NFL: 2017 quarterback power rankings for every team

NFL 2017 quarterback power rankings for every team

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Cam Newton. . Carolina Panthers. 10. team. 87.

I wanted to put Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton higher on this list, and I’ve seen others where he was listed at No. 15.

There’s no way that’s possible.

But it’s hard to get the former NFL MVP any higher this spot, based on the simple criteria of which QB I’d want in a must-win game.

Newton’s skill set is about as dynamic as it gets. But something changed in 2016. Perhaps it was the lack of supporting weapons around him. Maybe the Panthers offensive line gave up too many hits, which seemed to bring Newton back down to earth.

Maybe he and the team were still experiencing the hangover effects from the ugly loss in Super Bowl 50. We don’t know.

At any rate, Newton is still an elite quarterback. And with rookie running back Christian McCaffrey in town, Newton should be able to bounce back nicely.