“No one is asked to do more for their team on a weekly basis than him. He’s the most physically gifted quarterback in the game.” – Simms on Josh Allen at No. 1

“Already a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But him in the pocket this year was not good for his standards. He was too aggressive with decisions down the field.”– Simms on Patrick Mahomes at No. 2

“The decision-making is off the charts. The ability to control the ball over the middle of the field and throw it into tight windows might be the best in football.” – Simms on Justin Herbert at No. 3

“The ability to throw with pressure on him…is through the roof. His ability to move in the pocket is arguably the best in the whole league.”– Simms on Joe Burrow at No. 4

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 15, 2022 – All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Super Bowl LIV MVP and 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Joe Burrow, fresh off leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the franchise’s first Super Bowl in more than three decades, highlight quarterbacks ranked 1-4 in the final installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms concludes his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 1-4.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 1-40:

1.	Josh Allen, Buffalo	21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants
2.	Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City	22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets
3.	Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers	23.	Justin Fields, Chicago
4.	Joe Burrow, Cincinnati	24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville
5.	Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay	25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia
6.	Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams	26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans
7.	Russell Wilson, Denver	27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh
8.	Tom Brady, Tampa Bay	28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta
9.	Dak Prescott, Dallas	29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
10.	Lamar Jackson, Baltimore	30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
11.	Derek Carr, Las Vegas	31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
12.	Kyler Murray, Arizona	32	Sam Darnold, Carolina
13.	Deshaun Watson, Cleveland	33.	Geno Smith, Seattle
14.	Matt Ryan, Indianapolis	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
15.	Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
16.	Kirk Cousins, Minnesota	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
17.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
18.	Mac Jones, New England	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
19.	Carson Wentz, Washington	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
20.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle

 

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

With the rankings now concluded, Simms will release an #AskMeAnything episode on Thursday, June 16, on the next installment of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 4: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

“The guy can just play. Period. The ability to throw with pressure on him…is through the roof. His ability to move in the pocket is arguably the best in the whole league. He has great leadership and influence on his football team because of the man he is. He assessed after Year 1 that the elements in the AFC North were going to be an issue, and that he had to throw the ball with more power…and he improved in that area. He grew, he got smarter, and the ‘Wow’ plays went way up and were game-changers for the Bengals.”

No. 3: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

“Probably the best pure thrower of the football in the NFL. That’s where he separates himself. He is the ultimate ‘size is a skill’ guy. The decision-making is off the charts. The ability to control the ball over the middle of the field and throw it into tight windows might be the best in football. His anticipation could probably be a little better. But he’s a phenomenal football player and he’s going on an upward trajectory. I think he’s a little more understated [than Joe Burrow]. But at the very least, the Chargers walk on the field and go, ‘We got Justin Herbert. We can win today.’”

No. 2: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

“Already a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s the coolest quarterback in the NFL. Probably the most fun to watch in the NFL. His creativity and the way he plays is unlike any other in the sport. He has great effect and leadership on his team. He’s one of the best scramblers in football. But him in the pocket this year was not good for his standards. He was too aggressive with decisions down the field. That to me is why he’s No. 2. He had a little bit of a down year, he was a little careless with the football at times, and that’s why I gave the edge to Josh Allen.”

No. 1: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

“Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL right now. There’s no doubt. No one is asked to do more for their team on a weekly basis than him. He has the strongest arm in football. Other than Lamar Jackson, he is the best running quarterback in football. I don’t even think that’s debatable. He’s the most physically gifted quarterback in the game, too. To me, where he separates from [Patrick] Mahomes right now is he can play within the offense a little bit more consistently. Mahomes is already an all-time great, and I think Josh Allen is starting to go into that area too.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four Next Monday, June 13

“Aaron Rodgers is still an incredibly awesome talent and still one of the best quarterbacks in football…Is his ability to make game-changing plays consistently up to the capabilities of the quarterbacks in front of him? No.” – Simms on Aaron Rodgers at No. 5

“The guy who’s always been a Super Bowl quarterback that finally got a team that matched up with his Super Bowl capabilities.”– Simms on Matthew Stafford at No. 6

“He is the G.O.A.T. I can’t deny that anymore. He makes more throws and changes the games in more positive ways for the Bucs than he ever did the last few years with the Patriots.”– Simms on Tom Brady at No. 8

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 9, 2022 – Reigning back-to-back NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl LVI champion Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos, and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlight quarterbacks ranked 5-8 in the latest installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms continues his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 5-8.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 5-40:

5.	Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay	23.	Justin Fields, Chicago
6.	Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams	24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville
7.	Russell Wilson, Denver	25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia
8.	Tom Brady, Tampa Bay	26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans
9.	Dak Prescott, Dallas	27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh
10.	Lamar Jackson, Baltimore	28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta
11.	Derek Carr, Las Vegas	29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
12.	Kyler Murray, Arizona	30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
13.	Deshaun Watson, Cleveland	31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
14.	Matt Ryan, Indianapolis	32.	Sam Darnold, Carolina
15.	Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee	33.	Geno Smith, Seattle
16.	Kirk Cousins, Minnesota	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
17.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
18.	Mac Jones, New England	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
19.	Carson Wentz, Washington	37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
20.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle

