Ranking top 5 NFL quarterbacks coming into the 2019 season

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shake hands following the NFL game at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 26-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shake hands following the NFL game at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 26-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is sure to come into the 2019 season hungrier and more determined. He was one missed call away from helping the Saints reach the Super Bowl last year. Some people even believe that, if Brees got to Super Bowl LIII, he would’ve won.

It’s nice to speculate but, in reality, Brees didn’t reach football’s biggest stage. He has had an entire offseason to think about that botched no-call and he is sure to use that as motivation this year.

Brees had a marvelous year in 2018, despite being 39 years old (turned 40 in January). He had a career-high 74 percent completion rate, which was the highest in the NFL by over four percentage points. He also had 32 touchdowns (tied for sixth-best in the league) and 3,992 passing yards. He also had five interceptions which was the second-lowest in the NFL.

To put the cherry on top of all these stats, his 81.9 QBR was second-best in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes. Brees played some of the best football of his career last season, even though he is climbing up the age ladder.

The Saints lost some pieces this offseason like Mark Ingram, who was decent dual-threat running back that Brees utilized as a dump-off option. Benjamin Watson also left the team. He was also a reliable option for Brees, but the Saints still have plenty of weapons that for the former Super Bowl MVP.

Alvin Kamara is still on the roster. He and Brees had a very good connection in the passing game last season. Kamara had over 700 receiving yards last season and five touchdowns. Brees is going to continue to utilize Kamara skill set in the passing game, as he can catch from the backfield and line up out wide.

There is also a new target in Jared Cook for Brees to throw to as well. Cook had a career year across the board in Oakland last year, posting career highs in targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns and average yards per catch. Having an athletic tight end is something Brees hasn’t had since the Jimmy Graham days, so he is excited to have a player like Cook on the roster.

Let’s not forget that Michael Thomas was Brees’ No. 1 option last year. Thomas had 125 catches and over 1,400 yards in 2018. He and Brees have been one of the most reliable and most dangerous duos in the league since Thomas entered the picture. Even though Thomas is seeking a new contract and didn’t report to camp, Brees is confident that he will be ready to go for the regular season

Brees knows he can’t play forever, so he has to capitalize on the team around him. The NFC is looking to be somewhat of a challenge this year, especially Brees’ division, the NFC South. Despite all this, Brees’ magnificent performance last year shows us that Brees still has plenty of fire and desire left in his arm.

With extra motivation from the officials, Brees is going to come into this year with a vengeance.