Dan Orlovsky again cuts through the noise with his annual QB trait rankings, this year focusing on seven distinct skills: arm strength, ball placement, mechanics, decision‑making, pocket presence, second‑reaction creativity, and rushing ability. The lists are built from current play and 2026 projections and include only starters, using tape review as the foundation.

For arm strength Josh Allen tops the chart, followed by Justin Herbert and Caleb Williams. Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes also appear in the top five, while Lamar Jackson lands at number nine. The evaluation moves beyond deep throws, emphasizing power passes from “funny body” positions, where Allen’s wrist flick and consistent velocity shine.

Ball placement sees Matthew Stafford at the forefront, with Drake Maye, Sam Darnold, and Joe Burrow rounding out the top tier. In mechanics, Stafford and Burrow battle for the lead, with Daniel Jones surprising many in third place due to his clean, repeatable motion across varied RPO scenarios.

These rankings provide a snapshot of the NFL’s best signal‑callers, highlighting who dominates each trait and setting the stage for the 2026 season. Fans and analysts can use these lists to gauge match‑ups and predict how the league’s elite will perform as the season unfolds.