This is not a news flash but everything in the NFL revolves around the quarterback position. Right now we are in the midst of one of the most consequential shifts of the quarterback hierarchy that we've seen in a decade.
Not only are older quarterbacks nearing their end but previously highly regarded younger quarterbacks are crashing back down to earth at an alarming rate. Meanwhile a select few QB's are defying that trend and establishing themselves as future torch bearers.
That brings us to Kyler Murray. A year ago, Kyler's arrow was pointing straight up. Where is he now? Who has leapfrogged him? Who is he jockeying for position against? Who does he still have a comfortable lead on?
Whether its Michael Bidwill, Steve Keim or Kliff Kingsbury every Cardinals offseason storyline starts with Kyler Murray. Depending on what you believe he is as a quarterback now and what he can be in the future after three years in the league is the only narrative that matters for the Cardinals franchise.
So, let's rank NFL QB's now and get a baseline for our Kyler conversations going forward.
The only rules for this exercise is this list is based on the 2022 season going forward. Pretend Roger Goodell called for a QB purge and all 32 teams were drafting starting QB's for next year and beyond, what order would you draft those QB's? Here's what my list looks like:
- Patrick Mahomes - Even if Jackson is coming along.
- Josh Allen - The Wild Stallion has made the full turn to blue ribbon Show Pony
- Aaron Rodgers - Would you really want to be the GM who passed on 3 years of Aaron Rodgers?
- Tom Brady - For even a single season, TB12 can transform you franchise.
- Joe Burrow - Joey Jackpot is pure gold.
- Justin Herbert - Somewhere, some GM probably takes his 1st.
- Matthew Stafford - Older than you think but probably better than we thought.
- Russell Wilson - Was a Top 5 lock until the last 18 months where he's been not very good, to be kind.
- Kyler Murray - Plenty of questions about his leadership and maturity but the physical skills are undeniable.
- Dak Prescott - I'd prefer Kyler's age and skill to Dak's regular season production.
- Jimmy Garoppolo - Jimmy G can't carry a team but he won't bury one either.
- Lamar Jackson - Its a make or break year for Lamar who could be at the top or bottom of this list in 2023.
- Derek Carr - He's like a rich man's Kirk Cousins, for now.
- Mac Jones - Its impossible to separate the player from the coach after only 1 year.
- Kirk Cousins - A younger version of Matt Ryan.
- Matt Ryan - An older version of Kirk Cousins.
- Ryan Tannehill - His playoff performance this year put to bed any talk of being underrated.
- Trevor Lawrence - A disastrous rookie year that many would be willing to overlook for the remaining upside.
- Justin Fields - I think?
- Baker Mayfield - His nickname should be "crypto" for how quickly his value rises and falls.
- Jalen Hurts - The Eagles believe in him, would anyone else?
- Carson Wentz - Can you believe we all thought he was good like three years ago?
- Jared Goff - Obligatory Super Bowl mention here.
- Zach Wilson - Listen, I'm just putting him here because he exists. No one knows.
- Tua Tagovailoa - He'll be a starter long enough for everyone to learn how to spell his name and then vanish.
- Davis Mills - Davis Mills probably goes higher than Tua but I'm not ready to live in that world quite yet.
- Taylor Heinicke - He's not Sam Darnold.
- Taysom Hill - He's not Daniel Jones.
- Pittsburgh QB - Generic, computer generated QB is better than what's below.
- Denver QB - Ditto.
- Sam Darnold - He is Sam Darnold.
- Daniel Jones - Actually Daniel Jones.