Drake Maye has surged back to the No. 1 position in the Week 18 NFL quarterback power rankings, edging out Matthew Stafford. The rankings evaluate the league's 32 starting signal-callers ahead of the final week of the 2025 regular season, with Patrick Mahomes sidelined by a season-ending injury.
Quarterbacks remain the most valuable position in the NFL, driving teams toward Super Bowl contention despite varying offensive ecosystems. In the latest Week 18 power rankings from CBS Sports, New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye has reclaimed the top spot, surpassing Los Angeles Rams veteran Matthew Stafford. This shift highlights Maye's rapid rise as one of the league's most talented young passers.
The rankings, which are fluid and capture each quarterback's current trajectory, exclude Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes after he suffered a torn ACL that ended his season. Detroit Lions' Jared Goff has slipped out of the top 10, reflecting challenges in his performance amid a competitive push for playoff seeding.
These evaluations focus on who is best positioned to lead their teams down the stretch in the final regular-season week. Maye's ascent underscores his ability to transcend circumstances, while the broader list assesses all 32 starters for talent, ecosystem fit, and potential need for a change of scenery. As the 2025 season concludes, such rankings provide a snapshot of the quarterback landscape entering the playoffs.
In related fantasy football context, NBC Sports' Matthew Berry also features Maye prominently in his Week 18 positional rankings for PPR leagues, emphasizing his value for the championship week.