Ranking the NFL's 32 starting QBs

theScore's Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Alex Chippin, Michael McClymont, and Dan Wilkins assess the elite, the average, and the downright awful at football's most important position.

32. Josh Rosen

Signature stat: Threw NFL's highest percentage of attempts - 21.6 percent - into "tight coverage" - defined as defender within one yard of receiver (Next Gen Stats)

Rosen was bad as a rookie. There's no arguing it, even after accounting for his abysmal supporting cast and midseason coordinator change. He spent most of the year running for his life but reacted to that constant pressure about as poorly as possible. Though he flashed some deep-ball talent, the accuracy he displayed in college was rarely seen. Dolphins fans must hope a change of scenery can spark a Jared Goff-like resurgence.

Highest rank: 27 • Lowest rank: 32

31. Eli Manning

Signature stat: Average completion traveled 5.3 yards in the air, 25th in the league (Next Gen Stats)

Manning's raw stats in 2018 look OK, and Dave Gettleman is convinced the veteran played well down the stretch, but it's nearly the end of the road for the former Super Bowl MVP. The Giants passer has struggled with the deep ball and under pressure over the last few seasons and no longer possesses top-tier arm talent. With Odell Beckham Jr. no longer there to bail him out, the conservative Manning likely has just a handful of starts left before the torch is unceremoniously passed to Daniel Jones.

Highest rank: 26 • Lowest rank: 31

30. Dwayne Haskins

Signature stat: Completed 71.2 percent of fourth-quarter passes for 14 touchdowns and one interception in final collegiate campaign (Yahoo Sports)

With just 14 starts in his collegiate career, Haskins is perhaps the biggest question mark at quarterback heading into the 2019 campaign. The Ohio State product saved his best for tough competition and broke numerous team records, but he requires some seasoning before ascending up our rankings. At least the Redskins have seemingly found a long-term answer under center.

Highest rank: 26 • Lowest rank: 32

29. Joe Flacco

Signature stat: Accurate on 30.8 percent of deep pass attempts - 20-plus yards in the air - the NFL's second-lowest rate (PFF)

Flacco's been living on his Super Bowl reputation for years, and arguably shouldn't have a starting job based on recent play. Once one of the league's best deep throwers, Flacco is now one of its worst after several major injuries. He simply doesn't do anything at an above-average level anymore and lacks the poise that helps quarterbacks transition into their later years. Flacco could lose his job to a rookie in back-to-back years.

Highest rank: 24 • Lowest rank: 32

28. Lamar Jackson

Signature stat: 147 regular-season rushing attempts - the most ever for a quarterback, breaking Bobby Douglass' 1972 record (Pro Football Reference)

Jackson would skyrocket up our list if we were ranking the league's most dynamic quarterbacks, but the sophomore has shown little when it comes to actually throwing the football. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is still learning the position and there's plenty of reason to believe he'll take a giant leap in his second campaign, but it's difficult to rank him higher right now. Jackson's playoff game against the Chargers left us with plenty of concern.

Highest rank: 26 • Lowest rank: 30

27. Josh Allen

Signature stat: NFL's highest average time in the pocket - 3.20 seconds (PFF)

For some, Allen's rookie season highlighted just how far he has to go in his development. For others, it was a glimpse of the heights an offense designed around him could reach. Accuracy was an ongoing issue - Allen finished last in completion percentage - and he struggled to diagnose defenses at NFL speeds. But he was great at running the ball and evading the rush, and though his play-to-play consistency as a passer was bad, he displayed a knack for big-time throws. Allen may never master the subtleties of the position, but he's shown enough to convince us he's worthy of his role.

Highest rank: 23 • Lowest rank: 32

26. Nick Foles

Signature stat: Highest passer rating (90.6) and completion percentage (66 percent) in the NFL when under pressure (PFF)

After a heroic career with Philadelphia, Foles heads to Jacksonville to lead a run-first offense and could be the perfect game-manager to pair with a stout defensive unit. But the jury is still out on whether the former Super Bowl MVP can succeed away from a dynamic offensive scheme. Foles is at his best when forced to make quick decisions and excels under pressure, but he's yet to duplicate the level of his 2018 championship run. He likely never will.

