As he's done in past years, Chris Simms continues to roll out his list of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL on Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and NBC Sports' “PFT Live."
Jarrett Stidham came in at No. 35 and now a few former Patriots have been unveiled -- Jimmy Garoppolo at No. 20 and Tom Brady at No. 15. Brady ranks one spot ahead of Drew Brees.
Here's what Simms had to say for his reasoning when it comes to Brady.
“If Brady was a top five or top 10 quarterback in football still, New England wouldn’t have let him go," Simms said. "Teams don’t let go of top 10 quarterbacks. ... I would like to reiterate like I did with Drew Brees, Tom Brady is still good enough to where he can win a Super Bowl. ... His arm is still real good. Is it great like it used to be? No, but it is still real good where he can make all the throws everywhere around the field. His ability to dissect and read and react to a defense and make the proper throw, it’s genius. He is like Van Gogh at the quarterback position. He is an artist
"His pocket awareness is a little too aware right now. He is a little reluctant to want to stand in there and make throws down the field. He left some yards and plays on the field during the season and that is why he is No. 15. If he will stand in there and he is willing to take shots, he can still make big-time game-changing type throws, but I would also say again there is reluctance.”
Brady had a down year last season, as he completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The passing yards were his fewest since 2010, which doesn't include 2016 when he missed the first four games.
As for Garoppolo, Simms doesn't like his athletic ability.
"There are sometimes some head scratching decision-making," he said. "There is lack of big-time power throws. The number one detractor, for me, is he’s not a phenomenal athlete as far as he is not going to run for you and get first downs.”
Simms' list will continue until the top quarterback is named June 25.
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