As we try to figure out how early we should select a quarterback, one of the factors to consider is durability. Quarterbacks are far less likely to get hurt than running backs, and they’re also a lot more durable then they used to be.
The NFL has tweaked rules over the years, making it harder to hit quarterbacks. You can’t hit them high. You can’t hit them low. You can’t hit them late. And you can’t hit them with the crown of your helmet.
It’s gotten to the point where they don’t even like hits that look hard. In Week 11 last year, Ahmad Brooks nailed Drew Brees on a whiplash inducing sack with 3 minutes left, knocking the ball loose and seemingly clinching a 20-17 win. But Brooks was called for unnecessary roughness, setting up the Saints for a game-tying field goal in a game they’d win 23-20 in overtime.
Whatever. The way the game is played now, it’s reasonable to expect your quarterback probably will stay healthy. Over the last two years, over 60 percent of teams have gone with one quarterback for the entire season, the best two seasons ever.
Back in the ‘90s, it was regularly under 30 percent of teams going with one quarterback for all 16 games – they would get hurt each year.
| QUARTERBACKS LASTING 16 GAMES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 16s | Max | Pct |
| 1994 | 8 | 28 | 28.6% |
| 1995 | 14 | 30 | 46.7% |
| 1996 | 9 | 30 | 30.0% |
| 1997 | 12 | 30 | 40.0% |
| 1998 | 8 | 30 | 26.7% |
| 1999 | 9 | 31 | 29.0% |
| 2000 | 13 | 31 | 41.9% |
| 2001 | 17 | 31 | 54.8% |
| 2002 | 15 | 32 | 46.9% |
| 2003 | 13 | 32 | 40.6% |
| 2004 | 12 | 32 | 37.5% |
| 2005 | 13 | 32 | 40.6% |
| 2006 | 16 | 32 | 50.0% |
| 2007 | 11 | 32 | 34.4% |
| 2008 | 16 | 32 | 50.0% |
| 2009 | 13 | 32 | 40.6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 32 | 34.4% |
| 2011 | 14 | 32 | 43.8% |
| 2012 | 20 | 32 | 62.5% |
| 2013 | 19 | 32 | 59.4% |
—Ian Allan