QB Rankings
Tier 1: The Undisputed Elite Tier
The alpha and omega, bay-bay.
1. Lamar Jackson (QB1, BAL) – What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about Lamar Jackson? Back-to-back top-five fantasy seasons. He’s finished outside the top 10 twice in the past six years, and only played in 12 games in those seasons. Jackson will flirt with 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. What more could you ask for? The two-time MVP remains one of the rare quarterbacks worthy of drafting in the early rounds of 1QB leagues and a top-six pick in Superflex formats. He’s the gold standard.
2. Jayden Daniels (QB, WAS) – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to rank Jayden Daniels as the top quarterback in fantasy after his phenomenal rookie season. Daneils finished inside the top five after throwing 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. Daniels has room to grow and teased his 1,000-yard rushing potential, accumulating 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. He should remain a resident of the top five club for the foreseeable future, and QB1 overall isn’t out of the question as early as this year.
3. Josh Allen (QB, BUF) – The most dominant fantasy quarterback of the last five-ish years, Josh Allen, has scored a combined 40 touchdowns every season since 2020. Technically, I have him behind Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels, but they’re all virtually ranked the same: Elite Tier 1 options that will be some combination of the first three to four quarterbacks off the board. You can’t go wrong with Josh Allen leading your squad.
Tier 2: The Diet-Elite Tier
Now with 30% more “Elite” flavor!
4. Joe Burrow (QB, CIN) – Joe Burrow (almost) has it all. He has arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league. He has an awful defense that hemorrhages points, leading to splashy passing stats. He’s got “rizz,” as the kids say. But his career high rushing total is 259 yards, which is what holds him back from that upper echelon of fantasy quarterbacks. Dont hear what I’m not saying. Joe Brr is an absolute stud and locked in as a QB1 for fantasy. But, he’ll be hard pressed to ever finish as the QB1 overall due to his lack of rushing upside.
5. Patrick Mahomes II (QB, KC) – Sure, Patrick Mahomes‘ fantasy production has been down over the past two seasons. Did he throw for the fewest passing yards in his career in 2024? Yup. But the fewest passing yards for Mahomes’ career (3,928) was still good for the sixth-most in the NFL. He finished third in attempts (581) and completions (392), and had a top 10 completion percentage (67.5%). After getting mollywhopped in the Super Bowl, I’m not counting out a motivated Patrick Mahomes. His status as an elite fantasy option is getting put out to pasture way too early. I’ll gladly take the discount, especially considering many forget he’ll chip in 300-400 yards on the ground. Being able to wait a few rounds and still draft an elite quarterback like Mahomes will afford you a shot to draft the likes of James Cook or Kenneth Walker III instead of David Montgomery or Aaron Jones Sr. That’s the type of edge that wins fantasy championships.
6. Jalen Hurts (QB, PHI) – Jalen Hurts has the rushing stats and tons of “tush push” tuddy’s, but has yet to eclipse 3,900 passing yards or 25 passing touchdowns. I’m not saying he’s incapable of surpassing those numbers, and Hurts’ four straight seasons of 10+ rushing touchdowns have afforded him a safe floor and extremely high ceiling. But, the lack of passing upside, particularly in the touchdown department, paired with the reliance on rushing touchdowns, gives me enough pause to place him in the tier just below the top three.
Tier 3: The Gas Station Pizza Tier
Fantasy Points with possible food poisoning!
7. Jordan Love (QB, GB) – Jordan Love already has a top-five fantasy finish under his belt. But can he do it again, and can he stay on the field? Despite a down season statistically, Love didn’t play all that badly last season. His completion percentage remained virtually the same from 2023, and he improved on multiple efficiency stats, including yards per attempt, average depth of target, and deep throw completion percentage, among them. His depressed counting stats can partially be attributed to an MCL injury in Week 1 that hobbled Love all season, and eventually led to a groin injury in Week 8 that hobbled him even further. I saw nothing that concerns me from an efficiency standpoint with Love that would lead me to put a pause on the excitement for a potential tier jump most had for him a year ago. The difference is that you’re not buying all the risk by drafting him inside the top 10 at the position, unlike last season. Love’s current ADP of QB17 is criminal with the potential explosiveness of the Packers’ offense.
