NFL draft: Ranking all 24 quarterback classes since 2000

The 2024 NFL Draft offers yet another pool of potential franchise quarterbacks. Before we welcome those prospects into the club, let’s take stock of where we stand today. Marc Sessler has once again updated his rankings of each QB draft class that has entered the NFL since the turn of the millennium. Last offseason’s rankings have been altered to reflect a scenery-shifting 2023 campaign.

NOTE: Pro Bowlers are denoted by an asterisk (*).

24) 2007

Round 1: JaMarcus Russell (No. 1 overall), Brady Quinn (No. 22)
Round 2: Kevin Kolb (No. 36), John Beck (No. 40), Drew Stanton (No. 43)
Round 3: Trent Edwards (No. 92)
Round 4: Isaiah Stanback (No. 103)
Round 5: Jeff Rowe (No. 151), Troy Smith (No. 174)
Round 6: Jordan Palmer (No. 205)
Round 7: Tyler Thigpen (No. 2017)
Notable undrafted: Matt Moore

We begin our journey in grim territory. The 2007 NFL Draft was “headlined” by JaMarcus Russell, arguably the most severe quarterback bust of all time and a first-overall whiff who set the Raiders back years. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound LSU star produced a grotesque 7-18 mark as a starter and finished 2009 — his final year in the league — as the worst passer in football. Russell netted $39.4 million, while the Raiders, in return, were handed a raging headache. Ugly vibes for the Browns, too, who reached for Brady Quinn at No. 22, only to turn around three years later and trade him to the Broncos for fullback Peyton Hillis — who at least managed to sneak onto the cover of Madden. Career backup Drew Stanton is one of the few to earn points inside a flatlining class that handed us John Beck, Trent Edwards and the overhyped Kevin Kolb. High-level busts and zero reliable starters make this the worst crop of them all.

23) 2002

Round 1: David Carr (No. 1), Joey Harrington (No. 3), Patrick Ramsey (No. 32)
Round 3: Josh McCown (No. 81)
Round 4: David Garrard* (No. 108), Rohan Davey (No. 117)
Round 5: Randy Fasani (No. 137), Kurt Kittner (No. 158), Brandon Doman (No. 163), Craig Nall (No. 164)
Round 6: J.T. O’Sullivan (No. 186), Steve Bellisari (No. 205)
Round 7: Seth Burford (No. 216), Jeff Kelly (No. 232), Ronald Curry (No. 235), Wes Pate (No. 236)
Notable undrafted: Shaun Hill, Chad Hutchinson

In terms of the best in the show, my vote goes to Josh McCown, the versatile and entertaining sometimes starter who may eventually become a head coach. David Carr, despite being the No. 1 overall pick, failed to live up to expectations, reminding me of the situation with Tim Couch in Cleveland: a young quarterback thrown into a challenging situation with a struggling expansion team. David Garrard had numerous standout moments with the Jaguars, while Shaun Hill, who was not originally drafted, had a 15-year career in the league. This class was also brought down by two first-round disappointments, Joey Harrington from Detroit and Patrick Ramsey from Washington, who had a combined record of 28-51 with the teams that incorrectly selected them. For the dedicated fans, this class also gave us the undrafted enigma, Chad Hutchinson.

22) 2013

Round 1: EJ Manuel (No. 16)
Round 2: Geno Smith* (No. 39)
Round 3: Mike Glennon (No. 73)
Round 4: Matt Barkley (No. 98), Ryan Nassib (No. 110), Tyler Wilson (No. 112), Landry Jones (No. 115)
Round 7: Brad Sorensen (No. 221), Zac Dysert (No. 234), B.J. Daniels (No. 237), Sean Renfree (No. 249)
Notable undrafted: Matt McGloin

Teams were surprised when the Bills reached for EJ Manuel with the 16th overall selection. Seen by most as a project with potential, the Florida State product was a turnover-prone flop in Buffalo — a player Doug Marrone replaced with Kyle Orton before Rex Ryan signed Tyrod Taylor, to avoid leaning on Manuel.

No first-round love poems here, but second-rounder Geno Smith is one of football’s better tales. Tabbed as a post-Russell Wilson patch in Seattle, the ex-washout went on to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors (and his first career Pro Bowl nod) in 2022, then made the Pro Bowl again in 2023. That alone can’t rocket this class up the list, but Geno stands out from an otherwise putrid crop.

