NFL QB Rankings: Top 10 signal-callers of 2014

Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shake hands after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shake hands after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

In the first of a weekly series ending the week of the NFL draft, we look at the top players at each position in the NFL (except for specialists) from the 2014-15 season, starting with the QB position.

I’ll eliminate the suspense immediately by telling you which big name quarterbacks did not make the cut as one of the top NFL quarterbacks from 2014. Some are surprising, some not so much—but a case could be made on their behalf.

To no one’s surprise, I suspect, “Smoking” Jay Cutler did not make the top 10. Nor did division rival Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions. Eli(te) Manning (a Peyton’s Head running joke on Twitter) did not make the cut either.

Likewise, a fellow Super Bowl winning quarterback, who actually had his finest regular season to date, did not make it— Joe Flacco. And if for some odd reason, this list were to count down from 11, it would not be any of the aforementioned quarterbacks to fill that final slot, but the Miami Dolphins’ third-year signal caller, Ryan Tannehill.

It seems appropriate now to list out the qualifications for making this list.

It will become obvious as we move on that winning was not a primary requirement (nor should it ever be when evaluating quarterback performance). That said, of the 10 passers, seven “led” their teams to the playoffs.

Without further ado, here are the 2014 NFL QB rankings: top 10.

Next: No. 10 still had an amazing year