Numerous summers ago, I got into an argument with a Facebook friend about Russell Wilson being a top-three NFL quarterback. That, plus Ron Jaworski’s quarterback list got me thinking about making a power ranking for signal-callers. I figured it would be nice to have this as a yearly feature during the summer. So, here it is. If you disagree with anything on here, leave a comment below. Note that I’m grading the starters of each team only, so don’t be confused if a talented backup is left off the list. Also, this list is for this upcoming year only, so long-term ability is not taken into account.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
NFL Quarterback Power Rankings 2024: Updated Sept. 1, 2024
32.
Sam Darnold, Vikings. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: 27. 2019 Ranking: 15. 2018 Ranking: 30. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. I don’t know what’s more difficult to believe: Sam Darnold being given another chance to start, or the fact that he was ranked 15th on this list five years ago. Darnold had a promising rookie year, but has never lived up to his potential. Could he be a late bloomer like another former Jet, Geno Smith?
31.
Russell Wilson, Steelers. 2023 Ranking: 17. 2022 Ranking: 6. 2021 Ranking: 4. 2020 Ranking: 2. 2019 Ranking: 4. 2018 Ranking: 4. 2017 Ranking: 3. 2016 Ranking: 2. 2015 Ranking: 3. Last year was the first time Russell Wilson had ever been out of the top 10 in these rankings. Wilson was a disaster in 2022, throwing for only 16 touchdowns, which was by far the fewest in any season of his career. I thought there was a chance Wilson would rebound with Sean Payton serving as an upgrade over Nathaniel Hackett, but Wilson was just as bad last season. He was so terrible that he was benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
30.
Bo Nix, Broncos. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Bo Nix is a checkdown machine with mobility. He was seen by many as a second-round prospect, but the Broncos reached for him at No. 12 overall this past April. There’s a very real chance the Broncos draft Shedeur Sanders first overall next April, as seen in my 2025 NFL Mock Draft, effectively treating Nix like the Cardinals did with Josh Rosen.
29.
Gardner Minshew, Raiders. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: 29. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Gardner Minshew had some poor performances in Indianapolis after taking over for the injured Anthony Richardson, but he also nearly led the Colts to the playoffs. In fact, Indianapolis would have won the division if it weren’t for a dropped pass on a weird fourth-down play in the final week of the season.
28.
Drake Maye, Patriots. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Jacoby Brissett is technically the starting quarterback of the Patriots, but it won’t be long before Drake Maye replaces him. Maye has Josh Allen-type upside, but as with Allen, there will be a steep learning curve. Maye will also be burdened with an anemic offensive line.
27.
Will Levis, Titans. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Will Levis took over during the midway point of the 2023 season. He had some great moments – particularly in his debut versus the Falcons and in a Monday night upset against the Dolphins – but he didn’t look like a viable pro quarterback at other times. Levis will have an opportunity to blossom with Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and Tony Pollard serving as new weapons.
26.
Bryce Young, Panthers. 2023 Ranking: 26. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Bryce Young had a horrendous rookie year, but all hope isn’t lost. Young was stricken with a poor offensive line and awful receiving corps, both of which have been rectified this offseason. The Dave Canales hire should help Young as well, given that Canales was able to revive the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield the past two years.
25.
Daniel Jones, Giants. 2023 Ranking: 16. 2022 Ranking: 27. 2021 Ranking: 28. 2020 Ranking: 16. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Daniel Jones enjoyed a solid 2022 season that got him ranked 16th on this page. However, he regressed last year. To be fair, Jones has never possessed an elite receiver or a solid offensive line. He’ll finally have the former in Malik Nabers, but the blocking still sucks. Saquon Barkley departing will be a hit to Jones’ outlook as well.
24.
Jayden Daniels, Redskins. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Jayden Daniels easily won the starting quarterback job with an outstanding training camp and preseason. He has great mobility on top of his passing skills, so he projects as a potential perennial Pro Bowler.
23.
Deshaun Watson, Browns. 2023 Ranking: 8. 2022 Ranking: 9. 2021 Ranking: 6. 2020 Ranking: 5. 2019 Ranking: 11. 2018 Ranking: 10. 2017 Ranking: 24. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Deshaun Watson was horrendous when he returned from his suspension in 2022. He was so bad that he made Jacoby Brissett look like an All-Pro by comparison. The excuse made when I ranked Watson eighth was that he hadn’t played football in two years and wasn’t familiar at all with his supporting cast. I thought there was a real chance he’d revert to 2020 form with an entire offseason to re-adjust. I was way off, as Watson continued to be dreadful and was once again outplayed by another one of his backups, Joe Flacco.
22.
Geno Smith, Seahawks. 2023 Ranking: 18. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: 30. Geno Smith was considered a steal when the Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Smith was a big bust in New York, but he was able to persevere and work extremely hard. It’s great to see that Smith’s relentless work ethic paid off. Smith was great for the Seahawks in his first full season as a starter with the team. He regressed a bit last year, so we’ll see if that trend continues in 2024.
