Ranking NFL quarterbacks by trait: Best arm, accuracy, more - where JA ranked in each

[BillsFan619]

-Arm strength - #1

-Ball placement - #7

-Mechanics - #9

-Decision making with the football - #1 (love this one!)

-Pocket presence - not ranked

-Second reaction ability - #1

-Rushing ability - #2

 

Here’s the link of the full article -https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49521144/2026-ranking-best-nfl-quarterbacks-top-10-trait-skill-arm-accuracy-rushing

 

Go Bills!

[Wizard]

Of course, I support our QB. I think #1 is a little bit of a stretch on decision-making with the football.

 

He's obviously top tier, but his rushing ability and his second reaction rare ability as mentioned are both great gifts but sometimes compromise decision-making.

 

I would not change our QB. He is the best in the league overall! Just like I think the decision-making being ranked #1 is a little high, I think his pocket presence is top 10 and he is ranked too low.

 

Rankings and lists are fun to give opinions on.

 

What is not an opinion is that having #17 means the Bills have a chance to compete in every game!

 

Go Bills

 

Edited August 14 by Wizard

[MJS]

30 minutes ago, Wizard said:

Of course, I support our QB. I think #1 is a little bit of a stretch on decision-making with the football.

 

He's obviously top tier, but his rushing ability and his second reaction rare ability as mentioned are both great gifts but sometimes compromise decision-making.

 

I would not change our QB. He is the best in the league overall! Just like I think the decision-making being ranked #1 is a little high, I think his pocket presence is top 10 and he is ranked too low.

 

Rankings and lists are fun to give opinions on.

 

What is not an opinion is that having #17 means the Bills have a chance to compete in every game!

 

Go Bills

Who would you put above him in decision making? There aren't QBs in the league like Brady, Manning, or Brees anymore. Did you have anyone in mind? Burrow maybe? Not Mahomes. He has dropped INTs all over the place. Stafford?

[Wizard]

Of course, Aaron Rodgers is not what he once was, but he is one of the best in NFL history at on-field decision-making (please note I said on-field only) as Rodgers' experience, understanding of situational football, and his slow legs make him a strong decision-maker.

 

Stafford obviously last year showed his decision-making skills at an advanced age and with great accuracy and minimized risk while passing a lot.

* I can see Allen becoming a lot like this version of Stafford in about 5 years!

 

I believe Allen is top 3-7 in this area. I believe he probably is not #1 yet because he sometimes has to play hero ball, he is so versatile, and his receiver group has been lacking the past three years.

 

I could see arguments for Burrow, Mahomes in playoff situations, and a healthy Brock Purdy being in that top 3-7 area with Allen.

 

Again, he's the best QB overall and so awesome he is our QB.

 

I think I believe his best asset is still that he makes 2-3 plays each game only 1-2 can make. With that awesome ability, sometimes he makes a throw or two or a run that I think can be compromising when our defense acts like a sieve in the playoffs and Allen has to manufacture offense with spare parts. 

 

Edited August 14 by Wizard

[machine gun kelly]

This went on the main board this morning for those interested in reading Orlovsky’s assessment.

[SirAndrew]

Allen is the best QB in the league, McD’s defense was trash and I hope a new one helps change some of the negativity around Allen. Forget the turnovers against Denver. We made Bo Nix look like a hall of fame QB. 

[stevewin]

8 hours ago, Wizard said:

Of course, I support our QB. I think #1 is a little bit of a stretch on decision-making with the football.

 

He's obviously top tier, but his rushing ability and his second reaction rare ability as mentioned are both great gifts but sometimes compromise decision-making.

 

I would not change our QB. He is the best in the league overall! Just like I think the decision-making being ranked #1 is a little high, I think his pocket presence is top 10 and he is ranked too low.

 

Rankings and lists are fun to give opinions on.

 

What is not an opinion is that having #17 means the Bills have a chance to compete in every game!

 

Go Bills

 

They were (predictably) railing on the decision-making ranking on FTF yesterday ("It's like trying to make a LeBron was greater than Jordan argument and saying 'Everyone knows MJ was afraid to take the last shot'" 😛 )

 

My take on it is that it is based on ALL the decision making - all the throws and plays throughout the season.  The media will of course immediately go to cherry pick specific plays like the fumble at the end of the half in the Denver game (and be influenced by 'sugar-high' Josh plays from his past which is not relevant at all to last year and present day) , but it is not a ranking based on specific bad decision plays - it is based on Orlovsky watching tape of overall play throughout the year and he says "[Allen's] tape shows an ability to read the defense and avoid getting baited into trouble"  

 

Of course you also can't discount that no doubt Orlovsky knew this particular category ranking would be controversial and generate clicks/reaction/discussion....

[BringBackFergy]

Wellll, according to Chris Collinsworth, his “arm arrogance” is top tier. 

[ganesh]

11 hours ago, MJS said:

Who would you put above him in decision making? There aren't QBs in the league like Brady, Manning, or Brees anymore. Did you have anyone in mind? Burrow maybe? Not Mahomes. He has dropped INTs all over the place. Stafford?

Maye’s decision making is very solid 

[mjt328]

3 hours ago, stevewin said:

They were (predictably) railing on the decision-making ranking on FTF yesterday ("It's like trying to make a LeBron was greater than Jordan argument and saying 'Everyone knows MJ was afraid to take the last shot'" 😛 )

 

My take on it is that it is based on ALL the decision making - all the throws and plays throughout the season.  The media will of course immediately go to cherry pick specific plays like the fumble at the end of the half in the Denver game (and be influenced by 'sugar-high' Josh plays from his past which is not relevant at all to last year and present day) , but it is not a ranking based on specific bad decision plays - it is based on Orlovsky watching tape of overall play throughout the year and he says "[Allen's] tape shows an ability to read the defense and avoid getting baited into trouble"  

 

Of course you also can't discount that no doubt Orlovsky knew this particular category ranking would be controversial and generate clicks/reaction/discussion....

 

It really depends on what you classify as "decision making."

 

On a snap-to-snap basis, quickly identifying the defense and choosing where to go with the ball... Josh Allen is one of the elite guys in the NFL.  If you listen to any of the former QBs who are now announcers and study tape (Orlovsky, Kurt Warner, Chris Simms, etc.), they will tell you this is the case.  If ranking is based strictly on that, nobody should have a problem with it.

 

At the same time, Allen can often be reckless with the ball.  No Bills fan can argue with that.  Even if it works out 90% of the time.

 

Trying to hurdle, run over and stiff arm defenders is technically not a great decision for a QB.  Calling for a lateral in the snow near the goal line.  Probably not a great decision either.  Or how about that play against Miami a few years ago, where he ran around with time expiring in the half (he ended up throwing a touchdown, but still...)

[MJS]

29 minutes ago, ganesh said:

Maye’s decision making is very solid 

Are you being serious?

[TYSONKO1]

12 hours ago, Wizard said:

Of course, I support our QB. I think #1 is a little bit of a stretch on decision-making with the football.

 

He's obviously top tier, but his rushing ability and his second reaction rare ability as mentioned are both great gifts but sometimes compromise decision-making.

 

I would not change our QB. He is the best in the league overall! Just like I think the decision-making being ranked #1 is a little high, I think his pocket presence is top 10 and he is ranked too low.

 

Rankings and lists are fun to give opinions on.

 

What is not an opinion is that having #17 means the Bills have a chance to compete in every game!

 

Go Bills

 

Considering the lack of target options, his decisions become more obvious. 

[BillsFan619]

On 8/14/2026 at 3:29 AM, machine gun kelly said:

This went on the main board this morning for those interested in reading Orlovsky’s assessment.

Hope you’re well, MGK!

Anything from his assessment that stood out to you?

[machine gun kelly]

Just what was reported on his top spot in 3 categories.  He did mention not in top 10 in one category.  Not sure if I agree, but there is merit, and Orlovsky is one of the only people I listen or read on ESPN. THE REST ARE HOT TAKE ARTISTS.