There haven’t been too many quarterback changes in the AFC East this offseason. The notable change is the New York Jets signing Michael Vick to compete with last year’s starter Geno Smith. Having said that, here are my updated quarterback rankings in the AFC East.
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
There’s no point in even talking much about this, because there is no debating who the best quarterback in the division is. Despite Tom Brady’s drop in touchdown passes last season, he is still by far the best quarterback in the AFC East and one of the top five greatest to play the position. He’s the biggest reason the Patriots have won all but two AFC East titles since 2001.
2 Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
Tannehill improved his stats from his rookie year (3,294 yards, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) when the he threw for 3,913 yards and 24 touchdowns. Last season, we started to see more of the physical tools and potential of Tannehill. He did throw 17 interceptions, but I expect that number to decrease in 2014. The Dolphins’ offensive line has improved by signing Branden Albert and by drafting Ju’Wuan James. Also the addition of new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor should help Tannehill get the ball out quicker and avoid getting sacked 58 times like he was a season ago. If the Dolphins are going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008, Tannehill will to progress even more in his third season.
3. Michael Vick, New York Jets
For his career, Vick has thrown for 21,489 yards and 128 touchdowns. I know he has been injury prone throughout his career, but Vick is the third best quarterback in the division.
Last season for the Eagles, Vick threw for 1,215 yards in seven appearances – six of them starts. He complimented LeSean McCoy as a runner, by rushing for 306 yards. If you project Vick’s stats throughout 16 games, he would have thrown for 3,000 passing yards and about 700 rushing yards.
Of course he got injured once again and Nick Foles started the rest of the season for the Eagles.
Despite his past, Vick gives the Jets the best chance to win in 2014. I project that he will be New York’s starting quarterback week one against the Oakland Raiders.
4. Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins
Yes I threw a curveball at you here, but Moore is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL and could be an average starter in on a few teams in the league. He is a good game manager, but Moore is not good enough to make a team a contender. Moore is good enough to keep the Dolphins afloat if anything happens to Tannehill.
5. E.J. Manuel, Buffalo Bills
While Manuel only played in 10 games last season, he showed potential when he did play. He finished the 2013 season with 1,972 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his best game against the New York Jets, Manuel went 20 for 28 with 245 yards passing with two touchdowns and didn’t throw an interception. That’s impressive considering the Bills top two receivers Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods both missed the game.
Expectations for Manuel will be much higher in his second season because of the additions the Bills made in the offseason. The team drafted Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins and selected Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio in the second round.
If Manuel can stay healthy, the Bills could be a threat for a possible wild-card spot in the AFC East. If not, the Bills will probably finish in last place in the division once again.
More stories you might like