21) 2010

Round 1: Sam Bradford (No. 1), Tim Tebow (No. 25)
Round 2: Jimmy Clausen (No. 48)
Round 3: Colt McCoy (No. 85)
Round 4: Mike Kafka (No. 122)
Round 5: John Skelton (No. 155), Jonathan Crompton (No. 168)
Round 6: Rusty Smith (No. 176), Dan LeFevour (No. 181), Joe Webb (No. 199), Tony Pike (No. 204)
Round 7: Levi Brown (No. 209), Sean Canfield (No. 239), Zac Robinson (No. 250)

One could make the case that Sam Bradford played a significant role in establishing the much-needed rookie pay scale in 2011. Bradford’s rookie contract, a six-year deal worth $78 million with an exorbitant $50 million in guarantees, was a significant factor. Despite his underwhelming performance as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, the injury-plagued quarterback missed 25 games during his last two seasons in St. Louis due to a series of devastating injuries.

His career was undermined by persistent knee problems, but Bradford remains at the top of a category comprised mostly of career substitutes like the diligent Colt McCoy and the unexciting Jimmy Clausen. This group also includes the notable first-round selection, Tim Tebow, who gained international fame during his remarkable stint with the Broncos in 2011. However, Tebow’s career fizzled out and he ended up playing minor league baseball with the Mets.

20) 2006

Round 1: Vince Young* (No. 3), Matt Leinart (No. 10), Jay Cutler* (No. 11)
Round 2: Kellen Clemens (No. 49), Tarvaris Jackson (No. 64)
Round 3: Charlie Whitehurst (No. 81), Brodie Croyle (No. 85)
Round 4: Brad Smith (No. 103)
Round 5: Ingle Martin (No. 148), Omar Jacobs (No. 164)
Round 6: Reggie McNeal (No. 193), Bruce Gradkowski (No. 194)
Round 7: D.J. Shockley (No. 223)

Your perception of this class largely depends on your opinion of Jay Cutler. The powerful quarterback had a total of 153 starts, and his 51-51 regular-season record with the Bears seems fitting. He generated many impressive plays – some of his passes were simply stunning – but it would be difficult to identify Cutler’s top five dramatic comeback victories. He never quite evolved into an exceptional player in his role, but he persevered long after his fellow first-rounders Vince Young and Matt Leinart had faded away. Meanwhile, Charlie Whitehurst wasn’t particularly remarkable, but he deserves credit here for his long hair and for dating singer Jewel in the mid-2010s.

19) 2015

Round 1: Jameis Winston* (No. 1), Marcus Mariota (No. 2)
Round 3: Garrett Grayson (No. 75), Sean Mannion (No. 89)
Round 4: Bryce Petty (No. 103)
Round 5: Brett Hundley (No. 147)
Round 7: Trevor Siemian (No. 250)

After melting away in Tampa and toiling away in NOLA, Jameis Winston is now set to back up Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.

Marcus Mariota never lived up to the expectations. Now on his fifth team, he will team up with whoever the Commanders select in the draft. The remaining group is unremarkable and disorganized.

18) 2022

Round 1: Kenny Pickett (No. 20)
Round 3: Desmond Ridder (No. 74), Malik Willis (No. 86), Matt Corral (No. 94)
Round 4: Bailey Zappe (No. 137)
Round 5: Sam Howell (No. 144)
Round 7: Chris Oladokun (No. 241), Skylar Thompson (No. 247), Brock Purdy* (No. 262)
Notable undrafted: Anthony Brown

This gaggle of arms doubles as a reminder of how quickly it all moves: Kenny Pickett’s stint as King of the Steelers was over by lunchtime. Same goes for Desmond Ridder in Atlanta. Malik Willis looms as an afterthought. Bailey Zappe, too. I like Sam Howell more than anyone above, but the Commanders shipped him to Seattle in March without hesitation. Not all is lost, though, with Brock Purdy stringing together two magical campaigns and falling a whisker short of lifting the Lombardi as San Francisco’s storybook hero.

