NFL News & Analysis

Final 2023 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott lead the way

2RW7F7K Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Mr. Relevant: Brock Purdy led the league in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and expected points added (EPA) per dropback (0.292), thrusting himself into the MVP conversation down the back half of the campaign.

Dak Prescott excelling under pressure: Prescott was the NFL's highest-graded passer (73.5) on pressured dropbacks, finishing 99-for-161 for a league-high 1,338 passing yards.

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but we can often get stuck in their most recent blunders or successes, making it difficult to come up with an objective ranking.

This analysis utilizes a statistical technique called Bayesian Updating. With Bayesian Updating, we can use individual results to project PFF grades and expected points added (EPA) per play. You can find a more detailed explanation of the analysis in our Week 2 quarterback rankings.

Here is how the league's quarterbacks stack up after the conclusion of the regular season.

Most efficient passer: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy completed 308 of his 444 attempts for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the regular season, finishing eighth in PFF passing grade (83.6) and big-time throw rate (5.8%). The 49ers quarterback led the league in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and expected points added (EPA) per dropback (0.292), thrusting himself into the MVP conversation down the back half of the campaign.

♦ Click here to see PFF's QB grades


Most explosive passer: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

On passes thrown 10 or more yards downfield, Purdy finished 107-of-161 for 2,469 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished first at his position in completion rate (66.5%), passer rating (133.6) and EPA per dropback (0.828) on these plays.

Brock Purdy: PFF metrics and rank on passes thrown 10-plus yards downfield (among QBs with 25+ attempts)
Metric Rank
PFF passing grade 94.4 5th
EPA/dropback 0.828 1st
Attempts 161 14th
Completions 107 3rd
Yards 2,469 2nd
Touchdowns 20 2nd
Passer rating 133.6 1st
Adjusted comp. % 68.9% 1st

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-by-depth report


Best under pressure: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott was the NFL's highest-graded passer (73.5) on pressured dropbacks, finishing 99-for-161 for a league-high 1,338 passing yards.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-under-pressure report


Best out of the pocket: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen ranked fifth among quarterbacks in passing grade (80.6) on throws outside the pocket. He completed 50 of his 100 attempts for 743 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions, leading the league in big-time throws (11), combined first downs and touchdowns (60) and EPA per play (0.324) on these plays.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-by-concept report


Quick passes: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Tagovailoa attempted a league-high 373 quick passes (less than 2.5 seconds from snap to pass) in 2023, completing 279 of them for 2,986 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Dolphins quarterback recorded 14 big-time throws on these quick passes, the best mark among signal-callers, and he earned a position-best 88.9 passing grade as a result.

♦ Click here to see PFF's time-to-throw report

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