10 Best NFL Draft Quarterback Classes Since 1980
-
*
Four quarterbacks are projected to be taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While some quarterback classes have produced all-time greats, there have been plenty of others in the draft’s long history that have disappointed (to put it mildly). Here are the best quarterback classes since 1980. By the way, one Hall of Famer combined with a bunch of busts does not make for a great class.
— Written by Aaron Tallent, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. Tallent is a writer whose articles have appeared in The Sweet Science, FOX Sports’ Outkick the Coverage, Liberty Island and The Washington Post. Follow him on Twitter at @AaronTallent.
-
10. 2008 – 13 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Matt RyanNotables
Joe Flacco
Chad HenneRest of the class: Brian Brohm, Kevin O’Connell, John David Booty, Dennis Dixon, Josh Johnson, Erik Ainge, Colt Brennan, Andre Woodson, Matt Flynn, Alex Brink
Ryan’s play as the Atlanta Falcons’ signal-caller – most notably his superb 2016 MVP season – has been stellar, while Flacco was MVP of Super Bowl XLVII. Surprisingly, Flacco has never been to a Pro Bowl.
-
9. 1999 – 13 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Donovan McNabb
Daunte CulpepperNotables
Shaun King
Aaron BrooksRest of the class: Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Cade McNown, Brock Huard, Joe Germaine, Kevin Daft, Michael Bishop, Chris Greisen, Scott Covington
Five quarterbacks were taken in the first round. Three of them – Couch (No. 1 overall pick), Smith (No. 3) and McNown (No. 12) – did not pan out, but McNabb (No. 2) and Culpepper (No. 11) went on to have great careers.
-
8. 2011 – 12 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Cam Newton
Andy Dalton
Tyrod TaylorNotables
Colin KaepernickRest of the class: Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, Ricky Stanzi, T.J. Yates, Nathan Enderle, Greg McElroy
This class started strong with the success of these four players and Newton was the league MVP in 2015.
-
7. 1993 – 8 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Drew Bledsoe
Mark Brunell
Elvis Grbac
Trent GreenNotables
Rick MirerRest of the class: Billy Joe Hobert, Gino Torretta, Alex Van Pelt
Of the eight quarterbacks drafted, four went on to make the Pro Bowl and played for a combined 56 seasons. Not too shabby.
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
-
6. 1998 – 8 Quarterbacks Drafted
Surefire Hall of Famers
Peyton ManningPro Bowlers
Brian Griese
Matt HasselbeckNotables
Ryan Leaf
Charlie BatchRest of the class: Jonathan Quinn, John Dutton, Moses Moreno
As I said earlier, one Hall of Famer does not make up for an otherwise bad class, a distinction headlined by all-time bust Ryan Leaf. However, when the one “hit” is Manning, his resume alone can make an otherwise good class great.
-
5. 2001 – 11 Quarterbacks Drafted
Surefire Hall of Famers
Drew BreesPro Bowlers
Michael VickNotables
Quincy Carter
Sage Rosenfels
A.J. FeeleyRest of class: Marques Tuiasosopo, Chris Weinke, Jesse Palmer, Mike McMahon, Josh Booty, Josh Heupel
Brees will certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and despite his ups and downs, Vick was one of the best quarterbacks in the league in his prime.
-
4. 2005 – 14 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Alex Smith
Aaron Rodgers
Derek Anderson
Matt CasselNotables
Kyle Orton
Jason Campbell
Ryan FitzpatrickRest of the class: Charlie Frye, Andrew Walter, David Greene, Stefan Lefors, Dan Orlovsky, Adrian McPherson, James Kilian,
The careers of first-round picks Smith and Rodgers speak for themselves, but late-round selections Anderson and Cassel have had some success as well.
-
3. 2012 – 11 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Andrew Luck
Robert Griffin III
Russell Wilson
Nick Foles
Kirk CousinsRyan Tannehill
Notables
Brandon Weeden
Brock OsweilerRest of the class: Ryan Lindley, B.J. Coleman, Chandler Harnish
Foles and Wilson went on to win Super Bowl rings, while Luck and RGIII will always leave us wondering what might have been.
-
2. 2004 – 17 Quarterbacks Drafted
Pro Bowlers
Eli Manning
Ben Roethlisberger
Philip Rivers
Matt SchaubRest of the class: J.P. Losman, Luke McCown, Craig Krenzel, Andy Hall, Josh Harris, Jim Sorgi, Jeff Smoker, John Navarre, Cody Pickett, Casey Bramlet, Matt Mauck, B.J. Symons, Bradlee Van Pelt
Manning and Roethlisberger have both won two Super Bowls and will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Rivers never won a Super Bowl, but he may be joining them based on his prolific passing.
-
1. 1983 – 16 Quarterbacks Drafted
Hall of Famers
John Elway
Jim Kelly
Dan MarinoPro Bowlers
Ken O’BrienNotables
Tony Eason
Todd Blackledge
Gary KubiakRest of the class: Jeff Christensen, Reggie Collier, Babe Laufenberg, Tom Ramsey, Bruce Mathison, Jim Bob Taylor, Clete Casper, David Mangrum, Scott Lindquist
Of the 16 quarterbacks drafted, six were taken in the first round and three are in the Hall of Fame. No other class on this list comes close to matching that type of success yet.