The 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday night. One analyst has ranked all 32 starting quarterbacks before the first snap.

**Atlanta Is Already in Trouble**

The Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their starter on Monday. It is their sixth different Week 1 starting quarterback in six years. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he could not look past this Sunday. Backup Michael Penix Jr. is pushing toward regular season playing time. The team looks shaky before the opener even begins.

**The Top of the Board**

Joe Burrow ranks first overall. The analyst calls his offense the best in the NFL. Health is the only question. Josh Allen ranks second. He had a rough 2025 season and is expected to recover. Matthew Stafford ranks third. Nobody played the position better last year. At 38, staying healthy is his main challenge.

Dak Prescott ranks fourth. His offense looks powerful. Injuries are the main risk. Patrick Mahomes ranks fifth. He remains one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the league. But the analyst says his dominant stretch from 2020 to 2022 has faded. Lamar Jackson ranks sixth. He can still carry his team. But the Ravens have not made things easier on him.

**Rising Stars to Watch**

Drake Maye ranks seventh. His first season was no fluke. Superstardom is the next stop. Bo Nix ranks tenth, with a breakout season predicted. Kyler Murray ranks ninth, with a career year expected. Caleb Williams ranks eleventh. If receiver Luther Burden III stays healthy, Williams could be great.

**The Bottom of the Board**

Jacoby Brissett ranks last at 32nd. He is a fine backup asked to start. Deshaun Watson ranks 31st. His best form from 2020 looks out of reach. Tua Tagovailoa ranks 30th. He may not stay Atlanta's starter past Week 1.

Malik Willis ranks 28th. The Dolphins chose not to build strong support around him. He will likely pay for it. Geno Smith ranks 27th. He will improve on his first Jets stint. But that will not push his team past third place in the AFC East.

**What Fans Can Do With This**

Great teams do not always have star quarterbacks. They have quarterbacks who play their best. Jalen Hurts helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl without being considered one of the greatest ever. Josh Allen is widely called elite. But he has not won a Super Bowl either.

Know where your team's quarterback ranks before kickoff. Teams in the top ten have real reasons for hope. Everyone else is watching for surprises.