Which ranking do you disagree with the most?
The San Francisco 49ers‘ strength of schedule lies in the middle of the pack for this upcoming season, no matter how you slice it. Today, we’ll look at the list of quarterbacks the Niners face this season and rank them accordingly. We’ll leave it up to you to decide how accurate or off the wall the list is.
Here are the 14 quarterbacks ranked.
14) Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy
Week 2 – @ Minnesota Vikings
When the 49ers needed Sam Darnold to spell Brock Purdy for a couple of plays, Darnold rolled to the left and flung the ball 50 yards across the field to a streaking wide receiver down the sideline. The pass was late and broken up by the defense, but that kind of decision-making landedhim last on the list.
If the 49ers play McCarthy in Week 2, the defense would benefit from seeing a rookie quarterback so early in the season. McCarthy is “fine,” but he should not have been selected in the top 15 based on what he was asked to do and how he produced in college.
13) Jacobby Brissett
Week 4 – vs. New England Patriots
This assumes that New England won’t throw Drake Maye out there during the first month of the season. Brissett being listed so low speaks to how many quality quarterbacks the 49ers will face this season.
The Patriots, much like Brissett, won’t wow you offensively, and they figure out how to play more conservatively early in the season as they figure out their young personnel on this side of the ball. If Brissett were on the Vikings, he’d be higher.
12) Tua Tagovailoa
Week 16 – @ Miami Dolphins
Tua is an on-target thrower who mostly makes the correct decisions, but he takes too many sacks and turns the ball over too much for a “top five” pick. He’s not a quarterback that makes you stay up all week when you’re game-planning for the Dolphins. Last year was also the first time he played every game in a season, so who knows if we’ll see Tua late in the year.
11) Baker Mayfield
Week 10- @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker was fantastic down the stretch for Tampa Bay last season and a big reason why they made the playoffs. But he was relegated to backup duty the two seasons prior. I’m betting on regression this year and believe Tampa Bay will take a step back, and it starts with their quarterback. He has too many physical limitations, and that’s proven to be the case back when he was a starter. The 49ers will face Mayfield off a bye.
I’m projecting Tampa Bay to be closer, if not below .500, by midseason, thanks to a pedestrian performance by their quarterback in 2024.
10) Caleb Williams
Week 14- vs. Chicago Bears
The No. 1 overall pick should be adjusted to the NFL’s speed by Week 14. Any analysis of what Williams will look like is conjecture. We don’t know how his offensive line will hold up or how aggressive defenses will be toward the rookie.
You could easily argue that Caleb should be ranked higher, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him outperform quarterbacks we’ll get to in a second. But he’s a rookie, and with that comes inevitable struggles. Williams was outstanding in college and can diagnose quickly, making any throw necessary. The quarterbacks ahead of him have all accomplished something in the NFL, so we’ll be fair to them.
9) Geno Smith
Week 6/11 – Seattle Seahawks
For a player who can move the way he can, Geno looks immobile whenever he plays the 49ers. He’s one of the best seam throwers in the NFL, but his bad habits rear their ugly head against a pass rush versus the 49ers. I’m a fan of Geno and love his story, but we have to factor in the matchup here.
8) Jared Goff
Week 17- vs. Detroit Lions
Goff looks better now that he’s away from Sean McVay, which is something few players can say. He still has cement for feet and will make the “oh no” throw, but you know what you’re getting with Goff, and he’s in the perfect offense in Detroit. You could probably flip a coin between him and Geno when it comes to ranking.
7) Jordan Love
Week 12- @ Green Bay Packers
Love impressed during his first season as a starter so we’re projecting him to continue to improve. I’d expect Love to be more decisive while still making “wow” throws, including fading away and hitting a receiver down the field. Plus, he’s agile and mobile. Love proved to be challenging to bring down. If he cuts out his fumbles, Love has the makings of a star quarterback. He was superb in the second half and should build on that in 2024.
6) Kyler Murray
Week 5/Week 18- Arizona Cardinals
Kyler is a gifted player. He has a rocket arm and an argument for being the fastest player on the field. He makes off-platform throws and keeps the Cardinals competitive. Arizona has a No. 1 receiver now, which will only make the Cardinals more dangerous.
Murray needs to stay healthy, but his talent is never in question. He’s good enough to keep Arizona out of last place in the NFC West.
5) Dak Prescott
Week 8- vs. Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is a monster….in the regular season. He does just about everything right. He’s precise and accurate, stretches the field, and gives his best player a chance. Everything looks great until the level of competition steps up.
Then Prescott looks like he should be ranked 15th on this list. This is contradictory to the ranking, but I don’t think Dak has “it.” But his numbers and play—albeit against the NFC East— make it impossible to ignore what he’s capable of.
4) Matthew Stafford
Week 3/15- Rams
I think the world of Stafford. You’re always in the game with him under center. I think I’m too low on him based on these quarterbacks. There is a lot on his plate, and he consistently delivers. There isn’t a throw he can’t make or a blitz he won’t beat. Stafford’s 2023 was more impressive since it was essentially him and Puka Nacua. I’ll believe he takes a step back when it happens.
3) Aaron Rodgers
Week 1- vs. New York Jets
We should see the best version of Rodgers since he’ll be the healthiest and freshest after not playing in 2023. It’s still Rodgers. He’s one of the best quarterbacks of this generation, and even at 40, you have to imagine his arm and accuracy are at a plus level.
2) Josh Allen
Week 13- @ Buffalo Bills
I don’t know if Allen is as good as most pundits think he is, but he has about three or four plays a game that will have your jaw on the floor. Most quarterbacks won’t even attempt some of the throws Allen makes.
He makes some questionable decisions, and if Allen is late, that could spell trouble for Buffalo. But if we’re talking about a matchup with the 49ers and the Bills need to win in Week 13, 15 carries for Allen easily propel him up the list. He is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and we know how difficult it’s been for the Niners to stop running quarterbacks.
1) Patrick Mahomes
Week 7- vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes is the boogeyman. He’d be No. 1 on any list in any era.