Top 33 dynasty quarterback rankings, from Lamar Jackson to Kirk Cousins

New York Times

2 days ago

This week marks the start of a series where I break down my positional rankings, beginning with the quarterbacks. I'm a big fan of using tiers in my rankings and drafts, so I'll be adding those as well. Following each tier, I'll give a few 'awards' and provide commentary. For reference, you can find all my rankings on FantasyPros.
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When ranking quarterbacks, I always take a SuperFlex format mindset, considering those who are must-draft candidates within the first round. Many analysts like to fade the position due to a perceived overvalued status, but that's a mistake in my mind. Ask any manager who doesn't have a top quarterback, regardless of format, and you'll understand why I always seek to have a top name on my team, and in SuperFlex, at least three starters and a developmental player.
Many have a much thinner first tier – not me! I'd be very satisfied trotting any of these top names out on Sundays.
Highest risk: Jalen Hurts, PHI
Most impact: Lamar Jackson, BAL
Most upside: Jayden Daniels, WAS
Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm as a rookie in 2024. A combination of performance as a passer and mobility finds him atop many new SuperFlex start-up drafts, and with good reason. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson should be solid for years to come, while Patrick Mahomes is slipping due to a lack of targets and an aging Travis Kelce. Jalen Hurts remains a top-tier player due to offensive scheme, weapons and at least one more year of the tush push, but his value is slipping in 2025. Joe Burrow won't be losing his receivers now and, thus, maintains his place in my top tier.
Because of the names in the top tier, combined with the youth in my third tier, my second tier consists of only two names. I fully expect this will be resolved by this time next year, with multiple names moving up from Tier 3.
Most to prove: C.J. Stroud, HOU
To be honest, both quarterbacks have a lot to prove in 2025. C.J. Stroud regressed badly in 2024 (QB18), while Justin Herbert produced as the QB13 last season. There are reasons to believe both will materially improve upon their 2024 production, but until they do, it's wait-and-see, and I won't be surprised if they are leapfrogged by more than one 2024 rookie.
Both names continue to fall in SuperFlex drafts, usually appearing in or after the third round.
Daniels stole the show among the rookie quarterbacks last season, while fellow rookies Caleb Williams and Bo Nix showed flashes. Both need to take developmental steps in 2025, and if they do, it's not out of the question that they could attain Tier 1 status.
Highest ceiling: Caleb Williams, CHI
Lowest floor: Trevor Lawrence, JAX
There is no sugarcoating what we saw in 2024. Caleb Williams struggled, holding the ball too long and taking a league-leading 68 sacks. At the same time, the Bears continue to add playmakers on offense, providing few excuses should Williams struggle again. As for Trevor Lawrence, he gets one more season to remain healthy and put together a career campaign. He's failed to live up to his 'generational' label thus far, but a young receiver corps and new offensive system provide reasons to be optimistic.
Normally, I'd try to break this tier up into two different tiers, but I can't, so I'm rolling with what I've got. There's plenty of upside at the top of the tier, and enough intrigue in the middle. But, even at the bottom of the tier, some stories may have legs deep into 2025. There's something for everyone here, and the size of the tier could be a factor in SuperFlex. As drafts unfold, managers could elect to punt on a QB2 in hopes of stacking other positions before looping back to address the need. With nearly half of the NFL starters residing in Tier 4, there is considerable positional flexibility.
Most upside: Justin Fields, NYJ
Most underrated: Jared Goff, DET
Highest risk: Cam Ward, TEN
Most faded: Anthony Richardson, IND
Most intriguing: J.J. McCarthy, MIN
Biggest sleeper: Sam Darnold, SEA
Biggest underdog: Bryce Young, CAR
I look up and down this list and see so many interesting stories. Justin Fields in the Jets' green and white feels like a fit that will finally unlock his upside, reunited with fellow Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson. Jared Goff has been overlooked year after year. Consider his past two seasons, and you will find QB8 (2023) and QB6 (2024) rankings. What more can you ask for? He's only 30 years old. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Drake Maye is trending up in a big way!
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Baker Mayfield, like Goff, continues to be faded in drafts. I'm very interested in J.J. McCarthy taking over for Sam Darnold. He now has a year of watching from the sidelines and inherits an offense that helped Darnold put up 14 victories. I won't draft McCarthy as a top-two option in SuperFlex, but sign me up for a selection as my QB3. The same goes for Cam Ward — a lot of risk, a lot of upside. I'm staying away from Dak Prescott, even with the nice addition of George Pickens, which should pay immediate dividends. Prescott can't move any longer, and without that element, I don't see enough to be excited about.
Lastly, we have the plights of Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. Young showed promise in the second half of 2024, while Richardson showed little improvement or signs of turning the corner. Richardson is in a fight with Daniel Jones for the starting role. Young will be under center for the Panthers, looking to pick up where he left off last season.
This tier is all about taking on risk. If in SuperFlex, you can't allow yourself to be in a situation where you need a starter from this group, though you could do worse than Geno Smith for a season. In SuperFlex, I'm always on the lookout for a developmental QB4, and I love taking late stabs. Remember, quarterbacks are the coin of the realm in the format, and a timely selection could net a high draft pick via trade next year.
Most upside: Jaxson Dart, NYG
Highest ceiling: Jalen Milroe, SEA
Biggest sleeper: Daniel Jones, IND
Jaxson Dart is going to get his chance, and I'll be surprised if it isn't before Week 10. It's a tall order for the rookie in New York, and I don't feel the team has done enough to help a quarterback be successful. For ceiling, Jalen Milroe is impossible to ignore. Playing behind Sam Darnold, anything is possible, but don't expect to see Milroe in 2025 outside of special packages utilizing his athleticism. As a passer, Milroe suffered notably with accuracy in college. So did Josh Allen.
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Daniel Jones is in a better situation than most give him credit for. The Colts aren't a bad team and aren't without offensive upside. Adding rookie TE Tyler Warren should provide a new dimension to the offense not seen since Dallas Clark. If Jones bests Richardson for the starting gig, he could be a late-round steal.
Not listed here is Aaron Rodgers, who continues to hold the Steelers (and fans) hostage while he decides his playing future. I expect the mercurial vet to be under-center come Week 1, but I'll be avoiding him at all costs unless in dire circumstances.
I hope you enjoyed this look at my dynasty quarterback rankings for 2025. Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Reads, ratings and comments make all the difference, and therefore, more dynasty content is on the way. If you have questions or comments, you know what to do. I look forward to interacting with my readers. Please follow me on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.
(Top photo of Lamar Jackson: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)