ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky ranked the top quarterbacks in the NFL in several categories, ranging from arm strength to rushing ability. It’s a list that is as subjective as it gets. For example, mechanics were one of the categories. He had Daniel Jones listed third. I’d argue that Geno Smith, for all his faults, could be No. 3 on the list.
San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy found himself in the top 10 in three categories. Purdy wasn’t listed for arm strength, but he checked in at No. 9 for ball placement. Here’s the top 10, according to Orlovsky:
1) Matthew Stafford
2) Drake Maye
3) Sam Darnold
4) Joe Burrow
5) Jared Goff
6) Jordan Love
7) Josh Allen
8) Lamar Jackson
9) Brock Purdy
10) Dak Prescott
Sports Info Solutions has an “on-target percentage” stat. Stafford placed 24th in 2025, matching the likes of Marcus Mariota. Purdy was 14th.
Purdy wasn’t listed for mechanics or decision-making, although Josh Allen was No. 1 for decision-making. Purdy did check in at No. 8 for pocket presence. Here’s the top 10:
1) Maye
2) Burrow
3) Darnold
4) Herbert
5) Prescott
6) Jackson
7) Caleb Williams
8) Purdy
9) Daniel Jones
10) Trevor Lawrence
Darnold has long been known for his top-tier pocket presence. Maybe there are two Daniel Joneses that we aren’t aware of?
The final category where Purdy made the top-10 was second-reaction ability. Here’s how it was described:
The flip side is working outside the pocket. There’s obviously always a plan when the ball is snapped, but NFL defenses are pretty dang good at derailing things. So, what happens when Plan A doesn’t work? Can the quarterback pull something out of thin air and still make a positive play?
I’m looking for creativity here, as well as the ability to throw from weird arm angles and platforms. You’ll notice a lot of the strongest arms make this list, too — that’s obviously key. But mobility and field vision also matter in a big way.
Here’s a look at the top 10:
1) Allen 2)
Caleb Williams
3) Patrick Mahomes
4) Maye
5) Darnold
6) Bo Nix
7) Purdy
8) Jackson
9) Jayden Daniels
10) Baker Mayfield
Purdy was not listed for his rushing ability (Baker, Bo, and Jalen Hurts were).
These say more about the author than the quarterbacks, but it still felt worth a share, so you can see how “professionals” feel Purdy ranks amongst his peers.