The Top 65 NFL Quarterbacks

There are 32 teams in the NFL. Most teams have three QBs on their active roster (more if you are Jon Gruden). That amounts to 96 QBs, not including guys stashed away on the practice squad.

Of those 100+ QBs, I've ranked the top 65.

How I ranked them

While making this list, I asked myself one question: Who would I rather have? Peyton Manning or Tom Brady at #1. David Carr or Damon Huard for #30. And so on. For #65, I chose the college senior QB with the best pro potential.

The Top 65

1. Tom Brady, Patriots

Tom Brady is the best QB in the league. When the game is on the line, he is the guy you want quarterbacking your team. He is a team player and leader who stays out of trouble off the field. Plus he dated Bridget Moynahan and Gisele Bundchen. 'Nuff said.

2. Peyton Manning, Colts

Yes, he won the Super Bowl last year. And yes, he beat Tom Brady in the AFC Championship to get there. But I would still rather have Brady leading my team than Manning. Don't get me wrong, Manning will go down as one of the greats. Brady has won more, is younger, and dated Bridget Moynahan.

3. Drew Brees, Saints

Clearly is the best QB to come out of the 2001 draft. The Chargers gave up on a chance to draft Michael Vick in exchange for Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson. After the Chargers let him leave, he was passed over by Nick Saban and the Dolphins (who traded for Daunte Culpepper instead) and landed in New Orleans. People will think twice about passing on Brees anytime in the future.

4. Carson Palmer, Bengals

Palmer is on the verge of greatness, if only Cincinnati could field a defense and stay out of trouble. He is a team player and one of those rare #1 draft picks who live up to the hype.

5. Marc Bulger, Rams

Bulger is the most underrated QB in the league. He was passed over by his hometown Pitt Panthers out of high school. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 2000 draft by New Orleans, than cut after training camp. Mike Martz saw something in him and 16,223 yards and 95 TDs later, Bulger has established himself as an elite QB.

6. Donovan McNabb, Eagles

McNabb will bounce back this season and return to the top of the list of elite NFL QBs. The Eagles are counting on it. If he stays healthy, they are good enough to win the NFC.

7. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks

Injuries have slowed Hasselbeck down since losing the Super Bowl to Pittsburgh. It could be a sign of things to come.

8. Brett Favre, Packers

The gray-haired old man still has the desire to win. His arm is not as strong as it used to be, but I wouldn't count out the Packers to make a surprise run this season.

9. Phillip Rivers, Chargers

Having LT makes any QB look good.

10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Hasn’t shown much since winning the Super Bowl.

11. Tony Romo, Cowboys

Romo has the potential to be a mega-star in the NFL. He started out great when he replaced Drew Bledsoe last season, but cooled off near the end. QBs tend to make the most improvement between their first and second seasons as a starter.

12. Jay Cutler, Broncos

Cutler is a gunslinger, and may finally get Denver fans to forget about John Elway. Mike Shanahan's decision to bench Jake Plummer for Cutler last season cost the Broncos a playoff spot, but aided in Cutler's development

13. Matt Leinart, Cardinals

Had a solid rookie season and is the QB of the future for the Cardinals.

14. Matt Schaub, Texans

I like Matt Schaub. I think he will be everything David Carr couldn't be for the Texans. By the end of the season, the Falcons will really regret trading him.

15. Chad Pennington, Jets

Despite concerns about arm strength, still very solid.

16. Vince Young, Titans

Electric runner who needs to develop as a passer.

17. Jon Kitna, Lions

Kitna may throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, but how many interceptions will he throw?

18. Eli Manning, Giants

Pivotal year for Eli to prove he belongs.

19. Jake Delhomme, Panthers

Can’t get too comfortable with Carr on bench.

20. Steve McNair, Ravens

Getting old, but a still great leader.

21. Trent Green, Dolphins

It is hard to rate Green because of last year's injuries. Can he return to form in Miami?

22. Alex Smith, 49ers

The 49ers will only go as far as Smith takes them. Smith, RB Frank Gore, and TE Vernon Davis come make for a great foundation for the future of the 49ers.

