The 27 Club (Volume II): Ranking The New Generation of NFL Quarterbacks

Aside from the immortal and everlasting Tom Brady, the 2019 NFL season's primary concentration and attention grabber is the young quarterback revolution taking place right in front of our hopeful eyes. Finally, the rest of the league has something to look forward to if they don't have a Brady, Rodgers, Brees, or Wilson as their signal-caller. As the Ben Roethlisbergers and Eli Mannings of the world descend into injury limbo and deserved backup roles, the modern generation of young gunners are taking advantage of their first time in the brightest of spotlights.

Below is a ranking of the league's best young quarterbacks which will be updated semi-regularly throughout the rest of the NFL season.

The 27 Club

The Uglies

23. Luke Falk (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (2 GP/1 GS): 296 YDS, 0 TD/1 INT, 76.2 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

Luke Falk didn't even play this week (the Jets had a bye) and he still managed to move down my rankings (because Haskins had to be included after playing in his first NFL game).

22. Josh Rosen (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/2 GS): 482 YDS, 1 TD/3 INT, 57.7 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

In their closest game of the year (a loss to the Chargers by the score of 30-10), the Dolphins actually had a flash of hope with Rosen behind center. He threw for one touchdown and a single interception, while completing 17 of his 24 pass attempts against a quality Los Angeles defense. He had the best passer rating (88.9) of the season for the 'Phins, which is certainly a small glimpse of hope for the terribly ran franchise. Still, Rosen's upside isn't as appealing as the man who was inserted ahead of him at the #21 spot in my rankings.

The Underwhelmers

21. Dwayne Haskins (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (1 GP/0 GS): 107 YDS, 0 TD/3 INT, 32.8 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: N/A

I am a Dwayne Haskins believer. I really am. It just sucks for him that he didn't have his most valuable weapon on the field, fellow Ohio State rookie Terry McLaurin, in his debut against the New York Giants (the team who passed on him for Daniel Jones in the 2019 NFL Draft). Luckily for Haskins, this won't be the last time his Redskins face the Giants this season being that they're division rivals.

Moving forward, I think it's important to keep Haskins in as the starter, so he can gain some valuable experience as the young quarterback he is and learn how to understand NFL defenses better.

20. Mitchell Trubisky (25 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 588 YDS, 3 TD/2 INT, 81.0 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -6

Trubisky has suffered a left shoulder dislocation which should sideline him for at least 6-8 weeks. It sucks, because it feels like he was just starting to turn around this season for both himself and the offense, but hey, at least we have Chase Daniel.

Daniel proved to be just as productive as Trubisky, if not more, while inside the pocket. His performance in a win on Sunday against the Vikings demonstrated that he can manage a game well enough to lead the Bears to a victory, which in turn lessened Trubisky's value as a scrambler (the scramble that led to the injury lessened the value of Trubisky's mobility as well).

19. Sam Darnold (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (1 GP/1 GS): 175 YDS, 1 TD/0 INT, 84.9 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -2

Darnold's still out with mono, and the Jets had a bye this week. The only reason he's declined in the rankings is because of how well the people behind him (Mariota and Winston) performed recently.

The 'What The Fuck Are We Going to Get Out of This Guy This Week?' Guys

18. 16. Jared Goff (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,254 YDS, 6 TD/6 INT, 82.9 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -8

Jared Goff has fumbled 14 times in his last 13 games. He's not worth the money the Rams gave him. That's all. I just really don't like how he's played the game of football this season. Oh, he also has really small hands.

Check out this real-life, totally unedited picture of him on behalf of The Ringer.

17. Mason Rudolph (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (3 GP/2 GS): 515 YDS, 6 TD/2 INT, 103.2 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +1

Mason Rudolph MADE IT RAIN on Monday Night Football this week. The only issue with that is that it was against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have one of the worst defenses (and teams) in the league.

Rudolph threw for 229 yards, 24 completions on 28 attempts, and two touchdowns with a mouth-watering QBR of 124.6 in Pittsburgh's first win of the season. I'm intrigued to see how Rudolph performs against more competent defenses throughout the rest of the year.

