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NFL Player Grades: What offensive players are making the grade?

By Lyle Graversen

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) throws during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) throws during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) on the sidelines during the third quarter of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) on the sidelines during the third quarter of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterbacks

Making The Grade:

Matt Cassel – Minnesota Vikings

As a Kansas City Chiefs fan, if you had told me that Matt Cassel would be one of the top ranked QBs after two preseason games I would have laughed at you. However, you have to give Cassel credit. Not only is he the second highest rated QB in the NFL with a total grade of +3.7, but his +3.5 passing grade is third best in the NFL through two games as well. If nothing else he has made it difficult for the Vikings to hand the QB job over to rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars

While Cassel is making it difficult for the Vikings to start their rookie QB, Blake Bortles is making it hard for the Jaguars to keep him on the bench. Many (myself included) saw Bortles as a good long term prospect that would likely need time to develop, but he appears to be more than capable right out of the gate. In fact, his overall grade of +3.5 is PFF’s fourth best QB grade in the NFL so far. His +3.8 passing grade is actually second best in all the NFL. Regardless of if Bortles starts in week one or later in the season, he is certainly making his early draft selection look like a wise investment for Jacksonville.

Missing The Mark:

Johnny Manziel – Cleveland Browns

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of days you’ve heard that Johnny Football won’t be the starting QB to start the season. While many will say that this is a good decision from a maturity stand point, its really well supported by Manziel’s play on the field as well. His -3.8 grade is one of the lowest in the NFL through two games, and his -4.2 passing grade is even worse. Johnny Football will eventually get a chance to start, but his preseason grades so far justify the Brown’s decision to make him wait.

Eli Manning – New York Giants

While Manziel’s early struggles are at least justified by his status as a rookie, Eli Manning’s issues are another story. The former Super Bowl winner is coming off a horrible season and looking to rebound. Unfortunately for him (and Giants fans) the early returns this preseason don’t look any better. Manning’s -5.2 overall grade and -5.2 passing grade make him one of the worst QBs this preseason according to PFF.

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