Highest rank: 21 • Lowest rank: 29

25. Kyler Murray

Signature stat: 44.4 percent accuracy on tight-window throws during final collegiate season - highest among incoming rookie quarterbacks (PFF)

College football's most exciting quarterback will immediately be in the spotlight as the No. 1 pick in April's draft. Murray may be small, but he'll have every opportunity to live up to his hype in Kliff Kingsbury's air-raid scheme. The Heisman Trophy winner is already among the most dynamic pivots in the game due to his game-breaking speed, but it's his natural accuracy and touch that will lead to early success. Murray's game is already more advanced than a handful of current starters.

Highest rank: 22 • Lowest rank: 26

24. Andy Dalton

Signature stat: Ranked 29th in completion percentage (28.8 percent) when under pressure (Player Profiler)

In truth, Dalton is a perfectly fine quarterback, but an extended period of mediocrity combined with a lack of competition hurts his placement on our list. The Bengals passer is incredibly efficient when he's kept clean but often resembles a first-year player under even the slightest pressure. Easy to scheme against and lacking top-tier traits, Dalton has one final chance to prove his worth under new head coach Zac Taylor. If he doesn't, Cincinnati will likely move on in 2020.

Highest rank: 21 • Lowest rank: 29

23. Sam Darnold

Signature stat: Completed 64 percent of passes for 931 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in final four games (Pro Football Reference)

Darnold's career didn't kick off as planned, but a late-season hot streak helped push the youngster above a select group of veterans. He battled consistency issues as a rookie and wasn't effective under pressure, but he showed a ton of promise as the year progressed. With the Jets upgrading their offensive line and running game, Darnold could be poised for a breakout sophomore campaign under Adam Gase. The former No. 3 pick has all the talent in the world - he simply has to put it all together.

Highest rank: 20 • Lowest rank: 27

22. Jameis Winston

Signature stat: Tied for second in NFL with 10 second-half interceptions (Wash. Post)

Winston is arguably the biggest gunslinger in the NFL today, with his primary competition perhaps being his former backup, Ryan Fitzpatrick. That label isn't exactly a compliment, though. Winston's one of the best at pushing the ball downfield, but more often than not, he cancels out his positive plays with bone-headed decisions. In four seasons, the Bucs quarterback simply hasn't refined his game significantly from his days at Florida State. If Winston can't progress under Bruce Arians, whose offense perfectly suits his skill set, it may be time to accept that he'll never be above average.

Highest rank: 21 • Lowest rank: 24

21. Mitchell Trubisky

Signature stat: Sixth-highest rushing success rate (56 percent) among 25 quarterbacks with minimum 30 rushes (Sharp Football Stats)

As illustrated by the large variance in our rankings, Trubisky's one of the NFL's biggest boom-or-bust quarterbacks. Game-to-game and even play-to-play, you never quite know which version of the 24-year-old you'll get outside of his dynamic rushing skills. Trubisky's still early in his development, but his decision-making and downfield accuracy need serious work if he's to become an above-average starter.

Highest rank: 18 • Lowest rank: 28

20. Derek Carr

Signature stat: 58.1 passer rating under pressure ranked 25th among 33 qualifiers (PFF)

Jon Gruden's arrival was supposed to spark the return of the Carr we saw in 2016. Instead, he continued to plateau for most of last year until a late-season uptick helped secure his job for 2019. It's becoming increasingly hard to believe the 28-year-old can fix his frustrating check-down tendency and issues under pressure; this might just be who he is as a player. With Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams as his top targets, Carr has no excuse not to employ the aggressiveness that made him an MVP candidate three years ago.

Highest rank: 18 • Lowest rank: 25

19. Marcus Mariota

Signature stat: Accurate on 58.8 percent of deep-pass attempts, leading all quarterbacks (PFF)

Mariota's NFL career to date can essentially be summed up as "what could have been." The former No. 2 pick appeared destined for stardom, but injuries and inconsistencies have resulted in just one playoff appearance in four years. Mariota does a few select things extremely well - like his surprising accuracy on deep passes - but always leaves you wanting more. Tennessee's signal-caller wasn't fully healthy in 2018, but tossing 11 touchdowns in 13 starts is unacceptable. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Mariota must right the ship or risk being replaced.

