Simms’ Top 40 QB Countdown Culminates with the Top Four on Monday, June 13; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast
Jameis Winston (No. 26), Mitchell Trubisky (No. 27), Marcus Mariota (No. 28), Tua Tagovailoa (No. 29), and Jared Goff (No. 30) Ranked #26-30 in the Simms Top 40 QB Countdown
“Some of the plays and throws he makes, you go, ‘That’s top-15 quarterback territory.’”– Simms on Winston at No. 26
“I think they can win with Tua. They just can’t put it all on his back and expect him to carry the team.”– Simms on Tagovailoa at No. 29
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 24, 2022 – Over the course of the next month, NBC Sports’ Chris Simms will unveil his list of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on “PFT Live.” Highlighting Simms’ latest rankings are 2019 NFL passing yards leader Jameis Winston of the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins quarterback and No. 5 overall pick in 2020 Tua Tagovailoa, and former No. 1 overall pick (by Los Angeles Rams) Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.
Continuing the countdown, Simms unveiled his quarterbacks ranked 26-30. Simms’ quarterbacks ranked 26-40:
| 26. | Jameis Winston, New Orleans | 34. | Tyler Huntley, Baltimore |
| 27. | Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh | 35. | Davis Mills, Houston |
| 28. | Marcus Mariota, Atlanta | 36. | Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants |
| 29. | Tua Tagovailoa, Miami | 37. | Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia |
| 30. | Jared Goff, Detroit | 38. | Teddy Bridgewater, Miami |
| 31. | Trey Lance, San Francisco | 39. | Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh |
| 32. | Sam Darnold, Carolina | 40. | Drew Lock, Seattle |
| 33. | Geno Smith, Seattle |
Beginning last week and culminating Monday, June 13 with his top four quarterbacks in the league, Simms will unveil five selections on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on “PFT Live” with Mike Florio.
Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned.
Simms has had recent success in projecting quarterbacks – including those coming out of college by naming Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, listing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and having Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020.
The rankings will continue Wednesday, May 25 with numbers 25-21 on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.
The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned:
No. 30: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
“He does have size. He’s tough. He is a pretty good athlete, but I wish he would use his athleticism more. He’s played in some big football games, so he certainly knows how to handle a bit of pressure. His arm is strong, but at times he can lose control. There’s inconsistency in his mechanics…that compromises some of his power. He’s a pretty good decision maker, but he’s not going to carry the team through a tough spot. There is some systematic help that is needed for Jared Goff. This is the year, to me, that is make-or-break. He did nothing last year to solidify in the [Lions’] brain, ‘You’re the guy for the future.’”
No. 29: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
“He’s got charisma and leadership. He is a very good athlete. He’s slick with his different releases except he does not have a strong arm. He has accuracy…and of course he can run and scramble. There are a lot of big-time throws and yards left on the field on a consistent basis. Playing in the pocket against good defenses, he plays small and he makes bad decisions. I think it’s a great fit for Tua and [Dolphins head coach] Mike McDaniel. With Tyreek [Hill] and [Jaylen] Waddle, it all fits him just right…I think they can win with Tua. They just can’t put it all on his back and expect him to carry the team like Josh Allen.”
No. 28: Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons
“He can really run and he has a pretty damn good arm, and within that, has pretty good control. He’s a little more robotic…but there’s a reason he’s a starter here in Atlanta. He did take a team to the playoffs, and [Atlanta] is going to play a style of football where they’re going to use his ability to run as a threat. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s smart…I think there are some qualities there that are a little better than Tua [Tagovailoa]. I expect it to be a pretty long leash with Mariota [this season].”
No. 27: Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers
“I think it’s going to be tough for Kenny Pickett to beat him out because there’s real, tangible talent with this guy. His arm is stronger than Ben [Roethlisberger’s] was at the end of his career, he’s obviously a better athlete…That’s where I’d be excited. I’d like him to be a little more of a machine throwing the football. Like [Marcus] Mariota, there’s a reason he was drafted in the top five. It’s an athletic ability that’s up there with a lot of the top athletes at the position.”
No. 26: Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
“He’s amazing in the pocket. His athletic ability is always better than I remember it being. He is a big-time thrower of the football between 10 and 20 yards. [Last season] there was some growth and he’s coachable and he can play a different style of football. I think there will be less pressure without Sean Payton breathing down his neck. There are some things he needs to improve on…but some of his high-end stuff is high-end. Some of the plays and throws he makes, you go, ‘That’s top-15 quarterback territory.’”
To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here.
-NBC SPORTS-