Fox Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd launched his prime 8 quarterbacks within the NFC. Then, as his tweets and lists generally are inclined to do, his checklist grew to become a supply of ire on social media.

Colin Cowherd’s prime 8 QBs within the NFC:

1: #Rams Matt Stafford
2: #Eagles Jalen Hurts
3: #Lions Jared Goff
4: #Cardinals Kyler Murray
5: #Cowboys Dak Prescott
6: #Saints Derek Carr
7: #Vikings Kirk Cousins
8: #Seahawks Geno Smith

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 8, 2023

Now, I have to critique his checklist. However first, I wish to level out how ridiculous it’s that the Falcons and Panthers should not taken with buying Lamar Jackson. No matter your emotions on Lamar as a quarterback, he can be a top-three choice within the convention… at a MINIMUM.

Groups that reportedly will *not* be pursuing a deal for Lamar Jackson embrace:

▫️Falcons
▫️Dolphins
▫️Panthers
▫️Commanders
▫️Raiders

— Discipline Yates (@FieldYates) March 7, 2023

Matthew Stafford

Stafford shouldn’t be my ideally suited quarterback, however he’s removed from a nasty choice. One 12 months in the past, I might have listened to an argument for him at three behind Rodgers and Brady. Nonetheless, he was far worse this previous season. He did undergo a big elbow harm and performed behind a worse offensive line with worse weapons at his disposal. His ranking/rating ought to be lowered for his subpar play, particularly with Jalen Hurts MVP-caliber season within the 2022-2023 12 months. In line with QBR, Stafford was barely a median quarterback, sitting at solely 50.3. Stafford stays a strong NFL quarterback, however there’s cause to be involved about his ceiling going ahead.

Geno Smith

Geno is one other instance of ‘not my cup of tea.’ Nonetheless, he was solidly a top-ten quarterback final 12 months, production-wise. Whereas he had the good thing about a simple schedule and expertise round him, Smith took benefit of it. He was eighth in yards, eighth in QBR, fifth in whole EPA, and fourth in passing touchdowns, all along with taking his workforce to a playoff spot, one thing different gamers forward of him on this checklist didn’t accomplish. His play will be inconsistent, however what he confirmed final season is grounds for a lot greater placement.

Aaron Rodgers? Daniel Jones?

Whereas I believe Geno ought to have been on the upper finish of the group, spots 4 by means of 8 may have gone in any order grouped, and I might don’t have any extreme qualms. Nonetheless, Colin appears very fast to dismiss Aaron Rodgers. Except the reasoning is that he’s a future Jet, I see no cause to go away him off this checklist regardless of a career-worst 12 months, contemplating he appeared to not consider Stafford’s 2022 marketing campaign too closely.

However, Daniel Jones is off a career-best 12 months, with Brian Daboll on the helm. Daniel Jones received a playoff recreation and ranked sixth in whole EPA. Whereas he might or is probably not definitely worth the $40 million, he’s making this season, his constant play in construction and bonafide dual-threat capacity make him a simple alternative for this checklist.

Who shouldn’t be right here?

Derek Carr and Kyler Murray shouldn’t be on this checklist. Kyler has struggled to remain wholesome and certain won’t begin in Week 1 subsequent season. His expertise is plain, particularly in his present setting, however manufacturing on the sector ought to matter, and there’s starting to be a sample of well being considerations.

Carr obtained benched by the Raiders final season. The distinction between the Raiders’ early scripted drives and drives deeper within the recreation was stark. Some blame goes to Josh McDaniels for an lack of ability to regulate. Nonetheless, Carr appeared off for a lot of the season.

All this being stated, credit score goes to Mr. Cowherd for stirring the NFL pot this week.