NFC 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 NFC 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 NFC.

No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles
About: With the AFC, my argument was that Patrick Mahomes is the best in the conference, giving them a good start at the top of the list. That's certainly also true for the Eagles, where Jalen Hurts is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. And, like the Chiefs, the Eagles worked to improve their depth, adding Kenny Pickett as a backup this off-season. That combination was enough for me to put them at No. 1 overall.

No. 2: Atlanta Falcons
About: The Falcons have taken a big step up for me this year. Not only did they add a quality veteran starter in Kirk Cousins, they used the No. 8 overall pick to snag a top rookie prospect in Michael Penix, Jr. Those two combine with Taylor Heinicke, a solid veteran already on the roster. The Falcons might have the best trio of quarterbacks in the league.

No. 3: Dallas Cowboys
About: The Cowboys start with Dak Prescott, who is one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL. He's been a great asset for the Cowboys and in fantasy. Behind him, the team has Cooper Rush, who filled in well for Dak a few years ago. They also have an interesting prospect in Trey Lance as the No. 3 option. The Cowboys, like the Falcons, go three deep with interesting options. I prefer Dak to Cousins, but I prefer the Falcons' depth to the Cowboys' depth. Both are good, hence ending up in the Top 3.

No. 4: Arizona Cardinals
About: This is a tough team to rate. Last year I was skeptical of Kyler Murray, especially moving forward in a new system. But what we saw at the end of the year was great. Murray appears better and in a better position. The Cardinals also went out and added Demond Ridder as a No. 2 option and prospect. Ridder was up-and-down for the Falcons, but with time to learn and grow, and serving as the primary backup feels like a good fit.

No. 5: Carolina Panthers
About: A lot of this is based on Bryce Young rebounding. I still believe he was the No. 1 overall draft pick for a reason, and with Dave Canales at the helm that should help him in his development. Behind Young, the Panthers have one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league in Andy Dalton. That battery at the top was enough to land them just inside my Top 5.

No. 6: Los Angeles Rams
About: The Rams have Matthew Stafford, a Super Bowl winner who has done a good job for the Rams. Behind him, they have both a veteran in Jimmy Garoppolo and a prospect in Stetson Bennett. That gives the Rams some depth and some options. I don't love it as much as some combinations, but it is a strong grouping.

No. 7: Seattle Seahawks
About: The Seahawks still have Geno Smith, who's been a capable and serviceable starter. He wasn't as strong in 2023 as in 2022, but he is still a decent starter. Into that mix, the Seahawks added Sam Howell. He didn't get a lot of wins, or protection, but Howell looked decent at times for the Commanders. With some time to learn and mature, he could be a quarterback of the future for the Seahawks.

No. 8: San Francisco 49ers
About: Brock Purdy has vastly outplayed his draft position, and he's turned into a solid starting quarterback. He's not as flashy as some higher on this list, but he's a great player for this team and this system. Behind him, the 49ers have journeyman Josh Dobbs and Kyle Allen. Both have some experience, providing depth and options. I don't love the ceiling of this room as much as some others, but it was good enough to be top half of the NFC.

No. 9: Green Bay Packers
About: I was dead wrong about Jordan Love. He looks like the real deal and had a great first full season as a starter. The position of this group isn't about Love, it's about the depth. Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt are late round selections that have no experience. We also don't really know what their ceiling is in the NFL. So, for the Packers, depth at quarterback is a huge looming question.

No. 10: Chicago Bears
About: Caleb Williams was the No. 1 overall draft pick for a reason. He has plenty of potential and upside. He's still a rookie, though, and we've seen the growing pains that can mean. Behind him, the Bears have Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien. They are fine as reserve options, but this is another team where the ceiling is capped on the depth in the group.

No. 11: Washington Commanders
About: The Commanders had the No. 2 overall pick and spent it on Jayden Daniels. He could end up being a dynamic and capable starter, but it will be a transition. Elsewhere in the room, the team brought in Marcus Mariota as the backup. He's a capable veteran but, again, the ceiling is capped. Both quarterbacks are also new, but then again so is the system and the coaches. There's potential here, but there are also questions.

No. 12: Detroit Lions
About: Maybe I'm being too hard on the Lions. I like Jared Goff, and I love his fit in Detroit. But behind him, the team is relying on Hendon Hooker, who spent most of his rookie year on the injury list. They also have Nate Sudfeld, but that also doesn't inspire a ton of confidence. Goff is great and really fits what the Lions are trying to do, but this is another room where the depth of the group is a bit suspect.

No. 13: New Orleans Saints
About: When we get near the bottom of the NFC, it's probably a matter of preference as much as anything else. I have always been somewhat fond of Derek Carr, probably higher than others. The addition of Spencer Rattler is intriguing as a prospect, backup, and possibly future franchise guy. It was enough for me to bump them up to the top of the bottom, so to speak.

No. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: Baker Mayfield had an incredible 2023 season, which earned him a long-term contract. I have some questions about him in a new offensive scheme. But Mayfield is a solid starter. Behind him, it's questions. Kyle Trask is the primary backup, a player that despite being a Second Round pick has logged no meaningful playing time in his career. So, I gave the Saints the slight nod.

No. 15: Minnesota Vikings
About: While the Falcons took a leap acquiring Kirk Cousins, I've knocked the Vikings way down. Nick Mullens is still on the roster, but we saw last season he's not an ideal starter. The team grabbed veteran Sam Darnold, who may well be the Week 1 starter, and then drafted J.J. McCarthy. They've got some options but nothing feels set or proven. This room is a work in progress.

No. 16: New York Giants
About: As we continue, you'll see I'm not bullish on the Giants' offense. That starts here at quarterback. The team added Drew Lock, who could compete to start. They also still have Tommy DeVito, who started a bit last season. But the big question here is Daniel Jones. Is he healthy? Is he the guy? We don't have an answer for any of that currently, which makes this room the worst for me in the NFC.