Our tour around the NFL takes a stop in the NFC West, as we continue to rank the top starting quarterbacks in every division. Doing so has opened our eyes a bit on some teams and their current situations, especially how it could relate to their attempt to make it to the NFL playoffs.
In other words, it’s not easy to win if you don’t have things figured out under center. Let’s take a look at the four teams custom football jersey in the NFC West and rank their quarterback situations:
4. Nick Foles (St. Louis Rams)
It was just three years ago that Foles took the NFL by storm by throwing just 27 touchdowns to two interceptions. Those ridiculous numbers came crashing back down to earth in 2014, though, as Foles turned the ball over far more before having his season cut short by a collarbone injury. Now he’s in St. Louis and via the mixed results, we can’t be sure exactly what the Rams have under center. On one hand, Foles is a steady pocket passer who anticipates the rush well and displays solid arm strength. On the other, his accuracy can wane and he can make questionable decisions.
We’ll find out which version is the real Foles in 2015, but the good news is the Rams finally get a competent player under center after having to endure life without Sam Bradford (knee injuries) over the past two seasons. If Foles just stays on the field all year, St. Louis should be much better for it. That being said, Foles is new to this division and has arguably proven the least out of the four starting quarterbacks in the NFC West.
3. Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers)
Kaepernick could be argued as the top NFC West passer in terms of sheer talent and upside, while he’s also just one of two NFC West signal callers to appear in a Super Bowl. He didn’t win, though, and other than that has done little to suggest he’s the long-term answer under center for the Niners. Kap has certainly flashed elite running ability and has even dominated as thrower inside the pocket at times, but his inconsistency in that area has been very concerning. Playing in the brutal NFC West hasn’t helped one bit, but not being able to step up his game (or even perform at a moderate level) has really bogged down his overall rating.
Kaepernick has a shot to rebound in 2015 with a new head coach, a new weapon in Torrey Smith and more work on refining his footwork and timing. If he’s actually improved, he could make an argument to be #2 in this division. For now, though, he’s taken a step back.
2. Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals)
Palmer hasn’t been in a Super Bowl and actually has just one playoff appearance under his belt. He also shredded his knee for the second time in his career in 2014 and set to be 36 years old in December, his best days could easily be far behind him. He was fantastic as a starter in 2014, though, and before he went down he had a surprisingly potent Cardinals team looking like legit title contenders. Coming out of the NFC West, that’s saying something.
If Palmer can return to form and stay healthy in 2015, he could potentially pick up where he left off and earn this #2 overall spot in the NFC West. Due to his ability as a pocket passer and the system he’s in, we like his odds.
1. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
There can only be one top quarterback in the NFC West and it’s an easy call to make. Russell Wilson is young but he’s already proven his worth in Seattle, as he’s made it to two Super Bowls and won one in his first three seasons. Seattle should once again be a top contender to win it all in 2015, and the elusive, play-making Wilson is probably still the biggest reason why.
Wilson is still waiting to get paid and continues to be vastly underrated by many, but few package mobility, running ability and down field passing like Wilson. He’s even firmly established himself as a sound pocket passer and has never falled below a 63% completion rate. There isn’t much to hate about his cerebral approach to the game and it’s not crazy to think he’ll be even better in his fourth season.
Think our ranking of the four NFC West starting quarterbacks is all jacked up? Let us hear your list in the comments below!