 

Beginning in May and culminating next Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil four selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

The rankings will conclude on Monday, June 13 with numbers 1-4 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 8: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

“He is the G.O.A.T. I can’t deny that anymore. He makes more throws and changes the games in more positive ways for the Bucs than he ever did the last few years with the Patriots. I do think [former Buccaneers head coach] Bruce Arians and [Buccaneers offensive coordinator] Byron Leftwich got him to break out of his shell. His arm is still towards the top of football. His effect on the team is maybe as big as anyone’s in football. His only flaw is pressure around him. When he’s comfortable and in a rhythm early…Brady can make some unbelievable throws. But the issue is when the game starts to get hairy…he might never settle in…and then it starts to make his decisions bad, too.”

No. 7: Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

“Still one of the best big-play quarterbacks in the NFL. He still has playmaking ability to scramble. Every team thinks they can win when they have Russell Wilson at quarterback. But he can be too conservative. I think [Broncos head coach] Nathaniel Hackett will find more ways to get him easy completions over the middle of the field. [Last season] he lost control of the football more than he had in years past. He’s still awesome, but he looks for the one-on-one play and avoids the schematical play a little too much.”

No. 6: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

“The guy who’s always been a Super Bowl quarterback that finally got a team that matched up with his Super Bowl capabilities. One of the greatest arms in the game. If you wonder why Cooper Kupp had a career year, just look at Matthew Stafford. He allowed that offense to do things they had never done before. His side-arm deliveries are up there with [Patrick] Mahomes and Josh Allen. Incredible accuracy on high-level throws. His ability to handle mental and physical pressure is top-notch. He probably throws more no-look passes than anybody in the sport.”

No. 5: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

“He still has one of the best arms in the game. He manages the game probably as good as anybody in football. Aaron Rodgers is still an incredibly awesome talent and still one of the best quarterbacks in football. To me, there were too many plays and yards left on the field where I would go, ‘You’re too good to not take advantage of that.’ Is his ability to make game-changing plays consistently up to the capabilities of the quarterbacks in front of him? No. I think maybe he needs a little bit more support and isn’t quite the playmaker those guys are.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four next Monday, June 13; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast

“This is still the most electrifying quarterback in the NFL.”– Simms on Lamar Jackson at No. 10

“You can win a Super Bowl with this guy.”– Simms on Derek Carr at No. 11

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 7, 2022 – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, three-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders, and 2019 No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals highlight the latest installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms continues his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 9-12.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 9-40:

9.	Dak Prescott, Dallas	25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia
10.	Lamar Jackson, Baltimore	26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans
11.	Derek Carr, Las Vegas	27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh
12.	Kyler Murray, Arizona	28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta
13.	Deshaun Watson, Cleveland	29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
14.	Matt Ryan, Indianapolis	30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
15.	Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee	31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
16.	Kirk Cousins, Minnesota	32.	Sam Darnold, Carolina
17.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	33.	Geno Smith, Seattle
18.	Mac Jones, New England	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
19.	Carson Wentz, Washington	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
20.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants	37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
23.	Justin Fields, Chicago	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle

 

Beginning in May and culminating next Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil four selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

The rankings will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, June 8 with numbers 5-8 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 12: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

“This is still one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the NFL. He runs like an elite slot receiver. He can make all the throws. He’s not good in the pocket… [When you] make him make plays in the pocket, it’s still a question mark. There’s going to come a three or four-game stretch where [the Cardinals] are going to play some really good defenses, like the Rams or 49ers, and they’re going to go… ‘We’re not going to let you run around.’ That still needs work. Leadership is another area where I’d like to see him take another jump in. He has to find a way…to have a little bit more of an effect on the football team.”

No. 11: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders

“The ultimate field general. What is the negative about Derek Carr? He’s done more at the line of scrimmage than any other quarterback in football the last two years. He’s got size, he’s mobile, and he has a very good arm. You can win a Super Bowl with this guy. I have a lot of respect for the adjustments he’s made in his career, not only personality-wise…but some physical adjustments that have made him better. Davante Adams came [to the Raiders] for one reason: Derek Carr.”

No. 10: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

“This is still the most electrifying quarterback in the NFL. The physical ability is off-the-charts good. He has an incredible arm. The sidearm throws – he’s up there with the best in football. He’s like [Aaron] Rodgers a few years ago or [Josh] Allen or [Patrick] Mahomes now. [Last season] he didn’t see the field or make decisions as well as he did in years past. He was trying to make big plays just a little too much. The leadership on the team – he’s special. The Ravens think they can win every game they walk on the field…they go, ‘He’ll win it for us.’”