17) 2021

Round 1: Trevor Lawrence* (No. 1), Zach Wilson (No. 2), Trey Lance (No. 3), Justin Fields (No. 11), Mac Jones* (No. 15)
Round 2: Kyle Trask (No. 64)
Round 3: Kellen Mond (No. 66), Davis Mills (No. 67)
Round 4: Ian Book (No. 133)
Round 6: Sam Ehlinger (No. 218)

The Class of 2021 sits in flux.

After escaping from the oppressive rule of Urban Meyer, Trevor Lawrence thrived under Doug Pederson’s guidance in 2022. His inconsistency was replaced with dependable, mature throws, improved decision-making, and an ability to overpower opponents with his impressive 6-foot-6 stature. Although his 2023 performance was less flashy, with the right perspective, one could discern the potential of a top-10 quarterback.

A year ago, I wrote that Justin Fields was “the most exciting prospect Chicago’s possessed in eons.” Now he’s in Pittsburgh.

After a star-crossed start in Foxborough, Mac Jones was dealt to Jacksonville to back up our friend above, Mr. Lawrence.

Trey Lance was traded from San Francisco to Dallas, Zach Wilson appears to be one of the bigger quarterback busts of the century and Davis Mills fades into the woodwork in Houston. Rough-and-tumble territory.

16) 2014

Round 1: Blake Bortles (No. 3), Johnny Manziel (No. 22), Teddy Bridgewater* (No. 32)
Round 2: Derek Carr* (No. 36), Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 62)
Round 4: Logan Thomas (No. 120), Tom Savage (No. 135)
Round 5: Aaron Murray (No. 163), AJ McCarron (No. 164)
Round 6: Zach Mettenberger (No. 178), David Fales (No. 183), Keith Wenning (No. 194), Tajh Boyd (No. 213), Garrett Gilbert (No. 214)

This class spans the spectrum, blending high-profile starters and regrettable draft errors into one tumultuous blend.

Derek Carr has joined the Saints following his dismissal from the Raiders organization. Despite his deserved better treatment, Carr continues to be a middle-level player who is likely to disappoint as much as he pleases. Jimmy Garoppolo, although now part of his fourth team and losing momentum, remains quite appealing.

Blake Bortles fizzled out in Jacksonville, while Johnny Manziel remains a haunting quarterback selection by the Browns. Taken 10 picks later, Teddy Bridgewater had his career sideswiped by a devastating knee injury before emerging as a journeyman with upside. Now he’s a high school coach.

15) 2009

Round 1: Matthew Stafford* (No. 1), Mark Sanchez (No. 5), Josh Freeman (No. 17)
Round 2: Pat White (No. 44)
Round 4: Stephen McGee (No. 101)
Round 5: Rhett Bomar (No. 151), Nate Davis (No. 171)
Round 6: Tom Brandstater (No. 174), Mike Teel (No. 178), Keith Null (No. 196), Curtis Painter (No. 201)
Notable undrafted: Chase Daniel, Brian Hoyer

Aside from Matthew Stafford, who has a Super Bowl win to his name, the only other noteworthy mention is Mark Sanchez’s initial career triumphs. Sanchez had a few memorable highlights during his consecutive visits to the AFC title game with the Jets, but by 2011, his limitations as a starting quarterback were evident. Josh Freeman fizzled out as a first-round disappointment, and the Dolphins missed the mark by selecting Pat White with the 44th pick, who never started as a quarterback for Miami or any other team. Chase Daniel deserves some credit for sustaining his career until 2022, while Brian Hoyer remains a viable option, just a phone call away.

14) 2019

Round 1: Kyler Murray* (No. 1), Daniel Jones (No. 6), Dwayne Haskins (No. 15)
Round 2: Drew Lock (No. 42)
Round 3: Will Grier (No. 100)
Round 4: Ryan Finley (No. 104), Jarrett Stidham (No. 133)
Round 5: Easton Stick (No. 166), Clayton Thorson (No. 167)
Round 6: Gardner Minshew* (No. 178), Trace McSorley (No. 197)
Notable undrafted: David Blough, Devlin Hodges

Kyler Murray brought good vibes to Arizona as a rookie, flashing his powerful arm and jitterbug mobility. His late-season swoon in 2021 — capped by a hideous playoff performance and public demands for a new deal — left Cardinals faithful piqued. A torn ACL late in the 2022 campaign didn’t help, but Kyler looked the part down the stretch last season. He’ll run the show again for a rebuilding Cardinals roster.

