Could You Manage An NFL Team? Rate These Players!

If you've ever said to yourself that evaluating NFL players is easy, take a simple look at the New England Patriots, who have a less-than-stellar record with first-round picks this century but have hit on so many late-round picks. There are no perfect evaluators, although Bill Belichick can come pretty close with his Chris Hogan-type finds.

Anyone can tell you that Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are elite quarterbacks or that Josh Johnson likely shouldn't be in the league, but what about those in the middle of the pack or who play in smaller markets? Are you able to properly evaluate someone having a really strong year in a quiet market? Can you truly rate a player having a down year but who has a strong history to his name?

For this quiz, the only ground rule we have in place that all but one of the following players are currently on NFL rosters; some are on injured reserve, but they're employed and aren't free agents. There are no retired players on this list either.

If you're ready to try your hand at rating NFL players and learning just how smart you are when it comes to the game of football, let's get to work!

Question 1

How would you rate Kirk Cousins?

When you forget the speculation about where he's going to play in 2018 and beyond, think about the job Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has done to provide stability. While it's not a guarantee the Redskins will make the playoffs this season, having Cousins behind center likely gives them a better chance. How would you rate Cousins?

Question 2

How would you rate Tyrod Taylor?

Tyrol Taylor was recently benched and then reinserted into the Bills' starting quarterback job, but don't let that change your perspective on his play over the past few seasons. Buffalo found a multi-year starter in Taylor, who's outperformed any and all expectations since signing in 2015, and the former late-round pick should be able to find another starting job next season. How would you rate Taylor?

Question 3

How would you rate Adrian Peterson?

Once again, I'd like to remind you that you're rating these players on how they are now, not what they were in the past. Obviously, Adrian Peterson was the elite running back in his prime, but would you rate him that now with how he's played in Arizona? Make your selection...

Question 4

How would you rate Ndamukong Suh?

When he's not stomping on people or choking other players, Ndamukong Suh can still be fun to watch. The former No. 2 overall pick is a few years removed from his peak level with the Detroit Lions, but Suh can still bring a lot to the table for any defense. How would you currently rate the former Heisman finalist?

Question 5

How would you rate Olivier Vernon?

It's been a frustrating year for the New York Giants, but Olivier Vernon has at least stayed healthy for the injury-plagued team. When you're lacking Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and now Janoris Jenkins, it's hard to win games. Even though the Giants are bound to finish with a losing record, how would you rate Vernon?

Question 6

How would you rate Carlos Hyde?

This hasn't been a pretty season for the San Francisco 49ers, but some players will still be able to flourish even when their team is down. Veteran 49ers running back Carlos Hyde has been a mixed bag this season, averaging over four yards per carry with an outside chance of 1,000 yards. How would you rate Hyde?

Question 7

How would you rate Mike Wallace?

The days of Mike Wallace being a top option for the Pittsburgh Steelers are long gone - and to this point, it's looking like last season's rebound with the Baltimore Ravens may have been a fluke - but the veteran wideout still gives Joe Flacco an option in the Ravens' passing game. How would you rate Wallace?

Question 8

How would you rate Jonathan Joseph?

J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will naturally attract all of the attention in Houston - and with what Watt did after Hurricane Harvey, that feat is well deserved - but Jonathan Joseph has been a vital part of the Texans' defense in recent years. As the Texans battle for their third straight playoff berth, how would you rate Joseph?

Question 9

How would you rate Sammy Watkins?

After some disappointing years in Buffalo, Sammy Watkins seems to have embraced his new home in Los Angeles. Though Watkins is clearly still working his way into the Rams offense, he's given quarterback Jared Goff another target in what was once a dismal passing game. How would you rate Watkins?

Question 10

How would you rate Bruce Irvin?

Once a product of the Seattle Seahawks, Irvin is now trying to get to the quarterback in Oakland. Will a new defensive coordinator - one who replaces Irvin's friend and mentor in Ken Norton Jr. - allow Irvin and the Raiders' defense to finally play at their old level? How would you rate Irvin?