No. 9: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

“Physical, mental toughness – to me, Dak Prescott is towards the top of football in those departments. His mobility is a real thing. [He is] is up there in the discussion as far as being one of the best ‘I’m under pressure and the pocket is collapsing’ quarterbacks in all of football. He’s unaffected by it. That, to me, is where he is special. Franchise quarterback, difference maker, beautiful deep ball thrower. But I will say he did not have his best year throwing…out of these quarterbacks we’ve talked about today, [his arm strength] is at the bottom. I would say Derek Carr’s arm is stronger than Dak Prescott’s. But he does a lot of good things on the football field.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four on Monday, June 13; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast

“I expect the Colts and Matt Ryan to be a major player in the talented AFC.”– Simms on Ryan at No. 14

“The guy is better than we give him credit for. He can still be a dynamic player.”– Simms on Tannehill at No. 15

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 2, 2022 – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan of the Indianapolis Colts, 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, and three-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings highlight the latest installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms continues his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 13-16.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 13-40:

13.	Deshaun Watson, Cleveland	28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta
14.	Matt Ryan, Indianapolis	29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
15.	Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee	30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
16.	Kirk Cousins, Minnesota	31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
17.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	32	Sam Darnold, Carolina
18.	Mac Jones, New England	33.	Geno Smith, Seattle
19.	Carson Wentz, Washington	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
20.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets	37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
23.	Justin Fields, Chicago	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle
26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans
27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh

 

Beginning in May and culminating Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil four selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

The rankings will continue Monday, June 6 with numbers 9-12 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 16: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

“The ultimate system quarterback. If the system is really good and creative, he will take advantage of every bit of it. His ability to read and react is up there with the top guys in football. He’s very accurate. [Vikings head coach Kevin] O’Connell is going to bring some creative ideas that Kirk Cousins didn’t have at his disposal the last two years. Kirk Cousins is not going to make plays to get the team over the hump if they’re struggling. He has a good arm, but it’s the same throw every time. Because of that, he can’t make some of those special throws.”

No. 15: Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

“The guy is better than we give him credit for. Does he need a system like Kirk Cousins? Yes, but he can bring something to the system, too. He throws on the move well and can run. [Last season] he didn’t manage games quite the same way he had in years past. He tried to force some plays. He’s not in a quarterback-friendly offense…but he can still be a dynamic player. I expect [him] to have a better year than he did last year, and I think [head coach] Mike Vrabel and company are on the right track.”

No. 14: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts

“You don’t realize how good he is until you turn on the film. The numbers aren’t going to tell you the whole story. His decision-making and smarts [are] off-the-charts good. His movement in the pocket is at the top of the league. The accuracy is off the charts. He’s become a leader. He’s going to give [head coach] Frank Reich more confidence. He’s tough as hell. I expect the Colts and Matt Ryan to be a major player in the talented AFC.”

No. 13: Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

“I don’t know what to make of him now. I don’t think that he’s going to be playing football this year. He will be rusty no matter what. Plus [he’s] going to be learning a new system. It’s been a long time since he’s played football.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four on Monday, June 13; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast

“Maybe the best rookie decision-maker I’ve ever seen.”– Simms on Jones at No. 18

“This is his last chance. He will be relegated to a backup if he doesn’t make it happen this year.”– Simms on Wentz at No. 19

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 1, 2022 – Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones of the New England Patriots, Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, and Jimmy Garoppolo, fresh off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game with the San Francisco 49ers, highlight the latest installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms continues his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 17-20.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 17-40:

17.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
18.	Mac Jones, New England	30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
19.	Carson Wentz, Washington	31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
20.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	32.	Sam Darnold, Carolina
21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants	33.	Geno Smith, Seattle
22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
23.	Justin Fields, Chicago	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia	37	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle

 

Beginning in May and culminating Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil four selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

The rankings will continue Thursday, June 2 with numbers 13-16 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 20: Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers

“There’s plenty to like about his game. He has a tangible leadership effect on the football team. Very quick release. He’s very good in the pocket. He does not need to have his feet in the proper position to make 10- and 20-yard throws down the field. It’s not a big arm – there are a number of plays and yards left on the field. I think he’s better than [49ers quarterback Trey] Lance right now. But I do think Lance has the chance to surpass Jimmy Garoppolo coming down the home stretch. As far as fitting the 49ers, that’s where I think Trey Lance has an advantage over Jimmy Garoppolo.”

No. 19: Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders

“Wentz can really make some game-changing plays and throws. He’s a better athlete [than Jimmy Garoppolo]. But we’re seeing two years in a row where teams are like, ‘Please leave the locker room. See you on the next team.’ I hear he can be a little tough to coach. He seems to be a little clueless around the circumstances surrounding the team. [He] has top-10 talent. But can you trust him? This is his last chance. He will be relegated to a backup if he doesn’t make it happen this year.”