21.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers. 2023 Ranking: 29. 2022 Ranking: 15. 2021 Ranking: 11. 2020 Ranking: 20. 2019 Ranking: 13. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Baker Mayfield is coming off an excellent season in which he led the Buccaneers to the second round of the playoffs. There’s cause for skepticism this year, however, as Mayfield won’t be coached up by quarterback whisperer Dave Canales again. Furthermore, Mike Evans is 31, which is often the age in which speed receivers decline.
20.
Caleb Williams, Bears. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Caleb Williams has all the tools to become a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback, including elite pocket awareness. He also has a great supporting cast that should allow him to thrive immediately.
19.
Derek Carr, Saints. 2023 Ranking: –. 2022 Ranking: 14. 2021 Ranking: 22. 2020 Ranking: 25. 2019 Ranking: 24. 2018 Ranking: 14. 2017 Ranking: 5. 2016 Ranking: 18. 2015 Ranking: 26. Derek Carr epitomizes the word mediocrity. He’s good enough to lead a team to the playoffs in a stacked team, but can’t carry an average or worse squad to the postseason. Carr needs to be coached up, but Dennis Allen is one of the worst coaches in the NFL.
18.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals. 2023 Ranking: 22. 2022 Ranking: 12. 2021 Ranking: 8. 2020 Ranking: 11. 2019 Ranking: 22. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Kyler Murray is a dynamic dual threat, but there are some concerns. There were earlier worries about his presence in the locker room. Even worse, Murray’s work ethic came into question when his new contract stipulated that he must study four hours of game film on his own every week. Murray has also yet to complete a full NFL season because of his extensive injury history.
17.
Anthony Richardson, Colts. 2023 Ranking: 30. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Anthony Richardson’s outlook seemed bleak when he could barely complete basic throws last preseason, but he was terrific when the real games began. Unfortunately for Richardson, he suffered an injury in every single game in which he played, so his poor durability must be taken into account in these rankings.
16.
Brock Purdy, 49ers. 2023 Ranking: 19. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Brock Purdy once again proved that he’s the ideal game manager. It helps that he has immense talent around him, but Purdy just finds ways to win. He nearly defeated the Chiefs in the previous Super Bowl, taking the defending champions to overtime.
15.
Kirk Cousins, Falcons. 2023 Ranking: 11. 2022 Ranking: 13. 2021 Ranking: 18. 2020 Ranking: 22. 2019 Ranking: 19. 2018 Ranking: 15. 2017 Ranking: 16. 2016 Ranking: 19. 2015 Ranking: –. Kirk Cousins was having one of the best years of his career in 2023 when disaster struck. He tore his Achilles and missed the second half of the season. He’s an older player coming off a torn Achilles, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be 100 percent this upcoming year.
14.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets. 2023 Ranking: 6. 2022 Ranking: 2. 2021 Ranking: 2. 2020 Ranking: 4. 2019 Ranking: 3. 2018 Ranking: 2. 2017 Ranking: 1. 2016 Ranking: 1. 2015 Ranking: 1. Like Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers is an old quarterback who is coming off a torn Achilles. It remains to be seen how Rodgers, nearly 41, will perform, but he’ll be an upgrade by default over Zach Wilson.
13.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys. 2023 Ranking: 13. 2022 Ranking: 11. 2021 Ranking: 13. 2020 Ranking: 19. 2019 Ranking: 25. 2018 Ranking: 21. 2017 Ranking: 12. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Dak Prescott has played behind a great offensive line for most of his career. He’s been exposed when some of the blockers have been injured. Dallas lost two of its top blockers this offseason, so there’s reason to believe that he’ll regress in 2024.
12.
Jordan Love, Packers. 2023 Ranking: 31. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. “No Cookie” Jordan Love was seen as a very raw quarterback when he entered the NFL. It was very unclear how Love will perform heading into 2023, but he beat all expectations. Love had some rough performances, but was terrific at times, particularly on Thanksgiving and in the final month of the season, including when he nearly beat the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. With Love and the receivers having much more experience, much is expected from the Packer quarterback in 2024.
11.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins. 2023 Ranking: 14. 2022 Ranking: 19. 2021 Ranking: 26. 2020 Ranking: 30. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. My main concern with Tua Tagovailoa, as written in last year’s recap, was his ability to remain on the field. Tagovailoa finally had a healthy season, but everyone around him got hurt instead. Tagovailoa may have his best statistical year yet, as Miami’s defense has taken a hit, which means Tagovailoa may have to throw a lot more in second halves this year.
10.
Jared Goff, Lions. 2023 Ranking: 12. 2022 Ranking: 24. 2021 Ranking: 27. 2020 Ranking: 23. 2019 Ranking: 14. 2018 Ranking: 19. 2017 Ranking: 30. 2016 Ranking: 29. 2015 Ranking: –. Jared Goff was originally a byproduct of great coaching (Sean McVay, Greg Olson) as well as an elite offensive line. Goff lost Olson and some key blockers after 2018, which would explain a major decline in his production. Goff, however, found a second career in Detroit. Granted, he’s once again being protected by an elite offensive line, but Goff has worked hard to improve the mental part of his game.
