NFL quarterback rankings, Week 16: Baker Mayfield is dangerous
The Cleveland Browns are one win away from the playoffs for the first time in 18 seasons, and Baker Mayfield is suddenly starring in the show.
In the 2020 FanSided NFL quarterback rankings — which go live here every Tuesday morning throughout the regular season — we use a weighted average of current and past performances, with the former meaning more than the latter.
It’s the holidays, and your favorite writer is off for the week but didn’t want to miss the rankings. However, the rationale will be shorter in this edition, with more of a general look than a deep dive.
QB. Cincinnati Bengals. Ryan Finley. player. 56. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 32
2020 stats: 164 yards | 52.6 completion % | 1 TDs | 2 INTs | 3.9 YPA | 8.6 QBR
Last Week: 32
Finley did what he needed to do. No turnovers, the occasional throw and using those wheels.
New York Giants. 31. player. Pick Analysis. QB. Colt McCoy. 31. Scouting Report
2020 stats: 375 yards | 60.6 completion % | 1 TDs | 1 INTs | 5.7 YPA | 35.6 QBR
Last Week: NA
McCoy is a middling backup. He’s not going to stretch the field. He isn’t threatening defenses. He’s a guy and one who struggled on Sunday night.
58. Scouting Report. QB. Washington Football Team. player. Pick Analysis. Dwayne Haskins. 30
2020 stats: 1,285 yards | 62.9 completion % | 5 TDs | 5 INTs | 6.0 YPA | 36.5 QBR
Last Week: NA
Simply put, the game looks too fast for Haskins. Maybe it slows down for him at some juncture, but he’s a backup-quality player at this juncture.
29. 30. Pick Analysis. QB. Scouting Report. New York Jets. Sam Darnold. player
2020 stats: 1,767 yards | 59.7 completion % | 6 TDs | 9 INTs | 5.9 YPA | 43.3 QBR
Last Week: 31
Jets win! Jets win! Darnold might get another shot with Gang Green in 2021, and this time without Adam Gase. Does it matter? Who knows, tons to fix.
28. Pick Analysis. QB. San Francisco 49ers. 42. Scouting Report. Nick Mullens. player
2020 stats: 2,437 yards | 64.7 completion % | 12 TDs | 12 INTs | 7.5 YPA | 43.0 QBR
Last Week: 29
Mullens is adequate when the line is blocking. When he’s under pressure, it’s a train wreck.
Scouting Report. Las Vegas Raiders. 27. Pick Analysis. QB. Marcus Mariota. player. 28
2020 stats: 226 yards | 60.7 completion % | 1 TDs | 1 INTs | 8.1YPA | 97.9 QBR
Last Week: NA
Mariota came in and did a hell of a job. Yes, the fourth-quarter interception was hideous, but the veteran did a terrific service to the Raiders off the bench.
26. player. 45. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Denver Broncos. Drew Lock. QB
2020 stats: 2,330 yards | 57.7 completion % | 14 TDs | 13 INTs | 6.6 YPA | 51.6 QBR
Last Week: 26
Lock makes some incredible throws — see his touchdown to Noah Fant. However, he also struggles to get through progressions and makes too many mistakes.
player. 54. Jalen Hurts. 25. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Philadelphia Eagles
2020 stats: 647 yards | 55.1 completion % | 5 TDs | 1 INTs | 7.3 YPA | 49.4 QBR
Last Week: 30
Hurts was terrific in Arizona, amassing over 400 total yards and three touchdowns. He has maturing to do, but he’s made two starts, so that’s obvious. At this point, there’s plenty to love about his arm, smarts and athleticism.
Pick Analysis. New England Patriots. Cam Newton. player. 47. Scouting Report. QB. 24
2020 stats: 2,381 yards | 65.9 completion % | 5 TDs | 10 INTs | 7.3 YPA | 44.9 QBR
Last Week: 24
New England has no weapons, but Newton isn’t part of the solution. He’s part of the problem. After the next two games, the former MVP will be looking for work.
Gardner Minshew. 23. Pick Analysis. Jacksonville Jaguars. player. 52. Scouting Report. QB
2020 stats: 2,259 yards | 66.1 completion % | 16 TDs | 5 INTs | 6.9 YPA | 52.4 QBR
Last Week: 27
Minshew should never have been benched behind Jake Luton and Mike Glennon. Is he a top-end starter? No, but he’s a second-year kid with upside who, properly developed, could be a nice player.
player. Dallas Cowboys. Andy Dalton. 22. 123. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB
2020 stats: 1,549 yards | 64.5 completion % | 11 TDs | 6 INTs | 6.1 YPA | 50.3 QBR
Last Week: 21
Dalton has been decent, nothing more. He’s going to play a few more years as a backup before retiring.
QB. 21. 57. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Chicago Bears. Mitch Trubisky. player
2020 stats: 1,538 yards | 64.5 completion % | 14 TDs | 6 INTs | 7.0 YPA | 53.7 QBR
Last Week: 23
The last three games from Trubisky have been good, despite some turnovers which continue to be problems. He’s going to trick the Bears into sticking with him.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. 59. QB. Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa. 20
2020 stats: 1,359 yards | 63.8 completion % | 9 TDs | 2 INTs | 6.5 YPA | 56.9 QBR
Last Week: 19
Tagovailoa isn’t lighting it up, but the Dolphins are protecting him and the youngster isn’t making huge mistakes.
QB. Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger. 19. Scouting Report. player. 55. Pick Analysis
2020 stats: 3,462 yards | 66.2 completion % | 30 TDs | 10 INTs | 6.3 YPA | 63.5 QBR
Last Week: 16
Let’s not beat the proverbial dead horse. Roethlisberger can’t throw deep anymore, and so everything is short, quick and based on run after the catch.
player. 87. Pick Analysis. QB. Teddy Bridgewater. 18. Scouting Report. Carolina Panthers
2020 stats: 3,360 yards | 67.7 completion % | 14 TDs | 8 INTs | 7.6 YPA | 68.3 QBR
Last Week: 20
Bridgewater is doing a solid job. He’s going to provide a nice bridge — no pun intended — to the future for Carolina. The Panthers could certainly do worse.