“I am beyond blown away…this is as close to Joe Burrow as I’ve seen coming out in the draft.” – Simms on ranking Stroud No. 1

“He’s as natural at playing the position as you’re going to see. He makes so many great quarterback plays…He’s No. 2 because of his size and his arm is good but it’s not on the same level as C.J. Stroud.” – Simms on Alabama QB Bryce Young

“Why is this guy not getting more buzz? What is there not to like? … If you’re going off film, I don’t know how he’s not in the top quarterback conversation.” – Simms on Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker

“The only guy who we’ve seen somewhat built like this is Cam Newton…His ceiling is probably the highest in the draft. His floor, though, it might be the lowest.” – Simms on Florida QB Anthony Richardson

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 20, 2023 – NBC Sports’ Chris Simms discusses this year’s top QB prospects heading into the 2023 NFL Draft and unveiled his quarterback draft rankings on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, listing Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud No. 1. In the episode, Simms ranks and breaks down Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

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.

“It’s an interesting class,” Simms said of this year’s quarterback prospects. “It’s a good class. I will say that, overall, it is a better class than last year, and I think that there’s a little bit of everything in the class, too, as far as flavors and styles of play… I think there’s less questions overall about these top guys than what we had last year.”

Fareed to Simms on his rankings: “This is all about the tape. This is film rankings. So, you didn’t have a guy No. 1 that you kind of thought from a year ago and now you’re trying to defend that No. 1 ranking and it’s hard to get off of it. You didn’t rank these guys until basically a week ago, so now you’ve looked at the film and this is what your rankings are based off of.”

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 sleeper prospects, and issue a final mock draft.

Simms’ Top Five QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Tier 1

1 C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Tier 2

2. Bryce Young, Alabama

3. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Tier 3

4. Anthony Richardson, Florida

Tier 4

T5. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA

T5. Will Levis, Kentucky

 

The following are highlights from Simms’ QB draft rankings:

No. 1: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

“I am beyond blown away from what I saw…this is as close to Joe Burrow as I’ve seen coming out in the draft. When you just talk about great decision-making, quickness, I mean that was Joe Burrow…C.J. Stroud’s ability to make high-level throws and just drop the ball in the receiver’s pockets, hit them in the chest, wherever, is off-the-charts good…He’s a pure pocket passing quarterback, but that’s not to say he can’t move and be mobile too…When you really break him down, his incompletions are off-the-charts good …Decision-making, top-notch. The ability to make power, game-changing type throws, top-notch. And then go on to accuracy with the short game, it’s all off the charts. But what separates him is the amount of 15- to 30-yard throws that are on the money that change field position or the game on a consistent basis. Like I said, Joe Burrow is the only guy I can remember where I just kept going, ‘Whoa, another strike. Whoa, another strike.’ … This is not one where I’m going out on a limb and I’m splitting hairs. For (me), definite No. 1 pick.”

No. 2: Bryce Young, Alabama

“The natural, that’s what he is. He’s as natural at playing the position as you’re going to see. He makes so many great quarterback plays. Just like C.J. Stroud, the brain is on another level. The ability to read defenses, see the field, throw the appropriate throw…For a guy that’s a college quarterback, he’s as slick as you’re going to see. What I mean by that, you might not see a ton of wow, oh my gosh throws from Bryce Young, but you see a lot of wow, oh my gosh releases and stuff like that…His ability to throw slants and screens, he can be like (Patrick) Mahomes where he can just flick it out or Aaron Rodgers where you’re just like, ‘Woah, was that out quick.’ The ability to move in the pocket and buy time, bounce around, make people miss, and then have this incredible patience…There’s really so many good things to talk about. He’s a very good athlete, he’s a great decision-maker, he’s aggressive – but not as aggressive as C.J. Stroud – and he can make some wow, highlight-type plays. But he’s No. 2 because of his size and his arm is good but it’s not on the same level as C.J. Stroud.”

