For a few years, the NFC was seen as the higher convention within the NFL. Now, the AFC has a stranglehold on that title.
Want proof to corroborate that assertion? Simply take a look at the quarterbacks that play within the convention.
The AFC is at present reaping the advantages of an inflow of younger, proficient quarterbacks which have joined the convention over the past five-plus years. Groups have hit on many first-round picks on the place, with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson standing out among the many finest.
Moreover, Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo are defecting from the NFC to the AFC to additional strengthen the convention’s quarterback depth.
In reality, it is arduous to search out many flaws in any respect among the many AFC’s top-10 quarterbacks. That may create lots of competitors throughout the convention and, as troublesome as it’s to consider, three of the top-10 quarterbacks is not going to make the playoffs. Meaning there will probably be a number of AFC fan bases sitting at house dissatisfied questioning what went incorrect for them in 2023.
All that is to say that the AFC is loaded at quarterback. That is established. However which groups have the very best signal-callers? The Sporting Information is rating the AFC’s prime passers from finest to worst. This is a take a look at which groups are finest arrange for present and future success.
MORE: Rating the NFC’s 16 QBs from finest to worst with out Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady
NFL quarterback rankings: Greatest to worst in AFC
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
It is not possible to argue towards Patrick Mahomes because the AFC’s finest quarterback. Irrespective of what number of new entrants there are to the talk, the very fact stays that Mahomes, 27, has received two Tremendous Bowls and two MVPs in his 5 years as a starter. He will be the most bodily proficient quarterback to ever play and is on monitor to have one of many best quarterback careers of all time.
In 2022, Mahomes received his second MVP after finishing 67.1 % of his passes for five,250 yards, 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He led the Chiefs to a 14-3 document — his fifth season with a minimum of 11 wins in 5 years as a starter — and received his second Tremendous Bowl.
Essentially the most spectacular a part of Mahomes feats in 2022? They had been completed with out Tyreek Hill at his disposal for the primary time. He continued to win regardless of a downgrade in weapons, so it will likely be thrilling to see if he can take one other leap ahead in 2023.
2. Joe Burrow, Bengals
There was a quick time throughout the 2022 NFL season when questions had been requested about whether or not Burrow was higher than Mahomes. This largely got here after the Bengals received for a 3rd consecutive time over Mahomes’ Chiefs inside a calendar yr, nevertheless it later quieted after Kansas Metropolis beat Cincinnati within the 2023 playoffs.
Nonetheless, there is not any doubting that Burrow is an elite quarterback. The Bengals starter completed fourth in MVP voting for the 2022 season and was named the Comeback Participant of the 12 months after his stellar efficiency coming off a torn ACL in 2021. He led the Bengals to the Tremendous Bowl in 2022 and has the very best completion proportion amongst certified quarterbacks in NFL historical past at 68.2 %.
Final season, Burrow led the Bengals to the AFC championship sport and accomplished 68.3 % of his passes for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions regardless of having one sport canceled because of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest.
Burrow remains to be simply 26 and has loads of room for development. Given the strides he has made in every of his three NFL seasons, it is thrilling to think about what he’ll be capable to do as he goes head-to-head with Mahomes over the following decade.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Steelers, Seahawks rise whereas Patriots, Raiders drop after 2023 draft; Ravens recuperate with Lamar Jackson
3. Josh Allen, Payments
You would actually make a case for Allen to be the No. 2 quarterback on this checklist forward of Burrow. The Payments’ starter was seen because the potential prime rival to Mahomes for a few years earlier than Burrow’s breakout with the Bengals and success towards the Chiefs.
Allen has a cannon of an arm and high-level mobility. He is among the many prime working quarterbacks within the AFC and has been the driving drive behind the Payments’ working sport in current season. He generated 762 dashing yards in 2022 and has recorded a minimum of six dashing touchdowns yearly since his rookie season in 2018.
