Cam Newton and Russell Wilson: are hybrid mobile QBs finally at the top of the food chain?

I don't think there's any question that the two best young QBs in the league are Wilson and Newton, and it really isn't that close. Luck will rebound and continue to be the pocket passer (though his scrambling is decent, too) of the future.

We've seen lots of "mobile QB" trends come into the NFL, only to falter when the defenses are able to force those QBs into the pocket or the QB gets injured, most recently with RGIII. When forced to run a traditional offense, many scramblers of the past have proven incapable of upping their mental abilities with their physical talents.

However, it seems like Newton and Wilson are both effective in the pocket and able to read defenses to the extent they need to. Wilson put up a QB rating of 110, 68% completion rate (!) 34 TDs, 4,000 yards passing AND ran for over 500 yards, while Newton is the sure MVP with 35 passing TDs, a 60% completion rate, 3,800 yards, 10 rushing TDs, and over 600 rushing yards.

Neither QB appears to have major accuracy issues; while Newton is not the most accurate passer, his career percentage is ahead of Luck. Both QBs also limit interceptions and turnovers, not to the extent of a Brady or Rodgers but pretty darn well.

I think it's fair to say these guys are both strong pocket passers with an added running dimension that can do some big-time damage to defenses. While not as strong in the pocket as many great ones, they are very good back there, but they can also change the game with their legs. That is why I call them hybrids, because they can play the position in different ways when needed.

Is it fair to say that Newton, Wilson, and possibly other QBs coming up through the draft will define the next era of quarterbacking with an added running dimension?

It seems like quarterbacks like Wilson and Newton are about as rare as quarterbacks like Brady, Rodgers, Brees, Manning (pre 2015) these days.

I don't know how to answer this, but it appears that there are a dearth of franchise quarterbacks at the collegiate level, which makes me think that perhaps there will be another seismic shift in the NFL from the current quarterback-centric model to something else...

No way in hell you'll see Newton playing in his late thirties. The longevity is always a concern for me, especially when you make such a huge investment in the position. I don't mind how Wilson plays, but Newton takes some serious shots, as evidenced yesterday. Injuries are far more likely.

Are Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck part of that group?

Wilson became a better QB this year when he stayed in the pocket and acted more like a traditional pocket passer.

hope neither of them kill dogs

Hybrid QBs are always wonderful to have, the problem is they have a short shelf life.

three of the last 4 were " pocket passers "...tom, hgh, and palmer.

it's great when it work and the QB doesn't get killed........which is always inevitable

they're not here for a long time.....just a good time

We shall see

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Not yet. Wilson has a had a top tier defense for multiple years. Cam has one this year. A QB that has a top tier D can go anywhere. But these two guys have certainly shown they can do their part and then some, and there aren't a lot of QBs who can even do that. But I wouldn't expect Wilson or Cam to do what the Patriots did in 2011. A prolific passer of the Brady mold in a high scoring efficient offense can mask a lot of deficiencies in a team. So far I haven't seen that with the hybrid QB. So when I do see one of them carry their deficient team to all out victory then I think they have arrived at that elite Brady level.
And when one of them can QB a team into the rare air of dynasty then it will be very official. Seattle has a chance if they can keep it up for 4 or 5 more years with another SB or 2. But it will be interesting to see what Wilson can do as Seattle, one would expect, will eventually see significant drop off on D (not like the modest drop off so far).

With that said the hybrid QB will continue to be represented in higher and higher numbers. Ultimately better for the game or not, this is what colleges are producing so this is what the NFL will have. And with most teams in a 'win in two years or your fired' mentality which puts the coaches into a specific short term mindset, it does seem to be the hybrids are breathing quick life into sputtering teams (that is something with hybrid QBs that can't be devalued). As this happens I assume teams will develop better ways to bring them to a consistent pro level, morph gameplans into ones better suited, and I'd expect the NFL to tweak rules to achieve better offensive numbers under the differing QB play fans will see.
I hope it is good for the game but my faith in the NFL is nil. I'd expect the NFL to move toward making sure a team is on top one year then down the next. Everyone gets a trophy!

I don't see why this has to be an either/or proposition.

I don't think they ever really went anywhere, it's just that even when they are really really good, the beating they take, the extra yards they put on their legs, all end up in a QB who has a much smaller window of excellence than a pocket passer.

Really. if you think about it, Wilson's pretty much a better version of Flutie. Undersized, tough, accurate, makes the occasional wow play. At least I thought so, anyway.

They're at the top of the food chain but it's only those two really. Rodgers is mobile and is a good scrambler but it's more as an added benefit, rather than it being as an integral part of their game like it is for cam and Russell. They're anomalies really when you think about it.

Newton has come on leaps and bounds these last two years, been incredibly impressed by him. His pocket presence and awareness is excellent nowadays.

These guys are the exception, and worthy of admiration.. however the proof will be when the running ability diminishes how will they fare as being less multi-dimensional???