With the first half of the fantasy football season behind us, the characteristics of this year's NFL QBs is becoming clear. I have broken them down into four categories based on efficiency and yardage, per the following charts.

The numbers in parenthesis are average fantasy points per game in 4-pt per passing TD leagues.

The Ideal QB - High Efficiency and High Yardage 

• Josh Allen, Buf (27.1)
• Jalen Hurts, Phi (26.5)
• Justin Herbert, LAC (24.7)
• Patrick Mahomes, KC (23.4)
• Tua Tagovailoa, Mia (23.2)
• Lamar Jackson, Bal (23.0)
• Kirk Cousins, Min (22.8)
• Brock Purdy, SF (20.7)
• Jared Goff, Det (20.6)
• Geno Smith, Sea (20.0)
• Trevor Lawrence, Jax (18.4)

MVP candidates, franchise players and stars occupy this space. This is the best of the best right here. Of course we are measuring just passing attributes. QBs can add a lot of yards and points with their legs, and for fantasy that is what separates the elite such as Josh Allen (5 rushing TDs) and Jalen Hurts (6 rushing TDs) from the mediocre, Geno Smith (0 rushing TDs) and Trevor Lawrence (0 rushing TDs).

The star of the show is Tua Tagovailoa who is leading an entertaining explosive scoring Dolphins offense. The oft-criticized Kirk Cousins was putting up elite numbers until he tore his Achilles last week.

Elite passing offenses can be centered around a running or passing threat QB. A great scheme and the right support around a franchise QB remains the blueprint for any contender.

Gunslingers - Low Efficiency and High Yardage

• Sam Howell, Wsh (21.4)
• C.J. Stroud, Hou (19.5)
• Matthew Stafford, LAR (17.4)

These are gunslingers who take chances. Their low efficiency isn't a always the result of bad play but often of an overburdened offense.

Rookie CJ Stroud has performed well above expectations his rookie year. The Washington Commanders were expected to go through a tough year offensively with first year starter, Sam Howell, but so far that hasn't been the case. Veteran Matthew Stafford is performing heroics to get the Rams offense moving.

Perhaps if these quarterbacks had a more balanced offense to work with, they might join the above group.

Game Managers - High Efficiency and Low Yardage

• Russell Wilson, Den (19.7)
• Dak Prescott, Dal (19.0)
• Daniel Jones, NYG (14.2)
• Mac Jones, NE (14.4)

Game managers rarely, if ever, push the ball down the field. They prefer to throw short to medium range darts. These QBs won't be the reason a team loses, but they definitely won't be the reason a  team wins either. 

These QB's have lean toward a dink-and-dunk routine. If surrounded by complimentary playmakers and more aggressive play calling, they might be capable of leading more explosive offenses e.g. Kirk Cousins 

Bruce Arians would avoid everyone of these names.

Back-Up QBs - Low  Efficiency and Low Yardage

• Justin Fields, Chi (21.0)
• Jordan Love, GB (20.4) 
• Joshua Dobbs, Ari (18.7)
• Joe Burrow, Cin (16.6)
• Deshaun Watson, Cle (15.9)
• Bryce Young, Car (15.3)
• Daniel Jones, NYG (14.2)
• Zach Wilson, NYJ (13.6)
• Gardner Minshew, Ind (13.1)
• Kenny Pickett, Pit (13.0)
• Ryan Tannehill, Ten (11.4)

The rookie on this list, Bryce Young, has an excuse, he's a rookie.

Joshua Dobbs, Zach Wilson and Gardner Minshew are actual back-ups so they are excused also. 

Joe Burrow has an excuse, he has been recovering from a late off-season injury.

Some career backups are finally getting a starting chance, but are showing why they aren't starters.

What can be said for Daniel Jones or Deshaun Watson? The Giants QB when healthy, has given the offense little to nothing on a weekly basis. His performance is way out of whack compared to his pay to be the Giants franchise QB. Coaching can't be blamed, as Brain Daboll performed near-miracles to sneak the Giants into the playoffs last year.