16. 14. Josh Allen (23 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 903 YDS, 3 TD/6 INT, 69.6 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: N/A

Anytime anybody plays the Patriots, it's safe to just throw that performance out the window if it's anything less than unbelievable. They're just that good, and they proved that once again against the Bills this weekend.

What Josh Allen proved to the rest of the league is that he'll do anything to win, and that's something that teammates really value. Allen attempted to rush for a first down on a fourth-and-distance play late in the game, and ended up getting blasted by a Pats defender which resulted in a concussion that required Allen to leave the game for good on Sunday. Up to that point, Allen had recorded 13 completions on 28 attempts, along with an abysmal three interceptions. But, like I said earlier, he was playing the Patriots, so it's safe to just throw this performance out the window.

The Average's Average

15. Kyle Allen (23 years old)

2019 Season Stats (2 GP/2 GS): 493 YDS, 4 TD/0 INT, 118.3 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: N/A

Allen wasn't near as good in his second start of the season as he was in his debut, but he still led the Panthers to another win, and this time it was a legitimate one against the Houston Texans.

The second-year QB didn't throw a single touchdown or interception, after logging four TDs against the Cardinals in Week 3. I anticipate Allen to only become better as the season moves forward, and as long as Newton is absent from the starting lineup.

14. Marcus Mariota (25 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 933 YDS, 7 TD/0 INT, 106.2 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +5

Mariota is the only quarterback in the league to not have a single turnover through the first four weeks of the season. Not an interception. Not a fumble. Nothing. He's been playing above average football for the first time in his career, and has led the Titans to a 2-2 start.

If the Tennessee signal caller can sustain this efficient style of play, then the Titans have a real shot at a playoff appearance in the crowded AFC.

13. Teddy Bridgewater (26 years old)

2019 Season Stats (3 GP/2 GS): 535 YDS, 2 TD/1 INT, 87.1 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: N/A

Teddy Two Gloves is 2-0 as the starting quarterbacks for the New Orleans Saints, and has won those two games against the Seattle Seahawks, and the formerly undefeated Dallas Cowboys. That's a pretty impressive resume for a man filling in for the legendary Drew Brees, but you have to look deeper into Bridgewater's game than just the 2-0 record to understand what he's done for them in comparison to the future Hall of Famer.

The Saints won 12-10 against the Boys on Sunday night, and didn't score a single touchdown. Bridgewater threw for 23 completions on 30 attempts, 193 yards, and an interception in Week 4. This won't be a sustainable formula as far as winning goes throughout the rest of Brees's sidelining, and the Saints will need Teddy to take more risks and therefore make more plays moving forward if they want to continue stacking W's.

12. Kyler Murray (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,071 YDS, 4 TD/4 INT, 78.8 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

The winless rookie had a tough outing this past weekend against the Seahawks, but still flashed signs of brilliance that are very promising when thinking about Arizona's future. They often run sets including five receivers spread out wide, with Kyler in shotgun by his lonesome, and these sets are typically the most threatening because they allow Kyler to utilize his mobility and extend plays while searching for open outlets down the field.

The Difference Makers

11. Jameis Winston (25 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,167 YDS, 9 TD/5 INT, 95.8 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +9

Jameis Winston, can't live with him, can't live without him. For all of the Famous Jameis haters out there, the dude has balled out this season. He's straight up letting loose and showcasing the arm talent that we've been aching to see for his entire young career.

This week, his eruption of talent resulted in a win over the reigning NFC champions. He had perhaps the best game of his career (28 completions on 41 attempts, 4 touchdowns, one interception, 385 passing yards, and a QBR of 120.5) and has potentially led Tampa Bay executives to believe that he really is their quarterback for the future, and maybe it's not such a great idea to tank for a new field general.

10. Baker Mayfield (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,147 YDS, 4 TD/6 INT, 77.2 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +2

As far as charisma goes, Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback in the league. On Nick Chubb's 88-yard touchdown run in which he reached a speed of 21.95 miles per hour, Baker ran the fastest he has all season as well at 18.92 MPH. That's the kind of excitement you love to see out of your franchise quarterback.

