QB Ranks: Aaron Rodgers No. 1

Having an outstanding quarterback is vital to a consistently successful team. Great quarterbacks can mask a suspect offensive line. Great quarterbacks can force an opponent to take defenders away from the line of scrimmage and allow average running games to thrive. Great quarterbacks can dictate a game and make everyone around them better. The QB may have the greatest impact of any position in any sport.

And when it comes to great quarterbacking, Aaron Rodgers was an easy selection as top dog in today's NFL. But the greatness of Tom Brady and Drew Brees is astonishing as well. And all these guys are coming off amazing 2011 seasons.

The most difficult player in the entire league to put on a list right now is Peyton Manning, who, unlike the greats listed around him, didn't play a snap in 2011. How good of a player is the all-time great right now? I don't think any of us really know, but doubting Manning in any way can be a mistake.

It could be argued now that Manning isn't even the best quarterback in his family, as younger brother Eli defined the phrase "making those around you better" during the New York Giants' Super Bowl run. Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers are also in their primes and could end up in the Hall of Fame someday. And the future is bright, with Matthew Stafford and Cam Newton fully capable of quickly ranking among the finest players in all of football.

But for now, the list belongs to the Packers' Rodgers.

1

Aaron Rodgers

97

AGE: 28

DOB: 12/2/83

HT: 6-2

WT: 225

POS: QB

Att 502

Comp 343

Yds 4,643

TD 45

INT 6

QBR 85.2

Player Analysis

Rodgers has good size with excellent arm strength and athleticism. His vision, instincts and anticipation are tops in the league.

MORE ANALYSIS

He has a quick release and can fit the ball into tight spots. He has excellent accuracy and rarely throws into coverage. He can avoid and improvise to make plays downfield. Rodgers has become an outstanding leader and is considered one of the best signal-callers in the NFL.

CLOSE ANALYSIS

2

Tom Brady

96

AGE: 35

DOB: 8/3/77

HT: 6-4

WT: 225

POS: QB

Att 611

Comp 401

Yds 5,235

TD 39

INT 12

QBR 74.2

Player Analysis

Brady's anticipation, accuracy and timing in the passing game are outstanding. He continues to work best from the pocket and rarely makes plays with his legs to move the chains.

MORE ANALYSIS

His vision and ability to process information are second to none. He can pick apart defenses when given time to scan the field. He has great poise, intelligence, instincts and leadership qualities that make him one of the best QBs of his generation.

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3

Drew Brees

95

AGE: 33

DOB: 1/15/79

HT: 6-0

WT: 209

POS: QB

Att 657

Comp 468

Yds 5,476

TD 46

INT 14

QBR 84.0

Player Analysis

Brees is a dynamic playmaker with everything you want in a quarterback except height. He has an excellent understanding of the passing game and gets involved in game-planning.

MORE ANALYSIS

He is quick to read coverages and go through his progressions, and he rarely forces the ball. He is very accurate both from the pocket and when scrambling to extend a play. He may lack a cannon for an arm but the ball jumps off his hand with good velocity and a high rate of rotation. He shows poise in the pocket and is a leader on and off the field.

CLOSE ANALYSIS

To see the rest of the Scouts Inc. quarterback rankings -- and get access to rankings for every NFL player -- you must be an ESPN Insider.

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Matt Williamson

ESPN.com

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• Joined ESPN in 2005
• Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns