Key Points:
- Dan Orlovsky unveils his top five NFL quarterbacks through Week 8, led by Patrick Mahomes.
- Orlovsky’s list features surprises like Daniel Jones and rookie Drake Maye in the top three.
- Fans debate notable snubs, including Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jalen Hurts.
As the NFL season prepares for Week 9 to kick off on Thursday, it is safe to say that fans are being treated to some of the best quarterback plays we have seen in years.
There are already five quarterbacks who have eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark, while 10 across the NFL have tossed over 15 touchdowns. However, while fans may agree that quarterback play across the NFL is at an elite level, it’d be challenging to reach a consensus on who they think is the best.
On a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, most known for his three seasons with the Detroit Lions, took a whack at ranking the five best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Dan Orlovsky reveals his top five NFL quarterbacks through Week 8
Although some people may waver in their rankings, Orlovsky made it clear that he is sticking with his list as it currently sits and had plenty of stats to support each signal caller.
“Nothing fluid about this list,” Orlovsky said. “This is in stone right now.”
- No. 5 Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
“Number five, Baker Mayfield. And everyone probably forgot. A couple of weeks ago, as hot as anybody. Baker Mayfield could be the most clutch quarterback in the NFL this year so far. Right now, four fourth-quarter game-winning comeback drives in the midst of the revolving door of offensive lineman and the revolving door of his wide receivers.”
- No. 4 Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
“Number four, Matthew Stafford,” Orlovsky said. “Once again, a little bit of a revolving door, some of the receivers when it comes to their health. Matthew Stafford leads the NFL in explosive pass plays. He’s averaging about a pass play of explosive element…One a quarter. That’s outrageous…”
- No. 3 Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts)
“Number three, a little bit of a toss-up here, Daniel Jones,” Orlovsky said. “You know what quarterback’s playing the best under pressure right now in the NFL? Daniel Jones. That’s been his kryptonite. His QBR right now, under pressure, 87. For context, that would be the highest quarterback has had as a QBR rating under pressure since the year 2000.”
- No. 2 Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
“Number two, the guy that would be the leader of the MVP candidate for me right now, Drake Maye,” Orlovsky said. “Drake Maye right now leads the NFL in accuracy when it comes to completion percentage at 75%. Guy that did that was a person named Drew Brees. He’s also throwing the ball downfield as well if not better than any quarterback in the NFL.”
No. 1 Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
“Number one, Patrick Mahomes,” Orlovsky said. “Right now he leads the NFL in total yards at almost 2,300. He leads the NFL in first downs at 121. He leads the NFL in touchdowns at 21. The way that Patrick is playing right now is 2021-22 MVP of the NFL Patrick Mahomes.”
While most may not agree with his list, the oddsmakers at FanDuel have three of his top five in Mahomes (+150), Maye (+550) and Stafford (+1000) as having some of the best odds to win NFL MVP.
With that being said, many fans in the comment section felt that quarterbacks such as Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love and Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts all were snubbed.
Considering how deep the league is, there are certainly hundreds of combinations that can be put together, but for now, Orlovsky is riding with these five.