Aside from reaching his peak speed on Sunday as a glorified cheerleader, Baker also played his best football of the season as a throw as well. He went 20/30 with 342 yards, and a touchdown and a pick. He had a personal season-high passer rating of 102.4 (his former high was only 83.6 in Week 2), and led the Browns to a win against their rival, the division leading Ravens. He was accurate, decisive, and determined all day, which is what we've come to expect out of the former Heisman trophy winner.

This is perhaps the first step towards the Browns turnaround that they've anticipated since the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.

9. Jimmy Garoppolo (27 years old)

2019 Season Stats (3 GP/3 GS): 739 YDS, 5 TD/4 INT, 96.3 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

The 49ers had a bye this week, but I still think it's important to talk about Jimmy G. Not in the football sense, but in the, "Has there ever been a prettier quarterback than Jimmy Garoppolo?" sense. His listed nickname on Pro Football Reference is Jimmy GQ. And I like that a lot, so that's what I'm going to call him from here on out.

8. Daniel Jones (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (3 GP/2 GS): 578 YDS, 3 TD/2 INT, 95.9 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

I get it, Daniel Jones has won his first two NFL games against the Bucs and Redskins, but hey! The Bucs beat the reigning NFC champions this past weekend. So, by the transitive property, Daniel Jones's Giants are (maybe) better than the Los Angeles Rams? I don't know anymore, man. The Danny Dimes era has me lost in hysteria. I think I'm going insane over him. Whatever, #DukeintheNFL ya dig.

Anyways, Jones didn't play as well in his second career start as he did in his debut, but there were still several bright spots for the Messiah of New York football. He went 23/31 with 225 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in a win against Washington, and will look to improve on those relatively decent statistics against a declining Vikings team next week.

The Bonafide Weapons

7. Gardner Minshew II (23 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/3 GS): 905 YDS, 7 TD/1 INT, 106.9 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +2

Before I sing Minshew's deserved praises, I'd just like to note that the nicknames listed for him on Pro Football Reference are "Mustache," and "The Jockstrap King." That is all.

It's official: Jacksonville has a quarterback controversy on their hands. Minshew has been as accurate and efficient as Nick Foles ever has in his up-and-down career, and Minshew is much younger than Foles, so therefore his potential is far more promising. He's proved that he can bounce and hop around the pocket in order to extend plays, and his pin-point accuracy has been beyond impressive through the first few weeks of the season. He's 2-1 as the Jaguars's starter, and will presumably be able to keep them in contention for the AFC South title throughout the season.

6. Deshaun Watson (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 938 YDS, 6 TD/1 INT, 99.9 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -2

It's definitely not time to hit the panic button in Houston yet, but it is very concerning that they lost to a Carolina team who is as confused about their identity as the Texans are themselves.

Watson is fundamentally and physically one of the five most gifted quarterbacks in the league. There's no question about it. He's capable of making electrifying plays that make professional defenses look like college ones, but his big play ability is also sometimes the down fall of his decision making. Watson will be the first to tell you that he needs to become more comfortable with hitting his check downs, and that's a positive sign for a young quarterback. I anticipate him to only get better as the season moves along.

5. Jacoby Brissett (26 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 911 YDS, 10 TD/2 INT, 102.1 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +1

I capital-L LOVE Jacoby Brissett's game. He's smartly mobile, as in he knows when to stay in the pocket and when to bounce out of it. He can throw the ball just as accurately rolling out to the left as he can to the right. He rarely over-or-under throws his targets. And he's demonstrated that he's a great leader after having to fill in the shoes for the semi-legendary Andrew Luck.

It's just that, I felt bad for him this past Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, cause I couldn't believe how awful the weapons around him looked. The future of the Colts franchise needs T.Y. Hilton out there, even if he's only operating as a decoy with his barn-burning speed. Indy won't be able to rely on Parris Campbell and Eric Ebron to lead them to an AFC South Division championship this year.

