trying to choose a dps.

[winsock]

are there a few that stand out damage wise? besides dragoon. like a top 3 damage wise dps. thanks

In terms of target dummy dmg:
MNK > BLM > DRG
Also worth noting that SMN has the highest AoE dmg.

Keep in mind though that it doesn't always mean they will be in that order for every fight. Gear plays a big role and classes have their own set of issues they need to deal with to ensure high DPS.

Honestly, you'll be just fine picking a class that you enjoy playing. If you're only looking for numbers it would be helpful to know what kind of content you'll be using it for.