On July 8th ESPN+ posted a ranking for the top 10 QB rankings based on 50 league executives composed of coaches, scouts and players.
There wasn't much debate on the top quarterback, according to execs, coaches, players and insiders. Find out where the rest of the QBs rank here.
insider.espn.com
First, I have no idea how players are considered executives, but whatever. Second, don't bash me for having ESPN+, I got it in the Disney package so I could watch the classics like Cinderella, Snow White and Bambi.
In all 19 QBs received votes listed below in order of # votes. I looked up how many years they were in college which includes red-shirt and juco. The gap between when they graduated HS and entered the NFL. I also looked up what year they started in the NFL. By start I'm not counting when a QB gets 1 or 2 starts in a year because the team's starter went down...e.g. Cousins filling in a couple of games for RG3, Garoppolo for Brady during suspension.
1. Patrick Mahomes = 3 (years college); 2 (started 2nd year in NFL)
2. Russel Wilson = 5;1
3. Aaron Rodgers = 3;4
4. Deshaun Watson = 3;1 (started first 7 games before ACL)
5. Drew Brees = 4;2
6. Lamar Jackson = 3;1 (started last 7 games)
7. Tom Brady = 5;2 (started 3rd game in year 2)
8. Carson Wentz = 5;1
9. Dak Prescott = 5; 1
10. Matthew Stafford = 3;1 (started 10 games as rookie, injured in 6 others)
11. Matt Ryan = 5;1
12. Ben Roethlesberger = 4;1
13. Kyler Murray = 4;1
14 (tie - 2 votes). Kirk Cousins = 5;3
14 (tie). Jimmy Garoppolo = 4;4
16 (tie - 1 vote). Derek Carr = 4;1
16 (tie). Ryan Tannehill = 5;1
16 (tie). Jared Goff = 3;1
16 (tie). Sam Darnold = 3;1
Watson, Jackson, Stafford, Goff and Darnold are the QBs with a 3 year gap between HS and NFL and started in year 1 making the list.
Watson and Stafford missed 9 and 6 games respectively due to injury their rookie years.
The two standouts to me are Watson and Jackson and their ability to escape the pocket and run with the ball gave them an advantage imo. I'd prefer Tua is not doing that a whole lot this year.
The other two projected starting QBs in 2020 with 3;1 are Dwayne Haskins and Teddy Bridgewater.
When I consider Mahomes, Brady, Brees and Rodgers sitting their first year (Rodgers his first 3 years) I don't see the rush for Tua to be thrown in there given the circumstances around preparing for the season and the shuffling taking place on Miami's OL.
Did playing Goff and Darnold their rookie year make them better QBs?
Make of it what you will.