NFL STARTING QUARTERBACK RANKINGS METHODOLOGY
In the NFL quarterback rankings on pages 4C and 5C, each evaluation was based on all-22 game video from recent starts for each player. Emphasis was placed on process rather than result. (If a quarterback made the right play but was let down by a teammate or a defender made a spectacular play, he was graded positively. Conversely, if the quarterback made a poor decision that resulted in a positive outcome, he was graded negatively.) Stats and team success, which can be influenced by factors outside of a quarterback’s control, were disregarded.
Each quarterback was graded in six categories on a scale of 1 to 100, the averages producing the final scores that determined the overall rankings. The attributes were assigned varying weights.
Accuracy (20%): It goes beyond simply getting the ball to a target. How well does a quarterback place the ball? Does he allow the receiver to run after the catch? Can he consistently hit on deep balls? These factors comprise the overall score. Arm strength (15%): How strong is his arm, and how well does he harness its power? Does he know when to fire it into a tight window and when to throw a touch pass? Can he make the staple NFL throws, such as a 15-yard out? Does he throw a tight, wind-cutting spiral or is he prone to throwing ducks?
Athleticism (10%): This evaluation is affected by how a quarterback applies his gifts. Can he throw on the move? Can he effectively leave the pocket when a play breaks down? Pocket presence (20%): This category is all about command. Can the quarterback go through his progressions with bodies around him or does he bail at the first sign of pressure? Does he climb the pocket or fade back, making his blockers’ jobs more difficult? Pre-snap (15%): Succeeding before the snap is almost as vital as executing after it. Does the quarterback see blitzes before they occur and respond accordingly? Can he pick out mismatches or weaknesses in the defense and take advantage? Field vision (20%): Maybe the most important category and certainly the most holistic. This factors in the ability to read defenses, find open receivers, anticipate openings and make sound decisions. A passer who sees the field clearly can overcome physical limitations.