The Colts are either going to need to make a move in the trade market, or pray that T.Y. can recover quickly, and come back to the field sooner, rather than later.

4. Lamar Jackson (22 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,110 YDS, 10 TD/2 INT, 109.4 QBR, 238 Rushing YDS, 1 TD, 6.6 Y/A

Ranking Adjustment: +1

Okay, look, Lamar Jackson can't be perfect every week. He doesn't have the weapons around him to throw for 300+ yards every week like Mahomes does, and Baltimore's defense isn't good enough to carry him to W's when he doesn't perform like the MVP-caliber player that he is like Tom Brady's team can.

In other words, the franchise is basically all on Lamar's shoulders. They need him to run for first downs and touchdowns, throw the ball anywhere between 30-50 times per game, and chew up enough clock to keep the defense's veterans (Earl Thomas and Pernell McPhee to name a couple) rested.

The Ravens may have lost two games in a row, to the Chiefs and Browns respectively, but they should be widely regarded as an AFC title contender considering how incredible Lamar has been through the first four weeks of the season. He leads the league in total touchdowns with 11, and will only improve as the year moves along.

3. Dak Prescott (26 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,143 YDS, 9 TD/3 INT, 113.7 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: -1

Dak threw for 223 yards, and one interception on 33 passing attempts in a loss against a Drew Brees-less Saints team on Sunday night. Granted, the game was in New Orleans, which is traditionally one of the most hypnotizing atmospheres in football. But still, the Cowboys should've came out of this game remaining undefeated, and the loss is just as much on Prescott's shoulders as it is Kellen Moore's and Jason Garrett's.

The Cowboys defense played excellent, holding the Saints to only four field goals, and their offense simply never got going. 'Zeke averaged only 1.9 yards per carry, and had one touchdown, so the play action was never that threatening which is a facet of the offense that Dallas relies on.

For all of these reasons, Dak and Wentz have swapped spots in my rankings, and I'll need Dak to prove to me that he can be consistently great if he wants to climb back up moving forward which will be difficult considering the injury of their all-pro starting left tackle, Tyron Smith.

2. Carson Wentz (26 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 963 YDS, 9 TD/2 INT, 95.3 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: +1

Carson Wentz is, whether you like it or not, one of the three most dynamic players at the quarterback position in the NFL. He has the ability to scramble, but doesn't unless he needs to, and has one of the strongest arms in the league which compliments his precise accuracy.

After traveling to Lambeau Field, and coming up with a must win victory for an Eagles team that needed a W after a 1-2 start, Wentz has to move up on my list for making that highly praised Packers defense look silly. The Philly Flipper had his best game of the season against an actual NFL team (Washington doesn't count) so far, and threw for 3 TDs in a difficult environment on Thursday night.

If Philadelphia wants to prove to the league that they're the Super Bowl contenders that everyone thought they were, then it'll be on Wentz's shoulders to carry them there.

The Future of Football

1. Patrick Mahomes II (24 years old)

2019 Season Stats (4 GP/4 GS): 1,510 YDS, 10 TD/0 INT, 120.4 QBR

Ranking Adjustment: N/A

The only way to gage how unreal and unfair Patrick Mahomes is is by demonstrating some of his statistics that are beyond ridiculous.

Patrick Mahomes didn't throw a touchdown against the Detroit Lions this past Sunday, and is still tied with Lamar Jackson and Jacoby Brissett for leading the league in touchdown tosses with 10 total.

He has nearly 300 more passing yards than the second closest player in the league (Jared Goff, who threw for 517 yards on 68 pass attempts in a Week 4 blowout, which is the only reason he's even close to Mahomes here).

Oh, another way to showcase how easy the game of football is for Patrick Mahomes is by showing you this highlight right here: where Mahomes literally looks at the referee mid-scramble.

Like, seriously? He did that just because he knew that he could do that? That's like if Phoebe Waller-Bridge flipped off the people who decide who wins what at the Emmy's after she'd already won all of her awards (sorry, I can't stop thinking about Fleabag, even to the point where I'm including it in my football posts).