Here are all 32 projected starters for their team’s next game ranked worst to first.
Things were muddy early in the season in terms of ranking the quarterbacks. But, the cream has risen to the top, so to speak, and we’re starting to see some real separation in the rankings.
Of note, both Russell Wilson and Anthony Richardson appear likely to start this weekend. They are replacing Justin Fields and Joe Flacco in the rankings.
32. Will Levis (TEN)
Last Week: 16/27, 59.3%, 95 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 83/125, 66.4%, 699 yds, 5 TD / 7 INT
Will Levis was clearly still banged up from the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4. He has been a turnover machine this year, and while he didn’t have any backbreaking turnovers, the kind of turnovers he’s been hacving, 95 yards on 27 attempts is downright terrible. It’s hard to beat out Deshaun Watson for the bottom spot, but he’s done it.
31. Deshaun Watson (CLE)
Last Week: 16/23, 69.6%, 168 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 122/199, 61.3%, 1,020 yds, 5 TD / 3 INT
There just isn’t much more to say about the Deshaun Watson-Browns saga that hasn’t been said. He’s a sad excuse for an NFL starting quarterback. The sooner he is benched, the better.
30. Tyler Huntley (MIA)
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 32/53, 60.4%, 290 yds, 0 TD / 1 INT
It sounds like Tua Tagovailoa could be returning sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Tyler Huntley will try to win another start like he did before the bye. But, it won’t be pretty.
29.Aidan O'Connell (LV)
Last Week: 27/40, 67.5%, 227 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 46/72, 63.9%, 403 yds, 2 TD 2 INT
O’Connell has at least proven over the last two seasons that he’s going to be around for a while as a high-end backup and bridge starter. But, he’s also shown that those roles are likely his ceiling.
28. Spencer Rattler (NO)
Last Week: 22/40, 55.0%, 243 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 22/40, 55.0%, 243 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
The numbers aren’t pretty. But, until Todd Bowles started to throw the kitchen sink at him, Rattler had some pretty good moments in the first half. He does have really good arm talent, and while he needs to develop, the Saints should probably see what they have in him, as their season is going nowhere.
27. Andy Dalton (CAR)
Last Week: 26/38, 68.4%, 221 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 95/144, 66.0%, 896 yds, 7 TD / 4 INT
Dalton continues to provide solid-enough play for the Panthers. The veteran could’ve been a fantastic backup for a team with real playoff aspirations. Instead, he’s playing out the end of his career by participating in meaningless games.
26. Anthony Richardson (IND)
Season Stats: 39/77, 50.6%, 654 yds, 3 TD / 6 INT
The Colts have looked better with Joe Flacco, but with Richardson set to return from injury, they’re going to go back to him. They’re looking for him to be much more efficient and cut down on the turnovers. The talent is there.
25. Bo Nix (DEN)
Last Week: 19/33, 57.6%, 216 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 121/198, 61.1%, 1,082 yds, 5 TD / 5 INT
It was a tale of two halves, as Nix was horrific in the first half before playing much better down the stretch, nearly leading the Broncos back from a 23-0 deficit. He’s going to be up-and-down all year, but the last few weeks has included a few more ups than downs.
24. Drake Maye (NE)
Last Week: 20/33, 60.6%, 243 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 24/41, 58.5%, 265 yds, 3 TD / 2 INT
Given the immense talent gap between the Patriots offense and the Texans defense, Maye played really well in his first half. Yes, there were some turnovers and other poor plays. However, there were also some bright spots, and the offense was no doubt better with him in there compared to Jacoby Brissett. A London matchup against the Jags presents an opportunity for him to build on his solid debut.
23. Daniel Jones (NYG)
Last Week: 22/41, 53.7%, 205 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 136/219, 62.1%, 1,343 yds, 6 TD / 4 INT
Jones took a step back against a Bengals defense that had been porous. But, he’s been much better than last year, and has probably played himself into being a low-end bridge quarterback somewhere else next year.
22. Russell Wilson (PIT)
It appears that Mike Tomlin is going to give Russell Wilson the start over Justin Fields this weekend against the Jets. Wilson, fully healed from a preseason calf injury, will try to inject some life into a pedestrian Pittsburgh offense.
