Story perspectives

Chris Simms Ranks Top 43 QBs, Tua #36, Murray #30

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms released his 2026 Quarterback Countdown ranking the top 43 NFL quarterbacks.
He placed J.J. McCarthy No. 37 (all tools but unassembled), Tua Tagovailoa No. 36 (opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons), Kirk Cousins No. 34 and Fernando Mendoza No. 33 (Cousins’s declining arm strength and their Raiders pairing).
He gave Kyler Murray No. 30, calling his arm explosive and athletic but noting lack of anticipation and small stature as weaknesses.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s April 17-18, 1999 draft in New York City featured five first-round quarterbacks—the most since 1983 and matching the 1971 precedent of the top three picks being QBs. The high-profile Ricky Williams trade, which left the Saints 3-13, underscored teams’ willingness to gamble on early scouting, a pattern that still shapes franchise decisions today.

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Story summary

Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms released his 2026 Quarterback Countdown ranking the top 43 NFL quarterbacks.
He placed J.J. McCarthy No. 37 (all tools but unassembled), Tua Tagovailoa No. 36 (opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons), Kirk Cousins No. 34 and Fernando Mendoza No. 33 (Cousins’s declining arm strength and their Raiders pairing).
He gave Kyler Murray No. 30, calling his arm explosive and athletic but noting lack of anticipation and small stature as weaknesses.

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