2. Russell Wilson

Last year: No. 6

With the possible exception of Deshaun Watson, no other pro QB has to overcome more than Wilson. Pete Carroll’s conservative philosophy and Brian Schottenheimer’s old-school playcalling tendencies routinely put Wilson and the Seahawks into deep holes. That he somehow managed to lead Seattle to win 11 games in a brutal NFC West is a credit to a relentless competitor and one of the most gifted deep-ball passers we have ever seen. Wilson rarely makes mistakes (1% INT rate) and routinely makes transcendent plays despite having to deal with atrocious pass protection (48 sacks).