The Top Ten Quarterbacks Heading Into 2018: Number Nine
The Unplugg’d Staff voted on which signal callers they believed would rise above the rest in 2018. Owen Guetschow fills you in on Mr. Fourth Quarter
In determining the Top Ten quarterbacks heading into the 2018–2019 NFL Season, four members of the Unplugg’d Staff voted on their Top 15 passers. We averaged out all of the rankings to hammer out our final list, which we will be rolling out in the upcoming weeks. Let us know what you think about our rankings by leaving a comment and/or tweeting at us here!
№9: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
2017 Stats: 65.7% CMP%, 4,446 YDS, 29 TD, 10 INT, 99.4 Passer Rating, 1,004 DYAR
The value of Matthew Stafford may be one of the most divisive issues in the NFL. The fourth-highest paid player in the league, Stafford received flack throughout much of last season after his record-setting contract led to overly-ambitious expectations for a Lions team that failed to make the playoffs.
And yet, for a club that hasn’t made it out of the Wild Card round of the playoffs in nearly 30 years, pundits and fans around the league are feeling cautiously optimistic about the Lions’ chances in a loaded NFC North.
With an above-average defense featuring key players such as Ziggy Ansah and Darius Slay — as well as an offense returning a majority of its key pieces — the Lions have a chance to be dark horse contenders for one of the NFC’s Wild Card slots. Above all else, however, the weight of raising Motor City out of the drudges of mediocrity lies solely on the shoulders of Stafford.
From a strictly talent-based perspective, Stafford ranks among the best of ’em. The arm strength that made Stafford such a tantalizing prospect back in 2009 — when the Lions selected him first overall — has only improved. For many years, though, this elite arm strength served as a type of hindrance for the public perception of Stafford. A common knock against Stafford was his complete reliance on Megatron. And while his success with one of the greatest receivers of all time should have only added to his standing throughout the league, many viewed his achievements solely as a product of Megatron’s abilities.
With the hiring of Jim Bob Cooter as offensive coordinator in 2015, Stafford’s game has quickly evolved. The implementation of a new scheme emphasizing short, quick routes and reads has led Stafford to reinvent his game to one much more fitting of the modern era of football. By cutting down the time Stafford holds the ball, he has taken less hits, increased his completion percentage, and has thrown less interceptions. Since Cooter’s takeover, Stafford ranks third in the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio, trailing only Russell Wilson and Tom Brady.
Stafford has also shown a unique ability to consistently lead miraculous fourth quarter comebacks. After setting an NFL record with eight comeback wins in 2016, Stafford only added to his total in 2017 with another four. Totaling 26 in his career, Stafford already places fourth in all-time fourth-quarter comeback wins — all with less than a decade’s worth of games under his belt.
With an abysmal run game and little-to-no help from his offensive line, it is a miracle that Stafford has posted such elite stats the past few years. At only 30 years old, Stafford already owns franchise records for passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and nearly every other significant category.
And while his overwhelming statistical success should lead many in Detroit to embrace their franchise cornerstone, the lack of team success has divided the fanbase. As good as Stafford seems to be, his personal accomplishments have not correlated with much team success. The Stafford-led Lions have lost more games than they have won in his tenure (60–65) and have yet to secure a victory in January.
The tidal wave of opinion surrounding Stafford, however, has begun to shift. After signing running back LeGarrette Blount, fresh off a Super Bowl championship with the Eagles, and drafting promising lineman Tyrell Crosby and Frank Ragnow, the Lions have upgraded two of their biggest areas of need.
Now with better protection in the pocket, as well as the constant threat of a now-competent running game, Stafford is in position to take advantage of a receiving corps that deserves recognition. Recent rule changes restricting helmet-first tackles will hinder safeties’ ability to defend the middle of the field, in turn allowing slot-threats Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay to flourish. Combined with the downfield threat that is Marvin Jones, the Lions should boast one of the most balanced passing games in the league.
With Stafford firmly established in the prime of an already exceptional career, all the ingredients are there for Stafford to elevate his play to unseen levels. As long as his offensive line makes a moderate improvement in keeping him upright, Stafford should cement his status as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league.
Join the discussion as we continue to roll out our Top Ten Quarterback Heading Into 2018! You can follow Owen Guetschow on Twitter @owen_guetschow and UNPLUGG’D @unpluggdwithngl.