Daniel Jones notched a career year in 2022 — earning a king’s ransom — but tumbled back to Earth in 2023. He rests on the hot seat in New York.

Drew Lock serves as backup, as does Jarrett Stidham. Gardner Minshew, while also a backup, presents a more exciting option with a touchdown-to-pick ratio of 59:24. Unfortunately, Dwayne Haskins’ departure came far too early.

13) 2023

Round 1: Bryce Young (No. 1), C.J. Stroud* (No. 2), Anthony Richardson (No. 4)
Round 2: Will Levis (No. 33)
Round 3: Hendon Hooker (No. 68)
Round 4: Jake Haener (No. 127), Stetson Bennett (No. 128), Aidan O’Connell (No. 135)
Round 5: Clayton Tune (No. 139), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (No. 140), Sean Clifford (No. 149), Jaren Hall (No. 164)
Round 6: Tanner McKee (No. 188)
Round 7: Max Duggan (No. 239)
Notable undrafted: Tyson Bagent, Tommy DeVito

Massive TBDs.

Bryce Young had a tough rookie season with the struggling Panthers team. There’s a part of me that wishes to erase this unpleasant memory, but he has produced a considerable amount of poor footage. We can only hope that Dave Canales, the new leader of the Carolina team, will be able to assist Young in his rapid development.

Anthony Richardson showcased exceptional playmaking skill for the Colts, but his season was cut short due to a concussion and an AC sprain. Entering the new campaign, he is considered one of the AFC’s most intriguing potential stars.

Both Carolina and the Colts likely turned green watching C.J. Stroud transform into a legitimate MVP candidate months into his NFL career. Attached to the white-hot Texans, Stroud can do it all, whipping 23 touchdowns to just five picks as a newbie. With Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon added to Houston’s laundry list of weapons, Stroud finds himself in prime position to push this organization to the brink.

Aidan O’Connell and Dorian Thompson-Robinson went to battle in the regular season. Clayton Tune, too. Hendon Hooker’s on hold as long as Jared Goff runs the show in Detroit. This class, though, houses genuine promise — and evidence that its lead horse might be a centerpiece for years to come.

12) 2000

Round 1: Chad Pennington (No. 18)
Round 3: Giovanni Carmazzi (No. 65), Chris Redman (No. 75)
Round 5: Tee Martin (No. 163)
Round 6: Marc Bulger* (No. 168), Spergon Wynn (No. 183), Tom Brady* (No. 199), Todd Husak (No. 202), Ja’Juan Seider (No. 205)
Round 7: Tim Rattay (No. 212), Jarious Jackson (No. 214), Joe Hamilton (No. 234)
Notable undrafted: Doug Johnson, Billy Volek

This group’s ranking could be disputed, suggesting a higher or much lower position. Despite being filled with names that barely registered any significance, the class of 2000 can proudly claim the best quarterback of the 21st century, and in my opinion, of all time – Tom Brady, the winner of seven Super Bowls. It’s astonishing how he moved to Tampa at the age of 43 and won it all. His next challenge: Generate excitement for FOX’s Sunday programming from the commentator’s box.

Chad Pennington is lost in Tommy’s shadow, but the group’s only first-rounder was a rare find for the Jets and produced nicely for most of his 11-year career. An anonymous sixth-rounder, Marc Bulger went on to start 95 games for the post-Kurt Warner Rams over eight seasons. It’s incredible the 49ers made Giovanni Carmazzi the second quarterback off the board with Brady — a Bay Area resident — still available, but the blame falls on every single team in the NFL who failed to recognize what the future Patriots star would become. Pennington, Carmazzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin, Bulger and Spergon Wynn all found homes before fate intervened to pair TB12 with Bill Belichick.

