Ranking all 16 NFC QBs: Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott lead East to Top of 2023 List

What better way to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft than by ranking the NFC quarterbacks!

It wasn’t a glorious job, but someone had to do it. And it was fun to put this ranked list together. This is of course pre 2023 NFL Draft, and so I expect things to change by the end of Saturday, when I’ll update this list.

I also added how strongly I think each QB will finish the season as the starter. This doesn’t include their injury potential.

The methodology I used was their previous stats over the last 3 years, with the most recent year having the largest impact. I also considered their potential trajectory for the upcoming NFL season and any adjustments the teams have made, good or bad.

Finally, I asked myself, “Who would you rather have on your team?”

When all the dust settled, this was my list. Read it and weep.

1st | Jalen Hurts | Phillysucks Sh!tgles
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

Jalen Hurts finished 10th in yards passing yards (3,701) and 3rd in average yards per attempt (8.0). Hurts also rushed for 760 yards with a 4.6 average and added 13 touchdowns. Add that to his 22 passing touchdowns, and the Sh!tgles QB tallied a hefty 35 tuddies in the 2022 regular season. Hurts finished the year with 43 total touchdowns (including the playoffs… PLAYOFFS?!) en route to leading his team on a journey to play for the Lombardi.

Alas, and thankful to all the holy Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses, they lost.

2nd | Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

I really wanted to put Dak in first, which is why I went into the stats of Jalen Hurts. The fact is, Dak had interception issues last season, and this really hurt his perception. A lot of questions are surrounding his erroneous throws, and Cowboys Nation wonders if, and hopes that, he has a bounce back season in 2023. This rating is based off of Dak Prescott's potential. Cut his 15 interceptions in half and his numbers look a lot better. But, do that with any QB and you can say the same thing. Fair enough.

Dak is now the longest serving starting QB on the same team, replacing Aaron Rodgers since being shipped to the Jets in the AFC. He has a new toy to play with in Brandin Cooks, and depending how the NFL Draft goes, he could have another game changing weapon or two joining him on offensive snaps.

Here’s the reality—we know what Dak can do, and if he does a lot of it consistently, he's gonna show everyone why he's worth the money.

3rd | Justin Fields | Chicago Bears
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

There's a chance that Justin Fields is the best QB in the NFL by the end of the 2023 season.

This is mostly due to Fields INSANE 7.1 yards average on the ground, totalling 1,143 yards in 2022. That was good enough for 7th best rusher in the league, ahead of CMC, Aaron Jones, and Jamaal Williams!

The big knock on Fields is his ability to throw the ball. He had a 17-11 TD-INT ratio last season and had a pretty average 7.1 passing yards per attempt. That's very "middle of the QB pack" for a position that requires the player to throw the damn ball.

However, with the arrival of DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, and Robert Tonyan, and a healthy Darnell Mooney, Justin Fields should benefit from the upgrades at the receiver position in Chicago.

4th | Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

Stafford is an above average quarterback. He had a regrettable year last year before getting injured, but historically, Matthew Stafford is a QB a bunch of NFL teams would swap with their current passer.

The Rams also traded away Allen Robinson to the Steelers, which could be considered a downgrade as the next player up on the depth chart is Ben Skowronek. Who? Yea, exactly.

So, this could be a peak for Stafford; if he doesn't turn around his interceptions, might be looking for a new team in 2024.

With that in mind, I still would want him above the rest of the list.

5th | Jared Goff | Detroit Lions
Finish Season As Starter: High

The Lions really should draft a quarterback if Will Levis makes it to the 6th overall pick. If that doesn’t happen, Detriot can feel pretty comfortable with Jared Goff throwing the pigskin.

Detroit has four picks in the first two rounds (6th, 18th, 48th, and 55th). That’s a lot of ammo and could go two ways. Draft a franchise QB if you see one within grasp, or build around the current pillars in place.

I’m not saying Levis would be an automatic upgrade. Goff had over 4,400 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions in 2022. He has averaged 7.4 yards per attempt in his career and is only 28 years old. So there isn’t a dire need to draft now. But, Levis would add some competition and potentially take over as starter by the end of the season if things go sideways for Goff. So, I think it’s an interesting thought.

The reality is, Jared Goff is around through 2024 for roughly $31M a season and the Lions could draft a bunch of week one starters to help improve the weaker aspects of their team. There’s really nothing to complain about after all that is said and done, except Goff’s name sucks and his first season in Motor City was a shit show.

Here’s to trending up!

6th | Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

I just really don't like Kyler Murray. I also don't think his body size will allow him to have longevity success in the NFL.

Murray has had some electric moments in the big league. Highlight reel stuff. But he's thrown a lot of interceptions and was on pace for 12 in 2022 had he finished the regular season without an injury.

Here's the other thing; Murray can rush the ball. He’s averaged 5.8 yards over his four-year NFL career. That’s good. But what’s not good is that he's dropped from 11 rushing TD's in 2020, down to 5 in 2021, and only 3 in 2022. That’s bad. Mind you, the injuries cut his efforts short. But defenses know what to expect from Kyler when the Cardinals get into the red zone; he’s probably going to run.

