2015 Stat Predictions for All 32 Starting Quarterbacks in the NFL
The most important player on an NFL team is undoubtedly the quarterback. Although the quarterback isn’t solely responsible for wins and loses, a great playmaker at the position helps mask other issues on the roster. Many of the top quarterbacks subsequently separate themselves via statistics.
Raw numbers without context are far from the best way to evaluate performance. That goes for any position. But stats are a piece of the puzzle that can be used to see the full scope of how well a player is performing.
Under the assumption that every projected starter will play a full 16-game schedule (with the exception of Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, who was suspended four games), we have predicted the statistics for all 32 starting quarterbacks. Some players will see more efficient seasons than they did in 2014, while others will decline. It’s just the nature of the NFL.
Let’s take a look at how each quarterback could fare in 2015. We’ve predicted the major statistics, such as completion percentage, yards, touchdowns and interceptions. There are also justifications for these predicted numbers.
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer
1 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 3,800 YDS, 23 TD, 14 INT
When the Arizona Cardinals lost quarterback Carson Palmer to a torn ACL in 2014, their season effectively ended at that same moment. The Cardinals had an excellent season nevertheless, but having Palmer for 2015 will be a major boost. Assuming he’s 100 percent back to form, he should have a quality campaign.
Arizona has provided Palmer with an impressive amount of offensive weapons. He’s shown he’s perfectly capable of utilizing receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown and Jaron Brown. Add running backs Andre Ellington and David Johnson, and this is a solid unit.
Upgrades along the offensive line will be crucial to Palmer’s success as well. New left guard Mike Iupati will be a massive improvement for the run game, and rookie D.J. Humphries will battle to start as well. Expect Palmer to have an efficient and effective 2015 season.
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan
2 of 32
Passing Projection: 67 CMP%, 4,400 YDS, 27 TD, 13 INT
At age 30, the time has arrived for Matt Ryan to ramp his game up to the next level. His numbers indicate a potentially elite quarterback, but his ability to lead his team in tough situations is highly questionable. 2015 could be the year he proves he belongs in the top tier of quarterbacks.
Atlanta is moving in a new direction under head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan is especially notable, as he’s built productive running games with average backs in his previous stops. Ryan hasn’t had a good running game in a long time.
The Falcons have a solid supporting cast in place, which should help Ryan succeed. Receivers Julio Jones, Roddy White and Justin Hardy are a good trio, so expect similar production to last year for Ryan. But note that the improved running game will alleviate some of the pressure on Ryan to be the sole producer on offense.
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco
3 of 32
Passing Projection: 61 CMP%, 3,900 YDS, 24 TD, 14 INT
The positives of Joe Flacco’s situation in Baltimore are immense advantages compared to many of his adversaries. Baltimore has an elite offensive line that provides Flacco with a comfortable pocket. That same unit has also allowed running back Justin Forsett to break out.
Flacco’s been a good quarterback up to this point in his career. His Super Bowl run in 2013 was historic and cannot be taken away. On the other hand, it was by far the best stretch of football he’s ever had, and it’s not really close.
We predict good, but not great stats for 2015. His numbers should closely resemble the ones he put up last season, although having rookie Breshad Perriman as a starter could hurt his completion percentage. Perriman’s drop issues offer a high-risk, high-reward player for Flacco to work with.
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Buffalo Bills: EJ Manuel
4 of 32
Passing Projection: 59 CMP%, 2,550 YDS, 13 TD, 15 INT
The quarterback situation in Buffalo is bleak, as three uninspiring options are vying for the starting job. Either veteran Matt Cassel, third-year quarterback EJ Manuel or the unheralded Tyrod Taylor will win the job. Our best guess at a winner is Manuel.
Manuel had issues completing basic throws in 2014, which prompted last season's coaching staff to bench him in favor of Kyle Orton. This was a mistake, as Orton offered similar limitations without the upside. However, there’s at least some hope that Manuel can improve with more reps.
Buffalo has a great situation for Manuel. Their receiver corps is led by star Sammy Watkins, and includes complementary pieces like Robert Woods, Charles Clay and Marquise Goodwin. Barring a breakout from Manuel, expect a relatively poor season compared to what other quarterbacks are doing across the league.
