NFL QB Power Rankings: Projecting All 32 Starters In 2025 Pre-NFL Draft

Quincy projects and ranks all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks for the 2025 season. Where does each quarterback (QB) stand pre-NFL Draft before the 2025 season.

Given the lackluster strength of the quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, most starting quarterback jobs around the league are settled. However, a few remain unclaimed with the potential for surprises from this year's draft class, and training camp competitions are still months away. Still, it is never too early to project next year's starters and rank them based on their 2024 performance.

Many of the star quarterbacks remain unmoved on this list. Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow are set up for further success after free agency. Other quarterbacks throughout the league have seen their stocks rise and fall based on the auxiliary moves their teams have made since free agency ended.

Without further ado, let's dive in and see where everyone stands heading into the draft. For now, there are no surprises, but the information revealed on draft night could shake things up.

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No. 32: Kenny Pickett - Cleveland Browns

The Browns added veteran Joe Flacco to their quarterback room after trading for Pickett earlier in the offseason. With the Browns seemingly trending towards not selecting a quarterback in the draft, we could have a solid competition between Flacco and Pickett on our hands. Pickett would appear to have the early inside track, but one cannot ignore the way Flacco has slung the ball around in recent years, even if his production was inconsistent.

No. 31: Cameron Ward - Tennessee Titans

Cameron Ward to the Titans seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. Ward is not as exciting as the 2024 first-round quarterbacks, but he profiles as a potential franchise quarterback nonetheless. There is a decent offensive framework in Tennessee, suggesting Ward could develop well.

No. 30: Derek Carr - New Orleans Saints

For now, we will project Derek Carr as the Saints' 2025 starter.  However, Day 1 of the NFL Draft could completely change that narrative. With Carr reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the whole season, the Saints must be thinking about possible contingency plans. Jaxson Dart to New Orleans, anybody?

The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.

Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery. pic.twitter.com/QNdc9ipE8P

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025

No. 29: Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson should win the starting job in Indianapolis this season. Whether he will hold on to the job is a different story. Richardson has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback, but he has not been able to stay on the field and put things together thus far.

No. 28: Drake Maye - New England Patriots

Drake Maye could be on pace for a sneaky breakout season. The Patriots added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and have improved their defense. They still need a couple of pieces on the offensive line and another receiving weapon, but everything they have done this offseason will help Maye's development in 2025.

No. 27: Michael Penix Jr. - Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. is a dark horse breakout candidate in 2025. He has the talent and the weaponry to do so. He flashed the skills that made him the No. 8 overall pick down the stretch of the 2024 season. With an offseason as the starter, Penix could explode in 2025.

No. 26: Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence is set to return from injury for the Jaguars in 2025. His recovery has reportedly gone well to this point. He has lost several weapons during the offseason, so the draft will be important for the Jaguars and their young signal-caller. Lawrence could move several spots on this list depending on what the Jaguars decide to do.

No. 25: Justin Fields - New York Jets

The Jets and New York City appear to be embracing Justin Fields as their quarterback. Fields has a chance to rehabilitate his career on a team notorious for ruining quarterback careers. Still, Fields will enter the season as the unquestioned starter with no real competition to speak of.

No. 24: Aaron Rodgers - Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers still seems like the most likely choice here. However, Rodgers' recent comments about his serious consideration of retirement suggest that this name could change to that of Mason Rudolph or a draft pick such as Jalen Milroe. With so much currently unknown surrounding Rodgers, the Steelers' quarterback situation remains an enigma for now.

REPORT:

Aaron Rodgers on the Pat McAfee show has said that he hasn’t made a decision on his future, and that retirement is still an option.

The wait continues… pic.twitter.com/egwc45zI5x

— Steelers Draft HQ (@SteelersDraftt) April 17, 2025

No. 23: Russell Wilson - New York Giants

Russell Wilson found a landing spot with the Giants after the Steelers waited (and continue to wait) out Aaron Rodgers. Wilson is a significant upgrade over just about every quarterback the Giants rolled out last season. He should immediately develop a rapport with wide receiver Malik Nabers. The question is whether the Giants will select a quarterback in the draft.

No. 22: J.J. McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy is ready to take the reins in Minnesota. While he has not been officially named the starter, the writing is about as on the wall as it can be. McCarthy is walking into an unbelievable situation that could improve even more on draft night. Watch out for this kid in 2025.

No. 21: Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young displayed enough in 2024 to convince the Panthers to give him a shot at being the franchise quarterback in 2025. The Panthers still have plenty of holes to fill, but Young improved across the board despite a porous roster in 2024. As such, the NFL Draft could prove to be substantially supportive of Young in 2025 if handled properly by the Panthers.

Bryce Young really has ELITE upside dawg

pic.twitter.com/LqItpgqoap

— IAmWestsideFetti 💙🖤🤟🏾 (@4MR_Fetti) April 19, 2025

No. 20: Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears

With new head coach Ben Johnson in town, Williams' ability to succeed has skyrocketed. If Williams cannot succeed in Johnson's quarterback-friendly system, the Bears will need to evaluate the efficacy of their draft pick.

No. 19: Geno Smith -  Las Vegas Raiders

Geno Smith is poised to stabilize the Raiders' quarterback position in 2025. He recently signed an extension with the team that will keep him under contract for the next few seasons. While Smith is back with his old head coach, Pete Carroll, there is no guarantee that he will replicate his Seattle success in Las Vegas.