Murray's saving grace is that he can throw the ball, averaging over 240 yards per game and 7 yards per attempt in his career, even if his accuracy is questionable. That, and his theoretical ability for big plays.

Hey, at least it’s average!

7th | Derek Carr | New Orleans Saints
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

A new home for Derek Carr has been a long time coming. After spending 9 seasons trying to get something going for the Raiders, and seemingly plateauing with what he could muster in Oakland and Las Vegas, Carr has landed in New Orleans!

Carr has been playing the best football of his career, arguably, over the last 4 seasons. But he has been on a steady decline since 2020. That includes a season throwing to the consensus top wide out in the league, Davante Adams.

Take that for what you will, a new environment can be rejuvenating. And it doesn't hurt that Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are on rookie contracts and get to learn from a fading star in Michael Thomas.

Don't be surprised if Carr ends up turning around that declining trend.

8th | Geno Smith | Seattle Seahawks
Finish Season As Starter: Sky High

I like Geno Smith. He's had a rough career.

Smith struggled with the Jets as a young quarterback, got benched, and then was injured in the 2015 preseason over a $600 unpaid debt. Smith's final season with the Jets in 2016 ended with a torn ACL. After that, Geno bounced from the Giants to Charges before finally landing in Seattle in 2019.

It took a while, but Smith finally took advantage of his chance after Russell Wilson was traded to Denver in the 2022 off season and Geno ended up winning Comeback Player of the Year as Seattle’s starting QB. Smith played all 17 games, threw for over 4000 yards with a 7.5 yard average per attempt, and a 30-11 TD-INT ratio. He was also selected to a pro bowl.

The problem here is, Geno Smith is getting old, and he’s had a stretch of 7 seasons with only 5 game starts to his name before last year!

The Seattle Seahawks have 4 picks in first 2 rounds (5, 20, 37, 52). They have 10 total draft picks in 2023. It's not crazy to think they could shock the world if a QB fell into their lap at 5, or use a 2nd round pick to draft a challenger for Geno, like Hendon Hooker.

9th | Daniel Jones | New York Giants
Finish Season As Starter: Guaranteed

What can I say? Daniel Jones will be the New York Giants QB for the next four seasons, at least. As a Cowboys fan, I'm happy as pie. Jones hasn't thrown over 15 touchdowns since his rookie season. He has averaged 6.7 yards per attempt in his career. Less than average. The Giants signed that to an equivalent contract of Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford. WTF are they thinking?

I guess it’s fair to say all this; the Giants need a QB, the free agency isn’t that great for the position, they have a late round pick in 2023 so a stud rookie QB is far out of reach, and Jones is only a cap hit of $21M this season.

But for what? The Giants aren’t contenders. They didn’t improve this off season. Sure, every team has a chance. And they pick at 25th, so a first round WR might be there for them to help out on offense. I’m not sure if that really matters if no one wants to play for the Giants in New York, and there isn’t any signs of this organization going into rebuild mode to get a better pick. Sorry to digress…

I don't even know if Daniel Jones should be above Kirk Cousins, to be honest, but with his 700 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns last season, Jones edges Cousins by a hair.

10th | Kirk Cousins | Minnisota Vikings
Finish Season As Starter: High

Here’s the thing about Kirk Cousins; I want him to do well. I really like the guy, even if he’s corny as hell (YOU LIKE THAT?!).

He gives me major Schultzy vibes—kind of a try hard, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but without the respect of your teammates, so it comes off as cringe. I’m not in the locker room to know that, though, so here’s dem facts:

Cousins threw the ball nearly 650 times last season. That was good enough for 4th in the league. And it makes sense with Justin Jefferson on the field catching footballs. But Cousins is past his best before date. He had a rough season in 2022, throwing 14 interceptions and only 29 touchdowns. That’s just average.

Historically, Cousins has performed better. So there is that chance he bounces back and has a better 2023 season. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings made a move to get Hendon Hooker or Tanner McKee if they tumble, or even one of the late round QBs.

It’s a small chance that this happens, and Minnesota doesn’t have a second round pick. So, it would most likely involve trading back and picking up an extra pick in the second or third round. I just don’t think the Vikings are that hungry to make that kind of bold move.

11th | Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers
Finish Season As Starter: High

If you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have a starting quarterback. And if you have 3 starting quarterbacks, well, I don’t know what that says about you.

But the 49ers think they have finally found a guy who can close their QB carousel. Brock Purdy stole the show last season as a rookie, replacing Jimmy Garrapalo in December after Jimmy G broke his foot, who replaced Trey Lance when he was injured in September.

It was a series of misfortunate events that ended up with a bright spot. Purdy continued an 8 game win streak until he was also, too, as well injured in the playoffs. This ended the 49ers hopes of reaching the Lombardi, but it gave them a glimpse of what they have in Brock.

In 9 regular season games and basically 6 starts, Purdy averaged 8.1 passing yards per attempt and had a 13-3 TD-INT ratio. It is fair to say that CMC joined the team when Brock took over at QB, so that certainly helped. And Purdy only averaged 218 yards per game during those starts.

