Week 1 NFL QB Power Rankings: Patrick Mahomes opens 2021 at No. 1, while Matthew Stafford cracks top 10

1 Oh so easy. Anybody and everybody would pay cash to observe Mahomes play, as a result of he is nonetheless the standard-bearer with regards to modern-day backyard-style quarterbacking. 2 At 37, has Rodgers ever been extra assured in himself? What he lacks in youth, he greater than makes up for in clutch capability and elite accuracy. One other title run may be very a lot a chance. 3 The occasional pressured throw apart, Russ stays the NFL’s most dependable dual-threat quarterbacks. Let him lean on the run or let him air it out, however both means, he is a lock to maintain you alive on any given play or week. 4 The overall package deal, bodily. Can he really enhance upon 2020? If that’s the case, he is in all probability an MVP front-runner. Holding himself out of hurt’s means might nonetheless be a problem contemplating his knack for extending performs. 5 Father Time has no energy so long as Brady remains to be enjoying. Newly 44, his arm regarded as robust because it has in years down the stretch of the 2020 season. His dedication and contact stay elite. Don’t wager in opposition to him. 6 He is nonetheless obtained issues to show, like working constantly from a clear pocket. However the whole lot factors to a continued ascension for one of many recreation’s most explosive younger arms. L.A. can journey his expertise to playoff rivalry. 7 Well being is an enormous X-factor right here, as he is not solely coming off two accidents however working behind some oft-injured blockers. When upright, nonetheless, he is good in nearly each space: footwork, pocket presence, heavy passing workloads. 8 There are some robust opinions on the market concerning his unproven big-game passing. And, sure, he is a greater weapon than QB more often than not. However come on. His athleticism is unparalleled on the place, and it routinely adjustments video games. 9 Tannehill in 26 begins for the Titans: 55 TDs, 13 INTs and an 18-8 report. It is potential he is nonetheless getting into his prime at 33, and Julio Jones‘ addition might verify it. A bounce towards the highest 5 is not out of the query. 10 Shifting to shiny L.A. would not erase the actual fact Stafford has lengthy been extra good than nice. However his toughness and arm power have by no means been questioned, and now he is obtained a a lot better supporting solid/employees. 11 Such a troublesome one to fit, as a result of by way of upside, few provide the items he does. We’re speaking Lamar Jackson-level influence on the bottom. And he is obtained a rocket for an arm. The query is, can he win extra with smarter selections? 12 If the latter half of 2020 was any indication, he is effectively on his option to a top-10 rating. The arm and gusto are playoff-caliber. We already know he can handle a run-heavy assault. Can he ship extra large throws in large video games, too? 13 Captain Kirk in all probability will get criticized a bit an excessive amount of, though he is anchored within the tier under championship-caliber abilities. His crunch-time resume leaves so much to be desired, however he is correct, environment friendly and able to large performs; stable, if unspectacular. 14 This does not really feel fairly proper for Huge Ben, however who is aware of what he has left? Apparently in higher psychological and bodily form, he is sensible and savvy sufficient to win when it issues. However the days of enjoying Superman are in all probability over. 15 Form of consultant of the Raiders below Jon Gruden: Offensively environment friendly for essentially the most half, however nonetheless caught within the mud as an entire. Carr is best than he will get credit score for, however like Kirk Cousins, we have but to see him carry his crew over the hump. 16 Ryan stays sensible and mechanically sound, however on a semi-rebuilding crew, he would not essentially have the arm or mobility to constantly take over video games. Possibly Arthur Smith will work wonders and set him up for a late-career resurgence. 17 When he is wholesome, he is a wonderfully easy figurehead for Kyle Shanahan’s run- and play-action-heavy assault. However good well being has been laborious to return by, and Trey Lance’s dual-threat expertise is simply ready to be unleashed. 18 Some will say that is too excessive. Some will say it is too low. Burrow nonetheless has lots to show as he comes off a severe knee harm. However his toughness and really feel for the sport are nonetheless top-notch. Let’s hope Cincy offers him the assist he wants. 19 Higher positioned in Denver than he was in Carolina, Teddy is who he’s: a gradual hand with a restricted ceiling. Give him a playoff-caliber roster, and he’ll in all probability get you to the tourney. However do not count on him to deviate a lot from the script. 20 For all of the guff he obtained as a possible 49ers goal on the No. 3 spot within the draft, Jones seems to be to have the poise and decision-making for an early influence. If his receivers assist him out, he ought to have New England again within the playoff combine. 21 The Jets‘ O-line spells bother, however Wilson’s arm is for actual. He’ll nearly assuredly throw himself into bother, however he is obtained the top-level zip to throw himself out of it, too. Spotlight-reel performs shouldn’t be missing as a rookie. 22 Instruments-wise, Lawrence belongs increased on the checklist. However state of affairs performs at the least a small half right here, and he is obtained hurdles to clear enjoying for the Jags. In due time, and with correct assist, he ought to climb towards the highest 15. 23 Nearly universally ranked as a bottom-five QB getting into 2021, Hurts has means an excessive amount of going for him to be written off. The intangibles are off the charts, and his legs are a relentless menace. Nonetheless, can he recurrently scare opponents by way of the air? 24 The Colts had been proper to wager on Wentz’s reunion with Frank Reich, as his ceiling stays top-12ish. If he can keep on the sector, Indy can be good. However is not that all the time the priority? Accidents and COVID battles have already plagued him this 12 months. 25 Look, he is a ton of enjoyable. He is additionally a transparent improve over Alex Smith. Washington has the weapons and protection to assist him out, however he is nonetheless Ryan Fitzpatrick, the journeyman vulnerable to turnover sprees. It would not assist he is nearing 39 with an harm historical past. 26 The opinions on Tua have in all probability been too harsh contemplating the child is recent off an environment friendly, if muted, rookie 12 months. Till we will see what he does with improved weaponry, nonetheless, it is laborious to wager on him as a play-making game-changer. 27 Bombs away, proper? Winston has by no means didn’t flash along with his large arm, and he appears genuinely dedicated to becoming into Sean Payton’s offense as a Drew Brees successor. However psychological miscues have adopted him each step of his NFL profession. 28 Oh, how issues change. Goff is just not a bottom-tier QB at his finest; removed from it. However his days as a Rams standout are lengthy gone. As a placeholder for a rebuilding squad, the percentages are in opposition to him, particularly contemplating his tendency to wilt below stress. 29 One thing tells us he might make a fast dart up the rankings, now that the New York highlight is within the rear view. For now, Darnold has to show he can keep wholesome and align confidence in his arm with sensible selections. 30 All indications are that Dalton is a tough employee and stable teammate, and his Bengals profession was greater than respectable. However he hasn’t been a profitable starter for years. His arrival seems like a marginal improve on Nick Foles as a bridge to Justin Fields. 31 If solely all of Dave Gettleman’s offseason items — new toys on the ability positions — had been wholesome sufficient to develop chemistry with the teenager. Jones has athleticism, however he is but to show he can shield the ball lengthy sufficient to win necessary video games. 32 Good for Taylor, getting one other shot at QB1 duties. However he is a backup enjoying an emergency position. Possibly his legs will enable him to shock, however he is each conservative and never notably correct as a passer, therefore the No. 2 popularity.