PFF Ranks Starting QB’s Ahead of 2021 Season

CowboysFaninHouston

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I think Stafford is the most penalized QB as far as franchise hijinks in nfl history. His team sucks every single year, but he’s been historically good and no one has really noticed



What’s most impressive about Stafford is he got way better after Calvin Johnson retired. His interceptions went way down, his completion percentage went up by a considerable amount, and his yards per attempt even went up... which shouldn’t make any else. I think CJ was a crutch he learned to overcome.

He hasn’t thrown more than 13 picks in 7 years, despite being in an offense that has never been able to run the football. He’s top 10 all time in both Game Winning Drives and fourth quarter comebacks (seriously). It’s Manning, it’s Brady, it’s Brees, it’s Roethlisberger, it’s Marino, it’s Unitas? It’s Elway, and it’s Stafford.

Detroit did to him what they did to Barry; and I think in LA he’s going to light up the league.

The most impressive thing to do in the nfl to me is not to take a stacked roster and excel with it, it’s to take a terrible one and do something worth championing about.

so I will use the same analogy...all of this hasn't amounted to a hill of beans. his record against teams with a winning record is 7-58. he has been in the league for 12 years. most of his stats and yards come late in games when they are so furiously are trying to make a comeback.
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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so I will use the same analogy...all of this hasn't amounted to a hill of beans. his record against teams with a winning record is 7-58. he has been in the league for 12 years. most of his stats and yards come late in games when they are so furiously are trying to make a comeback.

I wonder what would happen if he finally had a defense that helped not be so furiously trying to make a comeback
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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I wonder what would happen if he finally had a defense that helped not be so furiously trying to make a comeback
detroit in 2018 was a top 10 defense - they went 6-10
, 2016 was middle of the pack (similar to cowboys) - their record was 9-7
, 2015 middle of the pack (similar to cowboys), they were 7-9
2014 they were #2 defense their record was 11-5
2013 middle of the pack, 2012 #13 ranked.. they went 7-9

so it doesn't look like the cupboard has been empty for stafford....his record has been pretty dismal even with middle of the pack defenses....the one year their defense was #2 and the team went 11-5...

so perception is not reality as you can see
 

OmerV

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I think Lamar should get a little more credit for how recent the MVP was, and its not like he had a bad year last year... but Matthew Stafford is woefully disrespected on this.

Those two ahead of Dak, otherwise it's a good rating. He's top 10
I don't disagree with Jackson, but I don't see any compelling reason to put Stafford ahead of Dak. The perspective could change on Stafford after a year with the Rams, but that's a discussion for next year.
 

OmerV

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The majority of GMs would take Watson.
Maybe a year ago. Not now

OIP.s1VGjDwsRgJRvRw_zcEeMgHaJP
 

Miller

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well, we have to see the scores at the end of 3rd quarter, end of game and score with about 7.5 (1/2 of 4th quarter)...that will tell you if its garbage yards or not.

if you go 4-12, you are partially responsible for that record....

That is just a ridiculous premise that makes no sense. Garbage numbers usually include interceptions, inaccuracy and basically filler yards where you are throwing 50 times a game. His were nothing like that. What responsibility would he take from this? I will listen to his career arguments but this ratings plus TD/Int ratio are insane and it’s worth reposting

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...d-deshaun-watson-had-an-unprecedented-season/

Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have finished a season with more than 4,500 passing yards, more than 30 touchdowns, fewer than 10 interceptions and an average of more than 8.5 yards per pass. Those quarterbacks were:


Peyton Manning in 2004, when the Colts went 12-4.

Aaron Rodgers in 2011, when the Packers went 15-1.

Matt Ryan in 2016, when the Falcons went 11-5.

And Deshaun Watson in 2020, when the Texans went 4-12.

Watson’s performance this season was unprecedented, because ordinarily when a quarterback is playing at an MVP level, his teamis winning. Watson had his great season on one of the worst teams in the NFL.

