Pro Football Focus ranks Patrick Mahomes 25th-best quarterback in the league

Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo released the 2018 edition of the quarterback rankings earlier this week, and Kansas City Chiefs first-year starter Patrick Mahomes checked in at No. 25.

Per Palazzolo: Expectations are high for Mahomes who had a strong showing in his only NFL start, last year in Week 17. He makes special throws, both inside and outside of structure, but the big question will be how many poor decisions he can avoid along the way. In 2016 at Texas Tech, Mahomes ranked second in the nation in big-time throws, but also second in turnover-worthy throws, perhaps an indication of a volatile style that will lead to plenty of fireworks given the explosive playmakers in Kansas City.

Because Mahomes has such a small body of work, it isn’t surprising that he landed so low on PFF’s quarterback list. No matter how he performs this season, barring injury, I’d expect Mahomes to be ranked higher next year.

The point about Mahomes ranking second in the nation in turnover-worthy throws is interesting given the recent buzz about his training camp interceptions, but I’m remaining firm on my stance that we have to see what happens in his preseason reps and regular-season games before jumping to conclusions.

PFF’s top five quarterbacks were 1) New England’s Tom Brady, 2) Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, 3) Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, 4) New Orleans’ Drew Brees and 5) Seattle’s Russell Wilson. Los Angeles’ Philip Rivers came in at No. 8, Oakland’s Derek Carr came in at No. 13 and Denver’s Case Keenum came in behind Mahomes at No. 29.