11) 2016

Round 1: Jared Goff* (No. 1), Carson Wentz* (No. 2), Paxton Lynch (No. 26)
Round 2: Christian Hackenberg (No. 51)
Round 3: Jacoby Brissett (No. 91), Cody Kessler (No. 93)
Round 4: Connor Cook (No. 100), Dak Prescott* (No. 135), Cardale Jones (No. 139)
Round 5: Kevin Hogan (No. 162)
Round 6: Nate Sudfeld (No. 187), Jake Rudock (No. 191), Brandon Allen (No. 201), Jeff Driskel (No. 207)
Round 7: Brandon Doughty (No. 223)

First overall pick Jared Goff authored a troubling, deer-in-headlights Super Bowl start and underwhelmed for a Rams team that shipped him off to Detroit. Instead of withering away, though, Goff has churned out his best tape yet for the Lions; in 2023, he helped lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and to the NFC title game for the first time since 1991.

Carson Wentz, the second overall pick, experienced a decline in Philly before his career lost steam in Indy and Washington. A 2017 knee injury that ended an MVP-caliber season with the Eagles marked a turning point in his performance. Currently, Wentz is no longer viewed as a starting quarterback and serves as a backup to Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs’ territory.

Dak Prescott has massively exceeded his fourth-round pedigree and deserved that big second contract from Dallas. He’s the best of the bunch with star-level traits — until January hits. Will he re-up with the ‘Boys again after this season or be wearing a different uniform in 2025?

Jacoby Brissett is an exceptional backup who has the ability to win games as a starting player. Conversely, Paxton Lynch was a significant disappointment for Denver, and Cody Kessler never really came to fruition.

10) 2011

Round 1: Cam Newton* (No. 1), Jake Locker (No. 8), Blaine Gabbert (No. 10), Christian Ponder (No. 12)
Round 2: Andy Dalton* (No. 35), Colin Kaepernick (No. 36)
Round 3: Ryan Mallett (No. 74)
Round 5: Ricky Stanzi (No. 135), T.J. Yates (No. 152), Nathan Enderle (No. 160)
Round 6: Tyrod Taylor* (No. 180)
Round 7: Greg McElroy (No. 208)
Supplemental draft: Terrelle Pryor (Round 3)

This class was packed with both promising talent and potential busts that could significantly impact a franchise. In 2011, the Panthers smartly overlooked their previous selection of Jimmy Clausen in April, instead choosing Cam Newton as their No. 1 pick in the draft. Newton lived up to expectations, winning an MVP award and leading the team to the Super Bowl, making the Panthers a notable franchise. However, this success now feels like a distant memory after the Panthers dismissed Newton, leaving him to struggle in New England in 2020 before oddly returning to a waning Panthers team in 2021.

Ace Boogie’s success is offset by a trio of first-round whiffs — Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder — that would be enough to shuttle this class down the list if it weren’t for the supporting cast. Andy Dalton is no Joe Burrow, but he gave the Bengals nearly a decade’s worth of perfectly average performances. Tyrod Taylor offers starting experience, but a lack of durability has unspooled too many adventures. Colin Kaepernick’s career morphed into a radioactive talking point, but he brought the Niners within one completed pass of a Super Bowl title and was seen by many as the most exciting quarterback in football for a two-season stretch.

9) 2008

Round 1: Matt Ryan* (No. 3), Joe Flacco (No. 18)
Round 2: Brian Brohm (No. 56), Chad Henne (No. 57)
Round 3: Kevin O’Connell (No. 94)
Round 5: John David Booty (No. 137), Dennis Dixon (No. 156), Josh Johnson (No. 160), Erik Ainge (No. 162)
Round 6: Colt Brennan (No. 186), Andre’ Woodson (No. 198)
Round 7: Matt Flynn (No. 209), Alex Brink (No. 223)
Notable undrafted: Caleb Hanie

The 2008 group gave us one-time MVP Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title after a month-plus of pristine postseason play. Ryan became an announcer, while Flacco returned to the field — in Cleveland of all places — to author one of the more unpredictable Comeback Player of the Year campaigns around. The names lack sizzle from there, with Chad Henne underwhelming as a starter and Brian Brohm serving as a second-round disappointment. Matt Flynn offered hopeful moments, but he failed to become a QB1.

