From Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson down to Rocky Lombardi and Emory Jones, a look at the QB depth charts
The offseason has died down with free agency (mostly) and the NFL Draft coming and going it’s time to assess the AFC North as a whole.
The teams have improved, whether most fans will agree with this statement or not. If your team had a weakness last season that needed to be addressed and it was, that is a positive to look at. We could analyze the entire rosters in the AFC North but that’s for another day. Let’s look at the most important position for football, and that is quarterback.
Lamar Jackson. Joe Burrow. Deshaun Watson. Russell Wilson.
In terms of quarterback quality it’s probably the strongest the AFC North has been (in terms of that department, regardless of the feelings towards Watson and Wilson.)
Let’s discuss and rank the QB rooms (not just starters) in the AFC North:
#1 Cleveland Browns
Starter- Deshaun Watson
Backups/Depth: Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tyler Huntley
Why is Cleveland #1?- As it looks right now, Cleveland probably has the best QB depth room in the entire AFC North. Going off last season, Cleveland has capable backups ready in case something were to happen to Watson. Watson is QB1 but if he were to go down, the team has capable backups ready.
Jameis Winston has been a starter before, going back to his days in Tampa Bay and he also provides veteran leadership in some ways. Tyler Huntley also has experience starting when he filled in for Lamar Jackson during his tenure in Baltimore. DTR has experience and looks to grow from his small sample size.
#2 Cincinnati Bengals
Starter- Joe Burrow
Backups/Depth: Jake Browning, Logan Woodside, Rocky Lombardi
Why is Cincinnati #2: When Joe Burrow was lost for the season, we expected a drop at the quarterback position for Cincinnati. There was a distinct difference in how the offense performed with Jake Browning on the field.
Burrow’s health is a concern whether people want to admit it or not. In his 4 years in the league, he has played only 2 full seasons.
Browning is a capable backup but he’s not a starter in this league. Logan Woodside has bounced around practice squads in the NFL and he’s only played in the now-defunct AAF. Rocky Lombardi was signed as an undrafted free agent after spending two seasons at Northern Illinois after transferring from Michigan State.
If Burrow goes down, Browning can step in but expectations should be lowered significantly.
#3 Pittsburgh Steelers
Starter: Russell Wilson
Backups: Justin Fields, Kyle Allen, John Rhys Plumlee
For what it’s worth, the Pittsburgh Steelers QB room is better than whatever they had last season. However, it’s a room filled with questions and uncertainty.
Russell Wilson is an upgrade over Kenny Pickett. There is no denying it but there is a reason why Denver chose to cut bait and eat the dead cap hit. Wilson has his limitations as a quarterback and he can only do so much at his age.
If Wilson struggles, then the team could turn to Justin Fields. Again, this is another QB that you should have concerns with. Fields hasn’t been great in his career on top of, not because of, the lack of help he received during his tenure in Chicago. At this point, he should be starting somewhere else where they are looking to develop a young quarterback instead of sitting on the bench but the limitations have been obvious.
Kyle Allen has experience starting in the NFL but it wasn’t encouraging and John Rhys Plumlee was an undrafted free agent from the University of Central Florida.
A lot of uncertainty in this room.
#4 Baltimore Ravens
Starter: Lamar Jackson
Backups/Depth: Josh Johnson, Malik Cunningham, Devin Leary, Emory Jones
Why is Baltimore 4th?: Lamar Jackson is arguably the best QB in his division as of right now. However, if Jackson were to be gone for an extended period of time who would you trust to hold down the fort?
Josh Johnson has been in the league for a long time and has also spent time in the XFL and the defunct UFL. Malik Cunningham was brought in after spending time with the New England Patriots but he could potentially play a different position (similar to what Jackson had to deal with when he was coming out of college). Devin Leary, who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft from the University of Kentucky after spending the first half of his career at NC State could be a backup but that’s pretty much it. Emory Jones was brought in as undrafted free agent, he finished his last season with the University of Cincinnati after spending time at Arizona State and Florida.
If Jackson goes down, good luck Baltimore.
How would you rank the AFC North starters at QB? How about, as seen above, the depth charts at the position for each team?
You must be logged in to post a comment Login