Highest rank: 19 • Lowest rank: 21

18. Jimmy Garoppolo

Signature stat: Completed 66.7 percent of passes for four touchdowns, one interception, and a 109.7 passer rating when kept clean (PFF)

Perhaps the most challenging and intriguing quarterback to rank, Garoppolo lands near the middle of our list - with a high variance. The 27-year-old has started just eight games since being acquired from the Patriots, but he's displayed the ability to lead drives and deliver accurate passes in limited opportunities. After a hot start in San Francisco, Garoppolo is entering a make-or-break year in Kyle Shanahan's offense; he may emerge as a potential franchise quarterback or flame out. Completing 68 percent of his passes for four touchdowns, no interceptions, and 9.6 yards per attempt in his final two contests before injury leaves room for optimism.

Highest rank: 15 • Lowest rank: 23

17. Jared Goff

Signature stat: Led the league with 2,023 yards and 15 touchdowns from play-action passes (PFF)

We may never truly know how effective Goff can be outside of Sean McVay's offense, but his production in that system is impressive nonetheless. Over the last two years, we've seen the best and worst of the former No. 1 pick. When he's in rhythm, the Rams pivot throws with spectacular touch and anticipation, and few are as effective when kept clean or on play-action passes. When Goff is flustered, as we saw in the Super Bowl, he often reverts back to his early-career habits. Overall, the 24-year-old has flaws but plenty of room to grow. The best may be yet to come.

Highest rank: 14 • Lowest rank: 18

16. Dak Prescott

Signature stat: Seventh-highest passer rating at home (106.5) among 34 qualifiers, 23rd on the road (87.0) (Team Rankings)

Prescott's third season got off to a rocky start as the Cowboys' entire passing attack struggled for consistency until Amari Cooper arrived. With a true No. 1 target, Prescott looked far more comfortable in key situations and more willing to challenge defenses deep. Aside from his scrambling skills and ability to avoid turnovers, however, the former fourth-rounder lacks top-tier traits. His accuracy and pocket presence are solid but inconsistent, causing him to take too many unnecessary sacks. Prescott has youth on his side, but it seems like he's already close to his ceiling.

Highest rank: 13 • Lowest rank: 17

15. Kirk Cousins

Signature stat: Only 16-game starter not to engineer a single game-winning drive (Pro Football Reference)

Minnesota fully guaranteed Cousins $84 million last offseason, believing him to be the final piece of a championship-caliber roster. Though he played well at times, his game-to-game consistency was far below the level at which he was paid to perform. The "game-manager" label is often viewed as a roundabout way of saying a quarterback is bad. Cousins isn't bad, but his inability to extend and make plays himself, his struggles to make top-level throws, and his poor record against winning teams (1-6 in 2018, 5-25 in his career) scream "game-manager." The Vikings can win with Cousins, but their margin for error is significantly smaller than teams with similarly compensated starters.

Highest rank: 12 • Lowest rank: 17

14. Baker Mayfield

Signature stat: Broke the third-most tackles (12) among quarterbacks when attempting to avoid a sack (Football Outsiders)

Mayfield was dropped into one of the worst coaching situations possible for a rookie, but you'd never know it based on his standout first season. Showcasing the innate accuracy and eye-popping downfield throws that made him a star at Oklahoma, Mayfield erased any doubts he could develop into a franchise player. Head coach Freddie Kitchens and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken are the perfect minds to guide a young passer who's at his best when he's free to be aggressive and extend plays with his legs. Mayfield isn't flawless, but considering how much better his supporting cast should be in 2019, a sophomore leap into the top 10 is entirely possible.

Highest rank: 11 • Lowest rank: 18

13. Matthew Stafford

Signature stat: Highest frequency of completions thrown short of the sticks (76 percent) among 25 quarterbacks with 400-plus attempts (Sharp Football Stats)

Once thought to be a borderline top-five quarterback, Stafford took a step back in 2018. Detroit's play-calling may be partially to blame, as illustrated by a pedestrian yards-per-attempt figure and plenty of conservative passes, but the talented pivot simply didn't perform at a high enough level. Stafford's signature aggression, game-winning drives, and fourth-quarter comebacks were absent last season. Still, the former No. 1 pick remains a top talent at the position and a player of his caliber is more likely to bounce back than continue to decline. Stafford won't reach the top 10, however, until he finds playoff success.