Allen can be a wonderful passer who has develop into the poster youngster for enhancing accuracy on the NFL degree. His completion proportion peaked at 69.2 in 2020 however has since settled in at a strong 63.3 over the past two seasons. His one problem is with turnovers, as he has thrown 60 interceptions in his 5 NFL seasons and has a penchant for taking dangerous photographs downfield and ignoring checkdowns. That is still his greatest weak point up to now.
Even nonetheless, Allen’s expertise is simple and he successfully was the Payments’ total offense final season. He accounted for 4,283 yards, 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions by way of the air whereas including 762 yards and 7 scores on the bottom.
Like Burrow, he may have had higher numbers if the Payments-Bengals sport hadn’t been canceled; and like Mahomes, he has posted double-digit wins in every of his 4 full seasons as a starter. Now, he simply must get to a Tremendous Bowl to raised compete with Burrow for the No. 2 spot on this checklist.
4. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Some will argue that it is a bit excessive for Rodgers primarily based on his efficiency final season. Nonetheless, you will need to observe that earlier than the 2022 marketing campaign, he had received back-to-back MVP awards and has 4 whole in his profession. He additionally received Tremendous Bowl 45 and was MVP of that sport, so he has a greater pedigree than lots of the youthful quarterbacks on this checklist.
As talked about, Rodgers is coming off a down 2022 season. The Packers went simply 8-9 beneath his management and he accomplished simply 64.6 % of his passes for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
That mentioned, it is price noting that Rodgers handled a thumb damage to his throwing hand all through a lot of the season. He additionally was enjoying with out Davante Adams for the primary time since 2013 after the receiver’s offseason commerce to the Raiders, so his lack of confirmed receiving weapons actually harm him.
Rodgers is 39, so it’s truthful to wonder if a few of his lackluster efficiency from 2023 was as a consequence of age-related regression. Nonetheless, he’s a top-tier expertise and if wholesome may return to kind as one of many NFL’s higher quarterbacks. That enables him to beat among the convention’s younger lightning rods.
5. Justin Herbert, Chargers
Herbert might not have as robust a document as Burrow, his draft up to date, however his statistical output has been nearly nearly as good as that of the Bengals quarterback.
Herbert has made 49 common season begins since coming into the NFL and has averaged 4,888 yards, 33 touchdowns and 12 interceptions per 17 video games performed throughout his profession. He accomplished a career-high 68.2 % of his passes in 2022 and has by no means logged fewer than 4,336 passing yards in a single season.
Herbert has all of the instruments wanted in a franchise quarterback. He has a superb arm, strong accuracy and nice mobility that permits him to maneuver round within the backfield and make performs on the transfer. He has discovered success as a consequence of what has been, at occasions, shoddy offensive line play and at simply 25, his ceiling stays sky-high.
All that mentioned, Herbert has solely led the Chargers to the playoffs as soon as and has but to make them a win. He might want to earn a playoff victory quickly with a view to keep away from being written off as merely an awesome regular-season quarterback.
6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
You would make the case that Jackson must be greater on this checklist. In any case, he’s certainly one of simply three energetic AFC quarterbacks to have received MVP— he did so in 2019 — and he’s the very best working quarterback within the NFL.
So, what’s holding Jackson at No. 6 on this checklist? His problem is twofold.
First, Jackson has struggled to remain wholesome over the past couple of seasons. He has solely performed in 24 of 34 regular-season video games whereas coping with a plethora of accidents and he missed the group’s playoff loss to the Bengals in 2023 whereas nursing a knee damage. That drawback may proceed to comply with Jackson, as he does run so much and has a lighter body at 6-2, 212 kilos.
Second, Jackson’s accuracy has regressed since his MVP marketing campaign. He accomplished 66.1 % of his passes that season however was solely in a position to convert 62.3 % of his passes final season. Too, his interceptions proportion has risen from 1.6 % in his first two seasons to 2.7 % over his final three, so he’s extra liable to turnovers than he as soon as was.
