2018 NFL Position Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

Early-to-mid May is the worst time of year for NFL fans. The excitement (or in some cases, agony) that stemmed from the flurry of offseason personnel moves has subsided and it's still about four months until any meaningful games are played. Since 2012, I've taken advantage of this dead period in the professional football calendar to release my Position Ranking Series. This series offers me a chance to evaluate the top talent around the league while also (hopefully) providing fans with some cheap entertainment as they wait patiently for the upcoming season. Check back frequently in the coming weeks as I unveil my picks for the best players at each position on offense, defense and special teams, starting today with quarterback.

Notes and rules for the 2018 NFL Position Ranking Series:
1.Rookies are excluded from these rankings
2.Each player is judged on where they currently stand in my opinion, not the player they once were, are going to be, etc.
3.Each player is listed as a member of the team they will play for during the 2018 season.
4.Special note for the QB rankings: Since there's no timetable for his return and plenty of question marks surrounding how he'll look if he does in fact line up under center at some point during the upcoming season, I've decide to exclude Andrew Luck from this year's rankings.

25.Joe Flacco (Ravens)
24.Blake Bortles (Jaguars)
23.Deshaun Watson (Texans)
22.Tyrod Taylor (Browns)
21.Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers)
20.Nick Foles (Eagles)
19.Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
18.Andy Dalton (Bengals)
17.Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
16.Derek Carr (Raiders)
15.Eli Manning (Giants)
14.Marcus Mariota (Titans)
13.Jared Goff (Rams)
12.Alex Smith (Redskins)
11.Phillip Rivers (Chargers)
10.Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
9.Matthew Stafford (Lions)
8.Cam Newton (Panthers)
7.Carson Wentz (Eagles)
6.Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
5.Matt Ryan (Falcons)
4.Drew Brees (Saints)
3.Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
2.Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
1.Tom Brady (Patriots)

2014 NFL Position Rankings: Top 20 Tight Ends

Here are my picks for the 20 best tight ends in the NFL going into the 2014 season:

20.Jordan Reed (Redskins)

19.Dwayne Allen (Colts)

18.Jared Cook (Rams)

17.Zach Ertz (Eagles)

16.Coby Fleener (Colts)

15.Charles Clay (Dolphins)

14.Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)

13.Jermichael Finley (Free Agent)

12.Owen Daniels (Ravens)

11.Dennis Pitta (Ravens)

10.Heath Miller (Steelers)

9.Greg Olsen (Panthers)

8.Julius Thomas (Broncos)

7.Martellus Bennett (Bears)

6.Jordan Cameron (Browns)

5.Antonio Gates (Chargers)

4.Jason Witten (Cowboys)

3.Vernon Davis (49ers)

2.Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)

1.Jimmy Graham (Saints)

2014 NFL Position Rankings: Top 50 Running Backs

List 2 of 15 is here today with my picks for the 50 best running backs in the NFL heading into 2014.

50.Robert Turbin (Seahawks)

49.Montee Ball (Broncos)

48.Ahmad Bradshaw (Colts)

47.Bryce Brown (Bills)

46.David Wilson (Giants)

45.Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)

44.Bobby Rainey (Buccaneers)

43.Vick Ballard (Colts)

42.Donald Brown (Chargers)

41.Mike James (Buccaneers)

40.Pierre Thomas (Saints)

39.Toby Gerhart (Jaguars)

38.Chris Ivory (Jets)

37.Darren Sproles (Eagles)

36.Lamar Miller (Dolphins)

35.LaGarette Blount (Steelers)

34.BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Bengals)

33.Andre Ellington (Cardinals)

32.Danny Woodhead (Chargers)

31.Shane Vereen (Patriots)

30.Rashad Jennings (Giants)

29.Andre Brown (Texans)

28.Ben Tate (Browns)

27.Darren McFadden (Raiders)

26.Steven Jackson (Falcons)

25.Joique Bell (Lions)

24.Stevan Ridley (Patriots)

23.DeAngelo Williams (Panthers)

22.Maurice Jones-Drew (Raiders)

21.Zac Stacey (Rams)

20.Le'veon Bell (Steelers)

19.Knowshon Moreno (Dolphins)

18.Giovani Bernard (Bengals)

17.Fred Jackson (Bills)

