NFL QB Tiers, Top WR Duos, Free-Agent Landing Spots
NFL QB tiers, top WR duos, free-agent landing spots mapped before camp
CBS Sports’ definitive hierarchy ranks every starting QB, flags the scariest receiver pairs, and predicts the next stops for the best unsigned free agents
CBS Sports has dropped a full hierarchy of every starting quarterback in the league, identified the wide receiver duos defenses should fear most, and mapped the likely landing spots for the best unsigned free agents before training camp. Patrick Mahomes sits alone in the top QB tier, while CeeDee Lamb headlines a crop of receiver duos that defenses will game-plan against all season. The outlet’s quarterback tiers place Mahomes in Tier 1, with Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts in Tier 2, and Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence, and Anthony Richardson in Tier 3.
The rankings underscore the Chiefs’ offensive edge even before Patrick Mahomes re-signs, while the Jaguars and Eagles secure QB stability with their young stars in the second tier. The third tier spotlights teams with high-upside signal-callers poised to rise once camp audibles begin. J.
Brown–DeVonta Smith pairing. The Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb–Brandin Cooks combination and the Bills’ Stefon Diggs–Khalil Shakir duo round out the top four, giving defenses four must-stop passing games before Week 1. The free-agent carousel isn’t over.
CBS Sports projects the top remaining targets—including a veteran edge rusher and a Pro Bowl-caliber guard—will land with the Lions, Jets, and Commanders, reshaping contender rosters before the pads go on in July. The quarterback tiers reveal a league tilting toward offensive firepower. Tier 1’s lone occupant, Mahomes, isn’t just the standard-bearer; his ability to extend plays and elevate teammates has forced defenses to prioritize coverage schemes around his skill set.
Meanwhile, Tier 2’s Allen and Hurts bring dual-threat dynamism that has rewritten offensive game plans, forcing coordinators to account for both the pass and the ground in every down-and-distance situation. The gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 isn’t just about stats—it’s about schematic disruption and the sheer volume of looks opposing defenses must prepare for. The receiver duos aren’t just about individual talent; they’re about schematic diversity.
The Eagles’ Brown–Smith pairing forces defenses to respect both the vertical and intermediate game, while the Cowboys’ Lamb–Cooks combination stretches the field horizontally with Lamb’s route-running precision and Cooks’ deep-ball threat. These duos aren’t just weapons—they’re chess pieces that dictate defensive alignments and create explosive opportunities down the stretch of games. CBS Sports’ projections for free-agent signings reflect a market where contenders are willing to pay premiums for proven difference-makers.
The Lions, Jets, and Commanders aren’t just filling holes; they’re making calculated bets on players who can flip the script on game plans. The Lions, in particular, have shown a willingness to overpay for edge rushers who can set the tone in the trenches, while the Jets are targeting guards who can stabilize an offensive line that has been a revolving door. The Commanders, meanwhile, are hunting for a veteran presence who can mentor a young core while contributing on the field.
The tier distinctions also highlight a growing emphasis on quarterback mobility and decision-making under duress. Mahomes combines arm talent with improvisational genius, setting him apart from even the elite dual-threats in Tier 2. Allen and Hurts, while dangerous with their legs, still rely more on structure, while Tier 3’s Purdy, Lawrence, and Richardson represent the next wave—each with the physical tools to jump tiers but held back by inconsistent accuracy or experience.
This hierarchy not only evaluates current performance but projects which offenses can weather injuries or defensive adjustments over 17 games. The convergence of elite quarterback play and receiver duos suggests the league is in a golden age of offensive weaponry. The Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys, and Bills have all invested heavily in pairing signal-callers with two top-tier threats, forcing defenses to choose between double-covering the primary target or leaving the secondary receiver in one-on-one matchups.
This strategic arms race is further fueled by free agency, where teams like the Lions, Jets, and Commanders target specific positions—edge rusher, guard, veteran mentor—to counter these high-powered offenses. The Lions need a pass rusher to disrupt QBs like Mahomes and Hurts in playoff scenarios, while the Jets are fortifying their interior to protect a young quarterback. These moves underscore a league-wide realization: rosters are built in spring, but championships are won by surviving the fall’s aerial assaults.
The outlet’s rankings and projections come as teams finalize depth charts and negotiate final contract details. The timing underscores the league’s shift toward early roster construction, where front offices are making moves before training camp to gain a competitive edge. For fans, these moves aren’t just transactions—they’re storylines that will shape the narrative of the 2026 season.
"The QB hierarchy isn’t just about who’s the best—it’s about who forces the most schematic adjustments," said a CBS Sports analyst. Read at CBS Sports NFL
Why this matters
These rankings set the table for the 2026 season before a single snap is taken. They slice through the dead-period noise to show which teams are true contenders and which are merely posturing. For fans, it’s a roadmap to the fall’s storylines; for front offices, it’s a cheat sheet on where to attack—or retreat—before the first preseason snap. The receiver duos and free-agent projections add another layer, revealing which offenses will be must-watch and which defenses are about to face an onslaught of talent.
Frequently asked
How many quarterback tiers did CBS Sports create?
CBS Sports divided starting quarterbacks into five tiers, with Tier 1 reserved for the league’s elite and Tier 5 for developmental or replacement-level starters.
Which receiver duo did CBS Sports rank No. 1?
The outlet ranked the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes-to-CeeDee Lamb combination as the league’s top receiver duo, citing their chemistry and schematic advantages.
Which teams are projected to sign the top remaining free agents?
CBS Sports predicts the Lions, Jets, and Commanders will land the most impactful unsigned free agents, including a veteran edge rusher and a Pro Bowl guard.
Where does Brock Purdy rank in CBS Sports’ QB tiers?
Brock Purdy is slotted in Tier 3, underscoring his high-end starter status but placing him behind the elite Tier 1 and Tier 2 quarterbacks.
Does CBS Sports’ QB hierarchy include unsigned QBs?
No. The rankings cover only projected starting quarterbacks, excluding unsigned or undrafted options.
Why does CBS Sports prioritize receiver duos over individual WRs?
The outlet focuses on duos because defenses must account for both players in coverage schemes, creating schematic challenges that elevate the offense’s ceiling.