Nonetheless, there isn’t a denying that the nonetheless 25-year-old Jackson is likely one of the most explosive quarterbacks within the league when he is wholesome. He has run for 1,000-plus yards twice in his profession and twice led the NFL in yards per carry. If he can keep wholesome and get his accuracy again to 2019 ranges, he will probably be within the MVP combine once more for positive.
However for now, Jackson in all probability belongs simply exterior of the top-five quarterbacks within the AFC.
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7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
It is arduous to rank Lawrence on this checklist after simply two seasons, however this appears to be the correct spot for him. He was dreadful throughout his rookie yr enjoying beneath City Meyer’s dysfunctional watch, however he made vital strides beneath Doug Pederson in 2022 that reminded everybody why he was the No. 1 decide within the 2022 NFL Draft.
Lawrence accomplished 66.3 % of his passes for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022. He was named to his first Professional Bowl, earned a top-10 MVP end and led the Jaguars to an AFC South title with a 9-8 document.
Lawrence is a dynamic quarterback who is a superb downfield passer and has the arm expertise wanted to make each throw on the NFL degree. He can throw strikes on deep passes however his contact passing is elite-tier contemplating that he is simply 23 years previous. That, plus his above-average athletic skill, ought to enable him to be a long-term starter within the NFL.
So, why is Lawrence solely No. 7 on this checklist? It is principally about his rookie season, throughout which he accomplished simply 59.6 % of his passes and threw a league-high 17 interceptions in comparison with simply 12 touchdowns.
Any quarterback would have struggled to search out success beneath Meyer, and Lawrence has confirmed that he can overcome it. Nonetheless, we’d like another nice yr from him to formally write off his rookie season as an aberration. At the moment, his pattern dimension is only a bit too small to put him over the likes of Jackson or Herbert.
8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Tagovailoa is one other quarterback that might be greater on this checklist. He has posted a 21-13 document as a starter and has confirmed to be an correct passer who has improved his landing whole in every of his three years within the NFL.
Tagovailoa would not have the largest arm, however he is ready to throw with wonderful ball placement. That was a part of what allowed him to publish a league-best 105.5 passer ranking in 2022. He distributed the ball successfully to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle whereas finishing 64.8 % of his passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The one factor that’s holding Tagovailoa again is his well being. He has by no means began greater than 13 video games in a single NFL season and has handled a wide-ranging number of points. That features a few concussions that had him mulling retirement throughout the 2023 NFL offseason regardless of being simply 25 years previous.
That mentioned, if Tagovailoa can keep away from hits and accidents, he can have an opportunity to rise on this checklist given his high-end accuracy and elite ball placement abilities. However the danger of one other damage sidelining him — or worse, ending his profession — drops him to the center of the pack in these stacked rankings.
9. Deshaun Watson, Browns
When you had been compiling this checklist after the 2020 NFL season, Watson can be a top-five look. At present, he is extra the convention’s common quarterback, however he has lots of upside.
Watson performed in six video games for the Browns final yr after a lay-off of practically two seasons whereas coping with a contract dispute with the Texans and authorized points stemming from 23 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct towards him. He posted a 3-3 document in these contests whereas finishing 58.2 % of his passes for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
On the floor, these numbers from Watson aren’t superb. That mentioned, he improved because the season went on, demonstrating that he was possible simply shaking off the rust as he returned to motion for the primary time since 2020. And through that season, he led the NFL in passing yards with 4,823 whereas finishing 70.2 % of his passes for 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Watson has a strong arm and is a pure thrower of the ball who, like Tagovailoa, has nice ball placement and infrequently misses his targets. Thus, he has the same ceiling to the Dolphins starter and will remind folks of his ceiling if he can keep on the sphere in what will probably be his age-28 season.
Watson is also artistic on the transfer and has made quite a few performs over time which have made NFL followers say, “How did he do this!?” Case and level, this insane play from his Texans days towards the Raiders.
