- Matthew Stafford tops the list: The 37-year-old has been as good as ever for the Rams, leading the NFL in big-time throws.
- Former first-round picks enjoying resurgences: Daniel Jones and Mac Jones have each found success in new homes.
- Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool.
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Eight weeks of the 2025 NFL season are complete, and the league’s upper crust of all positions is starting to form. That includes at quarterback, where a contingent of players has separated itself from the rest based on play thus far.
Among the slew of metrics to evaluate play under center, PFF’s signature Wins Above Replacement stat is as good as any. Below are the 10 quarterbacks who have been worth the most WAR in the early going of this year, featuring plenty of household stars but also emerging names.
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams — 1.59
Even at 37, Stafford remains among the NFL’s elite passers, placing as the most-valuable player in the league by PFF WAR. His 91.1 PFF passing grade is second among qualifiers, and his 19 big-time throws lead the league — despite most recently being on bye. What’s fueled Stafford’s continued success is his elite accuracy, as his 24.9% Plus accuracy rate is the NFL’s best mark.
2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys — 1.57
Back from a season-ending hamstring injury in 2024, Prescott has returned to MVP form. As the second-most-valuable player in the NFL, he ranks fourth among qualified quarterbacks in overall PFF grade (88.5) and third PFF passing grade (87.8). As a testament to Prescott’s consistency leading one of the NFL’s best offenses, he’s secured a 75.0-plus overall PFF grade in six of eight contests this season. Likewise, Prescott has been money under pressure, with his 83.6 overall PFF grade under duress the best among qualified gunslingers.
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers — 1.50
Even with an injured offensive line and defensive changes, Herbert’s excellence continues to lead the Chargers to victory. His 1.4% turnover-worthy play rate is the second-lowest among qualified quarterbacks, and his 90.0 overall PFF grade slots third. Herbert has also improved as a runner this year, with his career-high 89.1 PFF rushing grade the third-best among any player with 20 more carries.
4. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks — 1.48
Darnold has made the Seahawks glad they paid him this offseason. In his first year in Seattle, the quarterback is fourth in PFF WAR while leading the quarterback position in overall grade (92.0), passing grade (91.2) and big-time throw rate (8.9%). Very few of Darnold’s passes have been off target: His 11.4% Uncatchable Inaccurate mark is the best among qualifiers, and his 15.2% Catchable Inaccurate rate trails only Prescott.
5. Drake Maye, New England Patriots — 1.39
Maye’s emergence has dovetailed with the 6-2 Patriots leading the AFC East. His consistent play is evidenced by posting a 69.0-plus overall grade in seven of his eight showings in 2025, and his 83.5% adjusted completion percentage is the second-best among qualifiers. The former No. 3 pick has made his heyday as a deep passer, as his 99.9 PFF passing grade and 78.3% adjusted completion percentage on 20-plus-yard attempts pace the NFL.
6. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills — 1.19
The league’s reigning MVP has found new ways to better his performance this season. Indeed, Allen’s 1.2% turnover-worthy play rate is not only a career-low, but also the best mark among qualified quarterbacks. All told, Allen’s 85.7 overall PFF grade is sixth among qualified quarterbacks, putting him on track to reach at least that mark in a ridiculous sixth straight season.
7. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers — 1.12
The Packers garnered Super Bowl buzz before the start of the year thanks to trading for Micah Parsons, but Love’s play has also been a catalyst for 5-1-1 Green Bay. Love’s 82.3 PFF passing grade ranks sixth among qualifiers, and his 81.4% adjusted completion rate is third. The 26-year-old has made opposing defensive coordinators pay when sending extra rushers, as his 89.8 PFF passing grade when blitzed is the second-best.
8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles — 1.02
The Eagles’ passing game has endured a bumpy season so far, but Hurts is finally seeming to string together more consistently good outings. His 82.6 overall PFF grade is the seventh-best among quarterbacks with 170 or more dropbacks, having committed only four turnover-worthy plays all season. Over the last two weeks, no quarterback has secured a higher passing grade than Hurts (91.1).
9. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts — 1.00
When Jones signed with the Colts this summer, his NFL career seemed to hang in the balance ahead of a competition with Anthony Richardson. All Jones has done since winning that battle is lead the league’s No. 1 offense in EPA per play and success rate. Jones’ 77.0 PFF passing grade is the ninth-best among qualified quarterbacks, and his 18.0% Plus Accuracy mark is eighth. The former sixth overall selection has been especially prudent at avoiding sacks, with his 9.8% pressure-to-sack ratio the second-best.
10. Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers — 0.92
Jones is another name on this list that could come as a real surprise, but the first-round pick has played admirably in place of the injured Brock Purdy. Across six starts, Jones has registered seven big-time throws with a 75.9 PFF passing grade. The former Patriots starter has been especially impressive in the red zone, with his 84.0 overall PFF grade inside the 20-yard line the fifth-best among quarterbacks this year.
© 2026 PFF - all rights reserved.