16.Ray Rice (Ravens)

15.Ryan Matthews (Chargers)

14.Chris Johnson (Jets)

13.DeMarco Murray (Cowboys)

12.Doug Martin (Buccaneers)

11.C.J. Spiller (Bills)

10.Reggie Bush (Lions)

9.Eddie Lacy (Packers)

8.Alfred Morris (Redskins)

7.Frank Gore (49ers)

6.Arian Foster (Texans)

5.Matt Forte (Bears)

4.Jammal Charles (Chiefs)

3.Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks)

2.LeSean McCoy (Eagles)

1.Adrian Peterson (Vikings)

2013 NFL Postion Rankings: Recap

Over the past month, I've counted down the best players at each position going into the 2013 NFL season. Since the lists are currently scattered, I figured it would be efficient to recap the lists and have them all in one place. Here are all of the rankings, now let's just get on with the start of football season!


Top 25 Quarterbacks:

25.Matt Moore (Dolphins)

24.Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins)

23.Josh Freeman (Buccaneers)

22.Michael Vick (Eagles)

21.Phillip Rivers (Chargers)

20.Carson Palmer (Cardinals)

19.Alex Smith (Chiefs)

18.Jay Cutler (Bears)

17.Tony Romo (Cowboys)

16.Andy Dalton (Bengals)

15.Matt Schaub (Texans)

14.Joe Flacco (Ravens)

13.Matthew Stafford (Lions)

12.Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)

11.Andrew Luck (Colts)

10.Colin Kapernick (49ers)

9.Russell Wilson (Seahawks)

8.Eli Manning (Giants)

7.Cam Newton (Panthers)

6.Robert Griffin III (Redskins)

5.Matt Ryan (Falcons)

1.Tie Tom Brady (Patriots), Drew Brees (Saints), Peyton Manning (Broncos), Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

 

Top 50 Running Backs:

50.Daryl Richardson (Rams)

49.Ronnie Brown (Chargers)

48.Rashard Mendenhaal (Cardinals)

47.Beanie Wells (Free Agent)

46.Pierre Thomas (Saints)

45.Shane Vereen (Patriots)

44.Joique Bell (Lions)

43.Jaquizz Rodgers (Falcons)

42.Chris Ivory (Jets)

41.LaMichael James (49ers)

40.Lamar Miller (Dolphins)

39.Michael Turner (Free Agent)

38.Ben Tate (Texans)

37.Mikel Lashoure (Lions)

36.Vick Ballard (Colts)

35.Michael Bush (Bears)

34.Bryce Brown (Eagles)

33.Kendall Hunter (49ers)

32.Bernard Pierce (Ravens)

31.Knoshown Moreno (Broncos)

30.Darren Sproles (Saints)

29.Andre Brown (Giants)

28.Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)

27.Benjarvus Green-Ellis (Bengals)

26.DeAngelo Williams (Panthers)

25.David Wilson (Giants)

24.Ryan Matthews (Chargers)

23.Shonn Greene (Titans)

22.Darren McFadden (Raiders)

21.Ahmad Bradshaw (Colts)

20.Reggie Bush (Lions)

19.Fred Jackson (Bills)

18.DeMarco Murray (Cowboys)

17.Willis McGahee (Free Agent)

16.Stevan Ridley (Patriots)

15.Trent Richardson (Browns)

14.Steven Jackson (Falcons)

13.Chris Johnson (Titans)

12.Matt Forte (Bears)

11.LeSean McCoy (Eagles)

10.Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars)

9.Jammal Charles (Chiefs)

8.Doug Martin (Buccaneers)

7.Alfred Morris (Redskins)

6.C.J Spiller (Bills)

5.Frank Gore (49ers)

4.Ray Rice (Ravens)

3.Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks)

2.Arian Foster (Texans)

1.Adrian Peterson (Vikings)

 

Top 50 Wide Receivers:

50.Mohammad Sanu (Bengals)

49.Donnie Avery (Chiefs)

48.Santana Moss (Redskins)

47.Josh Gordon (Browns)

46.Emanuel Sanders (Steelers)

45.Brian Hartline (Dolphins)

44.Malcolm Floyd (Chargers)

43.Golden Tate (Seahawks)

42.Justin Blackmon (Jaguars)

