NFL Quarterback Rankings

In the NFL, it takes a franchise QB to lead a team deep in the playoffs, eventually to a Super Bowl.  Without an elite QB a team winds up out of the playoffs year after year.  Here are how I rank the QBs in the league right now:

Tier 1: Elite Franchise QB
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Tom Brady
3. Peyton Manning
4. Drew Brees

Tier 2:  Near-Elite Franchise QB
5. Matt Ryan
6. Andrew Luck
7. Eli Manning

Tier 3:  Franchise QB
8. Ben Roethlisberger
9. Russell Wilson
10. Robert Griffin III
11. Matt Schaub
12. Tony Romo
13. Joe Flacco
14. Matthew Stafford
15. Philip Rivers
16. Jay Cutler
17.  Colin Kaepernick

Tier 4:  Solid Starter
18. Michael Vick
19. Andy Dalton
20. Alex Smith
21. Josh Freeman

Tier 5:  Average with high potential
22. Cam Newton
23. Sam Bradford
24. Jake Locker
25. Matt Flynn
26. Ryan Tannehill
27. Kirk Cousins

Tier 6: Average with low potential
28. Carson Palmer
29. Ryan Fitzpatrick
30. Christian Ponder
31. Matt Hasselbeck
32. Mark Sanchez
33. Matt Cassell

Tier 7:  Backups with high potential
34. Terrell Pryor
35. Nick Foles
36. Blaine Gabbert
37. TJ Yates

Tier 8:  Backups with low potential
38. Tarvaris Jackson
39. Brandon Weeden
40. Matt Moore
41. Kevin Kolb
42. Brian Hoyer
43. Colt McCoy
44. Chad Henne
45. Kyle Orton
46. Brady Quinn
47. Jason Campbell
48. John Skelton
49. Rex Grossman
50. Shaun Hill
51. Matt Leinart

Tier 9: Not ready but potential
52. Brock Osweiler
53. Ryan Mallett
54. Tyrod Taylor
55. Jimmy Clausen

Tier 10: Should be 3rd String
56. Tim Tebow
57. Vince Young
58. Tyler Thigpen
59. Charlie Whitehurst
60. Graham Harrell
61. Byron Leftwich
62. Joe Webb
63. Josh Portis
64. Trent Edwards

2013 NFL Draft Rookie QB Rankings
1. Matt Barkley (Tier 4)
2. Geno Smith (Tier 4)
3. EJ Manuel (Tier 7)
4. Ryan Nassib (Tier 7)
5. Mike Glennon (Tier 7)
6. Tyler Bray (Tier 7)
7. Tyler Wilson (Tier 9)
8. Landry Jones (Tier 9)

This QB class is weak- Do not expect to see a star.  Barkley and Smith can be solid starters, but I am not sure either will ever lead a team to the playoffs without a dominant defense on their side.