ScoutIndex

ARI ARI

Carson Palmer

QB

Drafted 1st overall in the 1st round of the 2003 draft, Carson Palmer arrived from USC. He last played in 2017 with ARI, a career spanning 15 NFL seasons. His 54.8 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 69th percentile among QBs — solidly above average. Few match his arm strength, which grades in the 90th percentile. Across 14 NFL seasons, he has totaled 46,252 passing yards and 294 touchdowns.

Size

6'5", 235#

College

USC

Draft

Rd 1, 1st overall (2003)

Seasons

2003–2017

2017 ScoutIndex Rating · QB

Methodology
50.6

64th percentile among QBs

7 games · 289 dropbacks

Volume×0.1+0.15
Total EPA×0.24-0.14
Conversion×0.08+0.25
Dropback EPA×0.34+0.04
Accuracy (CPOE)×0.12+0.15
Ball security×0.12-0.03

2017 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismPassingDecisions & Impact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed85▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among QBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burstno data▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine QBs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine QBs (faster = higher).

Size82▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the QB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Passing

Arm Strength90▶

Average depth of target on all attempts (air yards ÷ attempts) — a proxy for arm strength; true velocity needs radar-tracked data.

Accuracy59▶

Completion % over expected (CPOE), attempt-weighted across the season.

Ball Security41▶

Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).

Decisions & Mobility

Sack Avoidance26▶

Sacks ÷ dropback (fewer is better) — pocket movement and quick decisions, as far as box-score data can show it.

Mobility53▶

Rushing EPA plus rushing yardage per game, from scrambles and designed runs.

Impact

Efficiency53▶

(Passing EPA + rushing EPA) ÷ dropback — the Rating's largest component.

Volume60▶

Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.

Conversion70▶

(Passing first downs + ½ passing TD) ÷ dropback.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2017ARI50.671978912
2016ARI54.81542332638
2015ARI92.716467135241
2014ARI61.2616261125
2013ARI50.9164274243
2012LV52.315401822361
2011LV56.310275313201
2010CIN56.91639702650
2009CIN61.616309421933
2008CIN43.24736338
2007CIN69.31641302610
2006CIN79.21640362835
2005CIN85.516383632441
2004CIN43.413289718471

Career profile

Across 14 NFL seasons on file, Carson Palmer has played in 182 regular-season games, playing for 3 teams: CIN (2004–2010), LV (2011–2012), ARI (2013–2017).

As a passer he has thrown for 46,252 yards and 294 touchdowns with 187 interceptions. He has rushed for 475 yards and 8 touchdowns. His most productive passing season was 2015 with ARI: 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2015: a 92.7, in the 100th percentile among QBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2017 splits

regular season
SplitGPass ydsPass TDINT
Home3
965
322/g
6
2
Away4
1,013
253/g
3
5
In division2
479
240/g
1
2
Out of division5
1,499
300/g
8
5
In wins3
972
324/g
5
3
In losses4
1,006
252/g
4
4
On grass5
1,378
276/g
7
3
On turf2
600
300/g
2
4
Indoors5
1,565
313/g
8
6
Outdoors2
413
207/g
1
1

2017 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1DET268 pass yds, 1 TD, 3 INT · 2 rush yds, 0 TD37.5
Week 2IND332 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 6 rush yds, 0 TD50
Week 3DAL325 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 7 rush yds, 0 TD52.2
Week 4SF357 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 1 rush yds, 0 TD50.4
Week 5PHI291 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT54.8
Week 6TB283 pass yds, 3 TD, 1 INT · -4 rush yds, 0 TD65.7
Week 7LAR122 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT38.3

Carson Palmer — common questions

What position does Carson Palmer play?
Carson Palmer is listed as a QB.
Which teams has Carson Palmer played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Carson Palmer has played for CIN (2004–2010), LV (2011–2012), ARI (2013–2017).
Where did Carson Palmer go to college?
Carson Palmer played college football at USC.
When was Carson Palmer drafted?
Carson Palmer was selected in round 1, 1st overall, of the 2003 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Carson Palmer scored?
Carson Palmer has 302 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (294 passing, 8 rushing).
What is Carson Palmer's ScoutIndex Rating?
Carson Palmer rated 50.6 for 2017, the 64th percentile among QBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 1, 2003

Also from USC