Drake Maye isn’t just good, he’s the *best* young quarterback in the entire league, at least according to NFL coaches and executives. This fresh ranking, shared by Mike Jones of The Athletic Friday, puts Maye way up there at No. 11 overall among players under 25, making him the highest-ranked signal-caller by a mile. It is a massive statement about his potential and what he has already done.
The Maye-Daniels-Williams Showdown
Honestly, Maye snagging that top QB spot isn’t a huge shocker when you look at his resume. The dude just led the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl in his second season, the 2025 campaign, and even finished second in MVP voting. That’s not just good, that’s franchise-altering stuff. He was one of the big three QBs taken in the 2024 NFL draft, going third after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, and all three have seen different levels of success early on. While Maye is the only one with a Super Bowl appearance, Daniels took his Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. Williams, meanwhile, just led his Chicago Bears to an NFC North title. These guys are going to be compared forever, swapping spots on these lists countless times. As long as they keep playing like this and guiding their teams to the playoffs, you know their franchises are going to be absolutely thrilled.
Stroud’s Intriguing, Troubling Case
But while Maye is soaring, C.J. Stroud’s situation is turning into one of the league’s most intriguing and honestly, kinda concerning, case studies. Stroud exploded onto the scene, wasting no time establishing himself as a star, snagging Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. He even led the Houston Texans to the playoffs in each of his first three years! Talk about hitting the ground running. Here is the kicker, though: he couldn’t replicate that rookie impact in his second *or* third year. Remember that playoff loss to the Patriots last season? Stroud threw four interceptions. Four! That is a huge red flag. It feels like he’s actually taken a step *back* with more experience, which makes his long-term future a legitimate question mark for the Texans. He’s extension eligible right now, but there is no new deal on the table. Stroud has a massive chance to bounce back in his fourth season. If he does, a new contract and a higher ranking on lists like this could be waiting for him. If not? Well, then the questions just get louder.
This whole ranking game, especially for young QBs, shows just how quickly things can change in the NFL. Maye is riding high, a legit MVP candidate and Super Bowl veteran already. But Stroud, who started so hot, now has to prove he is still that guy. It is going to be wild watching these careers unfold, seeing who rises and who falls. Every snap this season for Stroud is going to be under a microscope.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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