Pre-season starting QB rankings

By Matt Stuart | Published May 4, 2024 | No Comments

It’s time to take a look at where the starting quarterbacks shakeout as we get set to head into training camp and then eventually the start of the 2024 regular season. Just a couple quick things. First off rookies. Yes I know the hype train is rolling in Chicago, D.C., and New England. It should be. I expect that all three of those quaterbacks to eventually be better than the ones they are replacing. The key word there is eventually.

I cannot simply in good faith rank a player, let alone a QB, that has not taken a single snap in the NFL. I know they were studs in college, but if we just went by college results, Mac Jones would still have starting job and Tim Tebow would be going into the Hall of Fame. But of course neither of those things are true.

Just relax Bears, Commanders, Patriots, and Vikings fans. Once the season gets rolling I am sure that more than a couple of these rookies will be shooting up the rankings. Just remember I had Stroud ranked last in my pre-season rankings this time last season, and oh boy was that a career blunder.

So here we go.

Patrick Mahomes (KC) – He has guaranteed a three peat. I would not bet against him.
Josh Allen (BUF) – Like it or not Allen haters no other QB, other than Mahomes, has the tools to carry his team consistently year after year, even when that team is literally fighting against him.
Joe Burrow (CIN) – Injuries have slowed the Burrow train down a bit in Cincy, but I really like his chances for a very nice bounce back season.
Lamar Jackson (BAL) – Now that Jackson is a two time MVP, we really are just waiting for him to add a SB ring to his collection.
Jarred Goff (DET) – He may not exude the same hype and splash of the other big name QB’s in the league, but he came within an eyelash of getting another team to a Super Bowl. Not many QB’s can say that.
Dak Prescott (DAL) – Would Dallas really consider moving on from Dak after this season. I guess that depends. Like whether Prescott can finally make good on leading Dallas to a long playoff run.
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) – Tua has shown he can put up big numbers during the regular season. Now he needs to show he can do it in the playoffs.
Brock Purdy (S.F.) – Mr. Irrelevant no more. Now the entire NFC is gunning for the once QB afterthought.
Justin Herbert (LAC) – New coach, new weapons, new era. Now it’s time for Herbert to make good on all that overflowing potential.
C.J. Stroud (HOU) – Can Stroud take the next step after a historic rookie season. If he can, and does, a Super Bowl appearance is not out of the question.
Jalen Hurts (PHI) – The Eagles faded down the stretch last season. Some have suggested that their QB has started to fade a bit. I like the odds of Hurts turning that talking point around.
Jordan Love (G.B.) – Love could easily be a top five QB once this season ends. With early career playoff success under his belt, expect Love to only get better this season.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX) – Lawrence is all that is left of the 2021 QB class. After a shaky 2023 season, he has to hope that he can continue to be the last QB standing.
Kirk Cousins (ATL) – No pressure Kirk. Forget about that hot rookie that will be looking over your shoulder. You’re still the man in Atlanta. I mean. I guess.
Baker Mayfield (T.B.) – Mayfield led the Bucs to a playoff win last season. Can he finally make good on his top draft status and become the longterm franchise QB in Tampa. We shall see.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ) – I know this feels kinda low for the four time MVP. But we haven’t seen him play much since he left Green Bay two seasons ago. Is he really ready to lead the Jets to the promise land. If he is and does, then I expect him to shoot up the ranking in no time flat.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) – It seems like the sun is starting to set a bit on Stafford career. Does he have one more great season left in him.
Deshaun Watson (CLE) – The Watson trade was suppose to put the Browns over the top, so far the QB they traded away to Tampa seems further along than Watson.
Geno Smith (SEA) – Smith has revitalized his career in Seattle. But he now has a new coach and new expectations. How he responds will be key in how much longer he is the starter in Seattle.
Kyler Murray (ARZ) – Another QB that is probably a bit low on this list. Same reasons as Rodgers, he just hasn’t played a lot lately. If he plays well and forms quick chemistry with rookie wide out Marvin Harrison Jr., I expect that he will rise quickly up these rankings.
Russel Willson (PIT) – Wilson has regressed sharply since leaving Seattle. Now he finds himself in Pittsburgh where this could conceivably be his last chance and last stop.
Derek Carr (N.O.) – Carr’s first season in the big easy was anything but. Carr probably has just one more year to show the Saints that he is worth keeping around.
Daniel Jones (NYG) – Some were surprised that the Giants did not trade up in the draft and take a QB. Instead the Giants seem committed to Jones. The question is, for how much longer.
Anthony Richardson (IND) – It’s hard to rank Richardson honestly given how his season was cut short after just four games last season. Richardson still has a lot to prove and the Colts have to hope that he can hit the ground running and make up for all that time lost.
Will Levis (TEN) – Tennessee added a big body in the draft in the hopes of protecting their second year QB Will Levis. I think that will be the key in Levis developing into a true franchise QB.
Bryce Young (CAR) – Can Young shake off a horrendous rookie season and make good on all that the Panthers gave up to draft him number one overall in the 2023 NFL draft. If he doesn’t, Carolina will likely have the number one pick again next year, but this time it won’t belong to the Bears.
Aidan O’Connell (L.V.) – The Raiders did not take a QB in this years draft, so it looks like there could be true open competition during training camp, though the feeling is that O’Connell has a leg up to be the starter.