Still, the 49ers will probably ride Purdy out. And if not, Trey Lance (yuck!) and Sam Darnold are waiting with bated breath.

12th | Kyle Trask | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Finish Season As Starter: Average

Do you think that Joel Glazer sits up at night waiting by his phone just in case Tom Brady might call?

The most likely starter for the Bucs is Kyle Trask. He’s a big 6’5, 240 lb second round pick from 2021. Trask had a pretty average combine, but had a great 2020 season in Florida for the Gators, throwing for over 4,200 yards, 43 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions.

That’s pretty much all we know about him. The Bucs healthy scratched Trask for the majority of the season last year because Tom Brady. You can say that Trask got to learn for a season under the best quarterback of all time, so that’s a positive.

It wouldn’t be crazy for Tampa Bay to draft a quarterback like Tanner McKee in the third round. Even less crazy is that they use one of their 5 late round picks (153rd, 175th, 179th, 181st, 196th) to snag Malik Cunningham, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, or Aidan O'Connell if any of them are still available at 181.

And if that happens, neither Trask nor Baker Mayfield will finish the season as the starter in Tampa.

13th | Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers
Finish Season As Starter: High

Where to begin. Well, I guess with where it all started in Green Bay. Jordan Love was drafted by the Packers with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. This kind of kicked off the turmoil between Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers, at least publically.

Love had a good 2018 season with Utah State, throwing over 3,500 yards with 32 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. But his 2019 season took a nose dive, breaching 3,400 yards, but only 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

The Packers must have seen enough to trade up and draft Love, only to have him sit on the bench behind Rodgers for the next 3 seasons. Which isn’t a bad thing; backing up and learning from one of the greatest to play the game.

The mystery of what he might be is the only thing that keeps Love above the rest of this list. And the Packers have 2 second round picks (42nd, 45th), so they could easily get Hendon Hooker if they like him.

But, I think Green Bay wants to kick the wheels on Love for the 2023 season.

14th | Andy Dalton | Carolina Panthers
Finish Season As Starter: Won’t Even Start

This is supposed to be about Andy Dalton. He’s the current starter in Carolina. But, I’m wasting my time even writing this sentence…

The Panthers have the pick of the litter after trading their entire future for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Bryce Young out of Alabama seems to be the concensus selection for the Panthers. Young was insane in 2021 and 2022, racking up 8,200 passing yards, 304 yards/avg game, 79 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions! Thats 6.6 touchdowns for every interception thrown. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Only time will tell. I think Young is undersized for the NFL at only 6 feet tall and 200 lbs, but if he proves me wrong, I’m happy for the dude. I am giving him big negative points for that small stature, relevant to NFL quarterbacks, though.

15th | Sam Howell | Washington Commanders
Finish Season As Starter: Below Average

Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have Sam Howell ranked as a second and third round pick if Howell were to be drafted in this years NFL Draft. Tucked in there with Hendon Hooker, and ahead of Stetson Bennett.

Howell had a solid college career in North Carolina, playing in 37 games over 3 years, throwing for over 10,000 yards, averaging 278 yards/game, and finished with 92 touchdowns to 23 interceptions. A modest 4 touchdowns per interception.

He wasn’t bad on his feet, also, too, as well. In 2021, Howell rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. So he has some wheels if he needs to use them.

I like the potential of the Washington Commanders drafting a quarterback at some point later in the draft. So Howell could be facing competition, but I think the investment Washington has made in the 22-year-old quarterback from Waynesville, NC will have them calling his number week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.

I don’t think he’ll be the one calling plays in week 18.

16th | Desmond Ridder | Atlanta Falcons
Finish Season As Starter: Low

Who the fuck is that guy? If you see that meme in your head, then like me, you wonder if the Atlanta Falcons are going to have an NFL calibre QB to start the season.

Desmond Ridder played 4 years in college for Cincinnati, starting as a freshmen, and finishing with his best season during his senior year. Ridder threw for over 3,300 yards, 30 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

Ridder had some intermittent success with his legs, totalling 2,180 rushing yards and averaging 4.4 yards per carry in his college career. He also tallied 28 total rushing touchdowns.

In a weird turn of events, Ridder fell from as high as 8th overall, all the way down to the Falcons in the third round with the 74th overall pick. He was only the second QB drafted at that time in the draft, after Kenny Pickett in the first round who went to the Steelers.

In four games starting in 2022, Ridder didn’t throw an interception. He also only threw 2 touchdowns, and averaged a dismal 177 yards per game. He had 16 rushes for an average of 4 yards per run, which is decent, but everything so far is pretty “blah”.

There is a high chance the Falcons draft a quarterback. Very high, indeed.

If Will Levis or C.J. Stroud drop to 8th, they would probably be playing in Atlanta for the next 4-5 years. And in the second round, Hendon Hooker could be a selection by the Falcons at 44. Or if they want to wait, Tanner McKee should be available in the third.

What I’m trying to say is, I wouldn’t bet on Ridder starting or finishing the season as the starting QB in Atlanta.