23. Jeff Garcia, Bucs

Garcia is the perfect QB for coach Jon Gruden and the offense he runs in Tampa. He will do good things with the Bucs this year and have them in playoff contention.

24. J.P. Losman, Bills

This season will tell us how good or bad Losman is.

25. Rex Grossman, Bears

“Good Rex” is a top 10 QB, “Bad Rex” a bottom 10 QB.

26. Kellen Clemens, Jets

Ready and willing to take Pennington’s job.

27. Kevin Kolb, Eagles

Ready and willing to take McNabb’s job.

28. Daunte Culpepper, Raiders

There is no pressure and no expectations in Oakland for Culpepper. Thats a good thing.

29. Kurt Warner, Cardinals

How much is left in the tank?

30. David Carr, Panthers

Found a team with an o-line, now just needs a chance.

31. Damon Huard, Chiefs

Solid play in preseason earned him the starting job.

32. David Garrard, Jaguars

Finally gets his chance to lead the Jags.

33. Cleo Lemon, Dolphins

A favorite of Marty Schottenheimer and Cam Cameron.

34. Charlie Batch, Steelers

Solid, unheralded backup QB.

35. Billy Volek, Chargers

Another underrated QB. Can step in a play at a high level should Rivers get hurt.

36. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Rodgers is finally starting to look like the QB of the future for Green Bay. He had a really good preseason, but unless Favre gets hurt, will ride ride the pine again this year. What's up with the porno mustache?

37. Charlie Whitehurst, Chargers

May be good trade bait down the road.

38. John Beck, Dolphins

Phins bringing him along slowly.

39. Byron Leftwich, FA

Legacy at Marshall is all he has.

40. Brady Quinn, Browns

I'm not a big fan of the Golden Boy, but he is the best QB Cleveland has right now. That said, he is not ready to start the season.

41. Ja Marcus Russell, Raiders

Ranked this high on physical talent alone.

42. Joey Harrington, Falcons

This is probably Joey Harrington's last shot at being a starting QB in the NFL. He seems to fit in to what Atlanta wants to do offensively. He did show flashes at times in Miami last season.

43. Jason Campbell, Redskins

1^st rounder finally gets his chance.

44. Chris Simms, Bucs

Still not healthy after last season.

45. Kyle Boller, Ravens

Has time on the bench helped his development?

46. Charlie Frye, Browns

Will start the season at QB for Browns. Probably won't last more than 5 games.

47. Josh McCown, Raiders

Could be Oakland’s starter.

48. Matt Cassel, Patriots

Quietly developing behind Brady in NE.

49. Mark Brunnell, Redskins

Could find a new home in Jacksonville or Seattle.

50. Brad Johnson, Cowboys

On his last legs in Dallas.

51. Gus Frerotte, Rams

Solid veteran backup.

52. Trent Dilfer, 49ers

Team player and mentor to Alex Smith.

53. Kerry Collins, Titans

Looked bad last season.

54. Kelly Holcomb, Vikings

Another journeyman backup.

55. Brian Griese, Bears

Better than “Bad Rex” but that’s about it.

56. Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings

Vikings faith in Jackson could be genius, or foolish. I am going with foolish.

57. Brodie Croyle, Chiefs

Chiefs wanted to start him, but he looked bad in preseason.

58. Seneca Wallace, Seahawks

Could help at WR if Seahawks can find a backup QB.

59. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bengals

Fitzpatrick is a Harvard guy who has learned from Mike Martz, Scott Linehan, Marc Bulger, and now Carson Palmer.

60. Derek Anderson, Browns

Part of a muddled QB picture in Cleveland. Probably will start a game or two before the Golden Boy gets in.

61. A.J. Feely, Eagles

Nothing more than a 3^rd stringer.

62. Patrick Ramsey, Broncos

Found a spot on the bench in Denver.

63. Trent Edwards, Bills

Impressed in preseason. May get a shot down the road.

64. Kyle Orton, Bears

Quietly waiting in Chicago.

65. Brain Brohm, Louisville

Brohm is the best college QB prospect at this point. He will face competition from Hawaii's Colt Brennan and USC's John David Booty to be the first QB selected. The way things are going, he could end up in Atlanta with former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino.