Fansided

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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Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alex Smith

Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

Though he is quickly falling out of favor with some of the more rabid contingencies of his team’s fan base, the Kansas City Chiefs have a quarterback that can at least win them games in Alex Smith. Over a decade ago, Smith was the No. 1 overall pick the by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft.

While he has peaked as a player, Smith is a two-time Pro Bowler and has Kansas City winning 10+ games annually under head coach Andy Reid. Smith is insanely efficient as a passer and hates making mistakes under center more than any signal caller in the sport.

This is illustrated by his 2016 numbers. Smith completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,502 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Kansas City went 11-4 with his as the starting quarterback, won the AFC West and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs. However, Kansas City lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round in embarrassing fashion.

In short, Smith is good enough to keep the Chiefs in the playoff mix annually, but has never demonstrated that he can take them to the AFC Championship Game. He is running out of opportunities to do that. If he wants to play in Kansas City much longer, Smith will have to win big in January.

Though he still has a nice pair of wheels beneath him, Smith’s reluctance to throw the ball down the field is to the detriment of the Chiefs achieving its first Super Bowl berth in nearly 50 years. He’s in a weird spot. Smith is on the hot seat, but is quarterbacking a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. This season will ultimately tell the tale of Smith with the Chiefs.

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