Best NFL Quarterbacks 2021: Ranking The Top 10 QBs Headed For Free Agency

Much has been made about the expected quarterback carousel this NFL offseason, though the biggest moves will happen through trades. The free-agent class isn’t particularly impressive, considering none of the top starters from the 2020 season are headed onto the open market.

Still, there are some names that will draw interest for teams who are looking to make an upgrade in the sport’s most important position. Here’s a ranking of the 10 best quarterbacks headed for 2021 free agency.

1) Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys will likely use the franchise tag on Prescott if the two sides can’t reach a multi-year agreement. Prescott would easily be the best player on the market if he hit free agency.

2) Jameis Winston

It’s been two years since Winston was an NFL starter, and he led the league in both passing yards and interceptions that season. The New Orleans Saints have an interesting choice to make between picking Winston or Taysom Hill to replace Drew Brees.

3) Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick was the Miami Dolphins’ best quarterback in 2020, outperforming rookie Tua Tagovailoa. The veteran can still help a team that doesn’t have a solidified starter.

4) Cam Newton

There’s a chance Newton’s days as an NFL starter are over, given how poorly he played for the New England Patriots in the second half of the season, While the former MVP only threw for 177 yards per game, he could intrigue a team because of his ability to move the chains with his legs.

5) Andy Dalton

Dalton has made at least nine starts in all of his 10 NFL seasons. The veteran had a 87.3 passer rating for the Cowboys last year, replacing the injured Prescott.

6) Alex Smith

It’s a miracle that Smith was able to come back at all from a devastating broken leg that required 17 surgeries. After being released by the Washington Football Team, he might end up as a backup for a team that has a young starting quarterback.

7) Jacoby Brissett

Brissett started 15 games for the Indianapolis Colts in both 2017 and 2019, totaling 31 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions. With a very low career interception rate, Brissett should be one of the best backups in the league.

8) Mitchell Trubisky

It’s at least possible that the Chicago Bears could bring Trubisky back for a fifth season. The former No. 2 overall pick has a 29-21 record as a starter, though it’s pretty clear that he isn’t good enough to be the No. 1 quarterback on a championship contender.

9) Tyrod Taylor

Justin Herbert was an injury replacement for Taylor in Week 2 last season and the Los Angeles Chargers never looked back. It was only a few seasons ago that Taylor led the Buffalo Bills to their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades.

10) Colt McCoy

A career backup, McCoy managed to pick up a big victory for the New York Giants last season when he was called upon to replace the injured Daniel Jones. McCoy has made 30 starts since entering the league in 2010.