Buccaneers Rankings: How the quarterbacks in the NFC South stack up
Starters are where this all begins, and for obvious reasons is the most important factor into which teams boasts the best quarterback stable in the division.
Without their leading men on the field, most fan bases get a case of depression pretty quick, but which quarterback looks to be in the best position for individual success in 2017?
4. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Sorry Panthers fans, Newton has to take the L on this one entering the season as the worst quarterback in the division.
He’s getting closer to 30, and this means he’s getting closer to having to rely on his arm more than his legs.
Even Cam’s body can take so much beating in the NFL, and defenders aren’t going to get softer on him, no matter how much it may seem unfair on the surface.
Statistically, Newton’s best season came in the Super Bowl run when he threw for over 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns.
However, he’s still yet to eclipse the amount of yards he threw for as a rookie when he totaled over 4,000 in the year he completed the most passes and had his second-highest completion percentage.
His efficiency has been declining over the years, not rising, and hit an all-time low when he completed just 52% of his passes in 2016.
He’s still one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league, but when you’re in a division with the gunslingers he’s up against, consistency and improvement are the only ways to rise up the rankings.
3. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Those who expected some Buccaneers bias may be a bit disappointed here. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Jameis Winston, I just can’t rank him higher than third in the NFC South at this point.
Look at it objectively and I think you’ll agree.
Back-to-Back 4,000 yard seasons to start his career is amazing. Going from 15 interceptions to 18 is less so.
His completion percentage got better in his sophomore campaign as did his yards per game despite the fact his longest completions of the year went for just 45-yards.
He hasn’t had any playoff appearances to this point, but he’s definitely trending north.
The additions of DeSean Jackson, O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin to his receiving groups should definitely help him maintain or even build upon his early numbers.
Now we just have to see if it develops into a post-season birth as he looks to keep climbing to the top of the division.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Listen Saints fans, we aren’t ranking overall careers here. I’m talking best quarterbacks heading into 2017.
Brees should find his way into Canton sometime in the reasonably near future, sure, but to say he’s on an upward career trajectory is misguided at best.
The 38 year-old will be 39 before season’s end and losing Brandin Cooks isn’t going to help matters.
He’s still fully capable of lighting up opposing defenses, but how much longer can he be the guy New Orleans has leaned on as much as they have to this point?
The team seems to be aware of the fact he’s going to need help for the team to maintain it’s offensive output, evidenced by their signing of Adrian Peterson this off-season.
Granted, the former Vikings back has his own questions surrounding him, but the focus on bolstering the run game points all signs to taking some pressure off their passer.
1. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
One of the two most established quarterbacks in the NFC South is the Falcons’ Matt Ryan.
While “Matty-Ice” has never eclipsed 5,000 yards passing, he’s got five straight years with over 4,500 and fantastically delivered 38 touchdowns a year ago compared to just seven interceptions.
He entered 2016 with five straight seasons having thrown double-digit interceptions, but turned in his second year under 10 picks on his way to the Super Bowl.
This kind of efficiency wasn’t expected, and it certainly helped to propel the Falcons to the top of the division when many predicted them coming in last prior to the season.
Perhaps the biggest influence into his landing on top of this list entering 2017 is the fact he’s returning all of his weapons and is entering his second season with center Alex Mack.
The more he gets comfortable with his teammates, the better he should be, and the thought he might be even better isn’t something the rest of the NFC South wants to see.