No. 18: Mac Jones, New England Patriots

“He had as much pressure as we’ve ever seen on a rookie quarterback. Incredible accuracy. He’s a way better athlete than he gets credit for. He made a lot of big-time throws down the field. Maybe the best rookie decision-maker I’ve ever seen. I cannot put Zach Wilson above him yet. I wouldn’t be shocked to see, like Joe Burrow from Year 1 to Year 2, his arm looking a little stronger this year. The Patriots trusted Mac Jones more than the 49ers trusted [Jimmy] Garoppolo or the Colts trusted [Carson] Wentz.”

No. 17: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

“Baker Mayfield has a game-changing arm. He sees the field pretty well. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s quick in the pocket. But when you talk about his effect as a leader, it’s pretty damn good. His arm is in the top 10 or 12 in football, in terms of strength. He’s better than people give him credit for. All he did was gut it out and play hard. He’s at the point in his career where he can’t just have a year of not playing quarterback.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four on Monday, June 13; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast

Daniel Jones (No. 21), Zach Wilson (No. 22), Justin Fields (No. 23), Trevor Lawrence (No. 24), and Jalen Hurts (No. 25) Ranked #21-25 in the Simms Top 40 QB Countdown

“Arrow pointing up, big time… His arm is ‘some of the best quarterbacks in the league’-type talent.”– Simms on Wilson at No. 21

“He made me say ‘Wow’ maybe the least out of all the quarterbacks drafted last year.”– Simms on Lawrence at No. 24

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 26, 2022 – The first two overall picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson (No. 2) of the New York Jets and Trevor Lawrence (No. 1) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with third-year signal caller Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, highlight the latest installment of Chris Simms’ countdown of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

NBC Sports’ Simms continues his countdown of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live,” unveiling quarterbacks 21-25.

Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 21-40:

21.	Daniel Jones, New York Giants	34.	Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
22.	Zach Wilson, New York Jets	35.	Davis Mills, Houston
23.	Justin Fields, Chicago	36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
24.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville	37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
25.	Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia	38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
26.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans	39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
27.	Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh	40.	Drew Lock, Seattle
28.	Marcus Mariota, Atlanta
29.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
30.	Jared Goff, Detroit
31.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
32.	Sam Darnold, Carolina
33.	Geno Smith, Seattle

 

Beginning in May and culminating Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil four selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

The rankings will continue Tuesday, May 31 with numbers 20-17 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:

No. 25: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

“Leadership, personality, effect on the football field – it is real. Decision-making, seeing the field, it’s pretty good. He can extend plays. Throwing the ball is below-average starting NFL quarterback quality. [The Eagles’] style of play and the way they’re built, it fits him. There’s not going to be a lot of excuses for Jalen Hurts with this football team. He’s a good deep ball thrower. He can get outside the pocket and run the ball pretty well. The problem is this: it’s the middle of the field throws that you need and that’s where he’s not as good. [There are] too many plays where he can’t get it out quick enough. I’m not sure some of the problems will be fixed.”

No. 24: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

“He’s got all the tools. He’s big, he’s a good athlete, his arm is strong. He wasn’t in the greatest situation with [former Jaguars head coach] Urban Meyer. The throwing is too inconsistent. He made me say, ‘Wow’ maybe the least out of all the quarterbacks drafted last year. I do think he lost his way a little bit [last season]. [New head coach Doug Pederson and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy] are going to give him more of a plan of attack. They’re going to call plays where the life of Trevor Lawrence is going to be easier. I expect a big jump here.”

No. 23: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

“There’s a lot of ‘Wow’ with Justin Fields. He’s as athletic as anyone in this sport. He makes some ‘Wow’ throws every game. He puts himself in danger a little too much. Can he still stay on receivers a little too long sometimes? Yes. But as a whole, [his rookie season] was a positive. This is the year you see tremendous growth. I think the ability to play in the pocket and make throws is better than Jalen Hurts.”

No. 22: Zach Wilson, New York Jets

“Arrow pointing up, big time. He has the type of talent to be top 10-ish. The ball flies off his hand sometimes. His arm is some of the best quarterbacks in the league-type talent. He has a tremendously quick release and can throw it with great power from awkward positions. He was managed the least … [The Jets] ran a real NFL offense and asked him to read plays like a veteran quarterback. His ability to get out of the pocket and make plays is real. At times, he has some mechanical issues…but there are some real special talents here.”

No. 21: Daniel Jones, New York Giants

“When his team wasn’t totally overwhelmed, he played pretty good. He’s got a good arm. He’s one of the better running quarterbacks in football. We got to have more emotion … [he’s] too quiet. Pocket presence, it’s not that great … [but if] you give him a little time, he can make some really nice throws. He was behind the worst offensive line for two years in a row…don’t let that affect your thought of Daniel Jones. I think [new head coach] Brian Daboll has a little bit of ‘eye of quarterback’ mechanics where’s he’s going to help him just like Josh Allen.”

To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.

