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Matthew Stafford is heading into a critical season for the Detroit Lions, and most think he is primed to have a big year of success.
Once again, Stafford has hit a significant list leading into the season. Former NFL lineman turned analyst Geoff Schwartz recently revealed a peek at who he considers to be the top NFC quarterbacks this season. Stafford was on the list, and in the No. 8 position overall.
My NFC QB rankings as discussed on radio with @JMartRadio
1) Wilson
2) Brees
3) Rodgers
4) Brady
5) Wentz
6) Ryan
7) Dak
8) Stafford
9) Cousins
10) Jimmy G
-Think Rodgers is probably too high
-Ryan might be a tad too low
-Also Kyler Murray will be on the list soon.
Should Stafford have been higher or lower? Possibly higher, possibly ahead of names such as Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, but there’s also a compelling argument for that trio and their teams heading into the 2020 season. Whether Stafford is No. 8 or No. 5 doesn’t really matter. His play will have to do the talking this coming season.
For now, though, Stafford is still thought of as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference and that is significant heading into a new season.
Matthew Stafford on Chris Simms’ Best QB List
This offseason, Stafford has been a darling in the minds of several in the media and continues to occupy a high spot on several lists. The most recent list that had him surging near the top came courtesy of former league signal caller Chris Simms.
Simms, who works for NBC Sports, annually puts out his top 40 quarterback list. Stafford checked in this season in the number 9 slot perhaps ironically considering his number. Stafford placed ahead of several bigger names on the list, including Super Bowl winners like Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger.
Revealing the Top 5 on today’s pod with @PaulWBurmeister. Any questions you want us to answer about #10-6, fire away. And “This list sucks” isn’t a question. 😜
Stafford so high on this list will undoubtably ruffle some feathers across the league seeing as his trophy case is pretty empty, but this list is more an indication on who the top quarterbacks project to be in any given year. To that end, Stafford belongs. He’s likely to be one of the top 10 players at his position in the league this season.
Matthew Stafford High on Quarterback Tier List
Like every year, CBS Sports analyst Jason La Canfora put out his quarterback tier rankings, placing league signal callers into multiple categories. They are the bona fide franchise quarterbacks (tier 1), top pros and proven winners (tier 2), rising stars (tier 3), you can win with them (tier 4), guys, veterans and placeholders (tier 5), good luck (tier 6) and the jury is out (tier 7).
This offseason, Stafford fell into the “top pros and proven winners” category. Alongside him were Matt Ryan and Dak Prescott. In terms of the explanation why, La Canfora hinted that he is ready for Stafford to do some big winning, and thinks he will get to that in 2020 when healthy.
He said:
“Stafford has always been underappreciated and let down by those around him. He was looking like an MVP last year before he got hurt. I bet he picks up where he left off.”
Last season, Stafford was a tier 4 quarterback, or deemed “someone you can win with.” Obviously, La Canfora is looking at Stafford as a player on the rise for this season and thinks he can start to do some major winning on the field.
Obviously, former players like Schwartz would agree with this sentiment.
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Former Lineman Rates Matthew Stafford High Against NFC Quarterbacks