ESPN's poll of executives, coaches and scouts reached the quarterback position today, and Drake Maye's ranking was ... interesting.
Maye finished eighth. Here are the rankings:
1. Josh Allen
2. Patrick Mahomes
3. Matthew Stafford
4. Joe Burrow
5. Lamar Jackson
6. Dak Prescott
7. Justin Herbert
8. Drake Maye
9. Jared Goff
10. Caleb Williams
Honorable Mention
11. Sam Darnold
12. Jayden Daniels
13. Jordan Love
14. Brock Purdy
15. Baker Mayfield
16. Trevor Lawrence
17. Jalen Hurts
Also Receiving Votes
18. Bo Nix
19. Daniel Jones
20. C.J. Stroud
I'm going to guess that most Patriots fans feel that 8th is too low and that Maye is already a top-five quarterback.
Here is some of the discussion about Maye:
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
He appeared on more than 60% of the ballots and earned many fifth-place votes.
"Size, athleticism, accuracy, playmaking upside through the roof, poise and toughness," an NFL coordinator said. "He had zero weapons and a shaky OL, and made it all work."
"He's really talented, but I need to see more," a veteran NFC defensive coach said. "Other quarterbacks on this list have proven it over time, and he's got to keep doing it."
Where do I stand on this? I'm largely ignoring injuries from last year. I'm going try to use ESPN's criteria, which was basically: This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award, but meant to answer a simple question: Who are the best players right now? In a close debate, I'm going to decide it by going with the player I'd most want in one game and/or the QB I would fear playing the most as a defensive coordinator in a playoff game.
This would be my ranking heading into the 2026 season:
1. Josh Allen (1 in ESPN poll)
2. Patrick Mahomes (2)
3. Joe Burrow (4)
4. Matthew Stafford (3)
5. Lamar Jackson (5)
6. Jayden Daniels (12)
7. Drake Maye (8)
8. Justin Herbert (7)
9. Dak Prescott (6)
10. Brock Purdy (14)
11. Jordan Love (13)
12. Sam Darnold (11)
13. Jared Goff (9)
14. Baker Mayfield (15)
15. Jalen Hurts (17)
16. Caleb Williams (10)
17. Bo Nix (18)
18. Trevor Lawrence (16)
19. C.J. Stroud (20)
20. Daniel Jones (19)
So, largely, my top five is the same, just in a similar but different order, where I flopped Burrow and Stafford.
My big surprise is vaulting Daniels from 12th to 6th and just ahead of Maye. Daniels was way, way too low for me. Way too much recency bias with his injury. A year ago, Daniels was 5th, and Maye didn't even get any votes. One season, as brilliant as it was for Maye, should never swing things that much.
As for my decision to go with Daniels, barely, over Maye, this was my thinking. Each had one brilliant season (Daniels in 2024, Maye in 2025). Each had one forgettable season for their own reasons.
If you're going off the regular season, then Maye would win that. But it's very close, with Daniels basically doubling up Maye on the rushing.
When you factor in the postseason runs — Daniels led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, Maye to the Super Bowl in a down AFC year — then Daniels was the much more impressive player. He basically carried them, while Maye had some issues against great defenses.
I do think Daniels had a slightly better supporting cast, but I don't think the disparity was that great to negate Daniels' impressive postseason run.
I do still have Maye over Herbert, but that's also fairly close. Again, it's hard to judge Herbert without both tackles, and in Greg Roman's offense. This is the year Herbert needs to deliver on his immense talent. But I'd still take Maye in a game over Herbert, and I love Herbert.
What do you think?