Ranking the Top QBs to Build an NFL Franchise Around

The starting quarterback is the centerpiece of a National Football League franchise, as no position is more heavily scrutinized, examined and celebrated when things go right or vilified when things go awry.

Unless you're Tom Brady, of course. Then you get a pass.

Having an elite signal-caller can be the difference between having a Super Bowl dynasty like the New England Patriots and having a die-nasty like the Cleveland Browns, so here's a look at the top players that we would build an NFL squad around.

And no, you won't see Brady or Drew Brees listed here. While both players are fantastic quarterbacks, both are also well on the wrong side of 30, and when you're building for the future, you have to look at the big picture.

5. Eli Manning, New York Giants

At 31 years old, Eli Manning of the New York Giants is the senior member of this quintet.

But after throwing for a career-high 4,933 yards in 2011 en route to leading the Giants to their second world championship under his stewardship, Manning has enough tread left on his tires to make him worth a long look given his career achievements to this point.

4. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Quarterback Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers enjoyed a wildly successful rookie season in the NFL from a statistical standpoint, setting NFL records for passing yardage by a rookie (4,051) and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14).

Newton still has plenty of room for improvement after turning the ball over 19 times last year, but at only 22 years old and with boatloads of athletic talent, there's plenty of time for him to do just that.

3. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Newton wasn't the only rookie quarterback that enjoyed success in 2011, however. Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals also had a solid inaugural NFL campaign, throwing for nearly 3,400 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading the Bengals to the postseason.

Dalton has picked up in the pros right where he left off at TCU, and the 6'2", 220-pound 24-year-old is the sort of prototypical pocket passer that many NFL franchises wait for for years to come along.

2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford finally put it all together in 2011. The third-year pro was able to stay healthy and posted a gaudy 5,038 passing yards with 41 touchdowns, leading the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Stafford just turned 24 years old, and the sky appears to be the limit with the former Georgia standout.

There's only one quarterback in the National Football League we'd rather build a franchise around...

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

And that would be the reigning National Football League MVP.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers had a passer rating of over 120 last year and led the Packers to a 15-1 regular season. Averaging well over 4,000 passing yards and over 32 touchdown passes a year over his four seasons as the starter in Green Bay, Rodgers has a history of production, a Super Bowl ring and, at 28 years old, is firmly in the prime of his career.