ESPN poll of top NFL brass ranks Russell Wilson behind seven other QBs

The Denver Broncos have the eighth best quarterback in the NFL.

At least, that’s what a new ESPN poll says.

The network “surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions.” On Monday, they revealed their QB list.

New Broncos signal caller Russell Wilson checked in at No. 8 in the league, but third in the AFC West. The quarterbacks ahead of him were Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert. Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott rounded up the top-10.

Wilson, 33, was ranked No. 4 on last year’s list and received votes as high as No. 4 on this year’s list. His lowest ranking was “out of the top-10,” meaning some voters didn’t put him on their ballots.

“I think you’ll see a rejuvenated Russ [with the Broncos],” an AFC personnel evaluator told ESPN. “They are tailoring things around him. He’ll have more ownership of the offense and a good supporting cast. He will get his spot back.”

Wilson missed three games a season ago, as a finger injury required surgery during the season and clearly affected his play. He threw 25 touchdowns, his lowest output since 2016.

But Wilson’s resume is also ridiculously good, including making nine Pro Bowls in 10 NFL seasons. He, of course, led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls and won one over the Broncos back in February of 2014.

Wilson’s spot on ESPN’s list does feel a little bit low. Putting Herbert ahead of him seems like it’s based on raw potential, and not results that have actually been produced. Herbert’s never taken a postseason snap. And while Burrow’s run to the Super Bowl a season ago was impressive, him being ranked No. 5 feels like a stretch.

Is it fair to say Rodgers, Mahomes, Allen and Brady are all above Wilson right now? Sure. But you can easily make a case Wilson should round out the top-5.

Obviously, these are just opinions of folks around the league, but they could provide some bulletin board material for a Broncos team desperate to return to relevancy after six brutal seasons since Peyton Manning retired.

That task will be up to guys like Wilson and defensive leader Justin Simmons, who was ranked the No. 1 safety in the league in the same ESPN poll.
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