.@DeshaunWatson is unbelievable. #WeAreTexans
📺: CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports activities app
Watch free on cellular: https://t.co/a16R5wPShJ pic.twitter.com/f2Fss30161
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2019
10. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders
Garoppolo might not be one of many higher quarterbacks within the AFC, however it will likely be very fascinating to see how he fares when reunited with Josh McDaniels. Garoppolo performed nicely in Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly offense, posting a document of 40-17 as a starter in San Francisco, nevertheless it stays to be seen if he’ll seamlessly slide again into McDaniels’ offense, which he labored in from 2014 to 2017 with the Patriots.
There’s purpose to consider that Garoppolo will do exactly fantastic in that function. He is not an explosive quarterback by any stretch, however he has all the time been an correct passer with good ball placement abilities. He has respectable mobility, although he is not a scrambler, and a adequate arm to be a high quality NFL starter.
Garoppolo is successfully a jack-of-all-trades at quarterback, however he would not have any elite traits. And the one downside with him is that he has been injury-prone throughout his profession, having performed only one full season in 2019.
Nonetheless, it is arduous to search out an excessive amount of to complain about with Garoppolo. He ought to maintain the Raiders’ offense useful in 2023; it is only a matter of whether or not he’ll actually be an improve over Derek Carr or if he’ll simply be a steady-handed presence who would not increase the ceiling.
MORE: 15 worst worth picks from the 2023 NFL Draft
11. Russell Wilson, Broncos
You would actually make the case for Wilson checking in decrease than this primarily based on his efficiency final yr. He seemed misplaced at time in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense and posted profession lows in completion proportion (60.5 %), passing touchdowns (16), passer ranking (84.4) and QBR (36.7) whereas guiding the Broncos to a disappointing 4-11 document in his 15 begins.
So, why is Wilson checking in at 11 total above some youthful quarterbacks with extra potential? It is as a result of he had a powerful decade-long profession with the Seahawks earlier than becoming a member of the Broncos. He has good mobility, escapability and is an effective downfield thrower of the ball. He might have been in a nasty scenario given how poorly Hackett coached in Denver and the way porous the blocking in entrance of him was (he was sacked a league-high 55 occasions in 15 video games).
Sean Payton ought to give Wilson an opportunity to rebound in what will probably be his age-35 season. Maybe the previous Saints coach will not be capable to sluggish Wilson’s regression and he’ll plummet to the underside of the AFC’s quarterback rankings after this yr.
That mentioned, his rebound potential is sufficient to maintain him in entrance of among the youthful, less-proven quarterbacks within the convention in the interim.
12. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
Tannehill is not more likely to excite many NFL followers when speaking about AFC quarterbacks, and there is a good likelihood that almost all followers would take any of the quarterbacks ranked under him in the event that they had been set to start out a franchise at this time.
Even so, Tannehill has confirmed to be an environment friendly, profitable quarterback throughout his time with the Titans. He hasn’t been explosive, however he has an excellent arm, is an correct passer and possesses sufficient mobility to maintain defenses sincere.
The problems with Tannehill are much like these of Garoppolo. He would not do something at a extremely excessive degree, so there are questions on simply how a lot he can increase the Titans’ ceiling. And definitely, he is not well worth the $36.6 million cap hit he’s set to have in 2023.
However nonetheless, the Titans may do worse than Tannehill. And whereas they’ve added Malik Willis and Will Levis within the final two drafts in an effort to interchange him, they need to nonetheless get respectable play out of the quarterback in his age-35 season.
13. C.J. Stroud, Texans
Stroud hasn’t performed a down within the NFL but, so it is troublesome to mission precisely the place he’ll land among the many AFC’s prime quarterbacks. He has the potential to in the future be close to the highest of the checklist because of his poise within the pocket, arm power and his mobility, for which he would not get sufficient credit score.
