The NFC South continues to be the deepest quarterback division in the NFL. It features two former regular season MVPs in Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, one former Super Bowl MVP and all-time great in Drew Brees, and also Jameis Winston.
As we head towards the 2019 season, let’s see how they stack up in our division quarterback rankings.
1. Drew Brees
2018 Stats: 3,992 pass yards, 32 TDs, 5 INTs, 115.7 QB rating
Even though Brees failed to top 4,000 passing yards in 2018, he was as efficient as ever, finishing with an NFL-best 115.7 passer rating. While Matt Ryan is certainly close to surpassing Brees, especially considering his age (40), we think Brees probably has at least one more year in him as the division’s top passer.
Brees also no longer has to carry the Saints like he once did. Dual-threat running back Alvin Kamara has become the focal point of the offense. Brees also has a top-10 receiver in Michael Thomas, who has some of the best hands in the league. New Orleans also has a much tougher defense now than it had during its playoff drought from 2014-2016. All of that adds up to taking a ton of pressure off Brees.
The Saints were one bad call away from another Super Bowl berth last year and should be just as formidable this season with Brees at the helm.
2. Matt Ryan
2018 Stats: 4,924 pass yards, 35 TDs, 7 INTs, 108.1 QB rating
Ryan and the Falcons missed the playoffs in 2018, however, Ryan had the second-best season of his career statistically. The team has since gotten rid of Steve Sarkisian, who may have been holding Ryan back to some extent.
With Dirk Koetter calling the plays again, there should be familiarity for Ryan as he enters his 12th season as Atlanta’s starting quarterback. The team’s heavy offseason investment in strengthening their offensive line should in theory keep Ryan cleaner in the pocket and give him more opportunities to rack up yards and touchdowns.
Ryan also has the best receiver corps in the league with the triple-threat of Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley and an underrated pass-catching tight end in Austin Hooper. If the Falcons get back to the postseason, Ryan should be in the MVP discussion again.
3. Cam Newton
2018 Stats: 3,395 pass yards, 24 TDs, 13 INTs, 94.2 QB rating
Newton looked to have the Panthers back in playoff contention last season, but a shoulder injury and a seven-game losing streak sunk their chances at the postseason. Cam had a respectable 94.2 quarterback rating in 2019 and rushed for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns.
The team added West Virginia QB Will Grier in the draft, but that’s mostly an insurance policy. Right now, Newton is clearly still the guy when hes healthy. With the elite and versatile running back Christian McCaffrey taking on a huge role for Norv Turner’s offense, Newton doesn’t have to carry the Panthers the way he used to.
If young receivers like D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel take a big step forward in 2019, Newton’s numbers should be at least among the top 10 quarterbacks in the game.
4. Jameis Winston
2018 Stats: 2,992 pass yards, 19 TDs, 14 INTs, 90.2 QB rating
The buzz around former first-overall pick Jameis Winston has quieted over the past two seasons as the Buccaneers have failed to take the next step. Winston’s always had a talented arm and a natural, somewhat unorthodox style of leadership. The problem is he always leaves you wanting more.
Winston didn’t have a terrible year statistically in 2018, but continues to fall just short of the franchise QB that NFL scouts once believed he would be. The Bucs made an aggressive move bringing a new head coach in Bruce Arians, who has an excellent track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks. Arians has been successful at coaching up some other aggressive downfield passers, such as Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer.
Winston might still be a great QB in the league if he buys in to Arians’ system and becomes a more disciplined passer in general. This is either going to be the breakout year for Winston in Tampa Bay, or his last.
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