Highest rank: 11 • Lowest rank: 16

12. Cam Newton

Signature stat: Top four in completion percentage (76.8 percent), touchdowns (20), and passer rating (111.8) when holding onto the ball for under 2.5 seconds (PFF)

Initially thought to be a poor stylistic match, the marriage between Newton and offensive coordinator Norv Turner paid early dividends last season. The dual-threat passer was asked to make quicker decisions and rein in his aggressive deep-ball tendencies, and it worked reasonably well - until Newton's accuracy issues reappeared. Was it his shoulder injury, or did defenses figure out Turner's quick-hit scheme? Perhaps both? The former No. 1 pick is a unique weapon under center, though it's still concerning that Carolina's offense doesn't maximize his strengths. But if Newton returns healthy and Turner learns from the shortcomings of Year 1, there's little reason to doubt the 2015 MVP will force his way back into the upper echelon of passers.

Highest rank: 11 • Lowest rank: 15

11. Ben Roethlisberger

Signature stat: 254 completions gained a first down, leading all quarterbacks (PFF)

Despite leading the league in passing yards last season, Roethlisberger finds himself outside the top 10. Though the two-time Super Bowl winner racked up a ton of yards, his accuracy and decision-making left lots to be desired. Roethlisberger has always been one to make a head-turning throw one drive and then commit a baffling turnover the next, but this tendency has become a larger issue for Pittsburgh as his downfield passing has regressed from great to solid. The Steelers star can still play at an elite level, just not as consistently as the 10 passers ahead of him.

Highest rank: 9 • Lowest rank: 14

10. Deshaun Watson

Signature stat: Led five game-winning drives, the second-most among starters (Pro Football Reference)

When he wasn't under pressure, Watson often looked like a player on the cusp of elite status in 2018. The problem? He wasn't kept clean often, taking a league-high 62 sacks. Watson's a rhythm passer who's still refining his pocket presence, and the offensive line's awful play hurt both his accuracy and the big-throw ability that highlighted his rookie year. The former Clemson standout's already proven his floor as a solid starter; with improved protection and Will Fuller back, the 2019 campaign should help determine exactly how high Watson can rise.

Highest rank: 9 • Lowest rank: 13

9. Carson Wentz

Signature stat: Completed 63.5 percent of passes for six touchdowns, one interception, and a 100.4 passer rating when blitzed (Next Gen Stats)

Provided his injury woes are behind him, Wentz has every opportunity to return to the 2017 form that made him an MVP front-runner until a late-season ACL tear. The Eagles star simply makes plays few other quarterbacks can, evading tackles with high-level athleticism and illustrating incredible touch on intermediate throws. The borderline recklessness of his playing style will always have Philadelphia fans on edge, but his overall accuracy and decision-making improved significantly before a back injury abruptly ended his 2018 season. With DeSean Jackson, Jordan Howard, and Miles Sanders joining an already versatile offense, Wentz is poised for a massive 2019 campaign.

Highest rank: 6 • Lowest rank: 11

8. Matt Ryan

Signature stat: Fourth-quarter passer rating of 118.7 was second in NFL (Wash. Post)

The Falcons fell off last season, missing the playoffs in disappointing fashion after back-to-back appearances. Ryan, however, was anything but a disappointment, coming close to replicating his 2016 MVP form despite Atlanta's leaky defense and poor pass protection. Nearly every stat in 2018 marked Ryan's best performance outside of 2016, and "Matty Ice" continued to excel in crunch time. His throwback pocket-passer style might not get the blood flowing, but very few quarterbacks are as consistent, accurate, and productive as the 34-year-old.

Highest rank: 7 • Lowest rank: 10

7. Philip Rivers

Signature stat: Accurate ball placement on 78.7 percent of throws to open targets, leading all quarterbacks (PFF)

The underappreciated and perhaps underrated Rivers was at the top of his game during his 15th campaign, posting his highest completion percentage since 2013 and best yards-per-attempt average since 2010. The veteran signal-caller has the position's subtle nuances, timing, and anticipation down to a tee and few defenses can slow him down when he's in rhythm. Accurate, aggressive, and cerebral, Rivers remains one of the league's very best at 37 years young. We wouldn't blame anyone for arguing his spot in the top five. For us, however, he falls just short.