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton
5 of 32
Passing Projection: 62 CMP%, 3,600 YDS, 22 TD, 11 INT
As the Carolina Panthers continue to slowly build around quarterback Cam Newton, his efficiency should keep improving. His accuracy has been an issue thus far, but he should be able to set a career-high completion percentage in 2015. The addition of receiver Devin Funchess should greatly help.
Carolina’s a bit of an oddball in the current NFL landscape. They still prefer a balanced offensive approach despite having a dynamic quarterback. Their personnel hasn’t been geared toward spreading defenses out, and it’s hurt Newton’s public image.
Nevertheless, Newton is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. He’s a great leader and has shown improvement every season. Expect 2015 to be his best campaign yet.
Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler
6 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 3,800 YDS, 25 TD, 16 INT
The enigmatic Jay Cutler will be returning to Chicago for another season, and it’s hard to predict what he will do. His career hasn’t unfolded the way that his arm talent promised it could have, but he’s still talented enough to put up big numbers. Whether he can lead a team to playoff wins is another issue.
Just looking at Cutler’s raw numbers from 2014, he was relatively good. His 18 interceptions must decrease, but his completion of 66 percent of his passes was great. Many of his throws came via screens and quick dumpoffs, though, which inflated that number.
Expect Cutler to be good, but still not great in 2015. At 32 years old, he’s not going to magically develop or change. He’ll be fairly efficient, with a mix of impressive and bad throws throughout the season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton
7 of 32
Passing Projection: 64 CMP%, 3,200 YDS, 20 TD, 16 INT
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Andy Dalton in the second-round of the 2011 draft, the worst-case scenario was Dalton potentially failing to improve. He’s not a bad quarterback, but his physical limitations have hampered his ability to maximize the Bengals’ available talent. In short, the Bengals are in quarterback purgatory.
Dalton is consistent as far as keeping his team in the game. He doesn’t make many big plays outside of the initial play design, though, which really holds his talent level down. There must be signs of dynamic growth in 2015, or else Dalton’s days in Cincinnati could be numbered.
Our prediction for Dalton’s stats sees more of the same from Dalton. Cincinnati will rely on running back Jeremy Hill more often, which will give Dalton fewer chances to throw. That will limit Dalton’s numbers.
Cleveland Browns: Josh McCown
8 of 32
Passing Projection: 58 CMP%, 3,100 YDS, 13 TD, 14 INT
The Josh McCown-era in Cleveland is set to begin barring an impressive performance by Johnny Manziel in the preseason. That’s not really a good thing, based on the results of 11 of 12 seasons that McCown has played. Outside of a fluke 2013 season with the Chicago Bears, McCown has been subpar as a starter.
The Browns' strong defense and running game should keep them involved in most games, so they will just need a little bit from the quarterback position to compete. Brian Hoyer couldn’t cut it last year, so the Browns are hoping McCown can recapture his 2013 success.
If McCown does play the entire season, it’s hard to be overly optimistic. He won’t be asked to do much behind a great offensive line, but his receivers are poor, and that's a challenge McCown didn't face in Tampa Bay last season.
Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo
9 of 32
Passing Projection: 66 CMP%, 3,600 YDS, 30 TD, 12 INT
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has aged like a fine wine on the field. He’s coming off the most efficient season of his career with the help of the best offensive line in the league. The Cowboys running game was also much improved, opening passing lanes for Romo to work with.
The loss of star running back DeMarco Murray will hurt Romo to some extent. The trio of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar won’t provide the same boost Murray did in 2014, putting more pressure on Romo’s arm.
Romo can still have a great season, even if his numbers continue to dip. As long as he’s healthy, the Cowboys should be in the Super Bowl race come playoff time. He just needs his running backs to help him out.
Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning
10 of 32
Passing Projection: 64 CMP%, 4,200 YDS, 33 TD, 16 INT
When the Denver Broncos fired their old coaching staff and brought in Gary Kubiak as the new head honcho, it was a sign that the franchise would be keeping an eye toward the future from now on. Denver’s all-in approach in free agency the past two years was a desperate and justifiable move, since Peyton Manning is in his waning playing years.
