Ranking the best QB classes in NFL Draft history

The incredible 1983 quarterback class was featured in an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, with six quarterbacks taken in the first round and three going on to become Hall of Famers. John Elway (1:1), Jim Kelly (1:14), and Dan Marino (1:27) combined to go to 23 Pro Bowls, while Ken O'Brien also made two Pro Bowls himself. The other first rounders were Tony Eason (1:15) and Todd Blackledge (1:7).

The 2004 draft had four first-round picks, with three (Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger) likely to get enshrined in Canton one day. Those three quarterbacks combined for four Super Bowls and 18 Pro Bowls. Third-round pick Matt Schaub also had a nice career with two Pro Bowls.

The 1957 class is known for Hall of Famers Len Dawson (first round) and Sonny Jurgensen (fourth round), but behind them were three more excellent NFL quarterbacks in John Brodie (first round), Jack Kemp (17th round), and Milt Plum (second round). The 23 Pro Bowls from the class clearly makes it one of the best ever.

The historic 1971 class led off with three quarterbacks in Jim Plunkett (Patriots), Archie Manning (Saints), and Dan Pastroini (Oilers). While all three were quality NFL players, the best of the class was third-round pick Ken Anderson, the MVP in 1981, and fourth-round pick Joe Theismann, who eventually made his way to Washington and won an MVP. In total, the class had nine Pro Bowls seasons.

The 2005 class doesn't quite stack up with the 2004 class, but it's no slouch. First overall pick Alex Smith has had a long and productive career, and 24th overall pick Aaron Rodgers has gone on to become one of the quarterbacks in history with nine Pro Bowls and three MVPs. Seventh rounder Ryan Fitzpatrick has had quite the career as a starter, and fellow draftees Jason Campbell (first round), Matt Cassel (seventh round), and Kyle Orton (fourth round) also had nice NFL runs.

There are no Hall of Famers from the 1987 class, but six different quarterbacks made at least one Pro Bowl. Rich Gannon led the way with four Pro Bowls seasons and one MVP after going in the fourth round. Top overall draft choice played for 21 seasons with two Pro Bowls. The single Pro Bowl quarterbacks were Jim Harbaugh (first round), Chris Miller (first round), Steve Beuerlein (fourth round), and Don Majkowski (10th round).

The 1973 class had only one quarterback in the first round (Bert Jones), but the class is headlined by Hall of Famer Dan Fouts (third round), Ron Jaworski (second round), and Joe Ferguson (third round). Second-round pick Gary Huff also started parts of three seasons.

It's still relatively early, but the 2012 quarterback class looks outstanding led by third-round pick and nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. Most of the four first-round quarterbacks were productive, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Ryan Tannehill, while Nick Foles (third round) and Kirk Cousins (fourth round) were draft steals. 

The 1998 draft had arguably the most memorable top two picks in history, with Peyton Manning going to Indianapolis and notorious draft bust Ryan Leaf going one pick later to the Chargers. Manning is on the short list as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever with 14 Pro Bowls and five MVPs. The draft also produced a couple Pro Bowlers later, as Brian Griese (third round) and Matt Hasselbeck (sixth round) emerged. Second-round pick Charlie Batch also had a few notable years.

The 2000 draft is known as the one that produced sixth-round pick and GOAT Tom Brady. Everything else is just a footnote. Still, Chad Pennington (first round) and Marc Bulger (sixth round) did have nice NFL careers.

First overall draft choice Drew Bledsoe had a fine NFL career with four Pro Bowls in 14 seasons, even though he's best remembered for being the injury that led to Tom Brady's emergence in New England. The other strong value from the draft came much later, with Mark Brunell (fifth round), Elvis Grbac (eighth round), and Trent Green (eighth round) having excellent careers. Second overall pick Rick Mirer was a forgettable bust for the Seahawks after a strong career at Notre Dame.

As we look back, the 2011 draft is a bit of a disappointment with three first round busts (Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder). The three most prominent quarterbacks from the class, Cam Newton (first round), Andy Dalton (second round), and Colin Kaepernick (second round) had relatively short peaks, but they do have a combined six Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl appearances. Tyrod Taylor has also been a solid journeyman from the sixth round.

First-round picks Norm Snead and Billy Kilmer were quality NFL starters who both made Pro Bowls, but easily the best player taken in 1961 was third-round pick Fran Tarkenton. He made the Hall of Fame with nine Pro Bowls and one MVP Award over 18 NFL seasons. Eight-round pick Charley Johnson also had a nice 15-year NFL career, making one Pro Bowl.

There's a long way to go, but the 2020 quarterback class has a legitimate shot to challenge 1983 as the best ever. The quartet of Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts have already made significant marks on the league in three seasons, while Jordan Love should get his chance soon.

The 1949 draft class had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, each selected late. Fourth-round pick Norm Van Brocklin went to the Rams, while 12th rounder George Blanda was also enshrined in Canton. First-round picks Bobb Thomason and Frank Tripucka also saw NFL success, making four Pro Bowls combined.

Michael Vick was the first overall pick in 2001 and helped change the game with his running ability. Unfortunately, his career was disrupted by off-field troubles, but he still made four career Pro Bowls. However, the class of the draft was second-round pick Drew Brees, who is a surefire Hall of Famer after making 13 Pro Bowls and winning two Offensive Player of the Year Awards in 19 seasons. The rest of the draft didn't offer much of NFL significance.

Quarterback Angelo Bertelli was the top pick in the 1944 class, but Hall of Famers Otto Graham (first round) and Bob Waterfield (fifth round) were the only quarterbacks of great NFL significance selected. The pair combined to win five NFL Championships.

The 1999 draft was a mixed bag. The draft included five first-round quarterbacks, but only Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper truly panned out from that group, going to a combined nine Pro Bowls. Still, there were some surprises from the class, like second-round pick Shaun King and fourth-round pick Aaron Brooks.

Roger Staubach was a 10th round pick in the 1964 draft out of Navy. He didn't play for the Cowboys until 1969, but would go on to make the Hall of Fame. The only other Pro Bowl season from the draft was accrued by 11th rounder Bob Berry, though Pete Beathard (first round), Bill Munson (first round), and Jack Concannon (second round) saw over 30 starts in the league.

The value of the 1979 draft rests on two quarterbacks, with seventh overall pick Phil Simms and third-round pick Joe Montana having great careers. Montana is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, winning four Super Bowls and winning two MVP Awards with the 49ers. Jack Thompson (first round), Steve Fuller (first round), and Steve Dils (fourth round) also started more than 20 games in the league.

The 2018 quarterback class had its fair share of busts (Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen), but the development of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson help offset the disappointments. Allen has two top three MVP seasons in his first five years, while Jackson won the MVP in 2019.

The 2017 quarterback class is headlined by Patrick Mahomes, though it doesn't have quite as much luster as it did a few years ago due to the declines of Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson. Still, it has a chance to be considered one of the best ever if Watson is able to regain his form in Cleveland, while Mahomes is already in the conversation as one of the best quarterbacks in history.