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NFL power rankings: Starting quarterbacks from best to worst

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jameis Winston

Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In time, Jameis Winston will be higher on this list, but we have to remember that he has only played in two NFL seasons for one of the long-suffering franchises in the NFC in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The guy dominated the ACC in college. He’ll figure it out in the NFL eventually.

Winston’s maturity from college to pro cannot be overlooked. He’s taking a sink ship by the stern and has Tampa Bay pushing for playoff contention in his third year. Winston has great pocket presence and mobility to evade the rush. His arm is top-tier, but his decision making has to get better.

Keep in mind that he just turned 23 and nobody likes you when you’re 23. Having a passing game guru as a head coach in Dirk Koetter has Winston’s NFL ceiling at limitless. Before he hangs up the spikes many years from now, Winston can bring a second or third Lombardi Trophy to Tampa Bay.

In two years with the Buccaneers, Winston has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 8,132 yards, 50 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. It’s easy to see why he was the No. 1 overall pick out of Florida State in the 2015 NFL Draft.

What is holding Winston back is really only youth and inexperience. He has the right temperament and leadership style to succeed in the NFL for a long time. However, he does have to lead the Buccaneers into the NFC Playoffs in year three if we want to continue to drive the narrative that he is Tampa Bay’s quarterback savior.

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