Examining the three best quarterbacks in the NFL

Most people use Mt. Rushmore to separate the best players from the rest of the pack. In today's NFL, the fourth quarterback is up for debate. Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Jared Goff (Lions), Joe Burrow when healthy (Bengals), and even Jalen Hurts (Eagles) can be thrown into the conversation for the fourth-best QB in the league.

Then you have a crop of younger players looking to make their mark on the league. CJ Stroud had one of the best rookie campaigns ever last season with the Texans. Can the Jaguars Trevor Lawrence or the Chargers Justin Herbert ever live up to their hype? The 49ers' Brock Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant, but he might also have a place in this conversation. Plus, the Packers' Jordan Love just got paid!

Still, there is no actual argument for the top three spots: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Josh Allen (Bills), and Lamar Jackson (Ravens). Each one has a unique game that sets them apart from their peers. Using Field Vision's Threat Ratings, we can highlight each QB's individuality.

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Patrick Mahomes doesn't always lead the league in Threat Rating, but he is consistently one of the best passing quarterbacks in the game. Without a genuine deep threat since Tyreek Hill left for South Beach in '22, Mahomes has feasted on defense in the short and intermediate passing, finishing second in Threat Ratings in both.

The Chiefs quarterback was better in '22 without Hill. Last year's dip had nothing to do with Mahomes but rather a lack of production from his receiving corp. Rookie Rashee Rice, future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce, and production monster Travis Kelce did most of the lifting downfield. Nothing phases this future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Blitzing doesn't help a defense either (#1 overall), and if a team tries to play coverage, it's like he's throwing on air (#2). Man (#1) and Zone (#4) coverage don't phase him. Mahomes is by far the best QB in the NFL when running pure dropback schemes; it's as though he is playing 7-on-7.

But, the most impressive part of his game is sack avoidance—the Chiefs QB #6 in rushing Threat Ratings for QBs. The irony is that he's 72nd (worst) in designed runs. He is so good at scrambling and making things happen with his legs that he exceeds even Allen and Lamar in Field Vision's scramble metric.

The Chiefs ' quarterback makes his receivers better regardless of who is on the field. He doesn't even fit into the mold of a traditional quarterback. Sure, he doesn't have designed runs outside of some sneaks or boot-action near the goalline, but his ability to shake defenders raises his bar, which is already ungodly high. Mahomes truly is 'The GOAT.'

Image: Joshua Bessex/AP Photos

Josh Allen is like having Terminator at quarterback. The 6-5 240-pound quarterback is built like the Edge rushers who try to chase him down, most unsuccessfully. Allen has never dipped below 320 in raw total Threat Ratings outside his rookie and sophomore campaigns. To put that in perspective, Mahomes can't say the same, and Lamar has never even broken 300.

Last year, Allen was stride for stride with Mahomes in regards to passing. #1 against the blitz, #2 against coverage. #1 against man coverage and #4 against zone coverage. #2 in dropback passing and #3 in play-action. Regardless of what teams threw at Allen, he had an answer.

The one aspect of Allen's game that he does have on Mahomes is in designed QB runs, where he finished 12th in that Threat Ratings metric. Like Mahomes, he is also elite at sack avoidance and finished behind the Chiefs' QB scramble Threat Ratings. Mahomes may be the best quarterback in the NFL, but if tiers separate us, Allen deserves to be next to the quarterback of the Chiefs.

Allen's transition into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL is truly mind-blowing. Out of college, he had significant accuracy issues and looked more like Cam Newton, a big, physical runner who was, at best, adequate at passing the ball. In year three, that all changed.

In 2021, the Bills' quarterback transitioned into another level of play. That year, he had almost 400 points in raw Threat Ratings. In that same time frame, Mahomes' high water mark is 355. Allen deserves to be in the conversation each year as the best quarterback in the NFL.

Image: Getty Images

Lamar Jackson has stirred up controversy since arriving in the league in 2018. Some pundits saw him as a RB moonlighting as a quarterback. The two-time league MVP (2019, 2023) has done nothing short of proving the doubters wrong. Though not a pure passer like Mahomes or a gigantic freak like Allen, Lamar is one-of-one in his own right.

Yes, Jackson is built like a RB, and if he moved to that position, he could probably be one of the best in the league. So let's start there; he is undoubtedly the #1 quarterback in rushing Threat Rating. In raw rushing Threat ratings, he has a 58.5 score, 15 total points higher than Allen.

It is laughable when you break it down even further and only look at designed QB runs. Jackson's raw designed run Threat Rating is 16.04; the next closest in '23 was the Steelers (former Bear) Justin Fields at 3.17. When the Ravens run Lamar, he is a significant problem for defenses. He is #3 behind Mahomes and Allen in scramble Threat Ratings regarding sack avoidance.

Most people point to passing metrics when trying to remove Lamar from consideration as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The NFL has changed significantly, even during Jackson's time in the league. Today, mobile quarterbacks are not deemed a risk but a priority. Still, it is a passing league, and if you want to find a weak link in Lamar's game, especially in comparison to Mahomes and Allen.

Jackson is an above-average passer compared to the rest of the quarterbacks, finishing 19th in passing Threat Ratings. He is 20th in short-yardage and 26th in long-yardage passing Threat. The Ravens' QB truly excels in the intermediate zones, where he finished eighth last season, and play-action passing, where he finished fourth. Lamar is 11th versus the blitz and 18th when teams play coverage.

The comments about Jackson's passing game have merit, but when looking at him holistically, you see that he adds value in other places. As one of the best running quarterbacks ever, he constantly changes the math for defenses. He also had his best year in Threat Rating last season under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. At 27 years old, the sky is the limit with Lamar.

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As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.