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 sack avoidance, 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

2012 ScoutIndex Rating · QB

Methodology
52.3

73th percentile among QBs

15 games · 591 dropbacks

Volume×0.1+1.26
Total EPA×0.24+0.03
Conversion×0.08-0.28
Dropback EPA×0.34-0.03
Accuracy (CPOE)×0.12+0.01
Ball security×0.12+0.24

2012 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismPassingDecisions & Impact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed78▶

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).

Size83▶

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

Passing

Arm Strength27▶

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

Accuracy49▶

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

Ball Security59▶

Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).

Decisions & Mobility

Sack Avoidance90▶

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

Mobility37▶

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

Impact

Efficiency53▶

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

Volume89▶

Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.

Conversion33▶

(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)

2012 splits

regular season
SplitGPass ydsPass TDINT
Home8
2,336
292/g
15
9
Away7
1,682
240/g
7
5
In division5
1,163
233/g
5
2
Out of division10
2,855
286/g
17
12
In wins4
898
225/g
6
3
In losses11
3,120
284/g
16
11
On grass12
3,151
263/g
18
11
On turf3
867
289/g
4
3
Indoors1
353
353/g
1
1
Outdoors14
3,665
262/g
21
13

2012 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1LAC297 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT57.9
Week 2MIA373 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 7 rush yds, 0 TD47.4
Week 3PIT209 pass yds, 3 TD, 1 INT · 5 rush yds, 0 TD57.2
Week 4DEN202 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT44.2
Week 6ATL353 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT52.6
Week 7JAX298 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 14 rush yds, 1 TD40.9
Week 8KC209 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · -1 rush yds, 0 TD44.6
Week 9TB414 pass yds, 4 TD, 3 INT · 3 rush yds, 0 TD48
Week 10BAL368 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT54.3
Week 11NO312 pass yds, 2 TD, 2 INT · 2 rush yds, 0 TD46.5
Week 12CIN146 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT25.7
Week 13CLE351 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · 3 rush yds, 0 TD66.3
Week 14DEN273 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · -1 rush yds, 0 TD52.9
Week 15KC182 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT · 4 rush yds, 0 TD56.3
Week 16CAR31 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT50.3

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