October 6, 2024

Here’s where Giants’ Daniel Jones, Jets’ Zach Wilson rank among NFL’s best, worst QBs entering 2021

Jets #Jets

a person on a football field: New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman watches the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman watches the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

The Jets are starting over at quarterback (yet again) in 2021, while the Giants are hoping third-year pro Daniel Jones takes the next step.

a football player on a field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

So where do Zach Wilson — the Jets’ presumptive starter, after they drafted him second overall — and Jones rank among the NFL’s best and worst quarterbacks?

a group of people playing football on a field: New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches as his top draft pick Kadarius Toney has an issue with his cleats during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches as his top draft pick Kadarius Toney has an issue with his cleats during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

Pro Football Focus recently attempted to answer that question, with its 2021 starting quarterback rankings. Jones checks in at No. 20, while Wilson is 30th, ahead of only Jalen Hurts (Eagles) and Drew Lock (Broncos).

a person throwing a baseball on a field: New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman watches the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman watches the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

Here’s the rationale for Jones’ ranking:

a man with a helmet on a baseball field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

This is a big year for Daniel Jones to establish himself as a franchise quarterback, and the Giants are doing everything in their power to surround him with help. Last year, the team had the lowest pass-blocking grade in the league and the eighth-worst receiving grade, but new additions from free agency and the draft should help.

a man playing a game of football on a field: New York Giants Joe Judge stands behind running back Corey Clement, a New Jersey native,during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants Joe Judge stands behind running back Corey Clement, a New Jersey native,during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

This is the first offseason Jones will be in the same offense, which will offer more familiarity going into his third season. Jones must eliminate the boneheaded decisions and turnover-worthy plays that hold the team back. With his toughness and ability to make plays with his legs, Jones can make a big leap forward.

a football player on a field: Nathan Rourke (12) makes a catch during the New York Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media Nathan Rourke (12) makes a catch during the New York Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

And here’s the rationale for Wilson’s ranking:

a person holding a football ball on a field: New York Giants LB Cale Garrett (41) loosens up during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants LB Cale Garrett (41) loosens up during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

Wilson is as natural as it comes at throwing the football. He also brings the type of athleticism and off-platform throws we see from the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He had the highest single-season passing grade of the PFF College era (95.5). Only 13.6% of Wilson’s throws beyond the line of scrimmage were deemed uncatchable this past season, the lowest rate in the FBS. The big question will be how fast he can learn the playbook and adapt to the speed of the game. The biggest adjustment for young quarterbacks is how fast the pocket collapses — and making good decisions while it happens.

a man with a football ball on a field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney was having an issue with his cleats, so he ran the drills with his right foot barefoot during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney was having an issue with his cleats, so he ran the drills with his right foot barefoot during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

Here are Nos. 15-19 on PFF’s list: Justin Herbert (Chargers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and Ryan Fitzpatrick (Washington).

a group of football players on a field: Tight end Nate Wieting makes a catch during the New York Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media Tight end Nate Wieting makes a catch during the New York Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

And here are Nos. 21-29: Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Carson Wentz (Colts), Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill (Saints), Justin Fields (Bears), Jared Goff (Lions), Cam Newton (Patriots), Sam Darnold (Panthers), and Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins).

a football player on a field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney rmakes a catch during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney rmakes a catch during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

Darnold, of course, played for the Jets from 2018-20. And then they traded him this offseason, clearing the way for Wilson’s arrival.

a man on a football field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney rmakes a catch during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney rmakes a catch during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

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a man playing frisbee on a football field: New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney runs with one foot barefoot during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants top draft pick Kadarius Toney runs with one foot barefoot during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

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a group of people playing football on a field: New York Giants LB Cale Garrett (41), DL David Moa (96) and LB Azeez Ojulari (51, left) during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021. © Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media New York Giants LB Cale Garrett (41), DL David Moa (96) and LB Azeez Ojulari (51, left) during the Giants rookie minicamp on Friday May 14, 2021.

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a person wearing a helmet posing for the camera: File shot of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) as the Giants prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

File shot of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) as the Giants prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

© Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

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