5. Joe Burrow: Don’t these always wind down so quickly? Today, we are officially a week in with our annual project. When this was all brainstormed, I saw all the players who’d be making their debuts this year. Seven new players will be making their debuts, which is always fun to talk about. This also shows that it’s not the same guys we see each year. Now, let’s get back to business. His game really caught my eye in Baton Rouge as a member of the LSU Tigers. That was the best season I’ve ever seen from a college Quarterback. He’s now making a nice name for himself in the NFL. Joe Burrow begins the second half of the list. He checks in as my fifth-best player in the league and my second-ranked Quarterback entering the 2023 season.
I’ve run out of things to say about him. That’s how amazed I am with him and his game. To be so young, he has the mentality of a 15-year veteran. There’s nothing that phases this guy. I’ve seen my share of Quarterbacks over the years and he just has that it factor. This just hasn’t started; he was the same way in college. Anything he wanted to do, he did it. Joe trusts his receivers and he allows them to place themselves in the perfect position to make a play. There’s been times when the pocket collapses and he buys the time to keep the play alive and push the ball down the field for a completion. That’s something you see from an experienced passer who’s been in the game for a decade, not a young Quarterback such as Joe. He has veteran level focus for a third-year Quarterback and that’s so impressive to me. The best Quarterbacks understand where the throw is supposed to go, however, they also understand that football is a game of matchups and Joe takes complete advantage of matchups quite a bit. Just look at his poise in the pocket whether it’s completing a throw or running it himself. Joe can also play with a moving pocket and can make the throw on the run. If you aren’t on your toes, he will make an entire defensive line miss with his mobility.
Joe has singlehandedly put the Bengals back on the map. For years, they were searching for that franchise Quarterback, and they struck gold when they drafted him in 2020. Look at the last two years for an organization that was once the laughingstock of the league. Two AFC North division titles, back-to-back AFC title game appearances, four playoff victories after a long drought without a playoff win and a Super Bowl appearance. He has that Tom Brady mentality meaning nothing ever phases him. The atmosphere on the road may be too much for an opposing player, but not for number nine. A perfect example of this is the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills. He was locked in and From a players standpoint, he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Drew Brees but with a stronger arm and better mobility.
