AFC East QB Rankings: Tom Brady, then everyone else

#1, Ryan Tannehill

Ahhh, the best of the worst. I think Ryan Tannehill has a real shot at being a player in the league. The problem is the NFL often stands for Not Freaking Long, which is about how long you have to make an impression as a quarterback – especially on a team that has been as QB deprived as the Miami Dolphins.

Tannehill made some big strides from year one to year two. If he does the same this year, he will (probably) be fine. Some are bringing out the clichéd “make or break” year for the former Texas A&M Aggie; I think that is a bit of a stretch. That said, it would certainly cool things down if he had a good year. If you remember last season, the Dolphins were in a “win and you’re in” situation for their last two games of the regular season last year to make it to the playoffs. They melted like an ice-cream cone in July; it was actually kind of hard to watch – which is where I think a bit of the pressure Tannehill is feeling is coming from.

Tannehill’s 45.8 QBR is the best of the aforementioned, excluding Brady obviously, quarterbacks, and he did almost throw for 4,000 yards last season. This is why he is atop of the list: he is the only quarterback that I would feel comfortable calling any play at any time with. He’s athletic and mobile, but is incomparably better – as of last year – in the pocket than Geno Smith and EJ Manuel.

With 17 interceptions last season, he too needs to limit his turnovers – a recurring theme in this bunch. But, to put in some perspective he threw for 24 touchdowns, doubling up Smith.

A lot of Tannehill’s success will depend on getting things worked out with (should be) stud WR Mike Wallace, who struggled last season. Also, with drafting Jarvis Landry, that gives the Phins a bigger target they have been missing. Knowshon Moreno also found his way to South Beach in the off-season; that can’t hurt things.

Another reason he sits at #1……… have you seen his wife?