Ranking Each Quarterback Cardinals Will Face in 2023
The 2023 schedule for the Arizona Cardinals is anything but kind when looking at the teams they face. They will play three of the four teams that appeared in the NFC and AFC Championship games this year. They also play some dynamic young quarterbacks that are worth an entire article to discuss, so why not this one?
The Cardinals face 14 teams in 2023 and there are 14 quality options at the position for their opponents, though some are more proven than others.
Still, the bottom line is the Cardinals drew the short straw for who they have to try and stop, and the defense should get very little good night's rest this year.
Today, we are going to go through all 14 quarterbacks the Cardinals will face in 2023 and rank them from 14 to 1.
14. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Stroud finds himself last on this list simply because he hasn't thrown a pass in the NFL yet. But with that being said, Stroud looks like the real deal. The number two overall pick from this year's draft threw for over 8,000 yards and 85 touchdowns the last two seasons at Ohio State and could very well be the answer at signal caller for the Texans.
13. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Howell, like Stroud, is also quite an unknown prospect heading into the 2023 season. Howell did regress statistically in each of his three seasons at North Carolina, but the Commanders are putting all their eggs in his basket to be the guy - at least for this season. Maybe he'll surprise everyone?
12. Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
He's a mid-tier quarterback. That being said, he has no shortage of weapons with Kyle Pitts and Drake London to throw to and Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in the backfield. The Falcons' offense should be good if not great, but I'd be surprised if it is because of Ridder and not with Ridder.
11. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickett was the lone quarterback taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and he showed some flashes of brilliance but was otherwise underwhelming. Like Ridder, Pickett has tons of weapons throughout the team that would be incredibly difficult to not get the most out of. Still, stranger things have happened.
10. San Francisco QBs
Look, this could be Trey Lance, Brock Purdy, or Sam Darnold - the offense will be dynamic in spite of them. But if any of them are able to play half as good as Purdy was to end the year? It'll be lights out for opposing defenses.
9. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson was a significantly worse quarterback in 2022 than he was previously and hasn't been good since 2020. For all we know Watson may be on the downslope of his career. The flip side is Watson may have just needed to kick the rust off and get acquainted with his new team. Throwing to Amari Cooper and handing the ball off to Nick Chubb will certainly make his life easier.
8. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Danny Dimes was much better than many realized last year and the best may yet come under Brian Daboll. Although the wide receiver room remains a mess, the team did add veteran tight end Darren Waller who, when healthy, is a top-five player at his position. Even still, Jones has become a better passer and a near-elite runner.
7. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
I am not so sure Fields has arrived as many have and that cult following feels based on fantasy football more than anything else. If Fields has taken a step forward as a thrower, then the league will be in trouble, as he's already become one of the best running quarterbacks in the league
6. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Yes, Smith has only done it for one season, but he was good for the Seahawks in relief of an injured Russell Wilson in 2021, as well. It's not as though this level of play came out of nowhere; we just finally got to see it over the course of the season. Factor in that he'll be throwing to Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba and it's terrifying to have to play him twice a year.
5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Is Stafford washed or was he just injured like the rest of the Rams in 2022? We'll find out this season with a presumably healthy team, but I tend to think he will still be an above-average quarterback. Stafford may not get back to his 2021 self, but having Cooper Kupp back at 100% makes him a threat by itself.
4. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
I am not a Prescott hater like the rest of the world is. On the contrary, I believe Prescott is one of the most over-hated and undervalued quarterbacks in the entire league. He can make every throw and hurt you as a scrambler. He also has a top-10 receiver in CeeDee Lamb and a newly added veteran in Brandin Cooks to throw to plus an emerging Tony Pollard. This Cowboys' offense will be explosive and Dak will be the conductor behind it.
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
We now go from good quarterbacks to elite quarterbacks. Hurts isn't everyone's cup of tea (for some odd reason), but there's no denying that all he does is score touchdowns. With a cannon on his right arm and the ability to kill you as a runner, Hurts is a threat by himself let alone with the all-star cast of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert to throw to.
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
When you talk about dual-threat quarterbacks, the conversation starts with Jackson. The former unanimous MVP is more than a fine passer and has had his weapons upgraded with Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers joining Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken will help to unleash this offense and perhaps get the best season yet out of Jackson.
1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Cool, Joey B, Joe Brrr, Joe Mama... it doesn't matter what you call Burrow, as long as you respect he's, at worst, one of the five best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. There isn't a throw Burrow can't make and he can run, too. The trio of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver may be the league's top group and they couldn't ask for a better quarterback to throw to them.