Highest rank: 6 • Lowest rank: 8

6. Russell Wilson

Signature stat: NFL-best passer rating of 120.0 when holding onto the ball for over 2.5 seconds (PFF)

Wilson is a dynamic playmaker at his position, but it's about time he's mentioned among the game's elite passers. The former Super Bowl champion set a career low in interceptions and career highs in touchdowns and passer rating last season. Wilson's faced a number of obstacles during his time in Seattle - poor blocking, inexperienced receivers, and ineffective play-calling - but has overcome them all while consistently playing at a high level. No excuses, just success. Equally productive inside the pocket and as a scrambler, Wilson has all-world talent and gives his team a chance to win each week no matter the situation. You can't ask for much more.

Highest rank: 5 • Lowest rank: 7 ​​

5. Andrew Luck

Signature stat: Sacked on NFL-low 2.7 percent of passing attempts (Wash. Post)

Just 18 months ago, it wasn't clear if Luck would ever return to an NFL field, let alone play at the level he reached before his shoulder injury. A slow start in 2018 did little to allay fears, but a new-and-improved version of Luck soon emerged. Buoyed by Frank Reich's scheme and undoubtedly the best line he's worked behind, the 2012 No. 1 pick played the best football of his career and led the Colts back to the playoffs with nine wins in their last 10 games. It's safe to say Luck's back - and the best could be yet to come in his first completely healthy season since 2014.

Highest rank: 3 • Lowest rank: 7

4. Tom Brady

Signature stat: Second-highest completion percentage (76.9) in late and close games (Wash. Post)

Consistently eluding Father Time with ease, Brady remains at the top of his game and one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. The 41-year-old wasn't as dominant last season as he was in years past, but he still captured his sixth Lombardi Trophy in February. Though his arm strength isn't what it used to be, Brady's accuracy and ability to avoid negative plays are simply out of this world. It's unfortunate we're nearing the end of the road for this all-time great. He's no longer the league's top quarterback, but Brady will play at an elite level for as long as he desires.

Highest rank: 2 • Lowest rank: 5

3. Drew Brees

Signature stat: Led NFL with 83 percent depth-adjusted completion percentage (PFF)

Brees has spent most of his NFL career putting up the some of the gaudiest numbers the league has ever seen. As the Saints try to extend his career by reducing his workload, the last two seasons have seen Brees produce the two lowest yardage outputs of his years in New Orleans - but that doesn't mean he isn't still among the best of the best. The future Hall of Famer's unreal accuracy is on a whole different level than the rest of the league, and though his arm strength appears to be waning - it looked especially off later in the year - there are few better players in crunch time. Brees was easily the second-best quarterback in 2018 behind Patrick Mahomes and should have several years left in the tank thanks to New Orleans' stacked offense.

Highest rank: 1 • Lowest rank: 4

2. Aaron Rodgers

Signature stat: 0.3 percent of pass attempts intercepted - lowest single-season mark for a 16-game starter this century (Pro Football Reference)

On talent alone, Rodgers is arguably the top quarterback of his generation. But despite plenty of eye-popping numbers, the Packers are just 10-12-1 over the last two seasons when their QB1 suits up. With scapegoat Mike McCarthy no longer leading the offense, Rodgers has no excuse not to be an MVP contender in 2019. Somehow already 35 years old, the future Hall of Famer possesses improvisation skills and deep-ball accuracy we've never seen before. With an improved offensive line, a number of young weapons, and a strong running game, it wouldn't be surprising to see an elite Rodgers reclaim the quarterback throne.

Highest rank: 1 • Lowest rank: 4

1. Patrick Mahomes

Signature stat: Led NFL with 52 passes of 25-plus yards - 12 more than the second-ranked quarterback (Wash. Post)

Topping this list after just one season as a starter should be impossible. But in 2018, impossible was Mahomes' specialty. The Chiefs' rocket-armed quarterback routinely made plays other passers don't even dream about, much less attempt in a game. It wasn't the "wow" passes that pushed Mahomes to the top of the QB mountain, though. We've seen other young quarterbacks explode onto the scene before - not at Mahomes' level, of course - only to struggle with the subtleties of the position. But Mahomes already has veteran-like poise in the pocket, can already rip defenses apart with his mind as well as his arm, and is already elite under pressure; there's nothing Mahomes can't do on a football field. Even though he may never reach the same lofty statistical heights again, it's scary to think he might just be scratching the surface of his potential.

Highest rank: 1 • Lowest rank: 2