41.Sidney Rice (Seahawks)

40.Santonio Holmes (Jets)

39.Cecil Shorts (Jaguars)

38.Jeremy Maclin (Eagles)

37.Jacoby Jones (Ravens)

36.T.Y Hilton (Colts)

35.Mike Williams (Buccaneers)

34.Lance Moore (Saints)

33.Danny Amendola (Patriots)

32.Antonio Brown (Steelers)

31.Mike Wallace (Dolphins)

30.Torrey Smith (Ravens)

29.Michael Crabtree (49ers)

28.Eric Decker (Broncos)

27.Miles Austin (Cowboys)

26.Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs)

25.James Jones (Packers)

24.DeSean Jackson (Eagles)

23.Stevie Johnson (Bills)

22.Marques Colston (Saints)

21.Anquan Boldin (49ers)

20.Jordy Nelson (Packers)

19.Greg Jennings (Vikings)

18.Demariyus Thomas (Broncos)

17.Randall Cobb (Packers)

16.Pierre Garcon (Redskins)

15.Steve Smith (Panthers)

14.Hakeem Nicks (Giants)

13.Percy Harvin (Seahawks)

12.Wes Welker (Broncos)

11.Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)

10.Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers)

9.Reggie Wayne (Colts)

8.Julio Jones (Falcons)

7.Victor Cruz (Giants)

6.Dez Bryant (Cowboys)

5.Roddy White (Falcons)

4.Andre Johnson (Texans)

3.Brandon Marshall (Bears)

2.A.J Green (Bengals)

1.Calvin Johnson (Lions)

 

Top 20 Tight Ends:

20.Brent Celek (Eagles)

19.Joel Dressen (Broncos)

18.Jermaine Gresham (Bengals)

17.Dwayne Allen (Colts)

16.Jemichael Finley (Packers)

15.Jared Cook (Rams)

14.Brandon Myers (Giants)

13.Martellus Bennett (Bears)

12.Greg Olsen (Panthers)

11.Owen Daniels (Texans)

10.Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)

9.Dennis Pitta (Ravens)

8.Antonio Gates (Chargers)

7.Aaron Hernandez (Patriots)

6.Heath Miller (Steelers)

5.Vernon Davis (49ers)

4.Jimmy Graham (Saints)

3.Jason Witten (Cowboys)

2.Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)

1.Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)

 

Top 30 Tackles:

30.Eric Winston (Free Agent)

29.Bryan Bulaga (Packers)

28.Bryant McKinnie (Ravens)

27.Sam Baker (Falcons)

26.Gosder Cherilus (Colts)

25.Cordy Glenn (Bills)

24.William Beatty (Giants)

23.Jermon Bushrod (Bears)

22.Donald Penn (Buccaneers)

21.Phil Loadholt (Vikings)

20.Tyson Clabo (Dolphins)

19.Orlando Franklin (Broncos)

18.Jordan Gross (Panthers)

17.Matt Kalil (Vikings)

16.Branden Albert (Chiefs)

15.D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets)

14.Nate Solder (Patriots)

13.Eugene Monroe (Jaguars)

12.Andre Smith (Bengals)

11.Trent Williams (Redskins)

10.Sebastian Vollmer (Patriots)

9.Michael Roos (Titans)

8.Jake Long (Rams)

7.Anthony Davis (49ers)

6.Andrew Whitworth (Bengals)

5.Russell Okung (Seahawks)

4.Ryan Clady (Broncos)

3.Joe Thomas (Browns)

2.Duane Brown (Texans)

1.Joe Staley (49ers)

 

Top 30 Guards:

30.Garrett Reynolds (Falcons)

29.Manuel Ramirez (Broncos)

28.Harvey Dahl (Rams)

27.Lance Louis (Dolphins)

26.John Greco (Browns)

25.Dan Connolly (Patriots)

24.Clint Boling (Bengals)

23.Jon Asamoah (Chiefs)

22.Jeremy Zuttah (Buccaneers)

21.Kevin Boothe (Giants)

20.Geoff Schwartz (Chiefs)

19.Zane Beadles (Broncos)

18.Donald Thomas (Colts)

17.Louis Vasquez (Broncos)

16.Rob Sims (Lions)

15.Richie Incognito (Dolphins)