No. 3: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

“Why is this guy not getting more buzz? What is there not to like? … All I know is I saw a really good-looking, on the money, pocket passing quarterback who makes great decisions, and like C.J. Stroud, is way more athletic than people are giving him credit for. And where he might be even better than C.J. Stroud, and definitely better than Bryce Young, is his ability to see over the line and throw over the line…Totally unaffected by the pass rush. That’s where I give him tons of credit. Decision-making, that’s another one where I go it’s really off-the-charts good. The amount of NFL, high-level throws. I just mean in the pocket, 12-yard out route. In the pocket, trash around you, 15-yard in-cut…he does all of that. That’s where I loved Hendon Hooker. His motion is not my favorite. He’s a natural thrower of the football, but his motion is a little too vertical…There’s the ACL and the age thing, that’s the concern with Hendon Hooker. If you’re going off film, I don’t know how he’s not in the top quarterback conversation.”

No. 4. Anthony Richardson, Florida

“He’s Micah Parsons playing quarterback. He’s a beast of beasts when it comes to the quarterback position. The only guy who we’ve seen somewhat built like this is Cam Newton…He’s one of one in that department. This is a quarterback who’s a great athlete who’s still just learning how to play quarterback. He’s less raw than Malik Willis last year. This guy’s arm is off-the-charts good. Is there a little boom or bust here? Of course. His ceiling is probably the highest in the draft. His floor, though, it might be the lowest…You’re not going to want to rely on him like you would Hendon Hooker or Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud…He needs to be taught a few things in how to use his body the right way in throwing the football… The quarterback-designed run game is going to be a real thing with him…From what I’ve seen, he’s a natural thrower.”

No. 5. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA

“What’s not to like about DTR? He’s taller than Bryce Young, he’s faster than Bryce Young, and I think his arm might be stronger than Bryce Young. He plays the position of quarterback right up there with the top guys. He can do everything. He has a little bit of a long wind-up. Maybe he doesn’t see the field as well as C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young. He plays smaller than 6’2”. But after that, I don’t know what else to say. I would argue that going through reads and reading the field, other than Stroud and Young, he’s the next best one in the group…His mechanics are great, his feet are great…This kid’s got starting NFL quarterback traits. I don’t understand why the guy isn’t getting more hype.”

No. 5. Will Levis, Kentucky

“He’s got a little bit of the boom or bust factor here. His size and toughness are off the charts. He is a good athlete. You take his 10 best throws, they’re up there with anybody. He can throw in lasers like C.J. Stroud or Richardson. The problem is, it’s too few and far between. His decision-making is towards the bottom of the list, too…He’s too flicky, the motion is a little all over the place…The ability to play and get it done is not as good as those top guys in that department. His potential is greater than (Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s)…His ceiling is high…Would I be shocked if he’s a starting NFL quarterback in three years? I would not be…The power isn’t the problem, but he can be a little all over the place with his location of the ball. He feels a little ‘all potential’-based.”

-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

Tyrod Taylor (No. 36), Gardner Minshew (No. 37), Teddy Bridgewater (No. 38), Rookie Kenny Pickett (No. 39), and Drew Lock (No. 40) Ranked #36-40 in the Simms Top 40 QB Countdown

“I wish there was more big-play ability and a little more aggressiveness, but as far as being ready to play in the NFL, I have no doubt this guy is going to be ready. He’s going to be able to run an offense.” – Simms on Pickett at No. 39

“He has the type of talent to be in the top 18, top 15, but playing the position, he’s not great at it yet…You can’t trust him.” – Simms on Lock at No. 40

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 16, 2022 – Over the course of the next month, NBC Sports’ Chris Simms will unveil his list of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live.”

Beginning today 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.

“It’s not an easy exercise. There’s a lot of good quarterbacks in the NFL,” Simms said. “There’s four categories that I’m big on: Physical talent, that’s the number one thing. Throwing and running, taking both of those into account – that’s part of the game right now in the 2022 NFL. The next big thing would be the mental aspect…Third would be leadership, the effect you have on the football team…and the last one to me would be pocket presence, because there is something to that…Those four things to me are really the way I break it down.”

