The quarterback position is one of the toughest to play in any sport. It requires technique with enough power and accuracy to make great throws. Being considered a top quarterback in the league is a big deal and oftentimes correlates to a team’s success. These players rank as the best seven quarterbacks going into the 2020 season. Does the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson rank higher than Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes?
7. Dak Prescott (DAL)
To start off this list, Prescott ranks as the seventh-best quarterback going into the 2020 season. Coming off an unreal season, Prescott threw for 4,901 yards and 30 passing touchdowns. Prescott looks to use his momentum from the previous season to take the next step.
Not only did Dallas re-sign Amari Cooper and keep Michael Gallup, but they also drafted CeeDee Lamb in the first round. If all of Dallas’s receivers can stay healthy, Prescott will be in for a treat and post remarkable numbers once again.
6. Deshaun Watson (HOU)
Watson is one of the most dynamic, talented quarterbacks in all of the NFL. He runs, he throws accurate deep balls, his throw on the run is unstoppable, so why isn’t Watson ranked higher? Even though Watson has all these great traits for a quarterback, the loss of DeAndre Hopkins hurts his game. Hopkins added 2,737 yards over the past two years from Watson throwing to him.
Nonetheless, Watson has the tools to still be one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Last year alone, Watson had five game-winning drives, which led the NFL. However, all of Watson’s game is not throwing. Last season compared to other quarterbacks, he ranked fourth in carries (82), fourth in rush yards (413) and second in rush touchdowns (7). With the additions of Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks, Watson should be just as elite as he was last season.
5. Drew Brees (NO)
Has anyone been more accurate than Brees these past three years? He’s had the best completion percentage in each of the last three years and five of the last six. Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and is looking for his first MVP award in his 20th season.
He also has one of the best running back pass catchers in the league in Alvin Kamara and an elite wide receiver in Michael Thomas, who broke the NFL receptions record last season. Brees keeps most of his offensive pieces from a year ago and adds veteran Emmanuel Sanders. He will try to keep his streak of four consecutive completion percentage titles in 2020.
4. Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Rodgers, per usual, put up stellar numbers once again in 2019. He threw for 4,002 yards with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Rodgers shows no signs of slowing down. Same with Brees, Rodgers has one of the best wide receivers in Davante Adams. Although Rodgers wanted more offensive pieces in free agency, he has a great supporting cast led by Adams, Allen Lazard and Aaron Jones.
Rodgers has been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in recent years. Although Brees has owned the best completion percentage the past three years, Rodgers ranked first in money throws (34) and receiver separation (1.92 yards). Rodgers has little room to complete passes and delivers perfect balls week in and week out.
3. Russell Wilson (SEA)
If this list was the best quarterback career over a five year period, Wilson would be on top. However, this list ranks the best quarterback going into the upcoming season and a guy who has never received one vote for MVP can’t be ranked over the current top two quarterbacks.
Wilson is an exceptional talent in the NFL. He has never had a losing record and thrown for over 3,000+ yards in every year in his eight-year career. Wilson is coming off a Pro Bowl year throwing for 4,110 yards, 31 touchdowns with five interceptions. For a guy coming off a season as having the fourth-best true passer rating(110.9) and second in money throws (33), could this be the year Wilson gets his first MVP vote?
2. Lamar Jackson (BAL)
Who arguably had the best season in NFL History? That would be Lamar Jackson in 2019. In 2019, Jackson led all quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (36) and broke the NFL quarterback rushing record (1,206) previously held by Michael Vick. He is also the first player in NFL history to throw for over 3,000 yards and run for over 1,200 yards in a season. On top of that, Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 14-2 record and earned unanimous MVP. He joins Tom Brady as the only two unanimous MVPs in NFL history.
To understand just how great Jackson was in 2019, he ranked sixth in total rushing yards. Although he is a quarterback, he had more rushing yards than Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones and even Saquon Barkley. If Jackson can do this again in 2020, he could be the best quarterback in the league.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is the obvious choice for best quarterback coming into the season. After a stellar 2018 season, where he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, Mahomes finished off the season earning Most Valuable Player. However, Mahomes couldn’t finish the season with the Lombardi trophy.
In the following season, Mahomes was out for revenge and poised to bring Kansas City their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years. Mahomes’ top target, Tyreek Hill, went down week 1, but would return later in the season. Although Hill was out, Mahomes still ranked third in deep-ball completion at 48.5 percent. Even with Mahomes missing two weeks with a dislocated kneecap, he finished with phenomenal numbers. He threw for 4,031 yards along with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. Mahomes capped off his year coming back from large deficits in playoff games against the Texans, Titans and 49ers.
Honorable Mentions: Carson Wentz (PHI), Tom Brady (TB)
Featured Image Courtesy of Sports Raid
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