14.Nate Livings (Cowboys)

13.Willie Colon (Jets)

12.Brandon Moore (Jets)

11.Chris Chester (Redskins)

10.Chris Snee (Giants)

9.Kevin Zeitler (Bengals)

8.Ben Grubbs (Saints)

7.Andy Levitre (Titans)

6.Alex Boone (49ers)

5.Jahri Evans (Saints)

4.Carl Nicks (Buccaneers)

3.Logan Mankins (Patriots)

2.Mike Iupati (49ers)

1.Marshal Yanda (Ravens)

 

Top 20 Centers:

20.David Baas (Giants)

19.Ryan Lilja (Chiefs)

18.Ted Larsen (Buccaneers)

17.Todd McClure (Falcons)

16.Dan Koppen (Free Agent)

15.Robert Turner (Rams)

14.Ryan Wendell (Patriots)

13.Stefen Wisnewski (Raiders)

12.Dominic Raiola (Lions)

11.Brian De La Puente (Saints)

10.Will Montgomery (Redskins)

9.Jonathan Goodwin (49ers)

8.Alex Mack (Browns)

7.Mike Pouncey (Dolphins)

6.Ryan Kalil (Panthers)

5.John Sullivan (Vikings)

4.Marquice Pouncey (Steelers)

3.Chris Myers (Texans)

2.Nick Mangold (Jets)

1.Max Unger (Seahawks)

 

Top 30 Defensive Ends:

 30.Adam Carriker (Redskins)

29.Kamerion Wimbley (Titans)

28.Chandler Jones (Patriots)

27.Carlos Dunlap (Bengals)

26.Trent Cole (Eagles)

25.Jason Babin (Jaguars)

24.Bruce Irvin (Seahawks)

23.Rob Ninkovich (Patriots)

22.Cameron Jordan (Saints)

21.Jason Hatcher (Cowboys)

20.Cliff Avril (Seahawks)

19.John Abraham (Free Agent)
18.Osi Umenyiora (Falcons)

17.Calias Campbell (Cardinals)

16.Greg Hardy (Panthers)

15.Robert Quinn (Rams)

14.Justin Tuck (Giants)

13.Michael Johnson (Bengals)

12.Elvis Dumervil (Ravens)

11.Chris Clemons (Seahawks)

10.Chris Long (Rams)

9.Charles Johnson (Panthers)

8.Michael Bennett (Seahawks)

7.Mario Williams (Bills)

6.Julius Peppers (Bears)

5.Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants)

4.Jared Allen (Vikings)

3.Justin Smith (49ers)

2.Cameron Wake (Dolphins)

1.J.J Watt (Texans)

 

Top 20 Defensive Tackles:

20.Justin Bannan (Broncos)

19.Marcel Dareus (Bills)

18.Linval Joesph (Giants)

17.Fletcher Cox (Eagles)

16.Michael Brockers (Rams)

15.Chris Canty (Ravens)

14.Randy Starks (Dolphins)

13.Richard Seymour (Free Agent)

12.Jay Ratliff (Cowboys)

11.Desmond Bryant (Browns)

10.Kyle Williams (Bills)

9.B.J Raji (Packers)

8.Kevin Williams (Vikings)

7.Nick Fairley (Lions)

6.Henry Melton (Bears)

5.Ndamukong Suh (Lions)

4.Gerald McCoy (Buccaneers)

3.Haloti Ngata (Ravens)

2.Vince Wilfork (Patriots)
1.Geno Atkins (Bengals)

 

Top 30 Inside Linebackers:

30.Rey Malaluga (Bengals)

29.Dan Connor (Giants)

28.A.J Hawk (Packers)

27.Jasper Brinkley (Cardinals)

26.Brad Jones (Packers)

25.David Harris (Jets)

24.Takeo Spikes (Free Agent)

23.Bruce Carter (Cowboys)

22.Jon Beason (Panthers)

21.DeMeco Ryans (Eagles)

20.Paul Poslunzy (Jaguars)

19.Dannell Ellerbe (Dolphins)

18.D'Qwell Jackson (Browns)

17.Brandon Spikes (Patriots)

16.Karlos Dansby (Cardinals)

15.Donald Butler (Chargers)

14.Jerrell Freeman (Colts)