-NBC SPORTS-

 

“[Hutchinson] has the definite capability of being one of the best edge players in football. He’s as quick of an athlete as I’ve ever seen at that size.” – Simms on Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson

“He’s raw…but he’s a really big-time talent. I like his motion and he makes some ‘wow’ throws.” – Simms on Liberty QB Malik Willis

NBC Sports’ 2022 NFL Draft Coverage Continues This Week on Across NBC Sports Platforms

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2022 – With the NFL Draft beginning tomorrow, NBC Sports’ Chris Simms has released his first-round mock draft on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, was joined by NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed on Simms Unbuttoned to offer evaluation, insight and analysis on the draft’s top prospects and each team’s needs heading into the draft.

Click here to watch the full episode of the Simms Unbuttoned mock draft episode. In the weeks leading up to the Draft, Simms has provided position-by-position breakdowns of the top prospects. Click here for a full playlist of Simms’ positional rankings.

Throughout the first round of the NFL Draft tomorrow night, follow along on Twitter (@CSimmsQB)  and Instagram (@simmsunbuttoned) as Simms reacts and provides live analysis.

Simms has had recent success in projecting college quarterbacks – including naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

Earlier this week, NBC Sports NFL Insider Peter King unveiled his 2022 first-round mock draft, projecting Georgia DL Travon Walker to go No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Click here for King’s mock draft. On ProFootballTalk.com, Mike Florio unveiled his mock draft, also with Walker going No. 1 to Jacksonville.

For more NFL coverage, Peacock offers daily programming on the NBC Sports channel for free, including Pro Football Talk at 7 a.m. ET every weekday, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, The Peter King Podcast, The Rich Eisen Show, Brother from Another, and The Dan Patrick Show. To learn more about the NBC Sports on Peacock channel and how to sign up, click here.

The following is Chris Simms’ first round mock draft:

 

1) Jacksonville: Michigan Edge Aidan Hutchinson	17) LA Chargers: Connecticut DT Travis Jones
2) Detroit: Georgia DL Travon Walker	18) Philadelphia: Washington CB Trent McDuffie
3) Houston: NC State T Ikem Ekwonu	19) New Orleans: Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
4) NY Jets: Cincinnati CB Sauce Gardner	20) Pittsburgh: Liberty QB Malik Willis
5) NY Giants: Alabama T Evan Neal	21) New England: Northern Iowa T Trevor Penning
6) Carolina: Mississippi St. T Charles Cross	22) Green Bay: Ohio State WR Chris Olave
7) NY Giants: Florida St. Edge Jermaine Johnson	23) Arizona: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
8) Atlanta: Georgia DT Jordan Davis	24) Dallas: Boston College OL Zion Johnson
9) Seattle: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt	25) Buffalo: Iowa State RB Breece Hall
10) NY Jets: Alabama WR Jameson Williams	26) Tennessee: Texas A&M OL Kenyon Green
11) Washington: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton	27) Tampa Bay: Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr.
12) Minnesota: Oregon Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux	28) Green Bay: Michigan S Daxton Hill
13) Houston­: Utah LB Devin Lloyd	29) Kansas City: North Dakota State WR Christian Watson
14) Baltimore: Purdue DE George Karlaftis	30) Kansas City: Minnesota Edge Boye Mafe
15) Philadelphia: USC WR Drake London	31) Cincinnati: Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
16) New Orleans: Central Michigan T Bernhard Raimann	32) Detroit: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett
On the 2022 NFL Draft Simms: “It’s a weird year. To me, the quarterback issue is real in trying to figure out the draft – especially the top 10 – and I think that’s most of the NFL. I don’t think most of the NFL has much of a feel exactly of where these quarterbacks are going to go. And then you’ve got a few wild card players in the draft too that can disrupt or upset things…specifically Derek Stingley and Kayvon Thibodaux. Those two guys, to me, are kind of the wild cards and could go in the top 10. Most likely won’t, but if they do, man, that’s going to leave some people on the board a little down the line that might make some teams happy.” Simms on the depth of this year’s draft class: “There’s not a lot of superstars in the draft…when I finally got done with all my evaluations, I think I had close to 80 guys that I wrote, ‘(picks) 25-40’ so that to me is where the value is.” Quarterbacks: Simms on Malik Willis to the Steelers at No. 20: “He’s raw…but he’s a really big-time talent. I like his motion and he makes some ‘wow’ throws as easy as anybody you’re going to find. Throws bombs to Chase Claypool – I think that’s the style of play [the Steelers] want to play.” On Kenny Pickett to the Lions at No. 32: “I think it’s going to be an upgrade over what [the Lions currently] got. I do think he’s a guy that could be your starter really quickly, and dependable, and have a long career. The ceiling I don’t see tremendously high.” Wide receivers: On Jameson Williams to the Jets at No. 10: “Jameson Williams is the best receiver in the draft. I don’t think anyone in football really disagrees with that. He’s every bit as good as DeVonta Smith last year, in fact, I might think he’s better as the time went on. [The Jets] aren’t desperate at receiver, but it’s a situation where you go, ‘We just want one more guy and we’re going to be really dangerous with our biggest investment, our quarterback.’” On Drake London to the Eagles at No. 15: “Jalen Hurts is a good big-body-receiver thrower…Drake London is just made for that to me. His ability to run routes and his size are real and they’re elite.” On Garrett Wilson to the Saints at No. 19: “They need a difference maker. [It is] one of the glaring needs on their roster. I certainly think Wilson can open it up for them a little bit.” Running back: On Breece Hall to the Bills at No. 25: “They want a guy who’s a little bit more of a real thing in the pass game. You know he’s smooth and can run routes out of the backfield, and that makes sense for what they want to do there in Buffalo.” Defense On edge Aidan Hutchinson to the Jaguars at No. 1: “I haven’t heard enough tangibles to know it’s Travon Walker for me to change my pick that way. [Hutchinson] has the definite capability of being one of the best edge players in football. He’s as quick of an athlete as I’ve ever seen at that size.” On S Kyle Hamilton to the Commanders at No. 11: “This one to me was one of the easiest picks of the draft. You look at Washington, their roster, what they got there, they don’t have enough numbers at the safety position. There’s a real need. He’s another guy that I just look at and go, ‘As safe as it gets in the NFL Draft.’ There’s no bust factor with this kid at all.” On edge Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Vikings at No. 12: “It makes too much sense here. [You’ve] got to be a little concerned with some of the medical issues he’s had to deal with the last few years…[but] I think [the Vikings] are going to have more of a desperate need to go [with] the pass rusher, the difference maker.” On CB Derek Stingley to the Cardinals at No. 23: “There’s a huge need on their football team at the corner position. They’re a team that seems to be into the Isaiah Simmons, Rondale Moore guys…I feel like they’re the team that will be a little bit like, ‘He’s there. We got to take him.’” -NBC SPORTS-