Question 11

How would you rate Michael Crabtree?

Michael Crabtree has had a strange career to this point, hasn't he? For his first two or three seasons, Crabtree looked like he was nearing bust level; then, he started to really improve under Jim Harbaugh (and got into a feud with Richard Sherman). After seemingly falling out of favor with the 49ers, Crabtree went across the bay to Oakland and became a fan favorite. How would you rate the veteran?

Question 12

How would you rate Sam Bradford?

Another year, another lost season for Sam Bradford. When Bradford is healthy, he's a fine quarterback who can keep his team in playoff contention, but he's lost three of the past five seasons early to injury - and that's including missing all of the 2014 season with a torn ACL. How would you rate Sam Bradford?

Question 13

How would you rate Alfred Morris

Cousins's former teammate in Washington, Alfred Morris, is doing his best to give the Dallas Cowboys a boost with starting running back Ezekiel Elliott suspended until late December. Though Morris is averaging nearly six yards per carry following the Cowboys' Thanksgiving loss to Los Angeles, there's only so much the former Florida Atlantic Owl can do for a quickly fading Dallas team. How would you rate Morris?

Question 14

How would you rate Jordan Poyer?

Perhaps best known for his girlfriend, Instagram model Rachel Bush, Poyer has become a fan favorite in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the Buffalo Bulls. Though the Bills' defense has struggled in recent weeks, Poyer continues to provide a boost in the secondary and cement himself as a piece for the future. How would you rate Poyer?

Question 15

How would you rate Frank Clark?

Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark has baggage that includes a domestic violence incident before being drafted and seemingly threatening a female journalist earlier this year, but like we said in the intro, try to avoid the off-field stuff when making these evaluations. With that said, how would you rate Frank Clark as a player?

Question 16

How would you rate Leonard Floyd?

Unfortunately likely out for the year at this point after being placed on injured reserve, Floyd really took a big step forward in his second year. While Floyd only had 4.5 sacks as opposed to seven last year, the defensive end/linebacker was in on seemingly every play and should give Bears fans hope. How would you rate Floyd as of now?

Question 17

How would you rate Mitchell Schwartz?

We're including offensive linemen on this list? When you're building your team, you need some solid big uglies to lead the way for your running backs and keep your signal-caller standing upright. The younger brother of former New York Giants lineman Geoff Schwartz, Mitchell has been a big part of the AFC West-leading Chiefs. How would you rate Schwartz?

Question 18

How would you rate Tyler Eifert?

When Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert is on the field, he's one of Andy Dalton's favorite targets, but he rarely is in uniform. It only took two games this season before Eifert hit injured reserve and, in what's appearing to be another lost season in Cincinnati, he probably won't return before next season. How would you rate Eifert?

Question 19

How would you rate Anthony Barr?

Packers fans, you might want to look away after what Anthony Barr did to Aaron Rodgers earlier this season, but don't let that force you to make a decision you may not fully agree with. Don't hold injuries against Barr! Even with that brutal hit, how would you rate the veteran linebacker?

Question 20

How would you rate Jeremy Hill?

Like some other players on this list, Hill's season is likely over after a severe ankle injury. As Hill himself wrote, "I know in many ways, for myself, 2017 feels like a bad dream that I can't wake up from, but I know I wouldn't be experiencing any of this if it wasn't for a purpose." How would you rate Hill?

Question 21

How would you rate Jared Goff?

After a disappointing rookie season, second-year quarterback Jared Goff seems to be showing the Los Angeles Rams why they invested the No. 1 overall pick in him last April. Goff has the Rams headed for their first playoff appearance in well over a decade thanks to first-year coach Sean McVay's offense. How would you rate Goff?

Question 22

How would you rate Casey Hayward?

Do the Los Angeles Chargers have a chance at the playoffs? With Casey Hayward, Joey Bosa, and their stout defense, Los Angeles is shaking a bad start off to make waves down the stretch after their Thanksgiving Day win over the Dallas Cowboys. How would you rate the veteran cornerback?