Stroud accomplished 66.3 % of his passes for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and simply six interceptions in his last season at Ohio State. He’ll want a little bit of time to regulate from Ryan Day’s quarterback-friendly offense to a pro-style NFL system, however he has all of the expertise wanted to become a high quality starter on the subsequent degree.
The Texans will in all probability give Stroud an opportunity to start out straight away and hope that he can present progress all through his rookie season. His ground could also be low for 2023, however his ceiling will stay excessive throughout that season and past.
14. Kenny Pickett, Steelers
Some is not going to be happy to see Pickett under Stroud on this checklist after the quarterback helped the Steelers earn a profitable document in a rebuilding yr. Whereas Pickett did publish a 7-5 document as a starter and generated some clutch, game-winning drives late within the season, he might want to proceed to point out development after a less-than-stellar begin to his rookie season.
In his first 5 video games (4 begins), Pickett accomplished a strong 67.9 % of his passes however solely turned them into 962 yards, two touchdowns and a whopping eight interceptions. These turnover points created consternation amongst Pittsburgh followers who wished to see Pickett throw with a bit extra drive as an alternative of attempting to make every of his tight-window passes a high quality contact cross.
Because the yr progressed, Pickett reduce down on his turnovers. He threw 5 touchdowns in comparison with one interception in his final eight begins however noticed his completion proportion dip to a decrease bar of 59.4 %. He’ll want to have the ability to mix his accuracy and skill to keep away from interceptions to search out high-level success on the NFL degree.
Nonetheless, there’s purpose to be inspired by Pickett’s development as a rookie. He appeared to enhance from week to week, generated some clutch, game-winning drives late within the season and showcased good mobility, racking up 237 dashing yards and three touchdowns.
15. Mac Jones, Patriots
Determining Jones’ placement on this checklist was troublesome. He did not play nicely in 2022, however he received completely zero help from his teaching workers, receivers and offensive line. Invoice Belichick’s resolution to make use of Matt Patricia and Joe Choose because the group’s prime offensive coordinators was disastrous, and that led Jones to get annoyed often with play-calling and execution.
In fact, not all of that was the teaching workers’s fault. Jones took extra dangers than wanted in 2022 and tossed 11 interceptions in 14 begins as he struggled to learn the sphere and diagnose coverages. If he cannot enhance in that space in 2023 beneath Invoice O’Brien, then it can develop into clear that he is not something greater than a median to below-average starter.
That mentioned, Jones posted a powerful rookie season with higher teaching beneath Josh McDaniels. He completed second in Rookie of the 12 months voting and helped the Patriots get to the playoffs with a 10-7 document. He showcased good accuracy, strong ball placement and sufficient traits to be a high quality starter at the same time as extra of a conventional pocket passer.
In some ways, Jones is the inverse of Trevor Lawrence. He is not as proficient because the Jaguars quarterback, however he began his profession nicely earlier than teaching capsized his second season. With higher teaching, Jones can transfer again into the Jimmy Garoppolo vary as a strong sport supervisor who could be a fantastic starter for a playoff group.
But when he plateaus after his regression, that may show that it was his rookie marketing campaign that was the aberration, not his second season.
16. Anthony Richardson, Colts
It is easy to get excited when Anthony Richardson’s ceiling. He is likely one of the most athletic quarterbacks ever to be drafted and has the arm power wanted to make any throw on the sphere.
Nonetheless, it’ll take the Florida product time to succeed in these unimaginable heights. Shane Steichen will be capable to develop him and hone his accuracy, however that course of will not happen in a single day. As such, he’ll possible endure rising pains throughout his rookie season that might make him look, at occasions, just like the worst quarterback within the AFC.
A couple of years from now although, Richardson may discover himself perched within the prime half of those rankings and evaluating favorably to the likes of Josh Allen and Justin Fields. However for now, he is all about potential; and given the confirmed passers which can be ample within the AFC, it is arduous to justify rating Richardson any greater than this.