The NFC West isn’t exactly known for their quarterback play as much as they’re known for their staunch defenses. However, that’s not to say they don’t have their fair share of solid quarterbacks. As far as quarterback groups as a whole, here’s the rankings for the NFC West:
4. St. Louis Rams
This offseason the Rams were able to trade Sam Bradford for Nick Foles. Some people have said it’s an upgrade simply because Bradford could never stay healthy. Not only is Foles a downgrade in talent from a healthy Bradford, he’s also quite injury prone himself. Last season with the Philadelphia Eagles Foles only played in eight games. Even in the years prior to 2014 he wasn’t able to stay healthy for the entire year. Behind the Rams’ bad offensive line this season he’s certainly going to have trouble staying healthy once again.
Behind Foles on the depth chart is Austin Davis, who lost the starting job last season to Shaun Hill due to poor performance (PFF grade of -12.7 in basically nine games), rookie Sean Mannion, and Case Keenum. This isn’t exactly a murderer’s row of quarterbacks on the depth chart.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league on their roster in Colin Kaepernick. However, last season wasn’t exactly a banner year for the young quarterback. Everyone knows he has every single physical tool needed to be a top tier quarterback in the NFL, what remains to be seen though is if he can consistently make the right decisions on the field.
While Kaepernick is extremely dynamic and can punish defenses with both his feet and his arm, the players backing him up are less than desirable. Second on the depth chart is Blaine Gabbert, who was drafted the same year as Kaepernick and has already been run out of Jacksonville. Behind Gabbert is a rookie, Dylan Thompson. Not many people are giving the 49ers much of a shot at winning anything to begin with, but if Kaepernick goes down with an injury the 49ers really don’t have much of a backup plan.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have the best quarterback in the entire division in Russell Wilson. His stats don’t jump off the page when you look at them but his instincts are uncanny. Of course he has the benefit of being able to hand the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch, but when the pocket collapses around him and things get dicey, he seems to always find someone open or tucks the ball and picks up the first down on his own.
This quarterback group has the same problem they have in San Francisco though, not much to speak of for backups. Backing up Wilson is former 49er draft pick B.J. Daniels. Daniels certainly needs some refinement but has a lot of athletic ability. Behind Daniels is R.J. Archer out of, you guessed it, William & Mary. So, just like the 49ers, if the Seahawks’ starter goes down with an injury they’re going to be in all kinds of trouble.
1. Arizona Cardinals
With the injuries the Cardinals had this past season at quarterback and the success they were still able to have shows that their quarterback group is the best in the division. Their starter, Carson Palmer, isn’t the best starting quarterback in the division but he’s a very capable starter, especially in the system they run in Arizona. The biggest question mark they have at quarterback is going to be whether or not Palmer can return to last season’s form since he’s coming off another major knee injury.
Backing up palmer is Drew Stanton. Out of all the backups in the division, Stanton is easily the best one. He proved last season he can step in as the starter and win some games for the Cardinals. After Stanton on the depth chart is Logan Thomas. Thomas was a project coming out of college and now has another season under his belt and will certainly be better than last season if they should have to call on him again.