Question 23

How would you rate Everson Griffen

Congrats to Everson Griffen on his new child, a fact the defensive end gladly shared during the Vikings' Thanksgiving Day win over the rival Detroit Lions. What's there a better chance of? Griffen seeing a fine for the shirt he wore under his jersey, or the Vikings winning a Super Bowl? More importantly, can you rate Griffen?

Question 24

How would you rate Case Keenum?

If Case Keenum even so much as leads the Vikings to the playoffs - which is almost certain to happen in the coming weeks - then his season has to go down as one of the more improbable in recent NFL history. Without overreacting too much to the Vikings' current state, how would you rate Keenum?

Question 25

How would you rate Doug Martin?

We're a long way removed from the Muscle Hamster days, but Doug Martin may still have something left in the tank. Tampa Bay is in the midst of a frustrating season that may see coach Dirk Koetter removed from his role - and a potential Jon Gruden return? - so we'll see if Martin can finish strong. How would you rate Martin?

Question 26

How would you rate Colin Kaepernick?

Given that I said one of the following players wasn't on an NFL roster at the time of publishing, you should've figured it was Kaepernick. Focusing solely on how he played last year, how would you rate Kaepernick? Some of you are going to factor the protests in, but try to focus on his actual play.

Question 27

How would you rate Jarvis Landry?

If this is the last we're seeing of Jarvis Landry in Miami, Juice and the Dolphins are going out with quite a whimper. Miami's quarterback play has been inconsistent, and there's been no run game, so it's hard to blame Landry for what will likely be another season without a playoff berth. But the LSU product has more and more reason to join former teammate Odell Beckham Jr. in New York. How would you rate Landry?

Question 28

How would you rate Ryan Shazier?

An ex-teammate of Hyde's at Ohio State, Shazier has likewise been a mixed bag in his time with the Steelers. With the Steelers seeming like legitimate Super Bowl contenders behind the Patriots, will this be the year Shazier gets everything together down the stretch to bring a Lombardi back to Pittsburgh? How would you rate Shazier?

Question 29

How would you rate Marcus Peters?

Among players in this quiz, Marcus Peters seems to be one of the more divided ones among NFL fans. Some say that Peters is overrated for his high interception total because it means quarterbacks throw his way, while others say he's an elite player purely off the tape. Your rating shows what you think of Peters, so go and pick.

Question 30

How would you rate Clay Matthews?

There aren't many players left from the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl XLV team on the roster, but Clay Matthews is one of them and still going strong. Matthews may not be the player he was in those days, but he's still capable of making plays and leading a defense. How would you rate him?

Question 31

How would you rate Eric Ebron?

Most people can agree that the Detroit Lions probably messed up by taking Eric Ebron over Odell Beckham Jr. or Aaron Donald in the 2014 NFL Draft, but are his on-field numbers still enough to make you rate him highly? We'll leave that to you before our personal opinions influence you...

Question 32

How would you rate Leonard Fournette?

Let's talk rookies even if it's a bit early to rate them. As of right now, how would you rate Leonard Fournette's rookie season? Has it been mediocre? Elite? If you were to take team's success into account, elite would probably be the answer, but how do you think the LSU product has done?

Question 33

How would you rate Jamal Adams?

There are a number of defensive rookies who would have made for obvious choices here - Marshon Lattimore would be elite, Malik Hooker would be elite or solid - but what do you think of the job Jamal Adams has done in New York? The Jets may not be headed for the postseason, but has Adams earned a high grade?

Question 34

How would you rate Rishard Mathews?

Maybe best known among a good number of NFL fans for his opinions on the national anthem, Mathews has quietly emerged as a reliable target in Tennessee for the slightly disappointing Marcus Mariota. Even if Matthews isn't putting up Antonio Brown-like numbers, how would you rate the veteran wideout to this point?

Question 35

How would you rate Leonard Williams?

Like we discussed with Jamal Adams, Leonard Williams is being productive in a year for the Jets that most likely isn't going to end in a playoff berth, but how will that affect your rating of him? You're nearing the end of your evaluation, so pick wisely on this one.

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