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-
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