13.Mason Foster (Buccaneers)

12.Stephen Tulloch (Lions)

11.London Fletcher (Redskins)

10.Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)

9.Lawrence Timmons (Steelers)

8.Sean Lee (Cowboys)

7.Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)

6.Luke Kuechly (Panthers)

5.James Laurinatis (Rams)

4.Daryl Washington (Cardinals)

3.NaVorro Bowman (49ers)

2.Brain Cushing (Texans)

1.Patrick Willis (49ers)

 

Top 30 Outside Linebackers:

30.Jo-Lonn Dunbar (Rams)

29.Connor Barwin (Eagles)

28.Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants)

27.Kevin Burnett (Raiders)

26.Robert Mathis (Colts)

25.Dwight Freeney (Chargers)

24.Phillip Wheeler (Dolphins)

23.Leroy Hill (Seahawks)

22.Dont'a Hightower (Patriots)

21.Nick Roach (Raiders)

20.James Harrison (Bengals)

19.Vontaze Burfict (Bengals)

18.Sean Witherspoon (Falcons)

17.Ryan Kerrigan (Redskins)

16.Paul Kruger (Browns)

15.Wesley Woodyard (Broncos)

14.Justin Houston (Chiefs)

13.Ahmad Brooks (49ers)

12.Lavonte David (Buccaneers)

11.Tamba Hali (Chiefs)

10.LaMarr Woodley (Steelers)

9.Jerod Mayo (Patriots)

8.Anthony Spencer (Cowboys)

7.Lance Briggs (Bears)

6.Chad Greenway (Vikings)

5.Terrell Suggs (Ravens)

4.Aldon Smith (49ers)

3.DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys)

2.Von Miller (Broncos)

1.Clay Matthews (Packers)

 

Top 30 Cornerbacks:

30.Janoris Jenkins (Rams)

29.Morris Claiborne (Cowboys)

28.Nmandi Ashomuga (49ers)

27.Brandon Carr (Cowboys)

26.Chris Harris Jr. (Broncos)

25.Terrence Newman (Bengals)

24.Jonathan Joesph (Texans)

23.Vontae Davis (Colts)

22.Domnique Rodgers-Cromartie (Broncos)

21.Carlos Rodgers (49ers)

20.Cortez Allen (Steelers)

19.Keenan Lewis (Saints)

18.Casey Hayward (Packers)

17.Antoine Winfield (Seahawks)

16.Leon Hall (Bengals)

15.Cortland Finnegan (Rams)

14.Sam Shields (Packers)

13.Brandon Flowers (Chiefs)

12.Lardarius Webb (Ravens)

11.Ike Taylor (Steelers)

10.Joe Haden (Browns)

9.Tarrell Brown (49ers)

8.Brandon Browner (Seahawks)

7.Tim Jennings (Bears)

6.Champ Bailey (Broncos)

5.Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)

4.Antonio Cromartie (Jets)

3.Charles Tillman (Bears)

2.Richard Sherman (Seahawks)

1.Darrelle Revis (Buccaneers)

 

Top 30 Safeties:

30.Adrian Wilson (Patriots)

29.LaRon Landry (Colts)

28.Tyvon Branch (Raiders)

27.Major Wright (Bears)

26.Glover Quin (Lions)

25.Raheem Moore (Broncos)

24.Devin McCourty (Patriots)

23.Eric Berry (Chiefs)

22.Mike Adams (Broncos)

21.Chris Clemons (Dolphins)

20.Ed Reed (Texans)

19.Thomas DeCoud (Falcons)

18.Reggie Nelson (Bengals)

17.Quintin Mikell (Rams)

16.George Wilson (Titans)

15.Bernard Pollard (Titans)

14.Donte Whitner (49ers)

13.T.J Ward (Browns)

12.Harrison Smith (Vikings)

11.William Moore (Falcons)

10.Reshead Jones (Dolphins)

9.Troy Polamalu (Steelers)

8.Charles Woodson (Raiders)

7.Kam Chancellor (Seahawks)

6.Ryan Clark (Steelers)

5.Kerry Rhodes (Cardinals)

4.Jarius Byrd (Bills)

3.Dashon Goldson (Buccaneers)

2.Earl Thomas (Seahawks)

1.Eric Weddle (Chargers)