NFL Player Power Rankings Week 6: Quarterbacks
No. 15-11
15. Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers – previously no. 13
Colin Kaepernick is a QB with immense natural abilities, but is still lacking a little in the production department. Kaepernick hasn’t had a bad start to the 2014 season, but when you watch him play you can’t help but feel like he’s capable of more. If he can still place at number 15 on this list without living up to his potential then the sky is the limit if he ever does.
14. Matt Stafford – Detroit Lions – previously no. 12
Matt Stafford is another QB with a very high ceiling, but mediocre results. Stafford has always piled up a lot of yardage, but he hasn’t been able to play at a high level consistently and win many games. Just this past week Stafford and the Lions had a chance to keep sole possession of first place in the NFC North, but lost at home to the Buffalo Bills. Stafford has all the physical tools to be an elite passer but is going to have to prove he can put it all together.
13. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – previously no. 10
I was convinced that this was going to be the season that Jay Cutler put it all together. I thought he had the right weapons and coaching staff around him to put the frustrating self destructive plays behind him and take the next step as one of the elite QBs in the NFL. It looks like I was wrong. Cutler is still making game killing mistakes and while he also makes some fantastic plays too, until he can get out of his own way he’s going to be stuck outside of the top ten.
12. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – previously no. 5
I gave Brady the benefit of the doubt to start the season, but his play on the field thus far in 2014 simply doesn’t warrant a place in the top ten QBs. In fact, had Brady not rebounded and had a good game against the Bengals he probably would have fallen outside of the top fifteen on this list. I think Brady is still an above average QB, but his days as one of the game’s best seem to be in the past.
11. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – previously no. 11
Cam Newton is one of only three QBs to remain in the exact same spot on the list as the first round that came out five weeks ago. While Newton’s early season injury probably prevented him from cracking the top ten yet, his play has been good enough to keep him from falling down the list either. The Panthers have been a little inconsistent thus far, but if they can get their running backs healthy and create a little balance then Newton should find it easier to make plays in the passing game and give himself a chance to climb into the top ten.