Breaking down the top 10 free agent quarterbacks in 2020 free agency

Free agency is barreling toward us and it’s time to start wishing and hoping your favorite team makes the right choices. Below, I have our Top-10 unrestricted free agent quarterbacks for 2020. Many of these players will be re-signed or get the franchise tag, so the odds of the whole group moving on to other teams are astronomical, but we have some aging stars who teams might be ready to let go and some iffy talent that might need to find a new spot.

The franchise tag may be applied starting February 25th and ending March 10th. “Legal tampering” is March 16th-18th, which means teams can start entering contract negotiations. Then, at 4pm eastern on March 18th free agency officially begins, and teams may begin signing players or trading players who are still under contract.

1. Dak Prescott

The odds are almost 100 percent that Prescott will remain the Cowboys quarterback. Any rumors to the contrary are assuredly bargaining tactics.

2. Ryan Tannehill

After taking over the starting job from Marcus Mariota, Tannehill played his best football of his career. He says he’d like to stay with the Titans, which is probably true after getting into the playoffs and knocking off the Patriots. He will also likely get the franchise tag if the team can’t come to a contract agreement. At 31, with no proven track record other than part of 2019, the team could balk at a longterm contract.

3. Drew Brees

Brees is 41 and hasn’t been his normal self late in the season as he’s hit the big 4-0, but he’s still better than most of the quarterbacks in the league, especially behind the Saints o-line and in Sean Payton’s offense. It would be a huge upset if he doesn’t remain with the Saints.

4. Tom Brady

Brady isn’t the player he once was and outside of New England he’d need a good situation now that he is 42, so staying with the Patriots makes plenty of sense. New England doesn’t have his replacement on the roster, but he may be ready for a change in scenery. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Patriots, Raiders and Chargers as the Top-3 favorites for Brady’s next team, with the Patriots as the big favorite.

5. Jameis Winston

Winston’s abilities were shown in 2019, as he led the league in passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions. His interceptions only continue to rise, and cost his team wins and a possible playoff spot. Bruce Arians hasn’t committed to Winston, so there’s a real chance they go after a veteran and let Winston walk, but the devil you know.

6. Philip Rivers

We know for sure that the 38-year old Rivers and the Chargers have parted ways and that Rivers is now in the market for a new team. Rivers looked washed for much of 2019, but maybe a new offensive line and team could extend him a couple more seasons. The market is fairly wide-open for Rivers, but the Colts and Buccaneers are the odds-on favorites to land him at this point. Both would be good spots for him to succeed.

7. Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater fared well while Drew Brees was out, but he wasn’t asked to do too much. Pinning your hopes on him as your future quarterback may be asking a bit much, but he’s a good player and teams will look at signing him.

8. Marcus Mariota

Mariota appears shell-shocked, so maybe a new venue could help him out, but he won’t be asked to be a starter in 2020 unless he can beat someone out like Tannehill beat him out last season.

9. Case Keenum

Keenum remains a capable backup and that’s it. A team like the Dolphins or Chargers could bring him in for a chance to see some starts, but he’s going to sign with a team who would rather have him as a backup.

10. Blake Bortles, Chase Daniel, Jeff Driskel, Matt Moore

There really isn’t a No. 10 ranked quarterback in free agency this season, as the list bottoms out with backups who could get you through a game or two.