8. Caleb Williams (QB, CHI) – Despite facing pressure on 29.4% of his dropbacks, merely 2% of Caleb Williams‘ throws were considered turnover-worthy. While his passing numbers left much to be desired, he delivered on his rushing potential. Williams had the 7th most rushing yards among quarterbacks (489) and averaged 6.0 yards per carry. But my excitement for Williams’ potential jump has more to do with his new head coach, former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. It’s confirmed he’ll be calling plays in Chicago, which is thrilling to hear for the Bears’ fantasy potential. The Bears made significant moves to address the offensive line, as well as adding two dynamic weapons with their first two draft picks: tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. All things considered, Williams is my dark horse pick to finish as the QB1 overall this season.
9. Brock Purdy (QB, SF) – *Paul Heyman voice* BRRRROOOCKKKK LESNAR PURDY…sorry…Brock Purdy offers a safe floor thanks to the Kyle Shanahan system, but his ceiling is higher than most realize. He’s coming of back to back seasons of finishing as a QB1 on a points per game basis. Already averaging 450 pass attempts over that same period, he has a legitimate shot at suprassing 500 in 2025 with the offseason gutting of the 49ers defense. Even with Brandon Aiyuk set to miss a solid chunk of the early season and Deebo Samuel now a Commander, Purdy has plenty of weapons in George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, and of course Christian McCaffrey. With an ADP outside the top 100 players, he’s an excellent target in 1QB leagues. He makes for a safe superflex play right on the QB1/QB2 border.
10. Kyler Murray (QB, ARI) – Playing in his first full season since 2020, Kyler Murray finished as a borderline QB1 on a points per game basis. I’d stop short of calling him a bust, but he certainly didn’t live up to offseason expectations, especially with the addition of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Among quarterbacks who played in at least 10 games, Murray’s sixth-ranked 68.8% completion percentage is deceptive. When looking at his adjusted completion percentage*, the number does go up, but his rank drops all the way to 16th. He ranked 20th in yards per attempt among qualified quarterbacks, and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21:11 leaves much to be desired. Murray’s rushing prowess provides him with a safe floor, but his ceiling is closer to QB7/QB8 than it is to QB1/2.
*Completion Percentage adjusted for drops, spikes, throwaways, hit as thrown, and batted passes.
11. Bo Nix (QB, DEN) – I’m not a Nix hater, I’m just not a Bo-liever. Last year’s breakout is driving up the price, and fantasy managers are buying all the risk. Nix didn’t have a 300-yard passing game until Week 11, and he only had one more after that. Nix had 10 passing touchdowns through Week 10, failing to throw a single touchdown in half of the first ten games. What kept him afloat during those lean passing games was his rushing. Nix finished inside the top ten in rushing yards for quarterbacks with 430, but not because he ran remarkably well. Nix had a yards per carry of 4.7, but that doesn’t matter when you have as many attempts as Nix did last season; He was one of five quarterbacks with at least 90. But what happens when that number goes down? The Broncos have second-round stud RJ Harvey and recent free agent signing JK Dobbins as their one-two punch. I expect the running back touches to return closer to the norm for a Sean Payton offense this season. I don’t see a world where Nix finishes inside the top five, so drafting him at QB8 is buying all the risk. Unless his passing numbers improve significantly, a drastic drop in rushing attempts could be devastating for Nix’s fantasy value in 2025.
