Matt Ryan Ranks Outside The Top 10 In ESPN's 2020 Quarterback Rankings Panel
While much of the world is in an unfamiliar place, ESPN is apparently trying to make us feel comfortable by making us look at their annual lists. This time, it's quarterbacks.
An NFL panel of 50 individuals (some players, some coaches, some executives) was used for the voting process. Here's the process, explained:
Here's how it worked: Voters gave their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews and research. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The top-15 quarterbacks for the 2020 season broke down as follows:
1. Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
4. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
7. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
10. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
11. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
13. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
14. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
15. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
This list has generated quite a bit of buzz on Twitter, as one could imagine. The 2016 MVP behind guys like Stafford, Prescott, and Wentz is not exactly...consensus opinion. Not to mention three of the top seven names on the list are well past their prime, but alas.
This seems slightly insane, as Ryan has only ranked outside the top-10 in QBR twice in his entire career, and his average finish in QBR over the last five seasons is 7.6. Coming off of a less than spectacular statistical season, one in which the Falcons' offensive line struggled quite a bit in both the passing and the running game, this feels like an overreaction.
If the rest of the list catered to younger talent, Ryan being outside the top-10 could make more sense. But Rodgers, Brees and Brady being ranked so favorably for the upcoming season means youth wasn't part of the criteria to receive a high ranking.
The story does note that Ryan had more top-10 votes than Stafford, but that Stafford's average rank was slightly higher. Where do you think Matt Ryan should rank on the list?
Other Ways To Follow Us
Join the Falcon Report Community!
Subscribe to the Dirty Birds Podcast! Available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio
Follow us on Twitter: @FalconsSI
