NFL Power Rankings: Top 10 Backup Quarterbacks by Erik Lambert 1h ago 
Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TXTennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsThey say there is no better job in pro football than being the backup quarterback. There is still plenty of attention, good money and no jarring hits to take on Sundays. In truth it’s a job of great importance to the teams that take it seriously. Anywhere, at any time that man could be called on to play and win a game or in some cases save a season.So according to these NFL power rankings, who are the best backups in the league and why?#10: Zach MettenbergerA guy who takes that many selfies must have a great deal of confidence. In truth Zach Mettenberger makes this list because he has starting experience and wasn’t all that bad when he got on the field. An untimely injury put a stop to his opportunity and ushered in the Marcus Mariota era. Still, he’s a big kid with a big arm who put up some big plays against pretty good teams. He should feel right at home under Ken Whisenhunt in that offense, regardless of what wrinkles they insert for Mariota.
Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OHTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports #9: Mike GlennonThe goal of any team when it comes to a backup is finding a guy who could probably be a starter on another team. It seems the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lucked into that situation. Jameis Winston, as the #1 overall pick will be the starter but prior to his arrival Mike Glennon had some pretty solid performances over two seasons with the Bucs. He’s young, good under pressure and has a big arm to make all the throws. It really is a surprise no team has made a harder push to trade for him.
Aug 22, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) is blocked by Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) as Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub throws a pass during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports #8: Matt SchaubHis days as a starter came to an abrupt end after two dismal seasons in Houston and Oakland. Matt Schaub just isn’t the player he was five years ago, but that doesn’t mean he has no worth. He’s a veteran and two-time Pro Bowler who is 34-years old. There is every reason to believe he has the capability to work with Joe Flacco from the sideline and step in when needed. After all, he did that his first three years as a pro in Atlanta. Besides, the Ravens coaches have a way of getting everybody on the same page.
Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZWashington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports #7: Kirk CousinsThe funny part is it’s almost like Kirk Cousins is better coming off the bench than he is starting. How else could one explain how he’s gotten more than one opportunity to supplant Robert Griffin III for the lead job for the Washington Redskins. Experts still believe he’ll get another chance when he becomes a free agent next year, but until then he’s likely stuck behind RGIII for one more season. That is at least some good news for the Redskins, knowing they have an experienced guy who has familiarity with the receivers and can step in immediately.
Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MOArizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws a pass during the first half of a football game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports #6: Drew StantonIt’s apparent why Bruce Arians was so interested in making sure the Arizona Cardinals kept Drew Stanton. After Carson Palmer went down for the year and despite playing behind a bad offensive line with no running game, Stanton still managed to go 5-3 as a starter before getting hurt himself. That run kept the Cardinals afloat long enough to secure a playoff berth. His ability to scramble is another dimension coaches love in backups, allowing them to ensure certain part of the playbook stay open or present defenses with a different dimension.
Nov 27, 2014; Arlington, TXPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports #5: Mark SanchezOf course he wasn’t the primary reason the New York Jets made two AFC championship appearances, but they never would’ve gotten there had Mark Sanchez not made some big plays. Love him or hate him, the veteran has shown he can compete with the big boys. Just not at the level he was drafted for. That doesn’t diminish his accomplishments. Being able to steer the Philadelphia Eagles to a 10-6 record after Nick Foles went down must rate pretty high. No team can ask much more of a backup than that.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports #4: Matt HasselbeckThere aren’t many worries about Andrew Luck going down with injury, but it’s a good comfort knowing Matt Hasselbeck is right behind. There are fewer smarter, more experienced quarterbacks in the league than him. A three-time Pro Bowler who got Seattle to its first Super Bowl in 2005, Hasselbeck even at age 40 understands his role better than anybody. Keep the train on the tracks until Luck gets healthy should he go down. It might mean game management and not a lot of flash, but when it comes to the expectations the Indianapolis Colts have, flash doesn’t matter as long as they win.
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports #3: Ryan FitzpatrickHe was a backup for years in St. Louis and Cincinnati before he finally got his shot at a starting job in Buffalo. Ryan Fitzpatrick has 33 wins under his belt in the NFL. A lot of quarterbacks can’t say that, and he did it with some pretty bad teams at times. He’s no star in terms of talent, but he’s highly intelligent, experienced and knows where to go with the ball. The New York Jets will be grateful they made that trade if and when they call on him to play.
Sep 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore prior to the game at Sun Life Stadium. Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports #2: Matt MooreHe’s been a backup for seven seasons, so it’s safe to say Matt Moore knows everything there is to know about what the job entails. Largely forgotten the past few years since the rise of Ryan Tannehill, the 31-year old nonetheless remains a quietly treasure part of the depth chart. Every time Moore has been asked to step in since he arrived in 2011, he’s done his job. He won four of the six games the Dolphins had that year and in 2012 he came off the bench to help them win a game in New York. He always seems to be ready. There is no greater attribute of a backup QB than that.
Dec 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) looks to pass as tackle Byron Bell (77) blocks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end T. J. Fatinikun (96) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports #1: Derek AndersonIt’s not every day a team has a former Pro Bowler at backup in the NFL. Yet that is the case for the Carolina Panthers. Derek Anderson fell on hard times after a meteoric rise in Cleveland but has since settled into a good role with that team, and clearly he’s wanted because the Panthers didn’t waste much time re-signing him. Last season offered the perfect example when he came off the bench four times and started twice, completing 67% of his passes for 701 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. That performance, small in size though it was, proved key to them winning the division.link
