The limitless possibilities that exist during any given play of football has led to a plethora of different player types emerging over the years. So far there's little evidence that there's a better way of entertaining the masses than by having a gunslinger QB that declines to give a single f*ck about silly things like 'taking care of the football' during more plays than not.

Wikipedia defines a gunslinger as ...

"Term for a quarterback who plays in an aggressive and decisive manner by throwing deep, risky passes. These quarterbacks usually possess the strong arm needed to throw deep effectively."

I've always loved this QB archetype because these players are almost always fun to watch. Few moments are more enjoyable when watching football than when a ball is thrown so far that it briefly leaves the television screen. We've seen all-time greats such as Brett Favre literally make a career out of playing like a maniac, while busts like Johnny Manziel still at least provided a few moments of off-script goodness along the way.

You see, being a gunslinger QB doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being good.

We'll use the following five statistics to help define the league's "best" gunslinger QBs from 2019:

Average target depth (PFF) : The number of yards downfield a QB throws on average, whether complete or incomplete.

: The number of yards downfield a QB throws on average, whether complete or incomplete. Deep-ball rate (PFF) : Percentage of passes that a QB attempts a throw of at least 20 yards downfield.

: Percentage of passes that a QB attempts a throw of at least 20 yards downfield. Aggressiveness rate (Next-Gen Stats) : Tracks the amount of pass attempts a QB makes that are into tight coverage, where there is a defender within one yard or less of the receiver at the time of completion or incompletion. Basically percentage of attempts into tight windows over all passing attempts.

: Tracks the amount of pass attempts a QB makes that are into tight coverage, where there is a defender within one yard or less of the receiver at the time of completion or incompletion. Basically percentage of attempts into tight windows over all passing attempts. Non-throwaway rate (Pro Football Reference) : Percentage of pass attempts that don't end in the QB throwing the ball away out of bounds.

: Percentage of pass attempts that don't end in the QB throwing the ball away out of bounds. Combined Money Throws and Danger Plays (Player Profiler): Money Throws are, "A pass requiring exceptional skill or athleticism as well as critical throws executed in clutch moments." Danger Plays are, "Any play in which the QB lacked awareness or took an unnecessary risk that could have resulted in a turnover."

Our list includes the 39 QBs that had at least 150 dropbacks last season.

Top Gunslinger QBs from 2019

1. Matthew Stafford

Stafford absolutely soared in his first year with Darrell Bevell calling plays, as he put together arguably the finest eight-game stretch of his career before missing the second half of the season with a broken back.

It's amazing what an offense that doesn't almost purely consist of check-downs to Theo Riddick and Golden Tate can do for a guy.

Overall, Stafford led all QBs in average target depth, deep-ball rate and aggressiveness. The Lions were 3-4-1 in Stafford's eight starts with one extremely fluky loss against the Chiefs, and one borderline robbery vs. the Packers.

Don't sleep on Detroit making some noise in the NFC North in 2020 *if* Stafford can continue to efficiently shred defenses with downfield dimes to his various (talented) weapons all over the field. I love Stafford's +6600 MVP odds.

2. Jameis Winston

I described the essence of what makes Winston great in my breakdown of the 2019 Jameis Winston All-Star Team:

"Watching Jameis Winston play football always brings out a roller coaster of emotions, regardless of whether you're rooting for or against the 26-year-old QB.

This is because Winston is essentially the NFL's version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One play will showcase the former No. 1 overall pick's rare willingness to sit in the pocket amidst chaos before unleashing and completing a rocket downfield into tight coverage. The next play could very well be an absurd pick-six that even rookies would be ashamed of.

Winston's masterpiece occurred in 2019, when he threw a pick-six on the last play of the season to register the first 30 TD/30 INT season in NFL history. It probably could've been even worse; he arguably had another 20 interceptions dropped.

And yet, Winston isn't exactly bad. His career average of 7.75 yards per attempt ranks 10th among 48 QBs to start at least 16 games since 2015. Winston is also No. 10 in passing touchdowns and No. 7 in passing yards during this stretch. Sure, Winston is 29th in QB Rating, dead last in interceptions, and tied for last in fumbles ... but he's also been the QB18 in fantasy points per game during his five-year career. Winston finished the 2019 season as fantasy's fifth-highest scoring QB.

Say what you will about the man's 28-42 record and consistent penchant for bone-headed turnovers, but he's as entertaining as any QB in the league for better and for worse."

Winston's 66 Danger Plays in 2019 were at least 15 more than any other QB. Here's to hoping that Jameis finds a way to start for someone in 2020.

3. Ryan Fitzpatrick

Once Winston's "mentor", Fitzpatrick has made a career out of completing 50/50 bombs to talented big-bodied WRs. Just look at the seasons he's helped enable at the WR position over the years when given the chance to start even eight games:

2019 DeVante Parker: 72 receptions-1,202 yards-9 TDs

2015 Brandon Marshall: 109-1,502-14

2015 Eric Decker: 80-1,027-12

2014 DeAndre Hopkins: 76-1,210-6

2014 Andre Johnson: 85-936-3

2013 Kendall Wright: 94-1,079-2

2013 Nate Washington: 58-919-3

2012 Steve Johnson: 79-1,046-6

2011 Johnson: 76-1,004-7

2010 Johnson: 82-1,073-10

2009 Terrell Owens: 55-829-5

2008 T.J. Houshmandzadeh: 92-904-4

Adding to the legend of FitzMagic is his willingness to run. The man somehow led the Dolphins in rushing last season with 243 yards and four scores, racking up a notable highlight-worthy truck-stick along the way.