Chargers: Ranking Justin Herbert and all 32 starting quarterbacks from 2021
By Jason Reed
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- Average ranking: 9.25
- Highest ranking: 7
- Preseason ranking: 7
Overall, the numbers for Dak Prescott were still pretty good in the 2021 season. He did not have the MVP season that some may have expected, but he still had a really good year. However, the eye test over the last few weeks has been a bit concerning as Dak is dealing with injuries. He still has a top-five ceiling in the NFL.
8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- Average ranking: 8.25
- Highest ranking: 7
- Preseason ranking: 3
Maybe it is the finger injury, maybe it is that the Seahawks just don't make him very happy. For whatever reason, Russell Wilson has not been himself really since the halfway point of the 2020 season. He still gets the benefit of the doubt and he is still a great quarterback, but it is hard to make him a bonafide lock for the top five like he has been the last half-decade plus.
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
- Average ranking: 7.25
- Highest ranking: 6
- Preseason ranking: 9
Just like he did last year, Kyler Murray came out of the gates hot and was the leading MVP candidate after the first month of the season. However, Kyler then got hurt and was not the same after the injury and the Cardinals stumbled into the playoffs after being the best team in the league for the first six or so weeks. Kyler has the ceiling to be a top-three QB in the league, he just has to stay consistent and durable.
6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
- Average ranking: 7.0
- Highest ranking: 6
- Preseason ranking: 14
Justin Herbert ranks higher than Joe Burrow but Burrow beat Herbert to the playoffs and to his first-career playoff win. These are two great young quarterbacks who will be the faces of the league for years to come. Burrow absolutely deserves a ton of love for how he played, but the Bengals did have the easiest schedule in the AFC while the Chargers had one of the hardest. Herbert was better statistically, so he gets the nod.