Clayton: PFF’s quarterback ratings show the problem with the Broncos
May 24, 2021, 1:39 PM
This is the time of the year when everything in the NFL gets rated.
Positions get rated. Teams get rated. Fan bases get rated. Just about everything gets evaluated.
One of most interesting of the ratings is those for quarterbacks.
Pro Football Focus rated 32 quarterbacks last week. There were no surprises in the top five:
1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Tom Brady
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Russell Wilson
5. Deshaun Watson
Josh Allen made the big jump last year in Buffalo; he’s now No. 6. Dak Prescott is No. 7 and Lamar Jackson is No. 8.
Drew Brees and Philip Rivers retired, which opened the door for young quarterbacks – particularly those in the AFC – to improve their ratings. The AFC is loaded with young quarterbacks. Five of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league are young AFC throwers.
When you look at the list, though, you can see why the Broncos had to make a move at the quarterback position. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league. The better the quarterback, the better a team’s chances of getting to the Super Bowl.
Mahomes and Brady battled in the Super Bowl. They are the top quarterbacks according to PFF. Those two teams are favored to be in this season’s Super Bowl.
PFF rated Drew Lock at No. 32. His stats back this up, so the Broncos needed to bring in a challenger. That turned out to be Teddy Bridgewater.
Phase three of the OTAs started Monday and Bridgewater and Lock started their competition for the starting job in 2021. Wisely, both quarterbacks elected to be in camp and not boycott. They have to learn and compete.
For the Broncos to be a playoff contender this season, they need much better play from the quarterback. Look at the gap the Broncos have in the AFC West. Mahomes is No. 1. Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders is No. 13. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert is No. 15.
To truly compete in the AFC West, the Broncos need to trade for Aaron Rodgers. If there is way to get him, the Broncos could at least think about challenging the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s always interesting to see the quarterback ratings. PFF did a nice job.
