RZBR - Ranking the 25 & Under Quarterbacks
by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
RZBR Ranks the Top Quarterbacks 25 Years Old & Younger
Red Zone is a quarterback driven league, and if you don't have one, you're doing everything you can to get one. Developing these young stars and helping them reach their full potential is the most important part of the process.
So which quarterbacks 25 years and younger are best suited to win the most over the next three seasons? I took a deep dive into these quarterback situations and ranked all of them. These rankings are based on coaching staff fit, weapons around them, and intangibles/attributes. Enjoy!
#1) - Derek Elam (84 OVR, Star) - Carolina Panthers - 25 Years Old
The former 6th round pick Derek Elam claimed his first RZ championship last season over the Houston Texans, cementing himself atop this list. If not for that, he would likely be slotted at #2.
Elam just earned his first contract extension, and has been a fascinating story since joining Carolina. Since becoming the full time starter, he has thrown for 4600 yards in 3 straight seasons, and 40+ touchdowns. He has won 37 games in his 3 full seasons as a starter.
Despite lacking an elite development trait, under the careful guidance of Coach Ramesu, Elam has become a household name in Red Zone. Even if his overall rating isn't the highest on this list, he will have the most success by the cycle's end of any quarterback in this age range.
#2) - Jack Skillin (92 OVR, X-Factor) - Las Vegas Raiders - 25 Years Old
If not for a championship last season from Elam, Skillin would be the top quarterback on this list. Entering his fourth season, Skillin has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and has completely turned the Raiders franchise around. His first two seasons saw him pass for over 4000 yards and 62 total touchdowns, while his third season saw a massive jump, as Skillin went for 5600 yards and 47 touchdowns, earning MVP votes in the process.
The problem has been turnovers and playoff success. Skillin is 0-2 in the playoffs, and his second season saw the Raiders finish 6-11. He has accounted for 68 interceptions in 3 full seasons. If he can clean up the turnovers, and make a playoff run, he will cement his legacy among the all-time Red Zone greats. Until then, he is stuffing the stats and could win an individual award or two.
#3) - Jeff Rushing (76 OVR, Star) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 24 Years Old
Jeff Rushing did not get the pre-draft hype he may have deserved, as he slipped into the 4th round. The combination of his athleticism and cannon of an arm was intriguing to Roc and the Bucs, and he has been a perfect fit for their offense. Rushing has thrown for 4800 yards in back to back seasons since joining Tampa Bay, and 82 touchdowns.
Tampa Bay has fallen in the NFC Divisional Round in back to back seasons, with Rushing's playoff record at 2-2. This kid has a ton of talent and the upside is out of control under Coach Roc. He will be a major threat to win a championship each of the next three seasons.
#4 - David James (76 OVR, Star) - Los Angeles Rams - 22 Years Old
David James was my top quarterback in the Season 74 draft, and the Rams agreed, selecting him 1st overall. While he did not get a Superstar or X-Factor development trait, his intangibles were simply too good to consider passing up. 94 throw power with 90 acceleration is a dangerous combination, and only being 22 years old guarantees a couple seasons of development.
His weapons are decent, with two good wide receivers and one elite running back. My concerns lie with the coaching staff, can they put James in the best position to succeed? This coaching staff ran poor Tory Farmer into the ground last season, they must find a way to give James easy looks and limit turnovers.
#5 - Nate Garland (80 OVR, Star) - Philadelphia Eagles - 24 Years Old
Despite a very forgettable cycle for Steven Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles, they were able to strike gold in the selection of Nate Garland in last year's draft, and the second year pro is often forgotten when we discuss the future of Red Zone's quarterbacks.
After a rookie season that saw Garland throw for 2800 yards and 18 scores, along with 629 and 4 scores on the ground, he has started Season 75 red hot, with 600 total yards and 5 scores through the 2-0 start. Were we too quick to write the kid off? Despite being 24, his attributes are off the charts.
Don't forget, Garland has the combination of 93 throw power and 96 speed. If Garland can somehow upgrade to Superstar over the course of the next two seasons, he will skyrocket these rankings.
#6 - Glen Webster (75 OVR, Star) - Pittsburgh Steelers - 25 Years Old
There's no way around it - Glen Webster has gotten better every single year in the league. After a 12 touchdown, 24 interception rookie season, he flipped the script in Season 74. Webster threw for 3200 yards and 28 touchdowns, and helped guide the Steelers to a 10 win season. Through the 2-0 start in Season 75, Webster has thrown 7 touchdowns and 1 interception.
The kid seems to be getting better with each passing year, and the coaching staff has committed to upgrading around him. The addition of Mecole Hardman is a game changer, along with good depth like Mike Evans and Sterling Shepherd. Don't forget they adding an elite offensive lineman in Elgton Jenkins. The future is very bright for Mr. Webster.
#7 - Kaleb Kirkland (73 OVR, Superstar) - Seattle Seahawks - 22 Years Old
Seattle shocked the world by selecting Kaleb Kirland 2nd overall in last week's draft, and boy did a lot of us eat crow. Kirkland was always an intriguing propsect, but the fact that he was the only one of the three taken to carry 'Superstar' was an amazing win for the Seattle franchise.
A year removed from revitalizing the career of Josh Rosen, the Seahawks are now tasked with developing the next guy. Kirkland lacks elite throw power (88), but makes up for it with his mobility (85 SPD, 88 ACCEL), and his eventual abilities that come from Superstar.
