Ranking the AFC North QBs, Pre-NFL Draft Edition

The AFC North isn't particularly known for its quarterbacks, but that doesn't mean the division doesn't boast serious talent at the position. Let's take a look at all four starters—and, as a bonus, the teams' backups—and see how they rank in comparison to one another.

The Starters: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals; Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers; Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens; Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2011, Ben Roethlisberger had a higher passer rating than both Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton by 10 points, aided immeasurably by the talented receivers on the Steelers roster.

However, it's not just the help of his receivers that makes Roethlisberger the top quarterback in the AFC North. He's led the team to three Super Bowl appearances—and two wins—and Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs only twice since he took the helm in 2004, with all manner of targets catching his passes.

Despite numerous injuries, he's proven remarkably resilient and could very well be entering the prime of his career. It's hard to question Roethlisberger being the top quarterback in the division.

2. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco regressed in 2011, and his numbers for the season weren't all that different than those put up by the Bengals' Andy Dalton. But Flacco has more years as a pro under his belt (last year was Dalton's first) so he gets the bump to No. 2.

Further, Flacco has helped the Ravens reach the playoffs each of the four years he's been with the team. While many might say they made it there despite of him, his role as an effective game manager has clearly contributed to his team's overall success.

Flacco is currently seeking a contract extension and said last week that he believes he's the best quarterback in the league. While he's not quite there yet, he'll certainly get a chance to become that once the two sides can come to agreement.

3. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

If Andy Dalton can keep up what he did in his rookie season in 2012 and beyond, it won't be hard for me to rank him above Flacco in the future. Dalton threw for nearly 4,000 yards in 2011, and notched 20 touchdowns to 13 interceptions—not all that bad for a rookie, that's for sure.

He accomplished all this during a lockout year with a truncated offseason that kept him from practicing with his new teammates and while having another rookie, A.J. Green, as his primary target. A full offseason of work, plus another receiving weapon, should only boost his numbers this year.

4. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy still needs more development—and more receiving weapons—to get out of the division's basement. He hasn't been given the tools he needs to succeed, and has only started 21 games in two  years, so it's hard to get a true feel for what he's capable of.

In 13 starts last season, McCoy completed 57.2 percent of his passes for 2,733 yards, 14 scores and 11 interceptions, but he showed some real flashes of talent in 2010, when he led the team to a win over the New England Patriots.

McCoy's success will be more intrinsically tied to the players around him on offense than any other quarterback in the division this year. If the Browns handle the draft correctly, McCoy has a chance to rise in the rankings.

The Backups (currently rostered, not including free agents): Bruce Gradkowski, Zac Robinson, Cincinnati Bengals; Troy Smith, Jerrod Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers; Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens; Seneca Wallace, Thaddeus Lewis, Cleveland Browns

There are backups on three of the four teams' rosters who have not taken the field and will not, so they are hard to rank: Smith and Johnson for the Steelers; Robinson for the Bengals; and Lewis for the Browns. So let's talk about those we know about, instead.

1. Bruce Gradkowski, Cincinnati Bengals

To call Gradkowski's career "successful" would be a stretch, but he has the most experience of any of the four teams' backups and is thus the most solid backup in the division.

2. Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens

Tyrod Taylor was a rookie in 2011, and we didn't see much of him aside from the preseason. But the way he rapidly progressed in his ability to play at the pro level through those four games makes him the second-best backup in the division.

It says a lot about Taylor's talent that the Ravens have chosen to have just two quarterbacks on their roster. 

3. Seneca Wallace, Cleveland Browns

Seneca Wallace is a favorite of Mike Holmgren's but it's hard to see why he keeps getting starts. In 2011, he completed just 51.4 percent of his passes for 567 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, despite starting in six games.

All six of those games were losses, and he averaged fewer than 100 passing yards per game. Again, Wallace had the same issues as McCoy—a lack of weapons, for one—but he handled the situation poorly.

The Browns would be well-served to draft a quarterback this year just to assure Wallace stays off the field.

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