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

When it comes to the best in show, my bet is on Josh McCown, the resilient and entertaining sometimes starter who could potentially become a head coach. David Carr, despite being the No. 1 overall pick, never quite lived up to expectations, his trajectory reminiscent of Tim Couch’s in Cleveland: a young quarterback thrown into the chaos of an underperforming expansion team. David Garrard, on the other hand, has had his share of dazzling moments with the Jaguars. Shaun Hill, an undrafted player, managed to stay in the league for 15 years. This class was also brought down by two first-round disappointments, Joey Harrington from Detroit and Patrick Ramsey from Washington, who together had a 28-51 record with the teams that unfortunately selected them. For the hardcore fans, this class also introduced us to 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 the implementation of a crucial rookie pay scale in 2011. Bradford’s rookie contract, which spanned six years and was worth $78 million, included an excessive $50 million in guarantees. Despite his unimpressive performance as Offensive Rookie of the Year, Bradford, an unfortunate quarterback, was sidelined for 25 games during his last two seasons in St. Louis because of a series of severe injuries.

Despite his career being cut short by chronic knee problems, Bradford is considered the best among a group that includes career second-string players like hard-working Colt McCoy and the unexciting Jimmy Clausen. This group also includes the unforgettable first-round pick Tim Tebow, who became a global phenomenon during his impressive 2011 season with the Broncos, only to later fizzle out completely and end 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)

The essence of this class depends on your opinion of Jay Cutler. The strong-armed quarterback had a total of 153 starts, and his 51-51 regular season record with the Bears is fitting. He produced a lot of impressive plays — some of his throws were works of art — but coming up with Cutler’s top-five inspiring comeback victories would be a challenge. He never quite transformed into an extraordinary player in his position, but he continued to play long after fellow first-rounders Vince Young and Matt Leinart disappeared from the limelight. Charlie Whitehurst wasn’t particularly remarkable, but he earns recognition 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 draft. The rest of this group is uninspiring and disordered.

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.

Under the guidance of Doug Pederson in 2022, Trevor Lawrence blossomed, liberated from the oppressive rule of Urban Meyer. His performance was marked by confident and accurate throws, improved decision-making, and a propensity to overpower opponents with his formidable 6-foot-6 stature. Though his 2023 performance was less flashy, upon closer inspection, one can discern the qualities of a top-10 passer.

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 with regrettable draft errors into one tumultuous concoction.

Derek Carr has joined the Saints following his dismissal by the Raiders organization. He certainly merited better, yet Carr continues to be a mid-level player who is likely to disappoint as much as he impresses. Jimmy Garoppolo, despite being on his fourth team and losing steam, is still highly regarded.

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

Apart from Matthew Stafford, who has a Super Bowl win to his credit, there’s not much else going on here except for the early career highlights of Mark Sanchez. He had a few standout moments during consecutive trips to the AFC championship game with the Jets, but his limitations as a starting quarterback were fully revealed by 2011. Josh Freeman turned out to be a disappointing first-round selection, and the Dolphins made a blunder by choosing Pat White as the 44th pick, who never got to start a game for Miami or any other team as a quarterback. Chase Daniel deserves some credit for managing to stick around until the 2022 season, while Brian Hoyer is always 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 is merely a backup. The same applies to Jarrett Stidham. Gardner Minshew, though also on the periphery, adds a bit more flavor as a potential starting quarterback with a 59:24 touchdown-to-interception ratio. We unfortunately lost Dwayne Haskins 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 endured a challenging rookie season with a struggling Panthers team. Although it’s tempting to forget the entire dismal scenario, he has lots of tough footage out there. Here’s hoping that Dave Canales, the new head of the Carolina team, can expedite Young’s development.

Anthony Richardson demonstrated exceptional playmaking skills for the Colts, but his season was cut short due to a concussion and a severe AC sprain. As the new season approaches, he remains one of the most exciting potential stars in the AFC.

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

One could contend that this group deserves a higher or even much lower ranking. Despite being filled with names that barely registered any significant impact, the 2000 class is also proud to claim the greatest quarterback of the 21st century, and in my opinion, of all time, Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion. It’s astounding that he moved to Tampa at the age of 43 and clinched the championship. His next challenge: Generate Sunday excitement on FOX from the commentator’s desk.

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, had a disappointing run in Philadelphia before his performance dwindled in Indianapolis and Washington. His career took a hit after a knee injury in 2017 ended his MVP-level season with the Eagles. Now, no longer viewed as a starting quarterback, Wentz backs up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

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 a highly valuable backup who has the ability to secure victories as a starter. Denver’s Paxton Lynch was a disappointing miss, whereas Cody Kessler never 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 full of potential superstars and game-changing failures. In 2011, the Panthers put their previous selection of Jimmy Clausen aside and decided to invest all their hopes in Cam Newton, their No. 1 draft pick. Newton, with an MVP title and Super Bowl experience to his credit, largely lived up to the expectations, making the Panthers a team to be reckoned with. However, this feels like ancient history now after the Panthers disassociated themselves with Newton, leaving him to struggle in New England in 2020 before bizarrely bringing him back to a deteriorating 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)

