AFC QB Rooms

 

We're getting closer to the 2024 NFL Season, so I'll be taking stock of how I rate groups in the NFL. Today, it's AFC quarterback rooms. This means not just the QB that's likely a starter, but the depth of the room. Below is my rankings, 1-16, of QB rooms in the AFC.

No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs
About: Patrick Mahomes is probably the best quarterback in the league. So, that gives the Chiefs a leg up. But, remember, this isn't just about starters. The Chiefs added Carson Wentz as a backup, giving them a solid No. 2 option. That helped solidify their spot at No. 1 on the list.

No. 2: Houston Texans
About: The Texans jump up to No. 2 because they have an explosive starter in C.J. Stroud, but also good depth. The team still has veteran Case Keenum, who has started for a number of teams, and Davis Mills, who was holding down the position before Stroud arrived. They not only have a top-flight young quarterback, they have depth. That landed them at No. 2.

No. 3: Buffalo Bills
About: I love Josh Allen, and he's a big part of why the Bills landed here. But the team also brought back Mitch Trubisky for depth. I don't love Trubisky as a franchise starter, but he's a quality NFL backup that fits this team and system.

No. 4: Baltimore Ravens
About: Lamar Jackson is still there, and still warrants a top position. But the Ravens don't have the depth they once had. The team transitioned to Josh Johnson as a backup. While he has experience and is a quality backup, it's not quite as strong as in year's past.

No. 5: Cincinnati Bengals
About: I love Joe Burrow, so that's a great starting place. Behind him, the team kept Jake Browning, who stepped in effectively for Burrow in 2023. That gives them a great duo here.

No. 6: Indianapolis Colts
About: This ranking is about upside and depth. The upside comes from Anthony Richardson, who was a good prospect last year that was severely limited by injury. If he comes back strong, it's a great starting point. The team also added Joe Flacco, the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, as the primary backup. That gives them great options, with a room that also includes a prospect in Kedon Slovis.

No. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars
About: Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He hasn't had as big a start as some thought, but he's been solid. Behind him, the Jaguars added Mac Jones, who has plenty of starting experience, to go along with C.J. Beathard. That gives them depth and options, good enough to be in the top half of the AFC.

No. 8: Cleveland Browns
About: The Browns worked to provide themselves depth, though I thought they would be better off just keeping Flacco. Instead, they added Jameis Winston from the Saints and Tyler Huntley from the Ravens. That gives them depth and options behind Deshaun Watson, who remains a bit of a question after playing only 12 games in two seasons. The Browns have a good group, landing top half, but have some questions.

No. 9: New York Jets
About: This group is led by Aaron Rodgers. He has great potential, but is also coming off a major injury. It's fair to have some questions. Next up is Tyrod Taylor, giving them a solid veteran option, while the team added a development rookie in Jordan Travis. Depending on how Rodgers bounces back, they could be too high. But I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

No. 10: Los Angeles Chargers
About: Justin Herbert is great. Yes, he's coming off injury in a new system, but he's a Top 12 NFL quarterback. Unfortunately, there isn't much behind him. The No. 2 is Easton Stick, who struggled in his stead in 2023. I can't put them any higher without a better second option.

No. 11: Miami Dolphins
About: This is another case of a great starter (Tua Tagovailoa) and questionable depth (Mike White and Skylar Thompson). Both White and Thompson have made starts, but neither has much quality experience. That's a potential problem, and something to consider when evaluating this squad.

No. 12: Pittsburgh Steelers
About: The Steelers completely flipped their quarterback room this off-season. They brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, saying goodbye to Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Trubisky. That makes it a bit of an unknown. But I like the combination of Wilson and Fields, both looking for a chance to rebuild. That was good enough to put them above the bottom group on the list, but not much higher.

No. 13: New England Patriots
About: The Patriots hope they landed on their future Franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. He's a good prospect, but that doesn't guarantee much. Behind him, they have a stable veteran in Jacoby Brissett and return Bailey Zappe, who started a handful of games the past few seasons. That gives them some options in case Maye isn't ready.

No. 14: Tennessee Titans
About: There's potential here, so it's possible I have the Titans too low. But a lot is being put on second-year quarterback Will Levis. Behind him, the team added a journeyman backup in Rudolph and still has Malik Willis kicking around. That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence either. Levis could be an explosive lead, but Rudolph is more of a game manager. So, I have my doubts about this group despite its potential.

No. 15: Denver Broncos
About: The team may have found its quarterback of the future in Bo Nix. The Broncos also added Zach Wilson as something of a rehabilitation project. That's in addition to Jarrett Stidham, who started the final two games of the regular season for the Broncos. There are options here, but none of them feels like much of a sure thing.

No. 16: Las Vegas Raiders
About: It's true, I'm not a Raiders fan. But I'm not taking shots here, I just think this is a group with limited upside and a lot of questions. Aidan O'Connell was a mid-round selection who started a lot of games as a rookie. He was OK, going 5-5 without putting up much in the way of solid numbers. The team added Gardner Minshew, who has been a starter at times but might profile more as a quality backup. One of those guys is leading this team. Who will it be? They both might play a lot, and I'm not sure either is the answer. So, for now, the Raiders are at No. 16.