You have to question the acumen of a guy like ESPN’s Sam Acho, who last month made a list of top NFL quarterbacks, didn’t include Patrick Mahomes, and then gave a lame excuse for the omission.
“People are gonna say what about Patrick Mahomes?” Acho said on the Feb. 17 episode of “First Take.”
“Where is he? And I get that. But the last time I saw Patrick Mahomes … he really was the reason they lost in the second half and in overtime against Cincinnati. That’s why at this moment in time, he’s not on my top five list.”
1. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes is on a trajectory that we haven’t seen as far as winning, stats and accolades go. He’s already won an MVP, Super Bowl MVP and been to two Super Sunday games, winning one. Mahomes has been the starter in Kansas City for four seasons and they’ve hosted the AFC Championship Game every season, going 2-2, with both losses coming in overtime.
MAHOMES TO KELCE.
THE @CHIEFS WIN THE GAME OF THE YEAR! #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/9eM2Ur15O0
— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022
The maestro is the main reason why the Chiefs are Super Bowl contenders every season. The former Texas Tech Raider has passed for 18,991 yards and 159 touchdowns in his career. Mahomes is 50-13 as a starting QB.
2. Deshaun Watson — Houston Texans (For Now)
Watson missed the entire 2021 season as he dealt with sexual misconduct allegations. But before that he led the entire NFL in passing yards in 2020 with 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
Deshaun Watson’s career stats…
• 67.8 comp. %
• 14,539 passing yards
• 269.2 pass YPG, 8.3 YPA
• 104 pass TDs – 36 INTs
• 104.5 passer rating
• 1,677 rush yards
• 17 rush TDs pic.twitter.com/lfFY7xve4g— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 28, 2021
Watson led the Texans to two division titles in 2018 and 2019. The soon-to-be-traded signal caller instantly makes a team a playoff contender, and in some cases a Super Bowl contender.
For his career Watson has passed for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Watson’s career record is just 28-26, but he hasn’t had anywhere near the roster that Mahomes has had in K.C.
3. Russell Wilson — Denver Broncos
Seeing Wilson and the Denver Broncos is strange, but after two consecutive offseasons of rumored moves concerning the star signal caller, he was dealt to the Mile High City for a haul. The cerebral Wilson brings experience and winning to a Broncos team that has a great roster but was lacking elite talent at the game’s most important position. Wilson instantly changes that.
Boasting a career record of 104-53-1, Wilson has only endured one losing season in his career. That was this season, where he also missed the first games of his career due to injury. A fresh start for him and the Hawks was warranted. He’s passed for 37,059 yards, 292 touchdowns and just 87 interceptions over his illustrious soon-to-be Hall of Fame career.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
4. Lamar Jackson — Baltimore Ravens
Jackson is the most dynamic playmaking signal caller of the group and maybe in the league. He won the Heisman in 2016 at Louisville, and three years later he was named the NFL’s second-ever unanimous MVP (Tom Brady 2010). But since taking the league by storm at the end of 2018 as a rookie, Jackson has seen a decline in his production.
The decline in play isn’t solely his fault. He’s currently due a massive contract extension, as he’s about to enter the fifth and final year of his rookie deal. Although he still struggles to consistently push the ball downfield with timing and accuracy, he’s extremely dangerous.
The speedy LJ8 has passed for 9,967 yards, 84 touchdowns (including a league-leading 36 in 2019) and 31 interceptions. He’s also shown that dual-threat ability that makes him such a difficult player to prepare for defensively, as he’s rushed for another 3,673 yards (including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020) and 21 touchdowns. He’s 37-12 as a starter.
5. Kyle Murray — Arizona Cardinals
Since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2019, the diminutive Murray has been good early in the season, and not so good late. Sort of like his in-over-his-head coach Kliff Kingsbury. But Murray is a special talent capable of leading a team much farther than they’ve gone since he arrived.
The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and 2019 NFL Rookie of the Year has had some moments for sure, but injuries to himself and key teammates have been crippling late in the season.
Murray went through a bit of a diva moment this offseason as he tried to secure a lucrative long-term deal prior to entering year 4 in the “Valley of the Sun.”
The maestro has passed for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He’s also used his legs to rush for 1,786 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s 22-23-1 as a starter.
Next Group Of Five
6. Dak Prescott — (Cowboys) Making $40 million per year, only trailing Mahomes in salary, he should be higher. Gotta play better against better opponents. Beating up on the NFC LEAST doesn’t qualify as being great.
7. Jameis Winston — (Free Agent ) There’s never been any questions about his ability. The 2015 No.1 overall pick has all the physical tools, and last season prior to injury he showed a newfound maturity. “Crablegs Winston” could be in the top five of this list next season if he comes back healthy and motivated.
8. Teddy Bridgewater — (Dolphins) A consummate pro who isn’t going to wow you with anything he does. But he’s always ready when his number is called. “Steady Teddy” will be a good backup for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
9. Justin Fields — (Bears) Physically gifted but spent his rookie season being badly coached. Now he gets a fresh slate with a new coaching staff and general manager. Has the tools to be special, but it’s between the ears first.
10. Tyrod Taylor — (Giants) The journeyman who’s capable of starting and playing at a pretty high level in spurts. He will back up Daniel Jones, and if “Danny Dimes” struggles the G-Men won’t hesitate to play Taylor.