 “He’s Jerry Jeudy with another gear. He’s DeVonta Smith with a little more strength to his game…To me, this is a slam dunk, superstar receiver.” – Simms on ranking Jameson Williams No. 1

“Do you like DK Metcalf? Do you like Chase Claypool? Do you like Mike Evans? Because that’s who Christian Watson is…You put him on Alabama or Ohio State, we’re all going this is a top 10 pick.” – Simms on North Dakota State’s Christian Watson

“He’s polished and NFL-ready. He’s just a faster Jordy Nelson.” – Simms on Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 29, 2022 – NBC Sports’ Chris Simms unveiled his wide receiver draft rankings, discussing this year’s top WR prospects heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, listing Alabama WR Jameson Williams No. 1.

In the episode, Simms ranks and breaks down Williams, North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce, Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, and Southern California’s Drake London.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, is joined by NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister on the podcast. The two offer in-depth breakdowns, rankings, and NFL comparisons for this year’s top wide receiver prospects.

In the lead up to April’s NFL Draft, Simms will rank and break down every position group, provide a list of mid-late round sleeper prospects, and issue a final mock draft.

Simms’ Top Five WR prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft:

1.	Jameson Williams, Alabama
2.	Christian Watson, North Dakota St.
3.	Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
4.	Treylon Burks, Arkansas
5.	Drake London, Southern California

 

The following are highlights from Simms’ WR draft rankings:

No. 1: Jameson Williams, Alabama

“Jameson Williams to me is the most slam dunk, easiest evaluation so far. He’s Jerry Jeudy with another gear. He’s DeVonta Smith with a little more strength to his game. I look at Jameson Williams and just go, ‘You name it, he can do it.’ Arguably the best route runner in the draft, arguably the best yards after the catch in the draft…Plays way stronger than his size would indicate…He breaks tackles. Slants over the middle, runs through arm tackles, stiff arms people to the ground, turns it back on and runs for 40 yards. His start-stop ability…it’s off the charts good for double moves…It’s as good as anybody in the NFL…To me, this is a slam dunk, superstar receiver, but he has the ACL question and that puts a question mark on this thing.”

No. 2: Christian Watson, North Dakota State

“The most pleasant surprise of the draft for me…I have all the confidence in the world that you’re going to continue to hear his name more and more. Maybe not as high as No. 2, but I think you’re going to start to here, ‘Oh, he’s a first-round wide receiver.’ … I sit here and go, ‘Do you like DK Metcalf? Do you like Chase Claypool? Do you like Mike Evans?’ Because that’s who Christian Watson is to me…Him and (Jameson Williams) are the freakiest, most explosive people in the draft. It’s a low level of competition, I understand that. It’s hard [not] to look at and go this is not an NFL DB [he’s playing against],  but the amount of time that’s covered and the amount of ground that’s covered, to me it popped off the screen as much as anybody in the draft except for (Williams), who I think it’s very equal to…He will run by people all day long…When you just look at the size, the skill, this kid’s a real specimen…He’s a top 20 pick in my opinion…You put him on Alabama or Ohio State, we’re all going this is a top 10 pick…Maybe the most physically gifted wide receiver in the draft.”

