We stacked the best NFL quarterbacks in different areas of the game, from arm strength to field vision to rushing ability. Who led the way, who surprised and who was snubbed?

Arm strength
This category is all about the biggest arms in the NFL. Pass velocity and the amount of zip a QB can put on a pass were factors in the ranking, as was the ability to hit the deep ball. Who are the best quarterbacks throwing the ball vertically and driving it into windows with authority?

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
2. Josh Allen, Bills
3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
4. Matthew Stafford, Rams
5. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
6. Justin Herbert, Chargers
7. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
8. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
9. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
10. Baker Mayfield, Browns


Accuracy
Arm strength doesn't mean much if you can't perfectly put the ball where it needs to go. Who can hit the tightest windows? Who locates their passes in the perfect spots? And who is never off-target with their throws, displaying pinpoint precision?

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
2. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
5. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
6. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
7. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Josh Allen, Bills
10. Justin Herbert, Chargers


Touch
It's not only about pass velocity or placement. How it gets there is also key. Successful quarterbacks need to master trajectory, whether it be fitting the ball in a tight spot with zip or softly dropping it in over a receiver's shoulder. They also need to throw with anticipation, leading a receiver into the catch and navigating defensive coverages.

T1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
T1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
6. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
7. Matt Ryan, Falcons
T8. Justin Herbert, Chargers
T8. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
10. Derek Carr, Raiders


Mechanics
In today's NFL, quarterbacks have so many different throwing motions. But mechanics are still a big part of having success. That includes a QB's throwing motion, arm slot, release, follow through and footwork, among other traits. Who are the most technically sound signal-callers in the league?

1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
5. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
6. Matt Ryan, Falcons
T7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
T7. Josh Allen, Bills
9. Matthew Stafford, Rams
T10. Derek Carr, Raiders
T10. Justin Herbert, Chargers


Field vision
This looks at the ability to read the field. Included in that are awareness and recognition when it comes to seeing defensive schemes or coverages, along with the fast eyes to identify blitzers, breaking defensive backs and open targets. Will a QB audible out when he needs to, diagnosing and understanding different defensive looks? And how quickly can he get through his progressions? Does he get stuck on his first read too often and stare down receivers, making it easy for the defense? Or can he scan the field, make the defense bite with his eyes and then find the open receiver?

1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
T4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
T4. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
6. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams
8. Matt Ryan, Falcons
9. Derek Carr, Raiders
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers


Decision-making with the football
This one is pretty straightforward. Avoiding turnovers, protecting the football, not taking unnecessary risks and keeping an offense out of harm's way lead to better efficiency. Forcing a pass into double coverage or attempting too many low-percentage plays can get you into trouble in a hurry. Strong decision-making means less opportunities for the other team -- and likely more points for yours.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
2. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
5. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
6. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
8. Derek Carr, Raiders
9. Justin Herbert, Chargers
10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals


Compete level
The words that come to mind with this category are competitiveness and leadership. Who has the most desire to win? It also speaks to a quarterback's command of his offense and his ability to deliver in the clutch. You can never count out the players who made this top 10.

1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
5. Josh Allen, Bills
6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
10. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington


Toughness
Toughness rolls into compete level a bit, but our analysts looked at a quarterback's bounce-back and resilience here, along with how well he can take a hit. Physicality is the big trait in this section.

1. Josh Allen, Bills
2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
T4. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
T4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
6. Matthew Stafford, Rams
7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
10. Cam Newton, Patriots


Pocket presence
Pocket presence refers to how a quarterback operates in the pocket. Some things our analysts looked at here include: ability to sense and avoid pressure, command and mobility within the pocket, calmness under duress and how a QB gets it done from both under center and shotgun formations.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
2. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
5. Josh Allen, Bills
6. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
7. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
10. Matthew Stafford, Rams


Scrambling
They might not be scripted, but plenty of successful plays happen when a quarterback sees open field and scrambles for a big chunk. And sometimes that includes a forced scramble, when pressure or a broken play leave the quarterback no option but to tuck and run. Creating outside the pocket -- including making some throws on scramble runs -- can be the difference between eventual points on the board and a stalled drive.

1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
2. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
3. Josh Allen, Bills
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
5. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
6. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
10. Daniel Jones, Giants


Designed-run ability
Many modern NFL quarterbacks have the ability to contribute in the run game, and offensive coordinators are looking to their QBs for designed runs and option reads more often. So whose speed, instincts, vision, elusiveness and physicality as a runner are the most impressive?

1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
2. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
3. Josh Allen, Bills
4. Cam Newton, Patriots
5. Taysom Hill, Saints
6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
7. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
8. Daniel Jones, Giants
9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
10. Trey Lance, 49ers


Second-reaction ability
To close, we looked at a trait that leads to so many highlights throughout an NFL season. Quarterbacks won't always be able to sit in the pocket and throw darts. With pressure coming off the edge or up the middle, getting outside the pocket and making off-schedule throws on the run is important in today's game. Those are the off-platform passes from different arm angles and body positions, often on the move.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
4. Josh Allen, Bills
5. Deshaun Watson, Texans*
6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
8. Justin Herbert, Chargers
9. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
10. Matthew Stafford, Rams

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