Ranking the Top-10 NFL Quarterbacks
As the 2021 NFL season approaches, having one of the top-10 NFL quarterbacks can catapult teams to success. Bruce Gradkowski of Pro Football Focus, using grades that go far beyond just last season, laid the groundwork for finding out the top-10 NFL QBs for 2021 by ranking all 32 starting quarterbacks.
Here are the Top-10 NFL Quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus:
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes has been the standard since he became the Kansas City Chiefs’ full-time quarterback in 2018. He’s PFF’s highest-graded QBs over the past three seasons, and his vastly improved offensive line should help him in his quest to add more trophies to his collection.
2. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: All doubts were erased by Brady in one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did Brady win the Super Bowl, but he defeated league legends like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes through an all-time playoff run. This season, Tampa Bay returns all starters on the offense.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers was phenomenal last season en route to taking home the 2020 MVP Award. Per PFF, Rodgers led the league in overall passing grade (94.7) and passing grade on 20-plus-yard throws (99.5).
4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: After a first half of the season which saw Wilson lead the pack as PFF’s top-ranked quarterback in overall grade (93.3), the Seattle Seahawks QB was also the front-runner for MVP. Alas, the second half of the season wasn’t as productive for Wilson. Consistency has been the name of his game, leading the NFL in big-time throws (214) over the past five years.
5. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans: In 2020, Deshaun Watson carried the Houston Texans offense by having one of his best seasons. He had an impressive 42 big-time throws, while only making 14 turnover-worthy plays.
6. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: Allen rocketed into the top-10 NFL QBs with a fantastic 2020 season. The pride of Buffalo ranked sixth-best in the league with a 79.1% adjusted completion rate. After coming one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance, Allen’s looking to bring the Bills back again in 2021.
7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: He’s back. Prior to a season-ending ankle injury, Prescott was on pace to shatter his career highs. Expect Prescott to pick up where he left off last season. He’s established his name as one of the top-10 NFL quarterbacks.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: He couldn’t replicate his 2019 MVP season, but Jackson’s 2020 season still showcased his dynamic play-making ability. He won his first playoff game in his young career last season. Off-season additions on the offensive side of the ball will help him regain his MVP-level play.
9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: He may have lost wide receiver Julio Jones, but Matt Ryan also gained an offensive guru and a generational talent this off-season. The additions of newly-minted head coach Arthur Smith and first-round tight end Kyle Pitts are invaluable. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley also proved he could handle the opposing secondaries best last season.
10. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski helped take Mayfield from possible bust, to one of the top-10 NFL quarterbacks in 2020. After letting Mayfield adjust to the team’s new offense early in the season, Mayfield was the second highest-graded QB in the league from Week 7 on.