Raking all 32 starting quarterbacks coming into the 2021 season: The top 10

Find out who’s among the NFL’s elite.

By Matt Holleran@HolleranMDH Jun 29, 2021, 12:00pm CDT

Today we wrap up our starting quarterback list heading into the 2021 season by looking at the ten best quarterbacks in football. The list includes some legendary veterans and one surprise name in the top five.

What do you think of the quarterback rankings? Let us know in the comments section.

10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Matt Stafford was arguably the biggest name in football that changed teams this offseason. After 12 productive seasons in Detroit, Stafford was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams. There are not many better spots for a quarterback in football than to be the signal-caller in Sean McVay’s offense, and Stafford has a chance to have the best season of his career this year. He threw 26 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of 96.3 on an awful Lions team last season, so the sky’s the limit for Stafford on the much more talented Rams.

Wild Card Round - Baltimore Ravens v Tennessee Titans

9. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

If you told someone two years ago that Ryan Tannehill would be a top 10 quarterback in football just two years later, they probably would have called you crazy. Tannehill has become a different player since coming over to Tennessee. In two seasons he’s won 18 of the 26 regular season games he has started. Last year, Tannehill had by far the best season of his career. The former first-round pick threw for over 3,800 yards and 33 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. PFF ranked Tannehill as the seventh-best passer in football with a passing rating of 85.2. In a bad division, Tannehill looks poised to lead the Titans to the playoffs for the third-straight season.

8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

After taking home the MVP award in 2019, Lamar Jackson took a bit of a step backward in 2020. Jackson’s completion percentage dipped from 66% to 64%, he threw 10 fewer touchdown passes (36 to 26), and his QBR went from a league-leading 83.0 to 73.7. Jackson still ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns, so he still was clearly a top quarterback in the league. Jackson played better down the stretch in 2020 so we’ll see if he can continue that into 2021.

7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen had a coming-out party last season. The third-year quarterback was one of the best signal-callers in football, throwing for over 4,5000 yards and 37 touchdown passes. Allen’s QBR nearly doubled from 2019, jumping from 49.4 to 81.7. He also was the fifth-highest ranked passer in football, according to PFF. After making it to the AFC Championship game last season, the Bills are reloaded and Allen has a great chance to lead them back.

6. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

For non-football reasons, Deshaun Watson’s NFL future is in limbo, but there’s no denying his talent on the field. Watson had the best statistical season of his career last year, completing over 70% of his passes and tossing 33 touchdown passes. His quarterback rating was also a career-high at 112.4. PFF had Watson ranked with the second-best offensive rating in football among all quarterbacks. There’s certainly no guarantee Watson will be playing football this season, but if he is he’s clearly one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.

5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

If Dak Prescott did not get injured last season, there’s a good chance he would have competed for the MVP award. Before his injury, Prescott was off to the best start of his career. The recently extended quarterback threw nine touchdown passes with a 78.7 QBR in five games. If Prescott was healthy, even with an atrocious defense the Cowboys likely easily win the NFC East and make it back to the postseason. This year, Prescott will once again be at the helm of one of the league’s best offenses. If he produces the way he is capable of, Prescott may elevate himself higher on this list at seasons’ end.

Wild Card Round - Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

At 32 years old, Russell Wilson just continues to elevate his play. The former Wisconsin Badger had his most statistically productive season last year. Wilson threw for over 4,200 yards to go with 40 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 105.1. Wilson had a PFF passing grade over 71 in all but five of the Seahawks’ games and led the team to a winning record for the ninth consecutive season. Wilson is the definition of consistency and keeps proving he is one of the best in the game.

3. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The GOAT continued to add to his résumé last season. At 43 years old, Tom Brady won his seventh Super Bowl, throwing his most touchdown passes (40) since he won MVP back in 2007. Brady was the second-ranked passer in football, according to PFF, and his 102.2 quarterback rating was his best since 2017. It really is just remarkable to see what Brady keeps doing, and he and the Buccaneers are the favorites to win it all again in 2021.

Green Bay Packers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2021 NFC Championship

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers’ future in Green Bay is certainly anything but clear, but the 37-year-old was absolutely dominant in 2020. Rodgers took home his third MVP award, tossing a league-leading 48 touchdown passes to just five interceptions, two coming in one game against Tampa Bay. No matter where he’s playing next season, Rodgers has proven he’s still one of the top two best quarterbacks in football.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Last season Patrick Mahomes continued to show why he’s the best quarterback in football. At just 25 years old, Mahomes led his team to a 14-1 record in 15 games, improving his career regular season record 38-8. He also threw for over 4,700 yards and 38 touchdown passes with a QBR of 82.9. Mahomes led the Chiefs to their second-straight Super Bowl, but was unable to defeat Brady and the Buccaneers. With an improved and rebooted offensive line protecting him, Mahomes is the odds-on favorite to take home the MVP award next season. If he stays healthy, it’s hard to see him not leading Kansas City to at least the AFC Championship game.