No 3: Alec Pierce, Cincinnati

“Nobody can run with Alec Pierce. He runs by everybody. His times and everything he did at the Combine were phenomenal. He’s in the conversation for the best route runner in the whole draft. His ability to get off the line of scrimmage with different releases and do it like a pro – whether it be the footwork, the hands, whatever – it’s as good as it gets. And then you couple that with the pure athleticism…there’s nobody that can line up with him. He would classify as the guy where I’d go, [he’s] like the DK Metcalf or the Chase Claypool…if (Cincinnati) threw the ball to him five more times a game, he would have had 100 yards in every game…The ability to run the routes, snag the ball out of the air…I just don’t see anything about him where you’d go, ‘What is there not to love about this kid?’ … It’s not his fault that he wasn’t on the team or the quarterback or the system that knew how to give him the ball the right way. He’s polished and NFL-ready. He’s just a faster Jordy Nelson.”

No. 4: Treylon Burks, Arkansas

“Laviska Shenault is a fair comparison. The size is real…We see some evidence of this guy being able to just run by people and go beat a guy on a go-route for a 40-yard touchdown…but am I wowed by the speed? Absolutely not. He’s a weapon…I’m not wowed by his ability to separate from DBs…I am wowed by what he can do with the ball in his hand, though. The way he can break tackles…I think he’s going to be played in the slot most of the time. He’s fearless, he’s got great hands, he snatches it out of the air…and he catches a lot of 50/50 balls and balls in traffic over the middle. He’s a weapon who you’re going to continue to grow with some of the receiving things. The guy that came to my mind is Jarvis Landry…Get the ball in his hands and he’ll do some things. Find ways for him to get in the system and he can make plays with you after the catch and block and do all those types of things, too. He’s going to be a weapon like Deebo (Samuel)…I certainly like the player.”

No. 5: Drake London, USC

“He’s one of the greatest 50/50 jump ball receivers I’ve ever seen in the history of my evaluation, period…It’s not 50/50, it’s kind of 90/10 with this guy. His size is truly an elite thing…He uses it to benefit his skillset and his play. His ability to play the ball in the air, his vertical leap is real, his ability to grab the ball and have people hanging on his arms and hold onto it…all of that is top-notch and I think very, very impressive. The route running is pretty special for a guy that size…He’s very twitchy and quick…[but] he doesn’t pull away from people after that. Separation does concern me…There is a lack of true straight-line explosiveness and power. He breaks no tackles. He pulls away from nobody. The speed concerns, but because of the size and the route running, he’s going to be able to play outside. He understands how to set DBs up, play with their mind a little bit, set up zone routes…I think he’s made for the NFL a little bit, his route running is exceptional, the size and the 50/50 balls are exceptional. He’s No. 5 on my list because of lack of true explosion. He plays bigger than 6’4…it’s a Calvin Johnson-ish look. It is a size league, and the guy’s got an elite skill with his size. He has a very high ceiling, and it’s a high floor.”

-NBC SPORTS-

 “The ball absolutely flies out of Matt Corral’s hand. He’s made for the modern-day NFL…There’s some parts of his game that I think are next-level elite.” – Simms on ranking Corral No. 1

“The most ready right now of all the quarterbacks. The safest pick of the NFL quarterbacks in this draft.” – Simms on Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett

“His ability to throw deep balls, balls on the outside that are power throws, they’re effortless.” – Simms on Liberty QB Malik Willis

“All of these [quarterbacks], I don’t know if they’re really worthy top 10 picks.” – Simms

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 22, 2022 – NBC Sports’ Chris Simms unveiled his quarterback draft rankings, discussing this year’s top QB prospects heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, listing Mississippi QB Matt Corral No. 1. In the episode, Simms ranks and breaks down Corral, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder.

Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, is joined by NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed on the podcast. The two offer in-depth breakdowns, rankings, and NFL comparisons for this year’s top quarterback prospects.

“There’s question about this class, and I understand that,” Simms said of this year’s quarterback prospects. “Maybe the high-end talent isn’t as talented as we’ve seen in year’s past, and there’s certainly not the depth that we’ve seen in years past. For me and my money, after the top five or six, it really falls off. Like really falls off…It’s an underwhelming class.”

Fareed to Simms on his past rankings: “You broke the internet 365 days ago, or around then, when you ranked Zach Wilson over Trevor Lawrence. I just wanted to sing your praises for a moment. You saw red flags in Trevor Lawrence last year, and I think we all saw that. You were higher than most on Mac Jones, some may say he was the most impressive rookie quarterback, so that was a win for you. You saw some red flags and a longer way to go with Trey Lance, maybe the 49ers see that now too. And you saw some passing game issues with Justin Fields, why you ranked him lower, and I think we saw that. So, you had a lot of wins.”

Simms has had recent success in projecting college quarterbacks – including naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.

In the lead up to April’s NFL Draft, Simms will rank and break down every position group, provide a list of mid-late round sleeper prospects, and issue a final mock draft.