No. 18: Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray is back in 2025 with all of the great weaponry the Cardinals have employed around him. As the team continues to upgrade its defense, Murray should only be further supported. Still, he has not entered the conversation of elite options at the position to this point in his career, and he frankly may never.

No. 17: Sam Darnold - Seattle Seahawks

Much is unknown about the success Sam Darnold could have in Seattle. Sure, he succeeded in an incredibly quarterback-friendly system under Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. However, new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak runs a quarterback-friendly system of his own. Darnold will be intriguing to watch in 2025.

No. 16: C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud is limited in his offensive weaponry, and his offensive line is in disarray. He will roll into the 2025 season with wide receiver Nico Collins and little other offensive help. Hopefully, the Texans' offensive coordinator switch will help Stroud because he has true top-5 talent at the position.

No. 15: Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is due to return from injury in 2025. The Cowboys have done very little this offseason to further support Prescott and the offense. The 2025 wide receiver draft class is relatively weak, but the Cowboys need to address the position. They also lost guard Zach Martin to retirement and will need to consider replacing him, as the class is loaded with interior offensive line talent.

No. 14: Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy's extension number could drop any day now. If he signs for an exorbitant contract, his production could fall off, given the 49ers' subsequent inability to spend big on other players. Purdy will need to prove that he is an elite quarterback without the presence of All-Pro players all over both sides of the field.

No. 13: Bo Nix - Denver Broncos

Bo Nix is well-positioned to take the next step as an NFL quarterback in 2025. With the Broncos likely to invest heavily in their already solid offense during the NFL Draft, Nix could exit the draft a huge winner. Look for the team to add wide receiver and running back talent on Days 1 and 2.

Bo Nix & 20+ air yard throws ⬇️
🔹 2nd most attempts
🔹 4th most completions
🔹 Tied for 4th in touchdowns (9)

Oh... and here's all those throws to some Creed 💪 😎 pic.twitter.com/VMDeexQnid

— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) April 18, 2025

No. 12: Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa is an excellent quarterback; he simply has trouble staying healthy. The Dolphins have a window to win now that is swiftly closing. They will need to feverishly retool over the next couple of years to remain relevant.

No. 11: Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love is looking to take the next step forward as an elite quarterback in the NFL. He is on the cusp of doing so, but he has been unable to fully put things together for a full season to this point in his career. The Packers will need to continue upgrading their wide receiver corps and hope that their current players take the next step.

No. 10: Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield is coming off an All-World career year. His 2024 season was so out of the ordinary compared to previous years that it seems unrepeatable. With largely the same offense returning in 2025, Mayfield will have all the pieces in place to repeat. However, the NFC South should be a stronger foe this season, and Mayfield seems like a regression candidate.

No. 9: Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams

After nearly leaving the Rams earlier this offseason, Matthew Stafford realized he needs the team as much as they need him. Even as he enters the twilight of his career, Stafford remains one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. With Stafford at the helm, the Rams could make a deep playoff run in 2025.

No. 8: Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is another potential breakout candidate for 2025. He was excellent and efficient in Year 1 of the Jim Harbaugh era, and that does not project to change as we head into Year 2. Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman will have Herbert ready to go in 2025.

No. 7: Jared Goff - Detroit Lions

Jared Goff will be missing former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in 2025, but he will still enjoy the Lions' embarrassment of offensive riches. While he projects to take a slight regression, expect Goff to continue to excel in an offense tailor-made for his skill set.

No. 6: Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels is perhaps the biggest winner of the offseason. He has a new weapon in Deebo Samuel Sr., a new left tackle in Laremy Tunsil, and a commitment from the team to continue adding offensive pieces. Life is good in our nation's capital right now.

No. 5: Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts is enjoying his Super Bowl MVP as the Eagles prepare to run things back in 2025. The chatter surrounding Hurts' inability to be a winner for a contender appears to have been silenced for now. With essentially the same team returning in 2025, Hurts should have no problem repeating his 2024 success this season.

QB Passer Rating in playoffs:

Jalen Hurts: 95.4
Joe Burrow: 93.8
Lamar Jackson: 84.6
Jordan Love: 83.4
Justin Herbert: 60.7

I know what QB I am rolling with come playoff time pic.twitter.com/UjCEHyN13l

— Roll Philly Tide (@PhilaRoll21) April 19, 2025

No. 4: Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes will return in 2025 behind an offensive line that has question marks. However, if the Chiefs can develop their young pieces at the position, they should be right back in the mix. Until the giant is fully slain, one cannot count Mahomes and the Chiefs out.

No. 3: Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow will have both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal in 2025 after the team got long-term deals done with both. With so much money tied up in Burrow and his weapons, the Bengals have little room to spend elsewhere. Even so, with talent like this in the fold, Burrow should put together another MVP-caliber season in 2025.

No. 2: Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will run back their offensive core in 2025. The unit achieved significant success in 2024, with some arguing that Jackson should have won the NFL MVP. Still, the question for Jackson is whether he can overcome the playoff monkey that continues to stay on his back.

No. 1: Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen will enter the 2025 season as the reigning NFL MP for the first time in his career. He does not show any signs of slowing down as the Bills continue to adapt and find ways to win games. The team will likely address some of their offensive holes in the draft and continue to make things easy on Allen.

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