21. Aaron Rodgers (NYJ)
Last Week: 23/35, 65.7%, 294 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 134/217, 61.8%, 1,387 yds, 9 TD / 5 INT
Simply put, Aaron Rodgers is not the same guy he was pre-injury. That’s to be expected, considering he tore his Achilles in his age 39 season last year. There are still flashes of greatness, but his inability to move in the pocket and escape pressure limits his effectiveness. That used to be a strength of his, and now it’s a weakness. Maybe he will look better now that old pal Davante Adams has been acquired.
20. Trevor Lawrence (JAX)
Last Week: 23/35, 65.7%, 234 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 116/191, 60.7%, 1,334 yds, 8 TD / 3 INT
Ignore the Jaguars record. After a poor start to the season, Lawrence has strung together two solid games in a row. There’s still hope that the 25-year-old can turn into an elite quarterback with a different regime that will almost certainly be in place next year.
19. Geno Smith (SEA)
Last Week: 30/52, 57.7%, 312 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 173/251, 68.9%, 1,778 yds, 6 TD / 6 INT
Smith actually leads the NFL in passing yards. But, his play has started to deteriorate in recent weeks after a hot start. He’s found his level, so to speak.
18. Kyler Murray (ARI)
Last Week: 22/32, 68.8%, 214 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 116/170, 68.2%, 1,186 yds, 8 TD / 2 INT
I’d consider Murray to be the first quarterback in a tier of the next half-dozen quarterbacks or so that can fluctuate amongst themselves from week-to-week. Murray’s stats against Green Bay were better than how he played on the field, however. Still, it’s been an encouraging season for him.
17. Dak Prescott (DAL)
Last Week: 17/33, 51.5%, 178 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT
Season Stats: 142/224, 63.4%, 1,602 yds, 8 TD / 6 INT
After Dak led a fantastic comeback against the Steelers in Week 5, he and the entire team laid a complete egg. Dak looked overwhelmed against the Lions from pretty much the jump. He’s back to turning the ball over frequently, something he’s not talented enough to overcome.
16. Jalen Hurts (PHI)
Last Week: 16/25, 64.0%, 264 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 106/157, 67.5%, 1,194 yds, 6 TD / 4 INT
Hurts started 0-5 before getting hot and making some big throws late in the game, including essentially a game-winner down the field to a now-healthy AJ Brown. Expect his play to improve with Brown and Devonta Smith healthy, but Hurts has shown his limitations this year.
15. Caleb Williams (CHI)
Last Week: 23/29, 79.3%, 226 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 130/199, 65.3%, 1,317 yds, 9 TD / 5 INT
Jayden Daniels is stealing all the headlines when it comes to the rookie quarterbacks, for good reason. But, Caleb Williams is starting to play some fantastic football. He’s in total command of a talented Bears offense that is playing much better, and his own talent is starting to shine through.
14. Justin Herbert (LAC)
Last Week: 21/34, 61.8%, 237 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 80/125, 64.0%, 815 yds, 6 TD / 1 INT
Herbert is playing a bit of a different role than he has the last few seasons, as those years featured essentially and Air Raid offense built around his skills. But, he’s pretty good in more of a game manager role, too. As the young pass-catchers progress for the Chargers, Herbert will get to show off his elite talent and productivity more and more.
13. Sam Darnold (MIN)
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 87/137, 63.5%, 1,111 yds, 11 TD / 4 INT
Darnold started the year on fire before a clunker against the Jets in Week 5 prior to a Week 6 bye. It will be interesting to see if he can rebound against the Lions this weekend.
12. Matthew Stafford (LAR)
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 118/175, 67.4%, 1,238 yds, 7 TD / 3 INT
Stafford has done his best to keep the Rams offense alive after it lost Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in the first two weeks of the season. Thankfully, both will be back soon.
11. Brock Purdy (SF)
Last Week: 18/28, 64.3%, 255 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 121/185, 65.4%, 1,629 yds, 9 TD / 4 INT
I’ve often been a Brock Purdy critic, as I think the situation is incredibly advantageous and responsible for a lot of his success. But, it’s hard to ignore his improvement as a pocket passer, especially in his footwork and pocket movement. He’s dangerous as a drop-back passer now, instead of just in the play-action game.
