Ranking the Rookie Quarterbacks

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It’s beginning to look like the 2012 draft class is shaping
up to be a banner year for quarterbacks. Obviously it’s too early to tell for
sure about a few of these guys (hint: Nick Foles), but there are currently
seven rookies starting at the most visible position in football. Now we want to
know how you would rank them.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III get the most attention,
and for good reason. Numbers one and two in the selection process by the Colts
and Redskins have lived up to the hype, each having helped transform their
respective clubs into playoff contenders in short order. RG3 has by far the
best numbers in his rookie class, completing 66% of his passes for almost 3,000
yards while throwing 18 touchdowns to four picks, and adding another 700 yards
and six scores on the ground. Luck has put the Indianapolis offense on his back
forever, attempting the second-highest number of pass attempts in the NFL this
season en route to a 9-4 record.

Also chosen in the first round, Ryan Tannehill in Miami and
Brandon Weeden in Cleveland have remained a bit more anonymous for a pair of
bad teams. Separated by 14 picks, the two have had fairly similar up-and-down
seasons with nearly identical numbers, right down to their 5-8 records. However,
Tannehill was considered a project coming out of college, while the Browns were
hoping for more immediate gratification from the 29-year-old Weeden. Both are prospects, but not nearly as polished as the top dogs.

Then there is the constantly underrated Russell Wilson, who
went 13 picks before Foles in the third round. Unlike Foles though, Seattle
installed the 5’11” Wilson as the starter after winning a preseason competition,
and they've never looked back. With a staunch defense and power running game, Wilson
has been able to play more of a game-manager role, but with an efficient 94.9
passer rating, and a couple of game-winning drives. Plus, the Seahawks would make
the tournament if the season ended today.

Something tells us sixth-rounder Ryan Lindley for Arizona
won’t come in very high on anybody’s list.

We’re curious to see where Eagles fans would place Foles on
a list against his peers. However, there are no defined criteria. You could go
based on the seasons they are having, or the potential they have to grow into
franchise quarterbacks. Myself, I’m going with a cross between the two, if that
makes sense. It’s difficult to place Foles on this list when five of the seven
have been playing since Week 1, therefore I couldn’t justify putting him ahead
of Wilson even though he might be limited by his stature. Then again, scouts believed
Tannehill and Weeden had more potential than both of them, but neither has
shown the dramatic improvements Foles has.

Tough call. Here’s my list. Critique and share your own.

1. Luck

2. Griffin
III
3. Wilson
4. Foles
5. Tannehill
6. Weeden
7. Lindley

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