2013 NFL quarterback rankings (17-32)

By Joseph Landini
New England Sports Journal
July 23, 2013
http://www.newenglandsportsjournal.com/2013/07/nfl/2013-nfl-quarterback-rankings/

(This is part one of a multi-part series of ranking the NFL’s quarterbacks. The rest of the rankings will be revealed throughout the week.)

Ranking quarterbacks heading into the season is routine and this season is no different. Below you will see many more-than-capable names and while some of them could potentially rank higher, there are only 10 top spots. Check out the NFL Quarterbacks ranked 17-24 and stay tuned for Part 2:

No. 24 Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins: Like Josh Freeman, the Dolphins losses this year will solely be on Tannehill’s right arm. The Miami Dolphins were the most active team in the off-season with acquisitions on both the offense and defensive side. For Tannehill, he will have his best receiving core in front of him in 2013. Adding to Brian Hartline, the additions of Dustin Keller and Mike Wallace will pay huge dividends. Tannehill has shown flashes of brilliance, but the jury is out on him now that he has every weapon he could ask for.

No. 23 Sam Bradford, St.Louis Rams: Years ago the Rams started to rebuild the “Greatest Show on Turf.” With their rebuild they saw their division get increasingly harder, with the emergence of the 49ers and Seahawks. Under Jeff Fisher, Bradford started to show more promise last season, but still showed youth as well. With the addition of the biggest playmaker in the draft, Tavon Austin, Bradford will have more help to bring the Rams back to relevance. Bradford has great accuracy, but in this division he will need to bring more then that,

No. 22 Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer could always throw the ball, it was just a matter of who he was throwing it to. When Palmer had no help around him, he failed to make the team better and rise the level of his receivers. Palmer, like many on this list, turn the ball over at an alarming rate. Now in Arizona, he has arguably the best Wide Receiver in the game in Larry Fitzgerald. In the NFC West Arizona will struggle, but at least they have a decent man under center to help them compete.

No. 21 Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: After being dealt a rough hand last year in San Francisco, Alex Smith moves on to Kansas City where he is handed the keys to a rebuilding franchise. The Chiefs have lacked a Quarterback for some time, but with Smith they have a smart game manager. Smith will have a foundation runner behind him in Jamaal Charles, and a playmaking Wide Receiver in Dwayne Bowe. If Smith can continue to play at the level he was last season, the Chiefs may be looking at a successful formula.

No. 20 Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: On many lists you will see Jay Cutler in a Top 15, in some cases a Top 10. On this list he is ranked at #20 based on the question: Why should he be any higher? Cutler his entire career has only succeeded when throwing the ball to Brandon Marshall. Outside of that, Cutler has done nothing but run his mouth and watch his defense win games for him. With the defensive minded Lovie Smith now departed, Cutler may face his biggest pressure yet. Cutler has never succeeded in pressure situations, has never made anyone but Marshall better, and has failed on numerous occasions. #20 it is.

No. 19 Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: We now get to the portion of this list where things begin to get tough. Newton is a special talent on a team where they are trying to rebuild, but at the same time still own aging major pieces. Newton’s backfield has always been hurt in the cases of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. His Wide Receiving core has a major playmaker in Steve Smith, but lacks a solid #2. Newton is still growing in his own sense. He will rise on this list, but as of right now #19 seems to be the right spot.

No. 18 Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: Rivers used to be a top 10 Quarterback in my eyes, but his continuing struggles have forced him down to #18. Rivers simply throws interception after interception, and does it at the most un-ideal time. Rivers has never shown that major clutch gene, but he does have the numbers of a solid Quarterback, which he is by all means. The Chargers are a team on the slow slope downward. Rivers will need to play safer in order for that to change.

No. 17 Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: This offseason the love fest between owner Jerry Jones and Tony Romo continued. Romo was handed a fat new contract, in my eyes undeservingly. The NFC East seems to be up for grabs every single year, coming down to Week 17. Romo, lately, has done nothing but choke over and over again. Romo puts up very nice numbers, but continues to melt in the hot situations. Romo, like Cutler, has seen Top 15s and Top 10s in lists, but he rounds out the bottom 16 here.

QB rankings recap:

No. 32 – No. 25 Matt Flynn, OAK; Chad Henne, JAX; Kevin Kolb, BUF; Mark Sanchez, NYJ; Jake Locker, TEN; Brandon Weeden, CLE; Christian Ponder, MIN; Josh Freeman, TB
No. 24- No. 17 Ryan Tannehill, MIA; Sam Bradford, STL; Carson Palmer; ARZ, Alex Smith, KC; Jay Cutler, CHI; Cam Newton, CAR; Philip Rivers, SD; Tony Romo, DAL

No. 16- No.1 Stay tuned!