8) 2003

Round 1: Carson Palmer* (No. 1), Byron Leftwich (No. 7), Kyle Boller (No. 19), Rex Grossman (No. 22)
Round 3: Dave Ragone (No. 88), Chris Simms (No. 97)
Round 4: Seneca Wallace (No. 110)
Round 5: Brian St. Pierre (No. 163)
Round 6: Drew Henson (No. 192), Brooks Bollinger (No. 200), Kliff Kingsbury (No. 201)
Round 7: Gibran Hamdan (No. 232), Ken Dorsey (No. 241)
Notable undrafted: Tony Romo*

The best passer in this class wasn’t even drafted. Tony Romo was brought to Dallas when former Cowboys assistant Sean Payton pitched him to Bill Parcells. The rest is history, with Romo taking the starting job from Drew Bledsoe in 2006 and never looking back. Heavily critiqued early in his career for the occasional high-profile gaffe, Romo ultimately retired as one of the NFL’s most reliable quarterbacks — and now he’s a Sunday fixture on CBS. No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer proved to be well worth the selection, which was made by the Bengals, though some of the best work of his 14-year career came later on with Arizona. Byron Leftwich gave the Jaguars 44 up-and-down starts, while Kyle Boller and Rex Grossman were largely annoying. Still, Grossman is the only passer from this class to start on the game’s biggest stage, helping guide Chicago to Super Bowl XLI, where the Bears were steamrolled by Peyton Manning‘s Colts.

7) 2001

Round 1: Michael Vick* (No. 1)
Round 2: Drew Brees* (No. 32), Quincy Carter (No. 53), Marques Tuiasosopo (No. 59)
Round 4: Chris Weinke (No. 106), Sage Rosenfels (No. 109), Jesse Palmer (No. 125)
Round 5: Mike McMahon (No. 149), A.J. Feeley (No. 155)
Round 6: Josh Booty (No. 172), Josh Heupel (No. 177)

Both Mike Vick and Drew Brees revolutionized the way the quarterback position is viewed and played. Vick’s unique running ability and extraordinary athleticism brought a new focus on the potential of running quarterbacks in the league. One can’t help but speculate about the trajectory of Vick’s career without the dog-fighting scandal and prison sentence, although he did earn another Pro Bowl honor with Philadelphia in 2010. Brees, on the other hand, proved that a lack of height is not necessarily a disadvantage for quarterbacks. Once he joined the Saints in 2006, he quickly established himself as a top-notch superstar, winning a fairy-tale Super Bowl for New Orleans and making their offense a joy to watch each fall. He is a surefire Hall of Fame candidate and a legend in the quarterback position. The draft class did have its disappointments, with second-round picks Quincy Carter and Marques Tuiasosopo quickly losing their shine. Chris Weinke didn’t do much to improve the reputation, ending with a dismal 2-18 record as a starter, while A.J. Feeley is merely remembered as a temporary solution in Miami.

6) 2012

Round 1: Andrew Luck* (No. 1), Robert Griffin III* (No. 2), Ryan Tannehill* (No. 8), Brandon Weeden (No. 22)
Round 2: Brock Osweiler (No. 57)
Round 3: Russell Wilson* (No. 75), Nick Foles* (No. 88)
Round 4: Kirk Cousins* (No. 102)
Round 6: Ryan Lindley (No. 185)
Round 7: B.J. Coleman (No. 243), Chandler Harnish (No. 253)
Notable undrafted: Case Keenum

If everything had gone according to plan, this class could have been remembered as being on par with the all-star cast of 2004, or even 1983. Andrew Luck, a talent worthy of the Hall of Fame, sadly won’t make it to Canton due to his unexpected retirement in 2019. Robert Griffin III was an exciting quarterback during his rookie year, but a knee injury forever altered his career. Interestingly, Washington found Griffin’s replacement in the same draft in the form of Kirk Cousins, who became a highly sought after free agent in 2018 and again in 2024. The Seahawks made a significant impact on their franchise by selecting Russell Wilson in Round 3. Despite some criticism for his small size, Wilson proved himself by winning the starting job in his first training camp and securing the Lombardi Trophy in his second year. However, his much-hyped move to Denver was a disappointment as he struggled in a Broncos uniform. Two years later, he moved to Pittsburgh. Add in the hero of Super Bowl LII, Nick Foles, and the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year, Ryan Tannehill, and this class stands out as highly productive, despite the struggles of Griffin, the major flop Brandon Weeden, and the lackluster Brock Osweiler.