The spending and short-term building hasn’t paid off yet, and it cost John Fox his job. A major reason why the Broncos failed to win in the 2014 playoffs was the decline of Manning’s play. Whether it's due to injury or just physical decline, Manning is no longer an elite quarterback.
Manning still has great numbers and is incredibly intelligent. His arm limitations put immense pressure on his receivers to get open quickly and don’t allow plays to fully develop. The Broncos should run the ball more this year to help reduce Manning's exposure to hits. In turn, his numbers will drop.
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford
11 of 32
Passing Projection: 61 CMP%, 4,300 YDS, 26 TD, 15 INT
Matthew Stafford, the former No. 1 overall pick for the Detroit Lions, has hit a rut in his career. Despite amassing monstrous passing yardage in past seasons, Stafford’s been the same player for his entire career. His huge arm talent can only carry him so far.
2015 should be a good year for Stafford, though. His running game should be improved as the team added Ameer Abdullah to the backfield. Offensive linemen Manny Ramirez and Laken Tomlinson also give the line more depth and talent.
If receiver Calvin Johnson is healthy for the entire year, he’ll be a force that Stafford can utilize as well. As good as Golden Tate was last season, Johnson is still arguably the best overall receiver in the NFL. All of this positivity should help Stafford perform in a critical season for his development and reputation.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
12 of 32
Passing Projection: 66 CMP%, 4,400 YDS, 35 TD, 6 INT
What we’ve seen Aaron Rodgers do in Green Bay is historic. His production and efficiency is better than any quarterback in the history of the league. Already, statistically, he’s one of the top quarterbacks ever.
Rodgers’ pace is unlikely to change anytime soon. Coming off his best year yet, prepare to see another season with an insane touchdown-to-turnover ratio. Quite simply, Rodgers is on a whole different playing field than most of his competition.
If the Packers’ defense is able to improve, then Rodgers won’t have to put up such ridiculous numbers on a weekly basis. Until that happens, though, there’s no reason to think Rodgers will slow down in 2015.
Houston Texans: Brian Hoyer
13 of 32
Passing Projection: 57 CMP%, 3,200 YDS, 14 TD, 18 INT
A lot of credit needs to go to Houston Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien. The Texans went from 2-14 in 2013 to 9-7 in 2014 with very little contribution from their rookie class. Coaching was clearly a major factor in the team’s turnaround.
Unfortunately, the team still lacks a long-term fix at quarterback. By signing veteran Brian Hoyer this offseason, O’Brien is hoping Hoyer can be a one-year stopgap until he tracks down a better option. Hoyer flamed out in Cleveland because of his inaccurate throws and near-interceptions.
He's very limited as far as what he brings to the position, but his experience is a nice positive. Houston would be wise to keep the door open for a quarterback competition all season long, as Hoyer did nothing in 2014 to ensure a starting job this year.
Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck
14 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 4,500 YDS, 37 TD, 16 INT
One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Andrew Luck is looking to take the next step in his development. The Colts have surrounded Luck with excellent receivers and an average pass-blocking unit in hopes that Luck will realize his potential. So far, so good.
Unfortunately for Luck, his defense and running game are more likely to be average than anything else. That leaves a lot of pressure on Luck. His penchant for turnovers must be mitigated for the Colts to become a serious Super Bowl contender.
Adding Frank Gore should cut down on Luck’s touchdowns and yards in 2015. He doesn’t have a ton left in his 32-year-old tank, but his short-yardage and goal-line prowess should prove valuable.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles
15 of 32
Passing Projection: 60 CMP%, 3,400 YDS, 17 TD, 16 INT
The first year of Blake Bortles’ career with the Jacksonville Jaguars was like a roller coaster. There were some exciting throws that justified Bortles' third-overall selection in 2014. But Bortles’ mechanics and penchant for staring down receivers were also major reasons for pause.
What should help Bortles is the improved supporting cast around him. Tight end Julius Thomas and running back T.J. Yeldon should be massive upgrades. And young receivers like Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee may progress into more reliable targets.
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson must emphasize Bortles’ strengths more than Jedd Fisch did last year. If he does, then Bortles will be much more likely to succeed. A jump to these predicted numbers would be a promising step forward.
Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith
16 of 32
Passing Projection: 64 CMP%, 3,300 YDS, 16 TD, 5 INT
In an effort to mitigate the limitations of their signal-caller, the Kansas City Chiefs have adopted one of the most, if not the most, conservative offenses in the NFL. Quarterback Alex Smith rarely attacks downfield because of his lack of arm strength and his overly turnover-conscious mindset. In turn, the Chiefs receivers rarely have the chance to make a play on the ball.
This is counterintuitive to what the NFL has evolved into. With the best athletes playing receiver and the rules greatly favoring the offense, quarterbacks should be willing to go downfield occasionally to test the defense. The Chiefs have sorely missed this aspect of the game with Smith at the helm.
Smith’s great at limiting turnovers, but the rest of his game is average at best. Unless he becomes more willing to thread the needle on tough passes, his touchdowns and yardage will be low when compared to better quarterbacks.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill
17 of 32
Passing Projection: 67 CMP%, 4,100 YDS, 31 TD, 12 INT
Ryan Tannehill’s development continued in 2014, when he was introduced to a new, more tailored system by offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The second year under Lazor should continue to see improved results as Tannehill gains comfort and expands his game.
Another factor working in Tannehill's favor is the improved corps of receivers around him. The Dolphins had a limited set of pass-catchers in 2014, but they transformed the group this offseason. Losing tight end Charles Clay may hurt, but Jordan Cameron’s much more dynamic when he’s on the field.
Watch for Tannehill to continue building on his consistency and playmaking talent. His ability to break the pocket and make tough throws is what separates him from the second tier of quarterbacks. We’re confident he'll reach that next step with this prediction.
Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater
18 of 32
Passing Projection: 66 CMP%, 3,700 YDS, 23 TD, 11 INT
Half of the teams in the NFL should be kicking themselves for passing on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the first round of the 2014 draft. Bridgewater was polished and promising coming out of Louisville, yet the Minnesota Vikings were able to nab him 32nd overall last year. So far in his career, he’s looked like a major steal.
Bridgewater is poised for a great sophomore season. He was good as a rookie, showing clear improvement as the season progressed. His cerebral nature and accuracy can help him rise to elite status.
Getting running back Adrian Peterson back is going to open up a lot of throws for Bridgewater. Expect high efficiency and few turnovers from Bridgewater as he ascends into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
19 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 3,300 YDS, 26 TD, 9 INT
With a potential four-game suspension looming, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s predicted numbers do not reflect a full 16-game schedule. Even if the suspension holds, expect Brady to return to the field with a vengeance. That likely means big numbers again in 2015.
New England has become more run-oriented as Brady ages, so his numbers will inevitably drop from the historic levels he was once producing. It simply makes sense to preserve Brady’s body as he ages.
The Patriots can expect more competition from their divisional foes this year. The Dolphins, Bills and Jets all have solid rosters that will challenge New England’s depth. But it’s hard (if not unwise) to bet against Brady and Bill Belichick returning to the playoffs again in 2015.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
20 of 32
Passing Projection: 67 CMP%, 4,500 YDS, 31 TD, 16 INT
In terms of raw statistics, Drew Brees is still among the cream of the crop of NFL passers. He completed a monstrous 69.2 percent of his passes, totaling 4,952 yards in 2014. But the film at times was shakier.
By the end of the season, Brees’ arm looked limited and tired. Maybe it’s fatigue, but at 36 years old, Brees is close to the end of his career. Like we saw with Peyton Manning last year, even the greats decline.
That’s not to say Brees will be ineffective in 2015. But expect more contributions from the running backs in both the screen and run game to help out Brees. His deep passing wasn’t the same last year, and it could continue to decline.
New York Giants: Eli Manning
21 of 32
Passing Projection: 64 CMP%, 4,000 YDS, 27 TD, 18 INT
The Giants' addition of Ben McAdoo as offensive coordinator last season was one that could extend Eli Manning’s career with the franchise for the next few years. Manning has always been unpredictable with his play, but McAdoo has built the offense around Odell Beckham, the stud rookie who has given Manning an extremely talented target to pad his stats with.