The Texans lost eight games this season in which DeshaunWatson threw 25 or more passes and had a passer rating over 100. Never before in NFL history had a quarterback lost more thanfive such games in a season.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/n...-the-nfls-best-quarterback-in-2020-pff-argues


According to Pro Football Focus, Watson took his game to the next level in 2020. His regular-season passing grade of 92.5 was the 19th-best regular-season grade recorded since 2006, when PFF began keeping complete statistical data for the league.

To put that in perspective, anything above a grade of 90.0 is considered historically great.

Watson is one of just 29 quarterbacks to finish a regular season with at least a 90.0 passing grade, and the other 28 all started under center for franchises that ended the season .500 or above. That makes Watson's feat for the 4-12 Texans even more impressive.

With a lack of support from the defense and run game and few offensive weapons, PFF argues that Watson was the league's best QB in 2020, finishing with the best single-seasonperformance by a QB in the past 15 years.
 

DFWJC

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stafford is the most over rated #1 pick of all time. he has horrible horrible record, including one of the worst against teams with a winning record. he has terrible playoff record. and yes, some years they had a bad team but most years they didn't. he does throw a very pretty spiral though.

.............

You should lose your football dialog privileges for....let's say....30 days.
Plus get a noogie on your head.

:muttley::dance:

But at least I now know that QBs play golf and tennis--one on one--not football with 44 other teammates.
Got it.
:thumbup:
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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That is just a ridiculous premise that makes no sense. Garbage numbers usually include interceptions, inaccuracy and basically filler yards where you are throwing 50 times a game. His were nothing like that. What responsibility would he take from this? I will listen to his career arguments but this ratings plus TD/Int ratio are insane and it’s worth reposting

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...d-deshaun-watson-had-an-unprecedented-season/

Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have finished a season with more than 4,500 passing yards, more than 30 touchdowns, fewer than 10 interceptions and an average of more than 8.5 yards per pass. Those quarterbacks were:


Peyton Manning in 2004, when the Colts went 12-4.

Aaron Rodgers in 2011, when the Packers went 15-1.

Matt Ryan in 2016, when the Falcons went 11-5.

And Deshaun Watson in 2020, when the Texans went 4-12.

Watson’s performance this season was unprecedented, because ordinarily when a quarterback is playing at an MVP level, his teamis winning. Watson had his great season on one of the worst teams in the NFL.

The Texans lost eight games this season in which DeshaunWatson threw 25 or more passes and had a passer rating over 100. Never before in NFL history had a quarterback lost more thanfive such games in a season.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/n...-the-nfls-best-quarterback-in-2020-pff-argues


According to Pro Football Focus, Watson took his game to the next level in 2020. His regular-season passing grade of 92.5 was the 19th-best regular-season grade recorded since 2006, when PFF began keeping complete statistical data for the league.

To put that in perspective, anything above a grade of 90.0 is considered historically great.

Watson is one of just 29 quarterbacks to finish a regular season with at least a 90.0 passing grade, and the other 28 all started under center for franchises that ended the season .500 or above. That makes Watson's feat for the 4-12 Texans even more impressive.

With a lack of support from the defense and run game and few offensive weapons, PFF argues that Watson was the league's best QB in 2020, finishing with the best single-seasonperformance by a QB in the past 15 years.
interesting that of those above Watson was the only one that went 4-12.....
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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You should lose your football dialog privileges for....let's say....30 days.
Plus get a noogie on your head.

:muttley::dance:

But at least I now know that QBs play golf and tennis--one on one--not football with 44 other teammates.
Got it.
:thumbup:
oh wait...when dallas loses, then all the dak detractors and haters are pointing fingers...and when we win, its the OL, zeke, WRs, Jason Witten, and the fans in section 403 row D, the angle of the son, etc...

stafford's record against winning teams is 7-58....like I said, the most over rated QB in the NFL.....

apprantley not many think he was any good including 50 FO personnel who may know a thing or two about football that didn't think he was a top 10 QB...but go ahead have your man crush on Stafford...like I said, he throws a really pretty spiral
 

waving monkey

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https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-all-32-starters-ahead-of-the-2021-nfl-season

:popcorn:


Top 10:

1. PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The 25-year-old prodigy is PFF’s highest-graded quarterback over the past three seasons. With an MVP award and a Super Bowl ring already in hand, Mahomes is already rewriting the record books. And head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs have done a phenomenal job this offseason of trying to shore up an offensive line that held the team back in Super Bowl 55.

Mahomes tends to get sloppy at times while drifting back in the pocket, putting pressure on his tackles, so the offensive line isn't the only culprit. The signal-caller finished second in big-time throws (50) but also ended the year in the top three in turnover-worthy plays (23). Mahomes features playmaking ability not only from the pocket but also when extending plays with his arm and legs. That makes him the biggest threat in the NFL.

2. TOM BRADY, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Brady capped an incredible 2020 season with his seventh Super Bowl win, and his overall performance was the catalyst for elevating the Bucs to their second championship in franchise history. Not only did he accomplish that after changing teams, but he endured a reduced offseason while having to learn a whole new offense, which makes it that much more remarkable.

He ranked second in passing yards on 20-plus-yard throws during the regular season while taking care of the ball better than any Bruce Arians quarterback since 2006. Not to mention, Tampa Bay has re-signed every significant player from last year. Brady will be more familiar and comfortable in the Arians passing attack with even more supporting cast continuity from last year.

3. AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS
The biggest question entering the season will be whether Rodgers is wearing a Packers jersey at all. He led the league in overall passing grade (94.7) and passing grade on 20-plus-yard throws (99.5) in 2020 en route to taking home the MVP award.

Rodgers is a stud, playing with timing and rhythm we haven’t seen from him in years. His average time to throw was his lowest in over a decade. The most impressive thing about Rodgers in 2020 was his patience with the offense and ability to let it work for him. He managed to stay on course and operate the attack while sprinkling in his playmaking ability. There is no doubt Green Bay is primed for a Super Bowl run, but that all depends on if the team can smooth over relations with Rodgers.

4. RUSSELL WILSON, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Wilson started the season on fire as the front-runner for the MVP title over the first eight games of the year, as he was PFF's top-ranked quarterback in overall grade (93.3). The wheels soon fell off, though, with Wilson taking the most sacks in the NFL through the second half of the season.

He has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league for a long time and appears primed to bounce back from last year, particularly after the offseason drama of him wanting to be traded. He wants his value to continue to rise, and that it will. Over the past five years, Wilson has dominated the NFL to the tune of the most big-time throws (214) while tying Rodgers and Brady for the best passing grade on 20-plus-yard throws (99.9).


5. DESHAUN WATSON, HOUSTON TEXANS
Surrounded by the league’s second-least efficient running game and second-least efficient overall defense last season, Watson was arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. Couple that with the Texans trading away his top-five receiver and firing his head coach, and Watson clearly put the team on his back.

The most impressive thing about his 2020 campaign was how rarely he made mistakes in structure and how consistently he created positive plays out of structure. He played well from a clean pocket and under pressure while also taking care of the football. Watson had 42 big-time throws to only 14 turnover-worthy plays after making 27 turnover-worthy plays in 2019.

6. JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS
Josh Allen improved more in 2020 than any quarterback in recent years. The Bills have done a phenomenal job building around him on his rookie contract and also scheming the offense to fit his strengths.

Allen led the league in play-action passing attempts last season, throwing 17 touchdowns to only three interceptions. His accuracy stuck out, too. He finished with a 79.1% adjusted completion rate — the sixth-best mark in the league — after ranking in the 30s last year. The only concern with Allen’s game now is his ability to protect the football. He had the second most turnover-worthy plays (23), trailing only Carson Wentz during the regular season.