5) 2005

Round 1: Alex Smith* (No. 1), Aaron Rodgers* (No. 24), Jason Campbell (No. 25)
Round 3: Charlie Frye (No. 67), Andrew Walter (No. 69), David Greene (No. 85)
Round 4: Kyle Orton (No. 106), Stefan LeFors (No. 121)
Round 5: Dan Orlovsky (No. 145), Adrian McPherson (No. 152)
Round 6: Derek Anderson* (No. 213)
Round 7: James Kilian (No. 229), Matt Cassel* (No. 230), Ryan Fitzpatrick (No. 250)

The first round yielded a long-range starter in Alex Smith and a shining star of football, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. It’s common knowledge that Rodgers was disgruntled as he watched 21 teams, including the Vikings and Cowboys who each had two picks in the top 23, overlook him before he was finally picked by the Packers. Their roster already boasted Brett Favre as quarterback. This opportunity to observe and learn benefitted Rodgers, who later won a Super Bowl and is certain to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. In hindsight, Rodgers should have been picked before Smith and everyone else in the 2005 draft. However, credit is due to Smith who boasts a respectable record of 99-67-1 as quarterback.

Apart from the top two, this class exhibited exceptional longevity. Ryan Fitzpatrick was a sheer joy to watch, partnering with Matt Cassel to transform into two of the most prolific seventh-rounders in history. This cohort also introduced us to Derek Anderson and the sensation named Kyle Orton. It’s astonishing to imagine that Washington had to settle for Jason Campbell, who was picked right after Rodgers was chosen by Green Bay.

It should be noted that the Jets, who are now hoping for Rodgers to salvage the situation following a disappointing 2023, did not have a first-round pick in that year’s draft.

4) 2018

Round 1: Baker Mayfield (No. 1), Sam Darnold (No. 3), Josh Allen* (No. 7), Josh Rosen (No. 10), Lamar Jackson* (No. 32)
Round 3: Mason Rudolph (No. 76)
Round 4: Kyle Lauletta (No. 108)
Round 5: Mike White (No. 171)
Round 6: Luke Falk (No. 199), Tanner Lee (No. 203)
Round 7: Danny Etling (No. 219), Alex McGough (No. 220), Logan Woodside (No. 249)
Notable undrafted: Kyle Allen

Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP and one of the world’s most intriguing athletes, made a successful comeback from two injury-riddled seasons, excelling in Todd Monken’s offense in 2023. His impressive record makes him a significant challenge for defensive coordinators everywhere. However, his narrative seems unfinished without a deep playoff run culminating in victory.

Josh Allen is a must-see dynamic force within football and a consistent candidate for MVP. Despite the occasional error, his unique style of dominating games is unmatched. Even though the Bills traded Stefon Diggs, tightening their situation, Allen’s exhilarating long passes and stunning runs keep Buffalo in the running as contenders.

Baker Mayfield’s highs, such as leading Cleveland to its first playoff win since 1994 and setting a rookie record with 27 touchdown passes, were overshadowed when the Browns traded him for Deshaun Watson. After a turbulent period in Carolina, he managed to regain form with the Rams. Following an impressive performance in Tampa, Mayfield has returned to top form.

Kevin O’Connell is among the league insiders who believe in Sam Darnold, trusting the former first-round pick to start for the Vikings until their unannounced rookie is ready to take over.

On this list, Rosen is the less fortunate version of Josh, now just a memory in NFL history.

3) 2017

Round 1: Mitchell Trubisky* (No. 2), Patrick Mahomes* (No. 10), Deshaun Watson* (No. 12)
Round 2: DeShone Kizer (No. 52)
Round 3: Davis Webb (No. 87), C.J. Beathard (No. 104)
Round 4: Joshua Dobbs (No. 135)
Round 5: Nathan Peterman (No. 171)
Round 6: Brad Kaaya (No. 215)
Round 7: Chad Kelly (No. 253)
Notable undrafted: Taysom Hill, Nick Mullens

Bears enthusiasts are unlikely to quickly move on from former general manager Ryan Pace’s decision to trade up for the inconsistent Mitchell Trubisky, while Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were overlooked. Mahomes continues to be on track to be the most exceptional player of his era. He’s already a two-time MVP and three-time Lombardi winner, rapidly ticking off his goals. Despite his successful performances over the last two years, including masterfully orchestrating plays even with limited resources, Mahomes is still somewhat underrated due to the high expectations we’ve come to have from him.

