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NFL Rankings: Top 10 seasons by a rookie QB

By Phil Watson

Dan Marino might have been the last of the first round picks in the famous 1983 quarterback draft, but he was the first to shine in the NFL.
Dan Marino might have been the last of the first round picks in the famous 1983 quarterback draft, but he was the first to shine in the NFL. /
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Matt Ryan didn’t disappoint the Falcons after they took him third overall in 2008. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Ryan didn’t disappoint the Falcons after they took him third overall in 2008. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, 2008

The Falcons took Matt Ryan out of Boston College with the third pick in 2008 and he won the starting job early in training camp.

Ryan put together a solid season, starting all 16 games and completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 11 interceptions.

Ryan also showed some clutch ability, leading four game-winning drives and two fourth-quarter comebacks for Atlanta, which finished 11-5 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Ryan topped 300 yards twice in 2008, including throwing for 315 yards on 24-of-33 passing in a 29-25 loss at New Orleans on Dec. 7. His highest rating came in a 24-0 win at Oakland on Nov. 2, when he completed 17-of-22 for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

In an NFC Wild Card Playoff loss at Arizona, Ryan was 26-for-40 for 199 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions.

His rating of 87.7 compared favorably to the league’s collective rating of 83.1.

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