9.
Matthew Stafford, Rams. 2023 Ranking: 10. 2022 Ranking: 7. 2021 Ranking: 9. 2020 Ranking: 15. 2019 Ranking: 18. 2018 Ranking: 12. 2017 Ranking: 9. 2016 Ranking: 13. 2015 Ranking: 15. Matthew Stafford was always limited by bad coaching and a mediocre supporting cast in Detroit. We all saw how great Stafford could be with incredible coaching and a stellar group of receivers and blockers. It was no surprise that he won the Super Bowl in his first year with the Rams. Things took a turn for the worse in 2022 regarding Stafford’s health and blocking, but things seem back to normal now.
8.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars. 2023 Ranking: 7. 2022 Ranking: 18. 2021 Ranking: 12. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Trevor Lawrence got off to a hot start in 2023, leading the Jaguars to an 8-3 record through 12 weeks. Then, the injuries came. Lawrence inexplicably suffered a new injury every single week, resulting in the team’s one-win collapse to close out the year. Lawrence will rebound this upcoming season.
7.
Justin Herbert, Chargers. 2023 Ranking: 3. 2022 Ranking: 8. 2021 Ranking: 10. 2020 Ranking: 31. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Justin Herbert took the NFL by storm as a rookie. Now, four years later, he can say that he has the most passing yards (17,223) of any quarterback in NFL history through four seasons. However, this has not translated into any sort of playoff success. Herbert will now be playing in a run-first offense with a diminished receiving corps.
6.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles. 2023 Ranking: 4. 2022 Ranking: 23. 2021 Ranking: 31. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Jalen Hurts’ relentless work ethic allowed him to improve his passing ability by leaps and bounds. He emerged as an MVP favorite two seasons ago, ultimately leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl. It’s possible that Hurts wasn’t even 100 percent in the playoffs as a result of a shoulder injury he suffered in December. Hurts should continue to bolster his game, so with Saquon Barkley aiding him in the backfield, he should be considered one of the leading candidates to win MVP in 2024.
5.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens. 2023 Ranking: 9. 2022 Ranking: 10. 2021 Ranking: 7. 2020 Ranking: 7. 2019 Ranking: 23. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Lamar Jackson just won MVP for the second time in his career. The last time he won MVP, he disappointed the following season because his offensive line suffered multiple injuries and departures. That’s exactly what transpired this offseason, with three Baltimore blockers leaving for other teams.
4.
Josh Allen, Bills. 2023 Ranking: 5. 2022 Ranking: 4. 2021 Ranking: 5. 2020 Ranking: 10. 2019 Ranking: 29. 2018 Ranking: 31. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Josh Allen was a raw passer with great mobility as a rookie, and then he made a big leap in his second season. And yet, he made the same type of jump in his third season, becoming a top-five NFL quarterback. Allen’s stats were stagnant after that, and it’s fair to wonder if he’ll suffer any sort of decline with Stefon Diggs now in Houston.
3.
C.J. Stroud, Texans. 2023 Ranking: 27. 2022 Ranking: –. 2021 Ranking: –. 2020 Ranking: –. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. C.J. Stroud made Panthers owner Axe Tepper look like a complete imbecile for selecting Bryce Young over him. All Stroud did was put together the best rookie quarterback season of all time. A sophomore slump seems unlikely, given Stroud’s skills, high football IQ, and stacked receiving corps.
2.
Joe Burrow, Bengals. 2023 Ranking: 2. 2022 Ranking: 3. 2021 Ranking: 16. 2020 Ranking: 17. 2019 Ranking: –. 2018 Ranking: –. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Joe Burrow is the No. 1 quarterback against the blitz, which is remarkable, given how young he is. Burrow is only entering his fifth season, and he’s expected to make another big leap this year because he has an improved offensive line. Burrow looked like he was going to lead his team to the playoffs last year, but suffered a season-ending injury versus Baltimore. He should be able to pick up where he left off.
1.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs. 2023 Ranking: 1. 2022 Ranking: 1. 2021 Ranking: 1. 2020 Ranking: 1. 2019 Ranking: 2. 2018 Ranking: 16. 2017 Ranking: –. 2016 Ranking: –. 2015 Ranking: –. Two years ago, someone working the ticket counter at a Las Vegas sportsbook told me that “Patrick Mahomes is no longer a difference maker at this stage of his career.” This person is clearly an idiot. Mahomes continues to be the best quarterback in the NFL, and there’s no doubting that. He has no weaknesses. He has a rocket arm, great accuracy, dangerous mobility, infectious leadership, a very high football IQ, and a tireless work ethic. Amazingly, Mahomes wasn’t voted as the top quarterback on the NFL Top 100 Players list, so he’ll be motivated to prove his doubters wrong despite coming off back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
