NFL.com thinks the AFC North is the NFL’s worst division of quarterbacks

Next year’s AFC North quarterback picture is going to be intriguing, as most of the starters range from average to above-average statistical output, and there are a couple rookies incoming to potentially replace the lesser starters in the division.

This year, and the coming years, hold some potential for AFC North quarterbacks. But, NFL.com’s Adam Schein isn’t impressed, as he recently blasted AFC North quarterbacks—including Andy Dalton—and ranked the division last in the league in quarterback play.

Here’s what he had to say about the division’s leaders under center.

Big Ben is a future Hall of Famer -- and he’s still playing great in the present. I am a big Tyrod Taylor fan, too -- the 28-year-old never gets the credit he deserves as an efficient playmaker from the pocket. But Flacco is on the way out. And somehow, against all rational judgment, The Marv and Andy Show got picked up for another season.

Schein’s analysis of Ben Roethlisberger is accurate, though the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback seems to regularly be uncertain of his future in the NFL.

Tyrod Taylor is efficient (he ranked in the top half of the league in completion percentage last year), but he’s never made the jump beyond an average scrambling quarterback, and he still averaged fewer yards per attempt than Dalton last year.

In addition to that, there’s a good chance that Taylor doesn’t even end up as the Cleveland Browns’ most impactful quarterback this year. There’s no doubt that No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield will get his shot to earn the starting job at some point.

Criticism of Dalton’s play isn’t unfounded, but to dismiss him as though the Bengals should be actively looking for his replacement at any cost is a bit much. Dalton is by all means an average quarterback in the NFL. He was 18th in passer rating, 17th in total passing yards and 10th in passing touchdowns last year.

For what it’s worth, Schein picked the NFC North—starring Mitch Trubisky, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford—as his top quarterback division. You can read the rest of his analysis here.