Is Patrick Mahomes a slam dunk as the No. 1 quarterback in a dynasty league? Nowadays, the decision isn’t looking quite so easy. There are others who also make sense in that spot.

Mahomes is great, of course, but his numbers haven’t been as transcendent this year. And how long can they keep it going? Travis Kelce is 32. Tyreek Hill is 27, and his game is built around having the most explosive speed in the game. How long can they keep that duo of pass catchers together? And what does Mahomes look like when one of them is removed?

Justin Herbert is two and half years younger, and he’s balling pretty good right now. With the Chargers having a fine young coaching staff in place, I think it can be argued to select Herbert before Mahomes.

And Josh Allen would be the No. 1 quarterback in some people’s eyes. He’s a better runner, consistently scoring touchdowns on his own. He’s not quite as smooth and accurate, and I worry a little bit about what he’ll look like in 2022 if Brian Daboll isn’t around. Will Allen revert to more of the brain fart plays? I saw one of those against KC on Sunday, where he held the ball way too long, retreating and eventually taking a huge loss on a play that should have been a simple throwaway.

For the short term, Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson are in the discussion. These guys are putting up huge numbers right now. But the success of those players is heavily tied to their mobility, and I don’t know how long that can last. They’re more likely to get injured, and I don’t know if they can still play with that style into their 30s. So I’m slotting them behind not only those initial three, but also Dak Prescott.

My overall top 50 is below. On these rankings, I’m assuming standard scoring and a true dynasty format, with teams allowed to hold onto players indefinitely. In general, I’m thinking there are about 12 teams in the league, with each holding about three quarterbacks. (So when you get into the teens, it’s reasonable to start thinking about youngsters like Trey Lance and Justin Fields, who aren’t viable right now but might ride their mobility to top-10 production in the near future.)

Rookies are tagged with black dots.

I turn my attention to dynasty leagues every Saturday, rotating between the four notable positions. To access previous lists, use the “past issues” navigation box.

Last week: Wide receivers.

Next week: Running backs.

DYNASTY LEAGUE QUARTERBACKS
RkTmPlayerAge
1.KCPatrick Mahomes26
2.LACJustin Herbert23
3.BUFJosh Allen25
4.DALDak Prescott28
5.ARIKyler Murray 24
6.BALLamar Jackson24
7.SEARussell Wilson32
8.JAC• Trevor Lawrence22
9.GBAaron Rodgers37
10.HOUDeshaun Watson26
11.LARMatthew Stafford33
12.CINJoe Burrow24
13.TBTom Brady44
14.PHIJalen Hurts23
15.SF• Trey Lance21
16.NYGDaniel Jones 24
17.MINKirk Cousins33
18.TENRyan Tannehill33
19.CHI• Justin Fields22
20.NE• Mac Jones23
21.LVDerek Carr30
22.INDCarson Wentz28
23.CLEBaker Mayfield26
24.GBJordan Love22
25.NYJ• Zach Wilson22
26.ATLMatt Ryan36
27.CARSam Darnold24
28.WASTaylor Heinicke28
29.DETJared Goff27
30.NOJameis Winston27
31.DENTeddy Bridgewater28
32.MIATua Tagovailoa23
33.PITBen Roethlisberger39
34.HOUTyrod Taylor32
35.SFJimmy Garoppolo29
36.HOU• Davis Mills23
37.SEAGeno Smith31
38.PHIGardner Minshew 26
39.BUFMitchell Trubisky27
40.WASRyan Fitzpatrick38
41.DENDrew Lock 24
42.CLECase Keenum33
43.NOTaysom Hill31
44.LVMarcus Mariota27
45.INDJacob Eason23
46.MIN• Kellen Mond22
47.MIAJacoby Brissett28
48.ARIColt McCoy35
49.BALTyler Huntley23
50.LACEaston Stick 26

—Ian Allan