The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2025 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, and pass catchers for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference. When taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. Today, it’s the rest of the quarterback rooms in the AFC. Teams appear in ascending order.
#8 Las Vegas Raiders
On the Roster: Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller, and Bradley Carter
About: I ended the last section with the Patriots. It was a close call between them and the Raiders. While I think Drake Maye has more long-term upside, Smith is an underrated starter. They’re relatively close at this point in their careers, with the Raiders having a better supporting cast.
But what boosted the Raiders for me was their backup, O’Connell. He isn’t a franchise quarterback, but he’s started 17 games over two seasons, going 7-10 with a decent touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s a solid backup, one that I think I like better than Josh Dobbs, so I gave the Raiders the edge and bumped them to eighth.
#7 Houston Texans
On the Roster: C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Graham Mertz, and Kedon Slovis
About: The next three on the list probably shake out for me as a matter of personal preference. They all have a solid starter, a capable backup, and some development players. Stroud was the Rookie of the Year in 2023 but took a step back in 2024. He’s still a solid starter in the QB1 range for me in Dynasty.
Behind him, Mills has served as a capable spot starter since joining the Texans. He’s got decent experience and gives the team a steady QB2. Their other two QBs are big questions. Will either make the final roster? I’m not sure. This is a good group, but I don’t like it as well as the two above them.
#6 Denver Broncos
On the Roster: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Sam Ehlinger
About: Call me a homer if you want. I would get the arguments that this is too high for the Broncos, but I loved what we saw from Nix in his rookie year. He led the Broncos to a playoff berth that hadn’t happened in nine years. He threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns. And he’s just getting started.
Behind him, the Broncos have a solid QB2 in Stidham. Over the years, he’s done well in spot starts for the Raiders and Broncos. I like him as a second option. For me, the Broncos get their edge over the Texans in Ehlinger. He is a more interesting third option at this point than Mertz or Slovis.
#5 Los Angeles Chargers
On the Roster: Justin Herbert, Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance, and DJ Uiagalelei
About: For the Chargers, it starts with Herbert. He’s an underrated starter. He’s thrown for 21,093 yards and 137 touchdowns in five seasons. His playoff production hasn’t been great, but he’s one of the ten best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Behind him, the team has a solid journeyman in Heinicke. He’s started games for the Commanders and Falcons before, giving them a solid QB2 option that can step in. But what makes the Chargers the highest of this group for me is their development options. Uiagalelei had a weird college career, yet he makes for an intriguing pick. Meanwhile, no one seems ready to count out Lance. I think landing with Jim Harbaugh might be ideal, and it makes me more interested in seeing if he can take another step forward.
#4 Cincinnati Bengals
On the Roster: Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, and Logan Woodside
About: As we get to the top four, these are the four best quarterbacks in the AFC. They’ve separated themselves. The strength of the group behind them helps separate them in this group. Burrow is on another level. He’s a great quarterback who has kept this team relevant despite significant roster deficiencies.
Behind him, Browning did well when called upon. He went 4-3 as a spot starter in 2023 after Burrow was lost for the season. He’s not flashy, but he’s a solid backup. That gives the Bengals a good battery to land in this spot.
#3 Buffalo Bills
On the Roster: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky, Mike White, and Shane Buechele
About: Allen is the reigning NFL MVP. He’s been an incredible performer and incredibly durable. He’s often the leading passer and biggest rushing weapon for the Bills. He’s arguably the best quarterback in the league, at least for fantasy. So why are the Bills third?
Well, the difference between Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson wasn’t eclipsed for me by the depth of the room. I like Trubisky as a QB2 in Buffalo. It seems like a good fit, and he’s a solid spot starter. But it’s a significant fall-off from Allen to Trubisky. It’s also a substantial fall off to White, who had a few moments with the Jets a few years ago, and Buechele, who feels like a development guy.
#2 Kansas City Chiefs
On the Roster: Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew, and Bailey Zappe
About: The Chiefs could have grabbed the top spot. If you told me Mahomes is the best quarterback in the AFC, I wouldn’t argue. I like the guy I put as QB1 a bit more dynamic. But what vaults the Chiefs ahead of the Bills is the strength of the room.
Minshew and Zappe aren’t guys you want as your franchise quarterback, but both have starting experience. That gives the Chiefs experience and depth, which you can’t overlook. This is a very good room.
#1 Baltimore Ravens
On the Roster: Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush, and Devin Leary
About: Jackson is a weapon unlike any other. There’s a reason he’s been the NFL MVP multiple times. At this stage in his career, I think he’s more dynamic than Mahomes. Mahomes is a better pure passer, Jackson is a better weapon, especially for fantasy. So, that led me to give Baltimore a slight edge.
That was backed up with the acquisition of Rush as the QB2. He went 9-5 as a starter for the Cowboys. He proved to be one of the more reliable backup quarterbacks. He’s not flashy and won’t put up some big performances like Minshew. But he also isn’t likely to put up the turnovers that can cause a game to crater. He feels like a steadier backup than what the Chiefs have, which clinched the top spot on this list for me.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
