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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 24, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marcus Mariota

Quarterback, Tennessee Titans

The other shining star from top of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft is Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota. Like Jameis Winston with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mariota won a Heisman Trophy in college and should have his NFL team pushing for playoff positioning in 2017.

Mariota and Winston will be forever linked, but Mariota has the slight edge over Winston heading into 2017. This is because Mariota is a tad more refined as a passer. The Titans aren’t going to get the reckless throws that Winston try to make in games from their starting quarterback.

While he did break his leg on Christmas Eve this season, Mariota had an outstanding second season quarterbacking the Titans. He completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,426 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 games.

Like with Winston, Mariota plays under a great offensive-minded head coach in Mike Mularkey. Both head coaches are underrated in their ability put together a strong passing game. It helps having a quarterback that can make plays with his arms and his legs.

Mariota’s ability to pick up a pro-style offense this quickly after playing in an up-tempo spread in Oregon is very impressive. While it is a predominately run-first scheme in Exotic Smashmouth, Mariota is quickly proving that he will be a star in this league as a passer.

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