Chargers: Ranking Justin Herbert and all 32 starting quarterbacks from 2021
By Jason Reed
19. Mac Jones, New England Patriots
- Average ranking: 19
- Highest ranking: 17
- Preseason ranking: 22
Mac Jones had the best situation of any rookie quarterback in 2021 and that is why he ranks higher than the rest of his peers on this list. In the long run, Jones probably will fall below Lawrence and could even fall behind Justin Fields. However, right now, he is the only rookie quarterback with a playoff start.
That being said, his team was absolutely mauled in that lone playoff start and Jones didn't do anything to raise his stock.
18. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
- Average ranking: 17.75
- Highest ranking: 17
- Preseason ranking: 25
This might seem way too high for Carson Wentz, especially considering he put together a Wentz classic in Week 18 to keep his own team out of the playoffs. However, there is a big gap between this region of quarterbacks and the next tier, so that is important to note. Before that Week 18 game, though, Wentz wasn't playing all that bad. You just cannot trust him.
17. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
- Average ranking: 16.75
- Highest ranking: 15
- Preseason ranking: 30
I'll be honest, Jalen Hurts had a much better season in 2021 than I could have ever imagined. It is fitting that he comes in one spot ahead of his predecessor as well. There are times that Hurts looks pretty decent and you see why the Eagles like him. Then there are times where he looks like a bottom seven quarterback. Regardless of how he plays, the Eagles still won the Wentz trade.
16. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
- Average ranking: 16.5
- Highest ranking: 15
- Preseason ranking: 18
This is where the list reaches a new tier. Jimmy G is only one spot ahead of Jalen Hurts but the gap is still pretty big. Jimmy G is someone who can lead a team on a Super Bowl run, we have seen it before. He needs everything else around him to be really good, but he is capable. The next five quarterbacks or so fit that description.
15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
- Average ranking: 14.5
- Highest ranking: 14
- Preseason ranking: 10
Ryan Tannehill is the perfect example of a quarterback who is good enough to make a run if the rest of his team is great. While the Titans have the better record, they are similar to the 49ers with their run game and defense. Some may say Tannehill should be higher but he had some really bad games with Derrick Henry out.