12. Justin Fields (QB, NYJ) – Finally free from Chicago and Pittsburgh, Justin Fields heads to …the Jets. Yes, I know, I know, it’s the Jets, but hear me out. I love the hiring of Aaron Glenn, and with him comes Tanner Engstrand, the first-time offensive coordinator who served under Ben Johnson as the Lions’ passing game coordinator for the past two seasons. Fields does have a better arm than he’s shown in the pros. He threw for 5,701 yards and 62 touchdowns in his college career. Notably, his completion percentage and QB rating have improved in every one of his first four seasons in the NFL. If Fields can become just decent enough of a passer, a top-five fantasy finish is within reach. In 1QB, I’d pair him with a Justin Herbert-type high-floor QB to offset the risk of Fields. In Superflex, Fields is my prototypical QB2 target—an ADP value with upside.
Tier 4: The Flea Market Tier
A hodgepodge of throwers of the football.
13. Trevor Lawrence (QB, JAC) – Trevor Lawrence enters 2025 with a new head coach for the fourth time in five seasons. Thankfully, Liam Coen hails from the much-beloved, uber-productive Sean McVay coaching tree. In just one season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, Coen rejuvenated both the Bucs offense and Baker Mayfield‘s career. There was a lot to like about how Lawrence played pre-shoulder injury last year. He had the third-highest accuracy rate (83.25) and the second-highest average depth of target (9.8) among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts. Lawrence is coming off back-to-back seasons of over 4,000 passing yards, and averaged 321 rushing yards and about four rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons, adding nearly four extra points per game. Jacksonville addressed the offensive line this offseason and made a splash by trading up to draft Heisman Trophy winner WR/CB Travis Hunter. Paired with Pro Bowl sophomore wideout Brian Thomas Jr., the duo already appears to headline the best arsenal of weapons TLaw has had in his professional career. Is a QB1 overall season in his future? Likely not. But a top-10 fantasy finish is undoubtedly attainable. Maybe as early as this year.
14. Baker Mayfield (QB, TB) – Last season’s 41 touchdown barrage by Baker Mayfield produced a career-high 7.3% touchdown rate (the number of touchdowns thrown per passing attempt) after averaging 4.5% over the previous four seasons. Just four quarterbacks have had a touchdown rate over 7% in the past five seasons (per teamrankings.com). Touchdown rate wasn’t the only stat Baker produced an outlier in last year. He also had the best competition percentage of his career in 2024 at 71.4%, nearly ten percent higher than the rate of his previous four years (61.9%). There are concerns surrounding Mayfield’s supporting cast, as well. Mike Evans is a surefire Hall of Famer, but he’ll be 32 this August. Chris Godwin‘s return to the field is up in the air after a grueling Week 7 dislocated ankle. Even when he returns, he’ll be eased into action, and a return to form is far from a guarantee. Tristan Wirfs, arguably the best LT in the league, is uncertain to be ready for the start of the season. And with Liam Coen leaving for Jacksonville, the Bucs promoted passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator. Tampa is banking on a plug-and-play OC swap, but significant question marks remain. Mayfield should end up a borderline QB1, but his ADP inside the top 10 quarterbacks is a classic overpay after a career season.
15. C.J. Stroud (QB, HOU) – C.J. Stroud‘s sophomore step back isn’t all that surprising when you dig into the details. Stroud faced pressure on 34.8% of his drop-backs (the highest rate in the NFL) and was sacked 52 times (the second most). When given time, Stroud was just fine, with a completion percentage of 70.1% and yards per attempt of 7.3. When pressured, his completion percentage dipped to 47.6% and yards per attempt dropped a whole yard to 6.3. Thankfully, Houston revamped its line this offseason, signing a handful of veterans in OG Laken Tomlinson, OT Cam Robinson, and OT Trent Brown, trading for OG Ed Ingram, and drafting OT Aireontae Ersery in the 2nd round. The offensive line should be improved, but to what degree will determine Stroud’s true bounce-back potential. Another positive development is Houston’s acquisitions of both talent and depth at wide receiver: signing Christian Kirk and drafting Iowa State teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel at 34th and 79th overall. Stroud’s being drafted way below his floor around the QB 18-20 mark. The difference is that a QB1 overall season is still in the realm of possibility for Stroud.
16. Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) – Rayne Dakota Prescott is another guy who I’m drastically lower on than most. I’m not into hot takes or interested in false claims for clicks. But at age 32, coming off yet another season with significant time missed due to injury and projected to have one of the league’s worst offensive lines, I’m out on him. O-line stalwart Zack Martin retired this offseason from an offensive line that already had its issues with him on it. Dak could make me look like a complete fool, especially with newly acquired George Pickens starting opposite of Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb. But I’ll take my chances betting against an old, oft-injured quarterback with a turnstile-filled offensive line.
17. Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) – No quarterback has a broader range of outcomes than Tuanigamanuolepola Tagovailoa. After suffering three terrifying concussions over two years, retirement was a legitimate option for Tua during and after last season. Even with the extremely valid health concerns, I believe his talent, Mike McDaniel on the joysticks, and the weapons at his disposal mean Tua can put up crooked numbers with the best of them. He’s being underdrafted, and understandably so. But the upside is worth the risk of drafting Tua with an ADP of QB21.
18. J.J. McCarthy (QB, MIN) – The J.J. McCarthy hype was so palpable after Week 1 of the 2024 preseason, you could practically taste it. Then it was revealed he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee and would miss his entire rookie season. It was quite the gut punch, but he’s back and in practically the same situation for 2025. I don’t get why the same energy isn’t surrounding him this draft season. Sam Darnold stepping in and having a career year should thrill McCarthy believers. They have one of the best offensive lines in football. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison (after his three-game suspension) will line up at wide receiver. TJ Hockenson is healthy. Aaron Jones Sr. is a year older, but they added Jordan Mason in the backfield. I. Just. Don’t. Get. It. McCarthy is an ideal target in 1QB leagues, boasting a perfect pairing of low acquisition cost and untapped upside.
19. Justin Herbert (QB, LAC) – This ranking isn’t a knock on Justin Herbert‘s talent. I love what Jim Harbaugh is doing for the Chargers from an NFL or “real” football standpoint, just not from a fantasy football perspective. Herbert’s 7.7 yards per attempt were the highest of his career, and he finished with a QBR over 100 for the first time. However, he averaged fewer than 30 passing attempts for the first time in his career, had just two games with over 300 passing yards, and had more games with 1 or 0 passing touchdowns (9) than with two or more (8). Throwing just three more touchdowns in 2024 despite playing in four more games than 2023 is not great. Herbie is a safe-ish pick at QB15, but his ceiling’s capped in the Harbaugh-led offense. I’d rather C.J. Stroud or Jordan Love for the upside.
20. Drake Maye (QB, NE) – Most of Drake Maye‘s production has come on the ground, raising both his floor and ceiling. But before the former Tar Heel can leap into the next level, Maye must first drastically improve his passing production. Though he has 12 career starts, Maye has thrown multiple touchdowns in just four of his first 12 starts, and he’s yet to have a 300-yard game.
21. Jared Goff (QB, DET) – Jared Goff‘s floor is a lot lower than most want to admit. It’s not just the fact that the Lions lost Ben Johnson as a play caller; it’s the fact that their offensive line underwent a significant overhaul this offseason with the retirement of C Frank Ragnow and the loss of OG Kevin Zeitler in free agency. The Lions offense isn’t going to become one of the league’s worst, and Goff (hopefully) won’t spontaneously combust, but with an ADP of QB10, he won’t wind up on any of my fantasy teams in either 1QB or Superflex.
Tier 5: The Junk Drawer Tier
It’s full of stuff. And things.
22. Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL) – Michael Penix Jr. showed some growth over his first three starts in the Falcons’ final three games. He did throw an interception in each game and totalled just three touchdowns, but his yardage totals and touchdowns increased with each game. He’s a wild card from a fantasy perspective with a wide range of outcomes. Penix finds himself in a great situation with a plethora of weapons, but an older prospect with an injury history does have a cloud of risk following him. If you draft him in 1QB leagues, be sure to pair him with a safe, high-floor option like Geno Smith in case Penix flops.