With an elite weapon in D.K. Metcalf, and the young star tight end Braylon Haden, the future is bright for Kirkland. I see some limitations in his rookie season due to his arm, but look for big improvement in Year 2.
#8 - Gabe Cotton (81 OVR, Normal) - Detroit Lions - 24 Years Old
Another quarterback who fell victim to the 25 interception regression, as Cotton fell from Star to Normal at the end of his second season. Cotton improve in his YPA last season by over a full yard, and threw for 500 more yards, but contributed more turnovers in his second season. That is what is holding him, and this Lions team back.
His attributes are really good, the time that he had in Star paid off, as he was able to gain some quality development. His accuracy ratings are very solid, and he has the capabilities to play on the move.
If Cotton was in different hands, I think he's be a top 10 quarterback in Red Zone right now. In Beech's hands, there are limitations. With how elite his defense is playing, can he find out how to maximize Cotton's potential?
#9 - Cole Rhinehart (67 OVR, Superstar) - Minnesota Vikings - 22 Years Old
Yep, Cole Rhinehart is on this list, and he is above starting quarterbacks!
Simply put, Kellen Mond and Cole Rhinehart will not be on the Vikings roster together in Season 76, someone has to go. I am basing this ranking off of the unknown. If the Vikings go the cost-effective option, and keep Rhinehart, he automatically moves to #4 on this list. If he is moved elsewhere, it obviously depends on the fit.
Rhinehart has the Superstar trait which will accelerate his development, along with 94 throw power. This kid is extremely intriguing, and could be a franchise quarterback in the right hands. Does he wear purple and gold next season?
#10 - Mitch Swift (77 OVR, Normal) - New England Patriots - 23 Years Old
Unfortunately for Mitch Swift, he lost his Star development trait after throwing 25 interceptions as a rookie, and is now kicked down to Normal as a 23 year old, which really hurts his future ratings.
Despite 25 interceptions, he was able to throw for 3800 yards and 28 touchdowns as a rookie, but a putrid 59% completion percentage is alarming. His start to his second season hasn't been much better, although he claimed a nice overtime victory over Buffalo.
If Swift can limit turnovers and play within the system that Kad likes to run with dink and dunk offense, he can be successful. I don't see Swift ever eclipsing 30 touchdowns or 4500 yards, but a solid to average starter in our league. In Kad's hands I think he is a 8 win quarterback max.
#11 - Vernon Carruthers (79 OVR, Normal) - Dallas Cowboys - 22 Years Old
Carruthers was very difficult for me to rank. On one hand, he has some very impressive attributes and is only 22 years old. On the other hand, he is subject to turnover issues due to the simplicity and repetition of Pat Allen's offense, and will likely be second fiddle to their run game.
His rookie season saw 22 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, and has begun Season 75 with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. This is a similar situation to Cotton, where the upside is there, but the coaching fit is not right. 94 throw power to go with his athleticism is extremely intriguing, and I could regret having him this low, but I don't trust Pat at all to develop this kid.
#12 - Manny Myers (70 OVR, Normal) - New York Giants - 21 Years Old
I'm not sure if Myers was always the plan for the Giants at 3, but when Kirkland was taken above them, the intrigue of a highly-touted prospect was too much to pass up. In my opinion, it was very obvious Myers was going to receive the Normal development trait due to his issues at school. Combine that with his 89 throw power and average athleticism, and this is a kid that simply doesn't 'Wow' you.
If Myers was in different hands, I think I'd have a different opinion. Being 21 years old is a huge advantage, and if you can get him to Star at the end of his rookie season, it changes everything. In Eikim's hands I am concerned. He has thrown 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions through 2 games, and only 233 yards. I don't see a world in which Myers is going to develop properly.
#13 - Devin Wagner (78 OVR, Normal) - New York Jets - 24 Years Old
Devin Wagner is a perfect example of the Jets organization as a whole. After a very promising rookie campaign that saw Wagner throw for 4800 yards and 35 touchdowns, he developed from a 21 year old Normal player to a 22 year old Star player. The following year, Wagner threw 33 interceptions, demoting him back to Normal.
Despite entering his 4th season with the Jets, he has only increased 8 overall points. Below are a few of his attributes and how he has been developed.
Short Accuracy - 80 to 82 in 3 years
Medium Accuracy - 82 to 87 in 3 years
Deep Accuracy - 81 to 85 in 3 years
Throw on the Run - 79 to 79 in 3 years
Play Action - 76 to 77 in 3 years
This kid simply isn't getting developed properly. This is a perfect glimpse into how the Jets treat their drafted players.
#14 - Roman Crowder (78 OVR, Normal) - Cleveland Browns - 23 Years Old
There could be no other quarterback at the bottom of this list, as Roman Crowder has been the epitome of mediocrity from a quarterback/coaching combination standpoint from the moment he was selected 1st (YES 1st) overall two years ago.
In two seasons Crowder has thrown 34 touchdowns and 51 interceptions, and has yet to eclipse 4000 passing yards. He has developed a total of 4 overall points in 2 years, and all of his major throwing attributes have increased by 2 at max. Has he been a focus player for the Browns?
Obviously the fact that he was Normal dev is crippling, but he had a massive advantage in being 21 years old. Him being a 78 overall quarterback with mid-80s throwing accuracies is an indictment on this Browns front office and coaching staff.