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 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
17

Andy Dalton

Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Though statistically he had a good year, it was not a great season for Andy Dalton’s Cincinnati Bengals in 2016. They went 6-9-1 and missed the AFC Playoffs for the first time since the 2010 NFL season, Dalton’s redshirt senior season with the TCU Horned Frogs.

Over the years, Dalton has proven that he can provide high-end stability to the Bengals quarterback position. He is a fierce competitor, but tends to lean on his skill position players around him to make him better. Dalton can move the ball at will in the middle of the field, but struggles throwing the ball in the tight windows in the red zone.

In his six-year NFL career, Dalton has led the Bengals to the AFC Playoffs five times and has made three trips to the Pro Bowl. When he’s at his best, Dalton can play like one of the three best quarterbacks in the AFC. His touchdowns come in bunches, but they usually come against weaker teams when no one’s watching.

Dalton is 56-35-2 as the Bengals starting quarterback, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 22,214 yards, 142 touchdowns and 81 interceptions. Accuracy has never been an issue with him, but showing up in big games and red zone inefficiency certainly have been.

Cincinnati may struggle again in 2017, but it probably won’t be because of Dalton. He’s good, but he has lost a ton of great offensive talent around him. In short, Dalton can lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl given the right series of matchups, but will need a stellar supporting cast around him to make it happen.

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