To kick off the countdown, Simms unveiled his quarterbacks ranked 36-40:

36.	Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
37.	Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia
38.	Teddy Bridgewater, Miami
39.	Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
40.	Drew Lock, Seattle

 

The rankings will continue Wednesday with numbers and 31-35 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

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

No. 40: Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks

Simms: “There’s things to like about his game. There’s real talent to the player. The talent of the player is better than 40. He has the type of talent to be in the top 18, top 15, but playing the position, he’s not great at it yet. To me, the biggest reason he’s at 40 is – for lack of a better way to say it – he’s not in the trust tree. You can’t trust him. You can’t trust him with decision-making, taking care of the football, and that’s the piece we’re still missing with Drew Lock…Consistency is the issue. We’ve seen snippets…but it just never quite gets there. He’s a little bit all over the place when you break him down…He’s a guy who has a higher ceiling than 40 for sure, but right now I can’t put him any higher than that because I don’t really know what to expect out of him when you put him on the field.”

No. 39: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers

Simms: “A lot of the things that we talk about with Drew Lock that I don’t trust, with Kenny Pickett I don’t have those same feelings…As far as the mental aspect, it’s as impressive as it gets coming out of college the last few years. Mac Jones and Joe Burrow are the only two guys I can remember in recent history…In the pocket, making decisions, going through reads, putting the ball in the right spot. It’s as good as anybody we’ve seen come out there, and I think that’s why some teams absolutely loved him at the draft. It’s the high-end talent that I question, but he’s still a starting quarterback here. I wish there was more big-play ability and a little more aggressiveness, but as far as being ready to play in the NFL, I have no doubt this guy is going to be ready. He’s going to be able to run an offense – he’s been playing in a pro offense – and he’s very well-schooled at playing within the pocket and making decisions and throws that way. That’s why I like him and that’s why I’m going to put him in front of Drew Lock.”

No. 38: Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Dolphins

Simms: “Teddy Bridgewater is the ultimate backup. That’s what he is. I would never want him starting for my football team, as we saw from the two seasons previous to this. That’s just not what he is. Teddy Bridgewater does a lot of really good things. He’s got good control of the football and accuracy, he is a pretty good decision-maker, his arm is solid, he’s a good athlete. My big thing with Teddy Bridgewater, especially at this point in his career, is we know who he is. He’s not big-time and he’s not the future of any franchise, and my biggest thing with him more than anything is…the 2022 NFL, to me, doesn’t translate to a guy like Teddy Bridgewater, to guys who don’t go and try to win the game. They just go and try not to lose it. It’s hard to win in the NFL when you have a quarterback who just tries not to lose.”

No. 37: Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles

Simms: “One of the best backup quarterbacks in all of football…Ultimately, a low-end starter in the NFL, really high-end backup. You can depend on him as a backup. He’s a natural at the position, a little bit where the physical skills are not as good as Drew Lock or even Kenny Pickett – maybe his arm may not even be as good as Teddy Bridgewater – but Minshew can really play. Minshew is a very good decision-maker, Minshew is really crafty and good in the pocket, Minshew brings a leadership and a flair to your football team that is undeniable. In fact, it’s one of the rarest backups I’ve ever seen from that aspect and the team gravitates towards it…He’s got great anticipation and great touch and can change the arm angle. He’s a guy that can really play…He’s one of the best backups in football and that’s why I have him ahead of Teddy Bridgewater. I think there’s an element he brings to a team that Bridgewater doesn’t and that’s why I notched him up ahead.”

No. 36: Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants

Simms: “I feel bad for the guy at times because he’s been a little unlucky. One of the reasons he’s a backup and in this spot is you can’t depend on him to stay healthy throughout the year. That would be one thing that’s a little concerning about him…but Tyrod Taylor has some big-time elements of his skillset that are starting quarterback worthy…It’s a really good arm. Him and Drew Lock would have the two best arms of the guys here so far. He can pump it down the field 60-yard, 70-yard post routes. He’s got some strength. We know he’s a good athlete too…But Tyrod Taylor has a little bit of the Teddy Bridgewater in him to a degree that does bother me in the fact that it’s a careful football game at times, it’s not always taking advantage of what’s there to be had…There is some ability to make some high-end, awesome stuff happen, but it’s too few and far between at times.”

