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5) Tom Brady, New England Patriots*
Despite being a proven winner (four titles, six total Super Bowl appearances) and one of the NFL's ultimate clutch performers (46 game-winning drives in his 15-year career), Brady's standing on this list is a reflection of the stench emanating from the Deflategate scandal (hence the asterisk). The controversy adds to the notion that the Patriots' long-term success has been fueled by various misdeeds. While there isn't a proven correlation between deflated footballs and Brady's on-field performance, the fact that another scandal is hovering over the Patriots certainly clouds the evaluation.
Statistically speaking, Brady remains one of the top players at the position, posting a passer rating of 97.4 and a 33:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season. He continues to pick apart defenses with exceptional precision, albeit in "dink and dunk" fashion (see: Brady's 7.1 yards-per-attempt mark in 2014). Granted, the Patriots' title run was truly sparked by a defense that played at a championship level for most of the season, but it was Brady's solid play in key moments that ultimately helped secure the crown. Brady remains one of the elites at the position, even as he's settling in as the NFL's ultimate game manager in the twilight of his career.