Mike Vick and Drew Brees both revolutionized the way the quarterback position is played. Vick’s unique running ability and exceptional athleticism shifted the league’s focus towards the potential of running quarterbacks. Despite his career being interrupted by a dog-fighting scandal and subsequent imprisonment, Vick went on to make another Pro Bowl with Philadelphia in 2010. On the other hand, Brees consistently demonstrated that shorter quarterbacks could still excel. After joining the Saints in 2006, he established himself as a top-tier superstar, leading New Orleans to a Super Bowl victory and turning their offense into a spectacle each fall. A certain Hall of Fame inductee, Brees is a true icon in his position. The class also had its disappointments, with second-round picks Quincy Carter and Marques Tuiasosopo quickly falling into obscurity. Chris Weinke also didn’t contribute positively, ending with a 2-18 record as a starter, while A.J. Feeley is only 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 group could have been remembered as the equal of the legendary 2004 and possibly even the 1983 class. Andrew Luck, a talent worthy of the Hall of Fame, won’t get there because of his shocking 2019 retirement. Robert Griffin III, a troubling case, was the most thrilling quarterback in his rookie year before a knee injury derailed his career. In the same draft, Washington found Griffin’s replacement, Kirk Cousins, who unexpectedly became a highly sought-after free agent in 2018 and again in 2024. In the third round, the Seahawks revolutionized their franchise by taking a gamble on Russell Wilson. Despite some skepticism due to his short stature, Wilson secured the starting position in his first training camp and led his team to a Super Bowl victory in his second year. However, his much-hyped move to Denver fell flat as he struggled in a Broncos uniform. Two years later, he was traded to Pittsburgh. Add in Super Bowl LII hero Nick Foles and 2019 Comeback Player of the Year Ryan Tannehill, and despite the disappointments of Griffin, the colossal failure of Brandon Weeden, and the underperformance of Brock Osweiler, this class still stands out as exceptionally productive.

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 initial round resulted in a long-distance starter, Alex Smith, and one of football’s brightest stars, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Everyone remembers Rodgers’ visible frustration 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 chosen by the Packers, a team already equipped with Brett Favre as quarterback. Rodgers’ opportunity to observe and learn undoubtedly aided him, as he would eventually win a Super Bowl and secure his place in Canton. Based on what we know now, Rodgers should have been chosen ahead of Smith and indeed, everyone else in the 2005 draft. However, Smith’s 99-67-1 record as quarterback cannot be overlooked.

This class, beyond the major two, provided remarkable longevity. Ryan Fitzpatrick was an absolute joy, teaming up with Matt Cassel to be among the most productive seventh-rounders ever seen. Derek Anderson and the force of nature known as Kyle Orton were also introduced to us by this group. It’s astonishing to consider that Washington ended up with Jason Campbell, just one pick after Rodgers was selected by Green Bay.

It should be noted that the Jets, who are currently hoping Rodgers can salvage the situation after a disappointing 2023, did not have a first-round pick in the draft that year.

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 an intriguing global athlete, has successfully recovered from two injury-ridden seasons to excel in Todd Monken’s 2023 offense. His impressive credentials make him a significant challenge for defensive coordinators everywhere. However, without a deep postseason run culminating in victory, Lamar’s narrative seems unfinished.

Josh Allen is a compelling force in football and a consistent MVP contender. His occasional mistakes are forgivable due to his unique ability to dominate a game with his distinctive style. Even though the Bills traded Stefon Diggs, causing some tension, Allen’s exciting long passes and stunning runs keep Buffalo in the competition.

Baker Mayfield’s highlights, including assisting Cleveland in achieving its first playoff win since 1994 and setting a league-wide rookie record with 27 touchdown passes, were overshadowed by turmoil as the Browns traded him for Deshaun Watson. After a downward spiral in Carolina and a more successful tenure with the Rams, Mayfield has bounced back with a high-performing season in Tampa.

Kevin O’Connell and others around the league believe in Sam Darnold’s ability as a quarterback. They trust the former first-round pick to start for the Vikings until their not-yet-named rookie is ready to take over.

On this list, Rosen is considered the less fortunate Josh, now merely 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

The trading up of ex-general manager Ryan Pace for the inconsistent Mitchell Trubisky, while stars like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were overlooked, is something that Bears fans are unlikely to forget in a hurry. Mahomes, already a two-time MVP with three Lombardi trophies to his name, is on track to become the best player of his generation. His accomplishments over the past two years, including leading his team to victory despite limited resources, have been so flawless that they have somehow led to him being underrated.

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 boasts some of the franchise’s key players, possessing the unique potential to be considered the best group so far. Joe Burrow, who led the previously struggling Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, further solidified his abilities with an impressive 40-touchdown season in 2022, leading to another AFC title game appearance. Despite an injury setback last fall, Burrow is a resilient, old-school warrior who is poised to make a significant impact on Cincinnati’s future.

I still believe in Hurts. Two seasons ago, he performed at a level worthy of the MVP title and nearly led the Eagles to a championship victory. The team’s collapse last year cannot be solely attributed to Hurts – some of his best performances were overshadowed by defeat. However, this compels him to redouble his efforts and demonstrate his true potential this coming September. His ultimate capabilities remain unknown.

Justin Herbert, boasting an impressive rocket-like arm, perfect size, and intense toughness, embodies all our dreams of a quarterback. After several tumultuous seasons under the former management, Herbert now welcomes 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.