2024 NFL QB Power Rankings Week 13: Time to trade CJ Stroud? Buy Bryce Young?

It’s the time of year when hopes are realized – and dashed.

The Houston Texans and Washington Commanders are trending toward the latter category, in part due to a disappointing string of games from their young quarterbacks.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins are on the rise, thanks to strong and (to varying degrees) renewed play from their veteran signal-callers.

The road to the playoffs is all about post-Thanksgiving play. And, as always, the QBs will be the deciding factor for all teams.

Welcome back to QB Stock Market, there we measure the most recent performance with 30% importance, while we use 70% for all 2024. One question holds importance above all others: What have you done for your team lately?

Last weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo bills (↔)
2. Lamar Jackson, The Baltimore Ravens (↔)

Watching Lamar and the Ravens beat the Chargers, I found myself wondering what Ladd McConkey would look like in Baltimore’s offense. He is everything (I suspect) the crows wanted Zay Flowers to be. Both are slot players who have the ability to play outside. But McConkey has already been consistent in hitting the zone and in man coverage. McConkey is already running routes that allow Justin Herbert to throw with confidence and eagerness. Meanwhile, Flowers struggled to get open for the Chargers’ cornerbacks.

That’s why the Ravens traded Diontae Johnson. They hoped to gain credibility. He’s not there yet. In fact, you are very far away There that it is worth wondering if the trade is a bust. Johnson recorded just one hit in four games. He has run 17 routes in said games with five scores and one interception. And get this: He has 63 more receiving yards than expected.

But here I am crying with sweat.

Lamar helps celebrate. He leads the NFL in passing yards (3,053) and is tied for No. 1 in passing touchdowns (27).

3. Joe Burrow, The Cincinnati Bengals (↔)
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (↔)
5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (↔)
6. Tua Tagovailoa, The Miami Dolphins (⬆️ 2)

Tua made a habit of hitting Bill Belichick, the Dolphins QB who beat him 6-0. But this was a completely different level of dominance against Belichick, Jerod Mayo. At halftime, Tagovailoa had three passing touchdowns and a 24-0 lead. Tua finished the day with a 72.5 completion percentage, 317 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Tua’s life is important and will always be a concern. It’s a big reason why the Dolphins have such a long shot at making the playoffs. (Currently, they have a 15% chance, according to Next Gen’s stats.) Because he was gone, the Dolphins fell into a hole they may not be able to climb out of.

But since returning from his most recent conference, he’s back on top of his game, with the offense — perhaps for the first time in Tua’s career — finding sustained success without big production from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. No WR has won a World Series this year. But with tight end Jonnu Smith and running back De’Von Achane stepping into a dominant role, the Dolphins made it work offensively. And actually, it is Tua who does this work.

His absence and return – yet again – reminds us how important he is to this case. This is how it is. The Dolphins can’t function without him. It is a testament to his quality.

7. Jared Goff, The Detroit Lions (⬇️ 1)
8. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (⬆️ 3)
9. Gene Smith, Seattle Seahawks (⬆️ 3)

I’m not a golfer, but I know something about it BE — an ugly but effective gun. For me, the bottom line is driving from the bottom line. No, it doesn’t have a good clue. But it gets the yardage I need so I don’t fall behind.

That’s Geno: UBE. Ugly But It Works.

Against the Cardinals this past week, he made clutch plays at the right times and avoided mistakes in the wrong ones. The week before against the 49ers, he went into the end zone to win the game. And that’s a style of play that suits both Smith and coach Mike Macdonald this year. It’s a style of play that has him ranked second in passing yards (3,035) behind Lamar.

It’s okay that it usually looks bad. It is a credit to Smith that he has come this far as a game manager. Smith’s inconsistent stat lines are passing because he was 9-8 last year and 6-5 this year. And with his elite group of talented players and superior defense, Smith has a coveted position. It may not last long. (Can the Seahawks draft a QB next year?) But it’s a credit to the former Jets QB that he continues to rise steadily as a positional football player. The Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals was another example of that.

10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (⬇️ 1)
11. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (⬇️ 4)
12. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (⬆️ 5)
13. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (⬆️ 1)
14. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (⬇️ 4)
15. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (⬆️ 1)
16. Russell Wilson, The Pittsburgh Steelers (⬆️ 2)
17. CJ Stroud, Houston Texas (⬇️ 2)

He was against holding.

I thought there was no problem with having Nico Collins. I thought he didn’t have Joe Mixon. But at this point, there are no excuses left. Stroud and the Texans’ coaching staff have serious problems closing games. The Tennessee Titans used what had been obvious for weeks. And maybe people missed the warning signs on purpose because Houston was heavily favored (outside of Kansas City) to take the top spot in the AFC this year. Then the Texans let the Colts, Bears and Jaguars sit through those early weeks. In the last six weeks, they have lost four games. Three of those losses were in one-possession games and that fourth loss was … to the Jets. (Stop!)

Stroud is only 23 years old. And he’s playing his age this year, with 239.6 passing yards per game (15th), 14 touchdowns (13th) and nine interceptions (t-6th). This is not some tragedy. Houston is 7-5 and has a 95% chance of making the postseason, according to Next Gen statistics. The second collapse. The tough question is whether he can grow beyond that in the postseason. Because while I believe in Stroud in the long term, I think the Texans look like one playoff team right now.

18. Jordan Love, The Green Bay Packers (⬆️ 1)
19. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (⬆️ 8)
20. Is Levis, The Tennessee Titans (⬆️ 4)
21. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (⬆️ 4)

There is still hope for Bryce.

He’s a pocket-passing linebacker who is starting to see defenses more clearly. He has a quick release and a sharp mind and used both to beat the pressure this week.

The more he develops as a quick processor, the better his chances of becoming a long-term option in Carolina (or elsewhere). His supporting cast is better than last year, but it’s still not where it needs to be – just look at the dropped touchdown catch from Tommy Tremble with seconds left on the clock in the first half. And it seems Adam Theilen and Young weren’t on the same page in the red zone because of the third incompletion in the first half.

We used to think that Carolina’s chances were missed because of Young. Now, it looks like there is a big mistake in the whole case. And it’s not good, but this development seems good for Young.

It’s worth watching Young go up against Mahomes — because they were foils for each other. Where Mahomes usually succeeds (on third and fourth down), Young unfortunately has been ineffective. This season on those downs, Young’s EPA per drop is .43, 37th in the NFL among passers with at least 50 drops. In the fourth quarter this year, Young’s EPA is each down, automatically, and -.43. In the red zone, Young’s EPA/dropback is .36.

And with that in mind, I want to give a reality check. This time last year, Zach Wilson completed 71.3% of his passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in a 3-point loss to the … wait for it … Chiefs.

Take this historical fact with a grain of salt. (Or take Young’s latest performance with a grain of salt.)

22. Kirk’s cousins, The Atlanta Falcons (⬇️ 2)
23. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (⬇️ 2)
24. Drake Maye, The New England Patriots (⬇️ 2)
25. Anthony Richardson, The Indianapolis Colts (⬇️ 2)
26. James Winston, Cleveland Browns (↔)
27. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (⬆️ 1)
28. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders (⬆️ 1)
29. Brandon Allen, San Francisco 49ers (new)
30. Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys (↔)
31. Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (↔)
32. Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (new)

Before joining FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and writer, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots at USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.

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