7. DAK PRESCOTT, DALLAS COWBOYS
Dak is back. Prescott was on pace for the best season of his career before going down to a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5 last year. For the second straight season, the Cowboys' offense was moving the ball effectively through the air. But will the unit pick up where it left off before Prescott got injured?

Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Prescott are going on seven years together — two as a player and the rest as a coach. They know what each other likes and how to make this offense roll. In Prescott’s four full NFL seasons, he’s had two top-10 finishes in PFF grade but also two finishes closer to the 20s. With Dallas' bevy of playmakers on the outside, I would expect this offense to again find its footing once Prescott dusts off the cobwebs.

8. LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Regression is likely when coming off an MVP campaign, and we saw that from Jackson. The Ravens' offense was less effective in the run game and the offensive line struggled at times this past season.

Still, Jackson continued to prove he is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL, if not the most. If the Ravens can help him out with a more efficient and effective pass game tied into their run concepts, then I would expect Jackson to get back to MVP form. Baltimore has a tough schedule ahead compared to last year, so Jackson will have to shoulder the load to prove he can take the Ravens back to the promised land.

9. MATT RYAN, ATLANTA FALCONS
Matt Ryan teaming up with new head coach Arthur Smith could be a good look. The play-action pass game could elevate Ryan’s performance back to the days when he was with Kyle Shanahan or at least back to consistent play on a week-to-week basis.

The addition of Kyle Pitts will be a matchup nightmare for defenses, too. Ryan is a top-10 quarterback, and the Falcons' 2021 schedule could allow them to get back to competing sooner than some may think. It will be up to Ryan to be as productive as Ryan Tannehill was in this offense, if not more.

10. BAKER MAYFIELD, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Give Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski a ton of credit for how he helped set up his quarterback for success. The Browns protected Mayfield early in the season, but when Stefanski opened up the playbook, Baker excelled. He was the second-highest-graded quarterback in the league from Week 7 through the playoffs. He also ranked in the top five from a clean pocket, on standard dropbacks and on early downs for the entire season — all of which are important and stable metrics.

Considering the offensive weapons Mayfield has around him and his offensive line's league-leading 84.4 pass-blocking grade last year, expect him to pick up where he left off for the 2021 season.
I think this is fair. The view of Dak has changed around the league.
 

TheMarathonContinues

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The love fest of Watson is a mind twister to me. That guy is not the 5th best QB in football. Better than Allen??? Not a single GM in the league would choose Watson over Josh Allen.
I don't know about that. Watson is a better passer than Josh Allen. Now if we want to take the potential off the field stuff into effect then yeah I don't see anyone taking Watson over him.
 

DFWJC

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oh wait...when dallas loses, then all the dak detractors and haters are pointing fingers...and when we win, its the OL, zeke, WRs, Jason Witten, and the fans in section 403 row D, the angle of the son, etc...

stafford's record against winning teams is 7-58....like I said, the most over rated QB in the NFL.....
Not me.
I'm not a Dak detractor.

This reply was about Stafford and I'm telling you he has mostly played on very crappy teams and he is very, very good.
And if anything, he has been underrated over his career.
Now, he is a bit older now, but I still expect him to be very good this year...

We for sure will have to agree to disagree on this one.....which is fine.
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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Not me.
I'm not a Dak detractor.

This reply was about Stafford and I'm telling you he has mostly played on very crappy teams and he is very, very good.
And if anything, he has been underrated over his career.
Now, he is a bit older now, but I still expect him to be very good this year...

We for sure will have to agree to disagree on this one.....which is fine.
and I am telling you stafford is one of the most over rated players in the NFL....he had some good players and good teams around him and he always folded in the big moment and couldn't get it done....he had decent defenses around him and his best year was when their defense was #2 and he went 11-5....so IMO, he is over rated. he has never got it done...but like I said, he throws a pretty spiral...
 

