The 2025-26 NFL season was undoubtedly a vintage one for quarterbacks new and old. Among the rookies who made an immediate mark on the game were the Saints’ Tylers Shough and the Giants’ Jaxon Dart.
In ten appearances, Shough threw for an impressive 2,384 yards, leading to 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Dart was equally impressive with stats of 14 appearances, 2.272 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns and 7 rushing touchdowns.
Veterans of the game like the legendary Patrick Mahomes had a tougher season, especially when sustaining that ACL injury in December, but it also saw some amazing turnarounds. A great example is the Seahawks’ Sam Darnold. After what can only be described as a checkered career before moving to Seattle, he was instrumental in winning the most coveted contest in the sport at Super Bowl LX.
That was last season and now that the new one is approaching, who are going to be the star QBs for 26-27? And which players will be getting the best potential stat leader odds on DraftKings?
Well, here are six possibilities, as well as a trio of rookies hoping to make their mark.
Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears’ Williams has been described as a “closer” by respected NFL evaluators and his 11 touchdowns after throws downfield of over 20 yards were more than any other quarterback last season. He also has a great ability to keep plays alive when it really matters. Still aged only 24, there are many who hope that he will continue to mature over the coming season and eliminate the occasions when he’s proved to be erratic in the past.
Jared Goff
Over his last two seasons with the Detroit Lions, Goff has more than held his own against most other QBs in the NFL. In that period, he achieved 9,193 passing yards and 71 touchdowns. His one vulnerability comes in the form of pocket pressure. He succumbed to 38 sacks in 2025, a career high for him. But there’s every expectation that he’ll have been putting in the hard work in the closed season to work on this.
Drake May
Despite the obvious disappointment of coming out second-best in Super Bowl LX, most people agree that his performance was outstanding for the Patriots. Indeed, had the result gone the other way, the MVP award could well have been his. He’s been described as having “size, athleticism, accuracy, playmaking upside through the roof, poise and toughness”. And if that isn’t the complete package for a QB, we don’t know what is.
Dak Prescott
In the past, his career has been marred by injury, with nine games missed in 2024. But 2025 certainly saw the Cowboys’ QB back on the range. Overall, he has had four seasons with over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes. This puts him only just behind other greats like Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and even the legendary Brady. If he can improve on his relatively modest 177 rushing yards last season, he could himself become a true America’s sweetheart.
Lamar Jackson
Number two in our 2026 ranking is the legendary Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson. Some feel that he may be past his peak and not quite as fast as he once was. But he’s still plenty quick enough to be well in contention for a third MVP accolade. Over the years, his passing has steadily improved and this also more than makes up for a possible reduction in speed. And with new play caller Declan Doyle in place, he should find himself very well-supported.
Josh Allen
The Buffalo Bills’ standout player for the last few seasons just seems to get better and better and has been described as “the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when you get his A game.” Luckily, this is usually the level that he’s playing at. He’s also the sort of player who can be the difference between winning and losing a game, something he shares with his great rival Patrick Mahomes. So barring injury or other mishap, Allen’s the player who, we think, will truly be excelling over the coming season.
Three rookies on the radar
The 2026 draft has also seen three singular talents enter the NFL universe.
They are Fernando Mendoza, a first-round pick for the LA Raiders, Ty Simpson, who’s joined the Rams and Carson Beck of the Arizona Cardinals, a third-round pick.
All three have shown great promise through their college years and we confidently predict that they’ll be making a big impression in the seasons to come.
So let’s all look forward to a fantastic 2026-27 NFL season where reputations will be made and cemented – hopefully there’ll also be a Super Bowl that more than lives up to the spectacle this incredible sport deserves.