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

-NBC SPORTS-

Aaron Rodgers (No. 3) & Deshaun Watson (No. 4) Round Out Top Four in the Simms Top 40 QB Countdown

“He’s the best player in the NFL…Nobody brings more belief and magic to the football field.” – Simms on No. 1 Patrick Mahomes

“This spot, two and three, was the hardest for me on the whole list.” – Simms on ranking Josh Allen No. 2 and Aaron Rodgers No. 3

“Rodgers is more accurate, definitely a little bit more surgical, but not so much more that he makes up for the difference of what Josh Allen brings to the playmaking table.” – Simms on Allen and Rodgers

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 22, 2021 – NBC Sports’ Chris Simms ranks Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes as his number one quarterback in the NFL, while Buffalo’s Josh Allen ranks number two as Simms’ top 40 quarterback countdown concludes on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and “PFT Live” with the QBs ranked 1-4. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (No. 3) and Houston’s Deshaun Watson (No. 4) round out Simms’ top four.

Beginning last month and culminating today with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms has unveiled his selections on Chris Simms Unbuttoned and discussed his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.

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

No. 1: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Simms: “Patrick Mahomes is still the number one quarterback in football. He’s the best player in the NFL. We’re talking about a guy that’s got no weakness to his football game. I mean everything – whether it’s quick decisions, right decisions, unbelievable throws off platforms, throwing in the pocket, subtle moves in the pocket, the ability to extend plays outside the pocket, throwing balls off of unbalanced footwork – there’s nobody better in the game. I don’t know if there’s a team or an offense that’s more based around one guy and his talents in the NFL, and I don’t know if there’s been one more that I can think of in recent history…It’s insane what they ask of him, and he delivers…Was it a down year a little bit for him last year? Yeah, ok, he was banged up a little bit here and there, but still. They had a bullseye on their back. Nobody brings more belief and magic to the football field, to their team, on a weekly basis than Patrick Mahomes.”

No. 2:  Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills, and No. 3: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Simms: “This was maybe my toughest ranking of all right here. This spot, two and three, was the hardest for me on the whole list…I don’t play favorites, even though (Aaron Rodgers) is my favorite quarterback of all time, and I still think he’s the greatest I’ve ever seen…Rodgers is still so surgical with decision making, accuracy, and all of those types of things. His arm, it’s only behind the two guys that are in front of him in football. It’s still a phenomenal, world-class, game-changing type arm…But, it’s not enough to overcome all the plays Josh Allen makes. It’s unbelievable. When you go back and watch it, you certainly could argue that Josh Allen was the MVP of football last year. He made more game-changing, game-saving, unbelievable plays than maybe anybody in football last year, and that’s why he got the (number two) ranking…Yes, Rodgers is more accurate, definitely a little bit more surgical, but not so much more that he makes up for the difference of what Josh Allen brings to the playmaking table…When there was nobody open or the pocket broke down, you could argue that nobody was more dangerous in football than Josh Allen last year in what he did outside the pocket, manipulating coverage, and throwing lasers everywhere.”

No. 4: Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Simms: “We’re talking about what’s going on on the football field here… As far as between the lines go, he is definitely one of the best our sport has to offer…What more can he do? He’s phenomenal in every aspect. There’s really no weakness to his game…He maximizes everything. He is an elite passer, thrower of the football. He wants to stay in the pocket until the very last second possible, and then his movement, come on. It’s as good as anybody in the sport other than maybe Lamar (Jackson) and Kyler Murray…He delivers everything that’s there to be had within the offense and then some, and a lot more than some. ”

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’ top 40 NFL quarterbacks

 

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

 

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

-NBC SPORTS-

 “There’s no doubt that he’s one of the five best quarterbacks in the game…If they’re close in the fourth quarter, I’m going with Russell Wilson.” – Simms on No. 5 Russell Wilson

“We’re still talking about maybe the most dangerous weapon in football…He’s on a Hall of Fame arc.” – Simms on No. 6 Lamar Jackson

“I’m not sure if there’s anybody that has more of an effect on their team’s success on their offense than Kyler Murray.” – Simms on No. 7 Kyler Murray

Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four on Monday, June 21

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 16, 2021 – NBC Sports’ Chris Simms continues to unveil his list of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and “PFT Live” with the QBs ranked 5-8.

