaches, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up next, we’re talking about the top 10 NFL quarterbacks for 2021!
Man, I didn’t think we’d ever make it to the end of these NFL Top 10s I’ve been doing all summer, but here we are. I always make it a point to save the most popular and important position on the field for last. So, let’s talk quarterbacks today. I’m going to start with the elephant in the room – because of all of the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson, I left him off my list because I’m not sure what his season is going to look like, or if he’ll even play (he’d be #3 on my list if I added him, in case you’re wondering). As far as the young guys go, I’m the biggest Justin Herbert mark you’ll find. I think that kid’s going to be a superstar starting this season. I also like Joe Burrow a lot, but the limitations that the flimsy offensive line in front of him place on his potential makes it hard for me to consider him a lock to develop into a top 10 quarterback. That’s a situation the Bengals HAVE to figure out or else Burrow won’t last…literally…physically won’t last in the NFL. Finally, shout out to Matty Ice – consistency has been an issue for Matt Ryan over the last couple of seasons, but with a new head coach like Arthur Smith, and a new weapon in Kyle Pitts, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan return to MVP form this year. On to the top 10!
The Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks for 2021
10. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns – This was a tough one, because I am such a big fan of Ryan and Herbert, but ultimately, I go with Mayfield because of how he stepped up and grew as a quarterback in 2020 under the reigning Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski. He’s an old gun slinger with a wealth of moxie, and as he continues to develop, he’ll continue to climb on lists like this one. All of the ingredients are there for him to do so – a good running game behind the best offensive line in the league, and play-makers out wide.
9. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens – I still like Lamar Jackson as a dynamic play-maker capable of bringing defenses to their knees. He is absolutely one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the league, but if you watched the 2020 Ravens and don’t think he took a step back as a passer, I don’t know what to tell you. Part of that is the receiving corps, but let’s be real – it’s not like that Ravens passing attack, as a whole, was lethal last season. If this Ravens coaching staff can get back to basics with the passing game, we might see a version of Jackson that’s closer to his MVP form.
8. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams – Longtime readers of SoBros Network and listeners of The Unofficial Titans Podcast already know that I’m a bit of a Stafford apologist. I make no excuses for myself. Detroit has a way of wasting generational talent, and I think Stafford’s talent have been, by and large, underutilized. With a more talented overall roster than he’s ever played on, I think Stafford is due for a monstrous season in 2021.
7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys – Week 5….damn…Week 5, Prescott goes down with a season-ending ankle injury. If not for that, dude was on pace for some historic numbers in that Cowboys offense that’s loaded with talent. I always felt Prescott was a tad underrated, so I’m happy to see him get his due and pop up on a lot of top 10 lists like this one. Now, he just has to stay on the damn field.
6. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills – Allen was a Pro Bowler a season ago, and helped get the Bills to the AFC Championship because of his drastic improvement in accurately throwing the ball. He has a wealth of arm talent, size, and maneuverability in the pocket. He was in the MVP conversation throughout 2020, and if he can string together another season or two like that, he’ll consistently be considered among the best quarterbacks in the league.
5. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans – Talking heads are going to grill me for this, but those people aren’t actually watching the Titans. The genesis of this team since Tannehill took over the starting job six games into the 2019 season is amazing. He’s been one of the most efficient and highest rated passers in the league since. People say it’s easy if you have Derrick Henry in the backfield, but if that was the case, why didn’t Marcus Mariota pan out? Tannehill has been incredibly accurate, reliable, and able to make the explosive splash play when necessary. He is a larger reason for the Titans’ recent success than he’s given credit for. It’s time national analysts give this guy his due.
4. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It feels like I can just copy and paste what I’ve said about Brady every preseason over the last several years. “Oh, sure – last season was great, but Father Time remains undefeated,” and what have you. But, Brady keeps proving us wrong. He’s still sharp, crisp, and accurate, and he has more talent around him than he’s ever had in his career. There’s no reason to think he won’t perform at a high level yet again.
3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – Wilson was on a tear to start the 2020 campaign. I actually had him as the league MVP through the first six games or so. But, that offensive line really broke down and came apart as the season wore on. I can’t help but wonder what that 2020 would’ve looked like for Wilson had that not happened. Nonetheless, we find ourselves entering yet another season wondering if this will be the one during which Wilson finally gets his MVP award. It just hasn’t happened yet. Wilson threw 40 touchdowns in 2020, all the while running for his life.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers – I’ll say it right here right now – Aaron Rodgers had the best ‘fuck you’ season I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. The Packers drafted Jordan Love in the first round, failed to get Rodgers any shiny new toys, and all that dude did was go out and remind us all of just who the hell Aaron Rodgers is. I love it. I’m here for it. He had a monstrous season – earning the league’s MVP honors, 1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, the whole nine yards. He led the league in passer rating (121.5), completion percentage (70.7%), and touchdown passes with a whopping 48. Let’s pump the brakes on the ‘Father Time’ talk right now. This man is still one of the best in the game.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – Mahomes is an outright game-changer. He is a prodigy – the type of prodigy that has the talking heads asking if he would be enshrined at Canton even if his career ended today. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a young guy get off to such a hot start. Mahomes already has a league MVP title and a Super Bowl under his belt in only three seasons of being the full time starter. Mahomes was 2nd Team All-Pro in 2020, and was voted to the Pro Bowl. His 4,740 passing yards were second in the league, his 38 touchdowns were 4th, and his 108.2 passer rating was third. There’s no slowing down this guy – I think if you could pick one player in the NFL to build a franchise around, it’s Mahomes.
OTHER 2021 NFL TOP 10S
- Cornerbacks
- Defensive coordinators
- Defensive lines
- Edge Rushers
- Head coaches
- Linebackers
- Offensive coordinators
- Offensive lines
- Running backs
- Safeties
- Tight Ends
- Wide Receivers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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