Quarterback Rankings: No. 1
Aug 9, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Every two days, Rishi Pochiraju will reveal a quarterback on his list of quarterback rankings. Each quarterback will receive a grade out of 50 – 10 points for each category. See his page for earlier ranked quarterbacks. At last, number 1.
#1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Based on what he’s done since being named Green Bay’s starter, I’m convinced that Aaron Rodgers has cemented his place as the league’s best quarterback.
Taking into consideration that Rodgers has arguably the worst pass-protecting offensive line in the league – Rodgers has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the last four years – what he’s done has been remarkable.
A spotty defense at best and a lack of a running game doesn’t help either, but Rodgers has been able to make it happen.
Physical traits and athleticism
Listed at 6-2, Rodgers isn’t the shortest of quarterbacks, although a little more size would be ideal. He possesses the perfect combination of arm talent and athleticism out of any quarterback – he’s a pro-style quarterback who doesn’t run any read-option, but his ability to extend plays and throw on the run while escaping defenders is paralleled by less than a handful in the league. Grade: 9.5/10
Arm talent
Rodgers has one of the strongest arms in the league, if not the strongest. He also throws a very nice touch pass. I believe he and Drew Brees are the two most accurate passers in the pros, partly due to this tremendous arm strength. Grade: 9.5/10
Mechanics
Rodgers’ upper-body mechanics stay on point even when throwing on the run or from an awkward delivery. His ability to make these throws without setting his feet just makes him an even greater quarterback when he is able to set his feet and operate from a clean pocket, something which he didn’t do much last season standing behind a sub-par offensive line. Grade: 10/10
Mental make-up
Learning from Brett Favre for three years certainly helped Rodgers in terms of his mental development for a professional quarterback. He makes accurate pre-snap reads and makes adjustments pre-snap as well as during the play. He’s been able to stay on the field avoiding major injuries as well, which is a key component of being a quarterback in the NFL. Grade: 9.5/10
Intangibles
Rodgers has been a hard worker since college and has no trouble leading the Green Bay locker room. The 2005 draft experience when he slipped from a potential number one overall pick to the 24th helped shape him today. Grade: 9/10
Overall impression
Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league right now. He has at least six more years of elite play left in him. He’s still considered somewhat young for quarterback standards, and football fans everywhere (besides Bears fans) love watching this man play football. Overall Grade: 47.5/50