2015 will be critical to the future of Manning in New York. With his contract ending after the season, the Giants must figure out if he can lead the team to the postseason as he ages. His raw numbers show improvement, but he must prove he can be this efficient every year.
A major concern for the Giants is pass protection. Their offensive line has to prove its competence without left tackle William Beatty. If Manning has pressure in his face all year long, then he may be facing free agency with worse numbers than we’re predicting.
New York Jets: Geno Smith
22 of 32
Passing Projection: 61 CMP%, 3,100 YDS, 16 TD, 14 INT
It’s time for the New York Jets to figure out what they have in quarterback Geno Smith. Two lackluster seasons with the Jets prompted the team to significantly upgrade the playmakers around him. With Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith at receiver, the Jets are ready to take off.
Smith’s issues begin with his mental processing on the field. His eyes are slow to recognize what’s happening, and his confidence has suffered as a result. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey must slow the game for Smith to succeed.
Barring a major breakout, Smith’s numbers could be average. That’s better than what he’s produced before, and this stat line would make the Jets think hard about Smith’s future. He must show growth from when we last saw him in 2014.
Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr
23 of 32
Passing Projection: 60 CMP%, 3,500 YDS, 22 TD, 14 INT
The Oakland Raiders’ support system around quarterback Derek Carr has dramatically improved since last year. By adding receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and tight end Clive Walford, the Raiders have given Carr a chance to take a leap in 2015. Carr had decent rookie numbers, but they were somewhat skewed.
Former offensive coordinator Greg Olson had an overly conservative game plan in place to protect Carr, but that’s not how he should be handled. Carr must be pushed so the Raiders can find out whether he’s going to be a franchise quarterback or not.
We expect Carr to take a minor step forward as he is challenged more schematically. His efficiency downfield is going to be the biggest area to watch from a throwing standpoint. Having improved receivers should help, if nothing else.
Philadelphia Eagles: Sam Bradford
24 of 32
Passing Projection: 65 CMP%, 3,700 YDS, 24 TD, 12 INT
By acquiring quarterback Sam Bradford this offseason, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is making a large wager that he will stay healthy. When Bradford’s been on the field, he’s been solid despite having little help around him. He won’t have that issue in Philadelphia.
Bradford is by far the most competent quarterback that Kelly has had yet, so it’s hard to put an estimate on his statistics. His accuracy and quick decision-making seem like perfect fits in Kelly’s scheme, though. That should lead to impressive numbers.
Kelly is clearly committed to the running game after signing both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. That should take a significant amount of pressure off Bradford.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger
25 of 32
Passing Projection: 68 CMP%, 4,600 YDS, 31 TD, 11 INT
It doesn’t seem like Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has gotten his fair due over the last few years. Roethlisberger’s production has been as good as anyone’s in the NFL, sans Aaron Rodgers. He is clearly among the top few signal-callers in the league.
Roethlisberger has responded well to an improved offensive line and running back Le’Veon Bell’s presence. Throw in wide receiver Antonio Brown, and it’s easy to see why this unit is among the league's best. Nonetheless, Roethlisberger has been brilliant.
Big Ben is at his best when he's extending plays. His ability to control the game among the chaos around him is tremendous. He’s a unique talent in the prime of his career.
San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers
26 of 32
Passing Projection: 67 CMP%, 4,400 YDS, 29 TD, 14 INT
One of the more welcome sights of 2014 was how well Philip Rivers played. He’s re-established himself as a standout starting quarterback that a franchise can build with. Expect him to continue to ride that momentum into 2015.
The Chargers added two impact playmakers on offense to help Rivers. Receiver Stevie Johnson is underrated as a route-runner, and running back Melvin Gordon will bring a dynamic presence to the backfield. Gordon might cut into Rivers’ touchdown total, but he’ll also keep defenses honest.
These predicted numbers would represent an improvement from Rivers. His touchdowns are lower, but so are his interceptions. With more help around him, Rivers shouldn’t have the entire weight of the offense on his shoulders.
San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick
27 of 32
Passing Projection: 59 CMP%, 3,200 YDS, 17 TD, 13 INT
Last year, things got bad for the San Francisco 49ers in a way that we don't often see in the NFL. The ownership's distaste for the head coach seemingly poisoned the franchise, and injuries piled up along with losses. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was in a sink-or-swim situation, and he didn’t swim well.
After losing running back Frank Gore, receiver Stevie Johnson, guard Mike Iupati and tackle Anthony Davis, Kaepernick has a lot to overcome. If he doesn’t respond well again, the 49ers could look to move on from the young signal-caller. His ability to excel outside of the base system is highly questionable.
This prediction is somewhat pessimistic, but Kaepernick is now entering his fifth season. He played all four years of college, so expecting a major change now wouldn’t be wise. He’s more likely to continue being who is he is, which is an inconsistent but tantalizing talent.
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
28 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 3,600 YDS, 26 TD, 10 INT
The 2015 season will be a fascinating one for Russell Wilson, who is angling for a new contract. The fourth-year quarterback has been tremendous so far, appearing in two Super Bowls and winning one. He’s arguably the best young quarterback in the NFL.
Although some will point to Wilson’s supporting cast as the reason he’s won so much, he’s also overcome obstacles. The Seahawks offensive line is bad in pass protection, and his receivers are incredibly average. Wilson’s helped create a lot of offense on his own as a quarterback.
With Jimmy Graham in the fold, we expect Wilson to have a career year in terms of production. Wilson’s ability to work inside and outside of the pocket is special, and Graham’s talent will help transform the Seahawks’ identity on offense.
St. Louis Rams: Nick Foles
29 of 32
Passing Projection: 57 CMP%, 3,300 YDS, 18 TD, 17 INT
St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher is building an old-school football team at an odd time. His deep investment in the offensive line this offseason was wise, but the talent he’s acquired is questionable at best. Then, the Rams acquired Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, which was a downgrade in terms of pure talent.
Foles’ 2013 season was largely unsustainable smoke and mirrors. We knew that at the time, but his 2014 play was so poor that everything about Foles must be questioned. There were far too many plays in which Foles simply missed easy throws because of poor passing mechanics.
Fisher’s tenure in St. Louis could hinge on Foles’ success. We don’t think Foles will have enough success to really distinguish himself in St. Louis, and he'll likely post mediocre totals across the board.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston
30 of 32
Passing Projection: 59 CMP%, 3,800 YDS, 22 TD, 17 INT
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL draft, quarterback Jameis Winston walked into a highly intriguing situation in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have excellent receivers and a good backfield to help out Winston. But their offensive line is porous and dependent on two rookies to make a big impact.
Winston is no stranger to defensive pressure. His best work at Florida State always seemed to come when he had defenders bearing down on him. That’s a big reason why he was sometimes compared to Ben Roethlisberger.
With weapons like Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, Winston will create a good number of touchdowns and big plays. He’s a risk-taker, though, so his interceptions will be a growing pain. Overall, we expect Winston to have a good rookie year.
Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota
31 of 32
Passing Projection: 63 CMP%, 3,300 YDS, 18 TD, 15 INT
The marriage between Ken Whisenhunt and Marcus Mariota is extraordinarily interesting. Whisenhunt hasn’t had success with a young quarterback up to this point, and he’s often preferred big-arm passers. Mariota is not known for his arm, but for being cerebral and athletic.
Mariota’s ceiling seems limited because of his experience in college. He’s transitioning to a much different situation in the NFL, and will have to learn everything from a complex playbook to being under center. We’re sure he’ll get it down with his work ethic, but it’ll take time.
Mariota’s projected numbers would represent a good start to his career. Mistakes will happen, and they should be expected. But we also want to see that efficient nature Mariota was known for at Oregon.
Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III
32 of 32
Passing Projection: 66 CMP%, 3,500 YDS, 19 TD, 13 INT
The return of Robert Griffin III is one of the bigger storylines of the 2015 season. When Griffin has been healthy the last two years, he’s been decent. But he must show that he still has that special talent that led to him being picked second overall in 2012.
No one knows if Griffin can be the same dynamic force he was as a rookie. If he can be, then watch out, because he’ll be a franchise player. These predicted statistics are more optimistic than not because of the quality of his tape in 2014.
With receivers Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts, Griffin has the weapons to be highly productive. It all comes down to his health and confidence.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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