Where does Mac Jones rank among AFC quarterbacks?
Right now, it looks like Mac Jones will begin the season as the New England Patriots‘ starting quarterback. Where does he rank among AFC QBs? Well, the early answer is not high. Mac Jones is set to enter his third season in the NFL and might be entering the most important football year of his entire life.
He is still young enough to where if he doesn’t play too well in 2023, he could get another chance to start down the road, but to officially end the discussion on whether or not he can be the guy, 2023 is the year.
Anyway, taking a look at the projected starting QBs in the AFC, where does Mac Jones rank?
Where does Mac Jones rank among AFC quarterbacks?
So, according to ESPN.com and their NFL team depth charts, here are the starting QBs for the AFC as of now:
Patrick Mahomes
Justin Herbert
Russell Wilson
Jimmy Garoppolo
Joe Burrow
Lamar Jackson
Deshaun Watson
Kenny Pickett
Davis Mills
Gardner Minshew
Trevor Lawrence
Ryan Tannehill
Josh Allen
Tua Tagovalioa
Mac Jones
Zach Wilson
I’m not including Aaron Rodgers or the projected quarterbacks that the Colts and Texans are likely picking. Let’s just go by the actual starters at this moment.
So, the top five.
Top five QBs in the AFC:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Joe Burrow
- Josh Allen
- Justin Herbert
- Trevor Lawrence
Not a lot to debate here. Honestly, all five can be generational type of players for their respective clubs and I’d be shocked if one of these men ended their careers without a Super Bowl title.
The next of the best:
6. Lamar Jackson
7. Tua Tagovalioa
8. Russell Wilson
9. Deshaun Watson
10. Gardner Minshew
This is the middle tier of the quarterbacks in the AFC. They all have the upside to be quite good but have been inconsistent during their careers or just as of late.
The bottom guys
11. Jimmy Garoppolo
12. Ryan Tannehill
13. Mac Jones
14. Davis Mills
15. Kenny Pickett
16. Zach Wilson
These are the bottom six quarterbacks in the AFC. They aren’t franchise caliber signal callers, unfortunate. Zach Wilson, Davis Mills, and Ryan Tannehill could all be replaced when the 2023 season begins.
Mac Jones, I think, is the 13th best QB in the AFC. I think at his best, Mac Jones could be average, honestly. He’s in the tier of Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr. He can contribute to the winning of games but won’t be the sole reason why a team does win.