2014 NFL Preseason QB Rankings - Part 1
It’s the second annual Wildcard's Pre-Season QB Rankings! Since last year we’ve seen a whole lot change, with Russell Wilson and Andy Luck showing their worth, while guys like Matt Schaub definitely regressed. One thing is still the same however… there’s still no room for Tim Tebow.
Now, obviously this is all subjective. Just as last year, I’ve mostly ignored rookies and the unprovens, while backup guys are difficult to judge at the best of times. Feel free to get in contact and complain, I promise I’ll try not to take it personally.
Here's Part 2 for the impatient among you.
2014 Rank - 36 (Last Year - NA) Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings)
Yeah, lad’s done well to get himself what looks like a backup spot as a rookie. But call me back when he’s actually started a game in the NFL.
35 (NA) Chad Henne (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The confirmed starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Yeah… good luck with that, bro.
34 (NA) Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns)
I mean, who even knows at this stage? He was nothing flash in pre-season. Give him some time to mature and develop and then we’ll see. The worst thing that could happen right now is he gets pushed into the spotlight too early. I can definitely see that happening.
33 (NA) Josh McCown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
A few great performances for the Bears last year did enough to convince the Buccs management that McCown could be their starter, keeping prospect Mike Glennon on the bench. He’s got former coach Lovie Smith to guide him but there are plenty more questions than answers with 34 year old JMcC (who put up a 109.0 QBR in 8 games & 5 starts last season despite a career average before that of 71.2).
32 (NA) Matt Cassel (Minnesota Vikings)
This may be his last chance to prove that his 2008 season with the Patriots in relief of Tom Brady wasn’t just one enormous fluke. In the past 3 seasons he’s thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
31 (NA) Brian Hoyer (Cleveland Browns)
He’s got arguably the toughest job in the NFL – not only is he starting QB for the Browns, but he’s starting in front of a wildly controversial and potentially boom (or bust) rookie in Johnny Football. First mistake he makes and the gallows calls will begin.
30 (16) Michael Vick (New York Jets)
Despite the butterfingers, he’s still probably a better option than Geno Smith, but instead Vick gets to play the veteran backup. There are plenty worse Plan B’s going around.
29. (32) EJ Manuel (Buffalo Bills)
Not really sure what to say about Mr Manuel. A promising rookie season was cut short by injury. The Bills don’t entirely suck, so there’s some potential to move up in next year’s rankings.
28 (NA) Geno Smith (New York Jets)
Only Brady and Wilson had as many game winning drives (5) as Smithy in 2013. However a rubbish completion percentage and 21 interceptions suggest he’s far from reliable. We’ll give the young lad a chance though.
27 (NA) Kirk Cousins (Washington Pro Football Team)
He could easily be starting on about a quarter of teams in the NFL, except that with RG3’s combined marketing potential/upside potential/injury history, the Washington ‘Taters are kinda forced to keep two starters on their rosters. It’s a shame, because it’s keeping him from being the coolest guy named Kirk since Kirk Douglas (instead Kirk Penney can have that honour).
26 (NA) Ryan Fitzpatrick (Houston Texans)
You’re a smart fella, Fitzy. Just keep throwing to Andre Johnson. Early and often.
25 (17) Matt Schaub (Oakland Raiders)
Things got ugly last season with the Texans. To the point where his own fans booed him and he looked like crying every time a pass hit the ground. Oakland fans look tough but they’re really just pussy cats in KISS costumes.
24 (20) Sam Bradford (St Louis Rams)
I had him here prior to getting injured, and I’m gonna keep him here out of pity. You can’t blame a guy for injuries, but his performances when fit haven’t always been flash. I hope the Rams stick with him and I hope he has a breakout 2015.
23 (21) Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins)
A decent start, an improved second season… time to kick on now. I wanna see 25 TDs, 4000 pass yards and a playoff berth this year, you hear me Ryan? You can do this, mate.
22 (30) Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans)
Injuries. That’s the issue. Without a complete season under his belt it’s hard to say what to expect of Jake Locker. He was good value last season when he could get on the field.
21 (26) Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals)
You can’t underestimate the influence of a proven, veteran starter. He probably won’t get you to the Superbowl but he’ll keep you from the ignominious lows. A bit of a gunslinger, he cracked the top dozen in TD passes, pass yardage and completion percentage.
20 (NA) Nick Foles (Philadelphia Eagles)
Well, it’s fair to say that he won’t recreate his numbers from last season. His 10 starts saw 8 wins, 27 TDs and just a measly 2 interceptions at a QBR higher than Peyton Manning managed in smashing all those passing records. No new entrant ranks higher on this list. Expect regression to the mean, we just don’t know where than mean is yet.
19 (19) Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals)
It’s telling that Dalton has stayed put at 19, since his last 2 seasons have been pretty similar too. A solid, commanding QB who leads his team to the necessary wins and bottles it against the big boys. With some big money headed his way, a playoff win is essential this time.