23. Cameron Ward (QB, TEN) – The first overall pick in this year’s draft is not someone I’m interested in for fantasy purposes. I’m not drafting Cam Ward in 1QB leagues, and he’s a backup at best in Superflex.
24. Bryce Young (QB, CAR) – He’s neither a target nor a player I’m explicitly avoiding. But for me, the limited upside isn’t worth the headache of figuring out if the real Bryce Young is his pre-benching or post-benching form from 2024.
25. Geno Smith (QB, LV) – The McDouble of Quarterbacks. If a McDouble passes a touchdown to a McDouble, is that a McDouble Double?
26. Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR) – Reports are “confident” out of Rams camp that Matthew Stafford will be ready for Week 1 despite his current back issues. But I’m staying far away from the 37-year-old quarterback with a history of back issues who had to get an epidural because of bulging disc pain.
27. Sam Darnold (QB, SEA) – Good on Sam Darnold for cashing in all his chips from his career revival in Minnesota, but he won’t have the Vikings’ offensive line in Seattle, where he may find himself seeing ghosts once again. Seattle was one of the worst pass-blocking units in the entire league in 2024, with an average time to pressure for their quarterbacks of 2.5 seconds. When Darnold had over 2.5 seconds before pressure last season, he completed 73.8% of his passes. But when he had 2.5 seconds or less? His completion percentage plummeted to 45.5%. The Seahawks did make moves in an attempt to shore up the o-line. But even if the line improves, Darnold’s going to see an exponential increase in pressure when he drops back in Seattle. I’m avoiding at all costs.
Tier 6: The IKEA Tier
A warm body at a great value!
28. Daniel Jones (QB, IND) – A potential post-hype sleeper who costs nearly nothing, if Jones wins the starting job and the Colts’ o-line can give him time, Danny Dimes could come out of hibernation and offer solid QB2 numbers. Yes, you read that right.
29. Anthony Richardson Sr. (QB, IND) – I’m unsure if Anthony Richardson Sr. can ever put it together. But he’s worth stashing just in case. He’ll have a QB1 overall ceiling until the day he retires. Hopefully, he can learn to pass.
30. Russell Wilson (QB, NYG) – A sneaky Superflex target who could put up some solid point totals. Nothing more than a QB3/backup, but intriguing with Malik Nabers as his WR1.
31. Jaxson Dart (QB, NYG) – I expect to see Jaxson Dart make a few starts this season, but the question is when. He’s off the 1QB radar, but a name to watch for Superflex leagues if/when he becomes the Giants starter.
32. Aaron Rodgers (QB, PIT) – Could Aaron Rodgers have some weeks he’s a viable fantasy starter? Sure. He’s a four-time MVP after all. But I’m not all that interested in a soon-to-be 42-year-old Rodgers two years removed from a ruptured Achilles in an awful Arthur Smith offense. Hard Pass.
33. Joe Flacco (QB, CLE) – If he starts, Elite Joe Flacco is an option as a QB2 in Superflex leagues.
34. Shedeur Sanders (QB, CLE) – Looked good in his first preseason start. Worth watching in case he shocks the world and makes the rest of the league eat their words.
35. Jalen Milroe (QB, SEA) – High upside QB to watch in case Sam Darnold starts seeing ghosts again.
36. Spencer Rattler (QB, NO) – Currently the favorite to open the season as the Saints’ starting quarterback, but expect an ever-changing carousel in New Orleans. Spencer Rattler (or whoever starts) is at best a desperation Superflex play.
37. Tyler Shough (QB, NO) – The ceiling is certainly limited with Shough; he had turnover issues in college and has a reputation for making slow reads. But considering the strong set of weapons he’ll have at his disposal (Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Alvin Kamara) and a head coach in Kellen Moore known for his elite offenses as an OC, Shough is a free lottery ticket. He’s more of a target in Superflex leagues, but there’s no risk at an ADP of QB34. He could offer some upside as a solid 1QB league backup with occasional spike weeks.