DFWJC

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and I am telling you stafford is one of the most over rated players in the NFL....he had some good players and good teams around him and he always folded in the big moment and couldn't get it done....he had decent defenses around him and his best year was when their defense was #2 and he went 11-5....so IMO, he is over rated. he has never got it done...but like I said, he throws a pretty spiral...
Like I said, agree to disagree.

There is no gap to fill between two views this far apart.

Reminds me of when Nick Wright on ESPN was saying last pre-season that Brady was the worst QB in the NFC South--including Bridgwater--and that the Bucs would not make the playoffs.

Can't even really discuss a topic when views are that far apart.
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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detroit in 2018 was a top 10 defense - they went 6-10
, 2016 was middle of the pack (similar to cowboys) - their record was 9-7
, 2015 middle of the pack (similar to cowboys), they were 7-9
2014 they were #2 defense their record was 11-5
2013 middle of the pack, 2012 #13 ranked.. they went 7-9

so it doesn't look like the cupboard has been empty for stafford....his record has been pretty dismal even with middle of the pack defenses....the one year their defense was #2 and the team went 11-5...

so perception is not reality as you can see

Did you know that between 1986 and 1991 Dan Marino won 10 games a total of... 1 time? And he only missed 4 games in that stretch so that wasnt the reason. His team's lone playoff appearance in that time was that 10+ win season. So why is Marino seen as this passing savant when he had good defenses in that stretch, he had good receivers, decent O-lines? We'll get to that in a second.

Firstly, 2018. Yardage-wise, they were top 10. But that's misleading, teams don't need to run up and down the field when they can abuse your defense early to big leads. Detroit was 17th in points allowed, that's a major disconnect from yardage. Secondly, that year they had major O-line problems. In the super bowl, when Mahome's line was down with injuries, and his team only scored nine points, does that mean Mahomes is no longer great? only 9 points. TB D is good, but it's not THAT good. Oline means something to Mahomes and it means something to stafford, as per PFF:


What had the makings of a promising offensive line fell apart fairly quickly in Detroit. T.J. Lang only managed 282 snaps before ending up on IR, while Frank Ragnow was all over the map as a rookie. The Lions' first-rounder ended up with the 10th most pressures allowed of any guard.

Then that corresponds with Detroit having the 23rd rushing attack in the NFL. You cannot simply say "If he has a defense, a QB must bring a team to the playoffs". Maybe that's the case for Mahomes, for Brady, but no one is campaigning to put them in that league. Oline mattters. Run game to take pressure off the QB matters.

Now back to Marino. Why is it the later 80's, early 90's he was putting up stats, his teams were pretty good, but his record didn't reflect that? Because he was unlucky enough to be in the division of another hall of famer, who had one of the most stacked rosters in NFL history.

In 2018, the lions went 0-4 against the NFCCG Minnesota Vikings and the 12-4 Bears who had one of the best defenses seasons we saw in the last decade. Then add in Aaron Rogers has been in Matt's division every year of his career.

What if we lived in a world where Aaron Rodgers didn't exist? The Packers were bad and Matt had 2 more wins every year? Suddenly all his 9-7's and 8-8's are 11-5's and 10-6's and he's the NFC North darling... there's no doubt in my mind you'd think of him different if he's making then playoffs perennial under that hypothesis. Context matters tremendously. In LA he'll have a good line, the best D in the league, and a real receiver corps that isn't touting Golden Tate of all people as the hero of Detroit.
 

Miller

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interesting that of those above Watson was the only one that went 4-12.....

You are completely ignoring everything but that. It’s strange. It’s a historical season where the guy had a horrible team yet still put up record numbers that weren’t trash. You’ve been ignoring facts and throwing this rubbish around here any chance you get. It actually helps Daks argument. You trying to diminish it is laughable if you objectively read the articles
 
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