Mahomes is sufficient to elevate this class into the higher realms.

Watson is a theoretical Pro Bowl talent (last nod was in 2020) whose serious off-the-field issues didn’t stop the Browns from handing him more guaranteed money than any quarterback in history. Following his 11-game suspension in 2022, Watson hit the field as a hyper-rusty version of the player we once knew. Injuries and iffy play made 2023 a problematic picture. He’s under considerable pressure to operate as a top-five quarterback in 2024. Don’t hold your breath.

Joshua Dobbs lifted himself into Nick Mullens territory last season, providing enough gritty play — while changing teams two times — to show why he remains employed, even if he and Mullens both ultimately failed to make up for the loss of Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. Taysom Hill looms as a better gadget-magician than starting quarterback, but Sean Payton would happily author a book of sea poems about the man after their time together in New Orleans.

2) 2020

Round 1: Joe Burrow* (No. 1), Tua Tagovailoa* (No. 5), Justin Herbert* (No. 6), Jordan Love (No. 26)
Round 3: Jalen Hurts* (No. 53)
Round 4: Jacob Eason (No. 122), James Morgan (No. 125)
Round 5: Jake Fromm (No. 167)
Round 6: Jake Luton (No. 189)
Round 7: Cole McDonald (No. 224), Ben DiNucci (No. 231), Tommy Stevens (No. 240), Nate Stanley (No. 244)

The Class of 2020, with its impressive roster of franchise cornerstones, possesses the unique potential to become the best group we have ever seen. After leading the long-suffering Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, Joe Burrow went above and beyond in 2022, constructing an outstanding 40-touchdown season that led them to yet another AFC title game. Although injury marred his last season, Burrow’s old-school, unshakable warrior spirit promises to transform Cincinnati’s fortunes permanently.

I still have faith in Hurts. He demonstrated MVP level performance two seasons ago, nearly leading the Eagles to a championship. The team’s collapse last year can’t be solely attributed to Hurts – some of his strongest performances were obscured by losses. However, this now compels him to redouble his efforts and reveal his true potential this coming September. His ultimate capability is still unknown.

With an impressive rocket arm, the perfect size, and a fiery determination, Justin Herbert embodies everything we dream of in a quarterback. Following a series of tumultuous seasons with the previous management, Herbert now steps into a fresh start under Jim Harbaugh.

Tua Tagovailoa has been a statistical wonder, spinning magic with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle under coach Mike McDaniel. He’s a polarizing operator who looks like an MVP candidate to some while causing a wandering eye in others.

Here’s what I wrote a year ago: “If Jordan Love becomes a reliable starter for the Packers in a post-Aaron Rodgers universe, this gaggle of precious arms looms as the stuff of dreams.” Love proceeded to go 9-8 and win a playoff game.

1) 2004

Round 1: Eli Manning* (No. 1), Philip Rivers* (No. 4), Ben Roethlisberger* (No. 11), J.P. Losman (No. 22)
Round 3: Matt Schaub* (No. 90)
Round 4: Luke McCown (No. 106)
Round 5: Craig Krenzel (No. 148)
Round 6: Andy Hall (No. 185), Josh Harris (No. 187), Jim Sorgi (No. 193), Jeff Smoker (No. 201)
Round 7: John Navarre (No. 202), Cody Pickett (No. 217), Casey Bramlet (No. 218), Matt Mauck (No. 225), B.J. Symons (No. 248), Bradlee Van Pelt (No. 250)

The gold standard for quarterback classes of the 21st century. The 2004 collection of signal-callers boasts four Super Bowl wins, while the group’s big three — Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger — can all make cases for the Hall of Fame. The trio’s 721 regular-season starts also tell the tale of ironman passers counted on to dress game after game and year after year by their respective teams. The Chargers and Giants will always be linked because of the draft-day trade that sent Manning to New York and Rivers to San Diego. Deep history today, though, with Eli dipped in retirement and Rivers calling it quits in 2020 after a one-year stint with the Colts. Of the group, Big Ben put together the finest career before hanging it up in 2021. The first round also included a titanic bust in J.P. Losman, but third-rounder Matt Schaub beat the odds to play for 17 seasons. Shame on those of you who don’t recall the feats of Matt Mauck. If this class came around every year, the league would be turning signal-callers away at the door.