Simms’ Top Five QB prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft:

1.	Matt Corral, Mississippi
2.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
3.	Malik Willis, Liberty
4.	Sam Howell, North Carolina
5.	Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

 

The following are highlights from Simms’ QB draft rankings:

No. 1: Matt Corral, Mississippi

“Here’s the basics: insane athlete. He’s the quickest quarterback in the draft. There’s nobody with quicker feet, can make people miss, great acceleration, can pop his feet to get back into throwing positions…nobody can do that as quick as Matt Corral…It’s as quick a release as I’ve seen coming out of college football in a few years. It’s almost to the point at times where I go, ‘Man, I wish he’d let his arm go a little bit more.’ … It literally looked like he just took it from his ear and just threw it like a dart, that’s how quick and compact the delivery is…The arm strength is phenomenal. The ball absolutely flies out of Matt Corral’s hand. To me, he’s made for the modern-day NFL…This guy can run. He’s the fastest quarterback in this group…He’s the most accurate thrower in the draft, too. I don’t know what his numbers are, I don’t really care. I know when he sees a target, he can put the ball on the money in the tightest windows out of anybody in this draft…There’s a lot of elite traits with Matt Corral…The one thing is he’s got to put it all together. It’s not all together yet. I wish we did see a little bit more of, ‘Let’s go through reads.’ … There’s some parts of his game that I think are next-level elite.”

No. 2: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

“Really good football player. The most ready right now of all the quarterbacks. The safest pick of the NFL quarterbacks in this draft. He is what he is. You know what you’re getting with Kenny Pickett. You’re getting the guy that can play the position truest to form out of this group of quarterbacks in this draft class. The most NFL-ready from understanding protections to reading the field to processing the information pre-snap, post-snap, going through the reads. Incredibly accurate thrower, especially in the intermediate range…Good size, plays pretty big too…Awesome in the pocket. I mean really, like awesome. He’s a good athlete, he’s twitchy, he can make people miss, there’s good pop in his feet. So, he can make people miss in the pocket that way, but also, he has a great natural feel of where the pocket is…He’s almost always in great position to throw the football, so that’s where he’s really good. He can run and rip off a 10-yard gain. There’s all those aspects to like about him…But I don’t say, ‘Wow’ about anything with Kenny Pickett physically…I don’t know if I necessarily see any trait that is real, real elite other than the fact that the guy can play quarterback and he is the most polished and ready to go of any quarterback in this draft class.”

No. 3: Malik Willis, Liberty

“It’s a special arm, no question. He can make every throw on the football field with ease. As a thrower, he keeps his body in the right positions, understands how to use the front shoulder…His motion is nice. His ability to throw deep balls, balls on the outside that are power throws, they’re effortless. He is a gifted runner…he can accelerate pretty good, and he’s got an incredible pair of legs on him. He understands how to set up blockers like a running back…there are true running back traits there. He breaks a ton of tackles, bounces off people, he has very good quickness and ability to make people miss in the space. …All of these [quarterbacks], I don’t know if they’re really worthy top 10 picks. He’s a naturally more gifted runner than (Trey) Lance. His throwing motion is tight…he’s got the second-quickest release out of all of these quarterbacks. To me, there’s a lot of projection here…You don’t get to see a ton of variety of throws, you don’t get to see a reading of the field. He’s physically more gifted than (Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder). He throws a very catchable ball, he is accurate, all in all…The arm is real.”

No. 4: Sam Howell, North Carolina

“Good in the pocket. There’s a toughness and grittiness to his game that shows in the film. He’s willing to stand in there, take shots. Not the fastest guy in the world, but he is mobile, and he’s got a great pair of legs on him that allows him to break a lot of tackles, make people miss within the pocket…I like that aspect about him. He’s one of the few guys in this draft that I look at that can really go across the field and read defenses…He does have the ability to throw the ball with some different platforms, and he does have a good hand. He’s got some mechanical issues…I don’t like his motion. It’s way too over the top…That does compromise power and accuracy of the ball. But he’s got experience, his arm is good, he had the strongest arm at the Combine in terms of miles per hour. He plays like Baker Mayfield…He’s gritty…He doesn’t have the arm Mayfield does, but I do think his movement and athleticism will translate better in the NFL because he’s a bigger human. There’s potential for him to be a better thrower. I don’t see first-round talent.”

No. 5: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

“He’s got a great personality, acts like a quarterback. I think he’s a guy who’s going to continue to grow into his body. Size is his skill…He can throw over the line of scrimmage, he can throw over people when they’re in his face and in the pocket. There are some issues here…It’s below average throwing at this point for an NFL starting quarterback. There are some major tweaks that have to be done in his throwing that are a little concerning to me. The running is real…the read-option is going to be a real threat for Desmond Ridder in the NFL. He is one of those guys, read-option, he keeps it around the edge, he can go for a 70-yard touchdown. The speed is worthy of that. But he’s got the worst feet in the pocket out of any of the top guys. He lets his arm get a little floppy…He’s not a good short ball thrower. There’s things I do like, certainly…throws a pretty good deep ball. He’s a good athlete…there are some physical traits there to build on, there’s just not a lot of evidence yet to go, ‘Oh okay, he definitely can do it.’ All in all, I guess I was expecting a hair more.”

-NBC SPORTS-