10.Jordan Love (GB)
Last Week: 22/32, 68.8%, 258 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 86/146, 58.9%, 1,131 yds, 6 TD / 4 INT
Love played his best game of the season, looking like the breakout star many expected him to be this year. He shot up the rankings this week. Expect more of the same given that he appears to be getting close to being fully healthy.
9. Kirk Cousins (ATL)
Last Week: 19/30, 63.3%, 225 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 138/207, 66.7%, 1,598 yds, 9 TD / 5 INT
The Falcons relied on a dominant run game in their win over the Panthers. But, it’s become much more difficult to key on that run game compared to the last few years because Cousins can actually hurt teams down the field in the passing game. He’s developing a rapport with Kyle Pitts, a welcome sight for Falcons fans.
8. Baker Mayfield (TB)
Last Week: 24/36, 66.7%, 325 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
Season Stats: 134/189, 70.9%, 1,489 yds, 15 TD / 5 INT
Mayfield overcame three first-half interceptions to help the Bucs produce 600 yards of offense. The production was great, but he can’t have too many more three-interception halves. I expect that will be the last one this season.
7. Jared Goff (DET)
Last Week: 18/25, 72.0%, 315 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 106/149, 71.1%, 1,330 yds, 8 TD / 4 INT
That’s a great statline, yet it somehow wasn’t as good as his zero-incompletion performance from Week 4. All jokes aside, that’s two stellar games from Goff in a row after a bit of a slow start. It helps when a team is running the ball as well as the Lions are, but he’s making the right reads and making some truly fantastic throws.
6. Jayden Daniels (WAS)
Last Week: 24/35, 68.6%, 269 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 125/166, 75.3%, 1,404 yds, 6 TD / 2 INT
The four-game win streak for the Commanders is gone, but Daniels hung in there against the best team they’ve played all year. Most stellar rookies hit a wall at some point, even if for just a few games. But, I’m not sure Daniels will. He’s in total command of the offense and has all the tools. He’s truly a joy to watch play.
5. Josh Allen (BUF)
Last Week: 19/25, 76.0%, 215 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 98/156, 62.8%, 1,160 yds, 10 TD / 0 INT
The criticism most used against Josh Allen is that he simply throws too many interceptions. Through six games and over 156 attempts, he hasn’t thrown a single one. Allen is right in the MVP race, and he and the four quarterbacks ranked ahead of them make up the true top tier. Now, he gets to throw to Amari Cooper after the Bills traded for the star, and that will only make things easier for him.
4. CJ Stroud (HOU)
Last Week: 20/31, 64.5%, 192 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 142/208, 68.3%, 1,577 yds, 10 TD / 4 INT
It wasn’t Stroud’s most efficient game on Sunday against New England, and he looked a bit lost at times with favorite target Nico Collins on IR. But, I have no concerns that he won’t figure out how to succeed without him. He’s still as good as anyone in the league throwing from the pocket.
3. Joe Burrow (CIN)
Last Week: 19/28, 67.9%, 208 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
Season Stats: 144/201, 71.6%, 1,578 yds, 12 TD / 2 INT
Burrow cooled down a bit from a ferocious run from weeks 2-5, but still had a solid game. A great Giants pass rush had something to do with that. What separates the good quarterbacks from the great ones is that when things weren’t there for Burrow down the field like they have been lately, he routinely took what the defense gave him.
2. Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 111/160, 69.4%, 1,235 yds, 6 TD / 6 INT
Mahomes has thrown an interception in all five starts this year, though his Week 5 interception was off of Juju Smith-Schuster’s hands. The best player on the planet will take care of the ball a bit more out of the bye, I’m sure of it.
1. Lamar Jackson (BAL)
Last Week: 20/26, 76.9%, 323 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Season Stats: 118/176, 67.0%, 1,529 yds, 10 TD / 2 INT
Lamar Jackson won the MVP last year against an admittedly weak field. But, he’s been better this year, and this is the best passing season of his career. When a guy with his running ability is throwing the ball the way Jackson is, good luck slowing that offense down. Mahomes is the Vegas favorite for betting odds, but through six weeks the award should go to Jackson once again. His improvement into one of the game’s most lethal pocket passers is really a joy to watch.