The quarterback position in the NFL is one of the most important positions on the field. Many quarterbacks drafted in recent years are taking the league by storm and are becoming some of the best in the league. Here are my top quarterbacks in each NFC division.

NFC NORTH: Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings)

This one was hard to decide between Cousins and Jared Goff, but I decided to go with Cousins. I view Cousins and Goff as the same kind of quarterback. They’ll put up good stats and they’re not quarterbacks you want to replace, but they are not consistent. Cousins could have a game where he’d throw four touchdowns, but the next week, could throw three interceptions and cost the Vikings the game. Cousins routinely puts up numbers season after season. In 2022, he lead Minnesota to a 13-4 record by leading the league in fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives (eight apiece). Cousins finished the 2022 year with 4,547 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

rest of the division rankings

2. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)
3. Justin Fields (Chicago Bears)
4. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)

NFC SOUTH: Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints)

After being benched near the end of the 2022 season, it was almost certain Carr was on his way out of Las Vegas. He was then officially released by the Raiders on Feb. 14. A few weeks later, the Saints signed Carr to a 4-year, $150 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed. Carr is a similar quarterback to Cousins and Goff. He is a serviceable quarterback, and he’ll put up good stats, but he’s inconsistent. Despite only playing 15 games in 2022, Carr finished with over 3,500 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

rest of the division rankings

2. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
3. Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)
4. Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons)

NFC EAST: Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)

The third-year quarterback took a huge leap in 2022, leading the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, where they would eventually lose to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (38-35). Hurts keeps defenses on their toes with his rushing ability. Now add that in with an already dominant rushing attack, the best offensive line in football, a good tight end in Dallas Goedert, and two wide receivers in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. Some people discredit Hurts because he’s surrounded by the best and most complete roster in the NFL, but put a guy like Marcus Mariota in and he won’t reach the same level of achievement. Hurts only played 15 games in 2022, but finished with 3,701 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions.

rest of the division rankings

2. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
3. Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
4. Sam Howell (Washington Commanders)

NFC WEST: Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but Kyler Murray has turned into one of the most underrated players in the NFL. The short jokes and Call of Duty jokes are getting old. And no, he’s not a bust. Remember, Murray was an MVP candidate not too long ago. A quarterback can only do so much with what they have. The Cardinals have no run game and a terrible offensive line. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins missed the first six games after a suspension. Hopkins also battled with injuries throughout the year, as did other wide receiver Marquise Brown. Murray will be a big question mark next year after tearing his ACL in a week 11 game against the Patriots. In 11 games in 2022, Murray finished with 2,368 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

rest of the division rankings

2. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
3. Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks)
4. Brock Purdy/Trey Lance/Sam Darnold (San Francisco 49ers)

“Cardinals QB Kyler Murray” by All-Pro Reels is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0