Week 16 of the NFL season is in the books. Here are all 32 projected starting quarterbacks for Week 17 ranked worst to first.
Getty Image / Steph Chambers
The bottom tier of the league’s quarterbacks are as bad as I can ever remember. Meanwhile, at the top, it’s as strong as it has been in a decade. Here are all 32 projected starters for Week 17 ranked worst to first.
32. Drew Lock (New York Giants)
Last Week: 22/39, 56.4%, 210 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 68/129, 52.7%, 624 yds, 1 TD / 4 INT
Lock threw two pick-sixes on Sunday, though one was on a batted ball. Right now, he’s the worst starting quarterback in the league, and has no redeeming qualities as an NFL starting quarterback.
31. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Cleveland Browns)
Last Week: 20/34, 58.8%, 157 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 35/68, 51.5%, 257 yds, 0 TD / 5 INT
Dorian Thompson-Robinson continues to really struggle in the NFL. After two more interceptions on Sunday, he now has one touchdown and nine interceptions in his career.
30. Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints)
Last Week: 15/30, 50.0%, 153 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 84/150, 56.0%, 859 yds, 2 TD / 3 INT
Rattler is showing flashes with a depleted skill position group. But, right now, he’s below the level you want for a starting quarterback in the NFL.
29. Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)
Last Week: 7/11, 63.6%, 131 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 126/264, 47.7%, 1,814 yds, 8 TD / 12 INT
It’s not as if Richardson doesn’t have some elite tools and skills. But, the bad parts of his game, the subpar accuracy and horrific processing, are so bad that it overshadows the positives. The Colts had to run it 50 times against 11 passes to win on Sunday. That’s unsustainable.
28. Mason Rudolph (Tennessee Titans)
Last Week: 23/34, 67.6%, 252 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Season Stats: 120/188, 63.8%, 1,267 yds, 8 TD / 8 INT
Rudolph struggled taking care of the football on Sunday, an issue that has plagued both he and Will Levis for the Titans this year. At this point, he’s a career backup, and not much more
27. Mac Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Last Week: 25/39, 64.1%, 247 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 136/208, 65.4%, 1,273 yds, 5 TD / 7 INT
The Jaguars lost to the terrible Raiders, but Mac Jones played a solid football game. He’s regained a bit of footing in this latest stretch of filling in for Trevor Lawrence. At worst, he’s earned himself a roster spot somewhere next year.
26. Aidan O'Connell (Las Vegas Raiders)
Last Week: 24/38, 63.2%, 257 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 110/174, 63.2%, 1,156 yds, 4 TD / 3 INT
I’m not entirely convinced, given the weak quarterback class in the NFL Draft next April and the fact that the Raiders will no longer be picking first-overall, that Las Vegas shouldn’t head into next year with Aidan O’Connell as the starter.
25. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
Last Week: 18/27, 66.7%, 202 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 21/32, 65.6%, 240 yds, 0 TD / 1 INT
It was a solid, but not spectacular, debut on Sunday for the rookie. He did keep the Falcons ahead of the sticks, and his interception was absolutely not his fault. It was definitely something to build on as he helps the Falcons push for the playoffs.
24. Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets)
Last Week: 28/42, 66.7%, 256 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 333/530, 62.8%, 3,511 yds, 24 TD / 8 INT
The fact that it took Aaron Rodgers 42 attempts to throw for 256 yards against a suspect secondary tells you all you need to know about just how diminished of a player he is.
23. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)
Last Week: 26/40, 65.0%, 334 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 314/505, 62.2%, 3,271 yds, 19 TD / 5 INT
Once again, the Bears lost. Once again, it wasn’t Caleb Williams’ fault. Williams once again showed some big flashes against the Lions. The talent is clearly there, now they must hire the right head coach and offensive coordinator to nurture that talent.
22. Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)
Last Week: 17/26, 65.4%, 158 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 194/322, 60.2%, 1,949 yds, 10 TD / 9 INT
It was another solid outing for Young after a step back in Week 15. Obviously, Young has a ways to go to live up to his status as a number-one overall draft pick. But, the back-half of this season has been a huge step in that direction.
21. Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Last Week: 22/33, 66.7%, 217 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 174/268, 64.9%, 2,129 yds, 15 TD / 4 INT
Wilson’s terrible interception in the second half doomed Pittsburgh and may end up costing him the division. That being said, he has stabilized the quarterback position in Pittsburgh this year, even if he is limited.
20. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers)
Last Week: 26/40, 65.0%, 313 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 273/420, 65.0%, 3,487 yds, 17 TD / 10 INT
The biggest decision for any team this offseason may be what the 49ers decide to do with Brock Purdy. Personally, I’d be looking to see if a team is willing to give up a haul rather than the 49ers paying Brock Purdy $60 million.
19. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys)
Last Week: 26/35, 74.3%, 292 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 172/280, 61.4%, 1,697 yds, 11 TD / 3 INT
Cooper Rush is a free agent this offseason. Given the way he’s played, I would be a bit surprised if he doesn’t get a job as a bridge starting quarterback somewhere this offseason. He’s played really solid football for Dallas this year, given the circumstances.
18. Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks)
Last Week: 31/43, 72.1%, 314 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 370/528, 70.1%, 3,937 yds, 17 TD / 15 INT
Turnovers have really hurt Geno Smith, though many of them can be blamed on a really poor offensive line. Ultimately, the interceptions are costing Seattle games, and probably a playoff berth. That’s what happened on Sunday.
17. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
Last Week: 22/36, 61.1%, 261 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 213/315, 67.6%, 2,159 yds, 14 TD / 10 INT
If Drake Maye had any kind of support in New England, he would be getting a lot more praise in the national media. But, those who are watching the film understand just how good Drake Maye has been as a rookie. Out of all the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye has shown the most upside.
16. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)
Last Week: 29/40, 72.5%, 263 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 326/507, 64.3%, 3,235 yds, 22 TD / 11 INT
Nix played a solid game against Los Angeles in a loss on Thursday. But, his limitations as a downfield passer keep showing up. That’s something he needs to improve upon if he wants to eventually be considered as a great NFL quarterback.
15. Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)
Last Week: 20/32, 62.5%, 202 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 314/458, 68.6%, 3,288 yds, 16 TD / 9 INT
Murray certainly wasn’t the reason they lost to the Panthers to end their playoff hopes, as the offense put up 30 points. But, ultimately, you’d like to see him make a few more plays, given the fact that that’s a game against one of the leauge’s worst defenses.
14. CJ Stroud (Houston Texans)
Last Week: 23/39, 59.0%, 244 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 313/495, 63.2%, 3,492 yds, 19 TD / 11 INT
A once-loaded group of skill position players in Houston has been depleted throughout the year. But, that’s no excuse for some of the questionable decisions CJ is making. This year has been a step back for CJ Stroud.
13. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
Last Week: 22/34, 64.7%, 215 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 291/399, 72.9%, 2,867 yds, 19 TD / 7 INT
Tagovailoa rebounded from a rough Week 15 with a solid performance to keep Miami’s playoff hopes alive. At this point, it seems unlikely that he can make the jump into elite territory. That’s a frustrating place for the Miami Dolphins to be.
12. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Last Week: 1/4, 25.0%, 11 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 248/361, 68.7%, 2,903 yds, 18 TD / 5 INT
Hurts only drops in the rankings due to the fact that it’s unknown how good he will be this week coming off of a concussion in Week 16. That’s if he even plays, as he still needs to get through concussion protocol.
11. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
Last Week: 16/28, 57.1%, 182 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 242/383, 63.2%, 3,135 yds, 24 TD / 11 INT
You’d like to see that completion percentage start to tick up this time of the year. But, Love caught fire down the stretch last year, and he has been playing better ball of late this year too, even if the stat-line against the Saints doesn’t show it.
10. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)
Last Week: 24/39, 61.5%, 258 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 301/432, 69.7%, 3,303 yds, 22 TD / 8 INT
The two interceptions were bad. But, he showed a lot of poise and ability in the clutch leading the Commanders back against Philadelphia. After a midseason ribs injury, Daniels is starting to once again hurt teams with his legs.
9. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
Last Week: 14/19, 73.7%, 110 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 323/485, 66.6%, 3,573 yds, 20 TD / 8 INT
That’s a really strange stat-line for Matthew Stafford. But, he played a solid game, and his leadership skills and pre-snap ability is really helping the Rams run the ball.
8. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
Last Week: 23/31, 74.2%, 284 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 278/430, 64.7%, 3,243 yds, 18 TD / 3 INT
Justin Herbert has been sensational this year, despite a bottom-tier group of skill position players. He outplayed Bo Nix on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers are going to be top-tier contenders soon, and Herbert is a big reason why.
7. Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings)
Last Week: 22/35, 62.9%, 246 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 310/461, 67.2%, 3,776 yds, 32 TD / 11 INT
Unlike, the NBA, the NFL does not have a most-improved player award. If they did, Sam Darnold would be a runaway favorite. He’s going to get a huge contract this offseason, whether it’s in Minnesota or somewhere else. All of the traits that had him considered a future franchise quarterback coming out of USC have been on display.
6. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Last Week: 31/43, 72.1%, 303 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 359/506, 70.9%, 3,920 yds, 34 TD / 15 INT
Once again, Baker Mayfield’s teammates let him down in a loss for the Buccaneers. Mayfield continues to play outstanding football, and should’ve been an MVP candidate. Now, he needs help just to get into the playoffs.
5. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
Last Week: 28/41, 68.3%, 260 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 363/543, 66.9%, 3,608 yds, 23 TD / 11 INT
Mahomes and the passing offense are heating up, and Hollywood Brown’s team debut gave him yet another weapon. But, he needs to get better pass protection. What he’s doing despite the terrible pass protection shows just how good he is.
4. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
Last Week: 15/23, 65.2%, 207 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 290/427, 67.9%, 3,787 yds, 37 TD / 4 INT
Aside from a bad interception, Jackson lit up the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, it’s a performance that got him back in the the MVP race. Ultimately, a strong close is needed to win both the AFC North and get the MVP.
3. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)
Last Week: 23/32, 71.9%, 336 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 337/472, 71.4%, 4,095 yds, 33 TD / 10 INT
The Detroit defense has suffered a slew of injuries. But, it may not matter in the postseason if Goff keeps playing like this. He carved up a solid Chicago defense, getting a ton of different receivers involved. Only Joe Burrow has hurt defenses from the pocket more this season.
2. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
Last Week: 23/30, 76.7%, 252 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 384/557, 68.9%, 4,229 yds, 39 TD / 8 INT
There’s not much more to say about Joe Burrow that hasn’t already been said in this column in the past few weeks. if the Bengals had won a few more games, he would almost certainly be the MVP favorite.
1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
Last Week: 16/29, 55.2%, 154 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 291/456, 63.8%, 3,549 yds, 26 TD / 6 INT
Statistically, it was not Josh Allen’s best game on Sunday against the Patriots. But, he continues to be a solid MVP favorite, and has the best season of his career.