Beginning last month and culminating Monday, June 21 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil his 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’ quarterbacks ranked 5-40:

5.	Russell Wilson, Seattle	23.	Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington
6.	Lamar Jackson, Baltimore	24.	Taysom Hill, New Orleans
7.	Kyler Murray, Arizona	25.	Jameis Winston, New Orleans
8.	Matthew Stafford, LA Rams	26.	Daniel Jones, NY Giants
9.	Dak Prescott, Dallas	27.	Zach Wilson, NY Jets
10.	Tom Brady, Tampa Bay	28.	Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville
11.	Justin Herbert, LA Chargers	29.	Andy Dalton, Chicago
12.	Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee	30.	Mac Jones, New England
13.	Baker Mayfield, Cleveland	31.	Jared Goff, Detroit
14.	Derek Carr, Las Vegas	32.	Teddy Bridgewater, Denver
15.	Matt Ryan, Atlanta	33.	Drew Lock, Denver
16.	Kirk Cousins, Minnesota	34.	Tua Tagovailoa, Miami
17.	Joe Burrow, Cincinnati	35.	Tyrod Taylor, Houston
18.	Carson Wentz, Indianapolis	36.	Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas
19.	Sam Darnold, Carolina	37.	Kellen Mond, Minnesota
20.	Cam Newton, New England	38.	Trey Lance, San Francisco
21.	Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco	39.	Justin Fields, Chicago
22.	Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh	40.	Case Keenum, Cleveland

 

The rankings will continue Monday, June 21 with numbers and 1-4 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

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

No. 8: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Simms: “He’s on a team now, and everyone’s going to see what he’s really worthy of this year…He still has one of the greatest, game-changing arms in the history of the NFL and still one of the best game-changing, most explosive arms in the NFL right now at this moment. You can say what you want, but he does things with his right arm that very few people in this league can do. It’s in the echelon of (Patrick) Mahomes, (Aaron) Rodgers and Josh Allen. It’s those four if you just want to talk about crazy, gifted, unbelievable throws that nobody else on the planet can make. That’s what he does, and he makes them look so routine at times…Is he perfect? No, but I think a lot of the problems Matthew Stafford had were team-related, people around him-related, offensive scheme-related, and of course we’re in this era of just blaming one guy.”

No. 7: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Simms: “Wow, where to start? I’m not sure if there’s anybody that has more of an effect on their team’s success on their offense than Kyler Murray. That’s a bold statement. Not saying he’s the best quarterback in football, but man, does he have a tremendous effect because of his God-given talents to what their team is…Arizona is the number seven team in football in running the ball? It’s because of one guy. Everything on their offense is predicated around the talents of this guy…He’s got a rocket for an arm and he’s cool and calm under pressure. He’s different that way.”

No. 6: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Simms: “We’re still talking about maybe the most dangerous weapon in football in Lamar Jackson. The most dangerous weapon, maybe not the most dangerous pocket passing quarterback. First off, we know it’s still in the class of the greatest running quarterback we’ve ever seen. Even though last year was less than maybe some of the years before, it’s still phenomenal…The pressure he puts on you because of that skillset, you can’t qualify it or quantify it. It’s unbelievable what he does that way, and of course they’ve done a great job of putting people around him that help that out. But the other thing with Lamar Jackson, the stats won’t say it, but Lamar Jackson improved as a pocket passer last year…Every time I go back and watch it, the more and more confident I feel about that. He was better…He’s on a Hall of Fame arc.”

No. 5: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Simms: “There’s no doubt that he’s one of the five best quarterbacks in the game…We’re talking about a guy here that is as clutch as they come in football. You can make a case he’s one of the best deep-ball throwers in football, and then added to that, we know he’s maybe the best – not the best, but towards the top of football – at extending plays and making plays outside the pocket. Russell Wilson is still amazing that way…He’s talented, he’s got great leadership, fortitude, there’s a presence on the field. He has one of those auras about him that when he gets the ball late in the game and they’re down, I just go, ‘They’re going to score.’ … You expect it. He’s one of those short-list guys…If they’re close in the fourth quarter, I’m going with Russell Wilson.”

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

-NBC SPORTS-