I’ve been studying the NFL concept since 1979 and I’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks. Some great, some awful. Some first-round picks that made it to the Hall of Fame, and some top-10 picks that were complete busts.
So when I was recently asked where Trevor Lawrence of Clemson was among the top rated quarterbacks I’ve ever studied, I just said, “He’s up there.” However, I really wanted to dig into it and compare its grade with the rest of mine over the past 40 years. What follows below are the top 10 quarterbacks on that list, based on mine preliminary design Numbers. It doesn’t reflect their NFL performance, but rather where I had reviewed them the day before their respective drafts.
You’ll notice that this list and order is slightly different from when I did something similar in 2011. That’s because I added Andrew Luck from the 2012 class, plus a quarterback who is still playing at number 10. And as I went back through my numbers and scouting reports, I found that the 2011 list was not entirely accurate because it used a few scouting reports from March versus my last scouting reports from April. But don’t worry – I’m not hiding how tall I was on some Legendary busts, as you’ll see below.
Let’s dig into my top-rated quarterbacks since 1979, and I’ll include excerpts from my latest scouting reports, brief notes on how their careers ended and where Lawrence fits into the 2021 class:
Design class: 1983
Choose: Number 1 overall, Denver Broncos
What I wrote at the time: Perhaps the best evaluation of his talents was given by Cardinals coach Paul Wiggin, who said, ‘He has John Brodie’s confidence and field instincts, Archie Manning’s special human qualities, and Terry Bradshaw’s physical qualities.’ In my final evaluation, Elway received the highest marks one can achieve in all categories. He has no discernible weaknesses and is the prototype QB. Without a doubt, Elway is a can’t-miss All-Pro NFL QB who has the ability to make a place for itself. in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “
Career Notes: Elway started 231 games for the Broncos and won two Super Bowls to conclude his 16-year NFL career. His 300 career touchdown passes 12th place of all time. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Design class: 2012
Choose: No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote at the time: “Luck has it all – size, incredible intelligence, accuracy and a great work ethic. I compare him a lot to Peyton Manning, but luck is more athletic. This will make expectations for Luck sky-high. to go on and enjoy a career that lives up to all the hype. “
Career Notes: Luck earned four Pro Bowls in his seven-year career before abruptly retiring for the 2019 season. He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 after missing the entire 2017 season with injuries. He finished his career with 171 touchdown passes and 83 interceptions.
Design class: 1998
Choose: No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote at the time: “He won’t provide the extra dimension of a Steve Young, but I can’t think of a player I’d rather have below center to lead my football team into the fray. With free agency, teams change staff every year. For consistency and leadership. at QB is more important than ever. Manning will win and win big at pro level, provided he gets the necessary help from his teammates and the organization of course. ”
Career Notes: Manning threw 28 interceptions as a rookie, but then settled into an elite quarterback. He was named first-team All-Pro seven times, was named MVP five times in the regular season, and won two Super Bowl titles, one with the Colts and one with the Broncos. He will enter the Hall of Fame in the 2021 class later this year.
Design class: 2021
Pre-draft scouting report: Lawrence is clearly the top contender in this league. He will go to No. 1 to the Jaguars and will have the opportunity to lead the turnaround of that franchise with coach Urban Meyer. He has everything NFL teams want in a starting quarterback, from size up arms talent to the ability to handle reads and make the right throw. Lawrence finished his Clemson career with 108 total touchdowns (18 rushing) and just 17 interceptions in three seasons. ”
Lawrence had surgery last month to repair the damage to the labrum in his left shoulder. He told ESPN’s Stephania Bell that his rehab is going better than expected, and that he should be ready for training camp in July.
Design class: 1983
Choose: Number 14 overall, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote at the time: Kelly collected impressive statistics throughout his career and, like John Elway, played against very strong competition (six bowl teams in 1981). Outside of Elway, Kelly is the most gifted of the QBs to come out of college this season. He would have been one of the first five players drafted had he not been injured, but he would still have to go in the middle of the first round depending on the outcome of tests on the shoulder close to the journey I feel like Kelly will be one of the best QBs in the NFL within three years. ”
Career Notes: Kelly turned down the bills for the upstart USFL and played two seasons for the Houston Gamblers. He joined Buffalo in 1986 and played eleven seasons for the Bills, leading them to four consecutive Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Design class: 1990
Choose: Number 7 overall, Detroit Lions
What I wrote at the time: “A key factor in getting such a high rating is the leadership qualities he possesses, as well as his intelligence, poise and overall presence. I could go on forever about his qualities as a player and a person, but I need space for the others. prospects. Must be the first QB to be selected in a draft, he’s that good! If he goes to the right team, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he led his club to the Super Bowl early in his professional career. Even if he doesn’t, you can be reasonably sure that he will have a successful career and high honors while in the NFL. ”
Career Notes: Ware made only six starts in four NFL seasons, threw five touchdown passes and eight tips. Rodney Peete was the Lions’ favorite starter under coach Wayne Fontes.
Design class: 1993
Choose: Number 1 overall, New England Patriots
What I wrote at the time: “I’ve been praising his skill level and raw potential since he entered the WSU campus in 1990, and nothing has changed since then to lessen my enthusiasm. Like all young adult QBs, he needs to develop a little more touch. QB in college football , this year or in the years to come, may hit Bledsoe in terms of raw physical potential. This is why he’s the # 1 overall player on my rating board and clearly the most coveted prospect in the draft. ”
Career Notes: Bledsoe had a good career, but he is now perhaps best known as the man who lost his starting job to Tom Brady – and Brady went on to become the greatest quarterback ever. Bledsoe took the Patriots to the Super Bowl in 1996, and he also started games for the Cowboys and Bills after leaving New England. He threw 251 touchdown passes for his career.
8. Ryan Leaf, Washington State
Design class: 1998
Choose: No. 2 overall, San Diego Chargers
What I wrote at the time: Physically, he has always had everything it takes to be one of the first selected players. However, it was his attention to detail last summer and his willingness to put time into the practice field that pushed him over the top in terms of development. to a complete QB. Leaf is the type that can single-handedly put a team in the winning column, which is the ultimate sign of greatness at the pro level. “
Career Notes: Leaf vs. Manning was a big debate in 1998, and the Colts made the right choice with the best choice. Leaf had a dismal career, going 4-17 in his career as an NFL starter. He was released by the Chargers after three “turbulent” seasons. “With Ryan, there were too many off-of-the-field issues that I think I should have paid more attention to,” former Chargers CEO Bobby Beathard said years later. Leaf finished his career with 14 touchdown passes and 36 tips.
Design class: 1989
Choose: Number 1 overall, Dallas Cowboys
What I wrote at the time: “Aikman has excellent physical / athletic talent, running under 4.7 at nearly 220 lbs. He throws everything out of the ear and uses his quick release to avoid possible pockets. His mobility is a real plus, allowing him to move the pocket. and can throw the ball Accurately as it rolls both ways He judges like a super blue shredder capable of transforming a basement dweller into a contender early in his professional career But like all young QBs, he has time needed to hone his pro-level skills.He is somewhat at a disadvantage due to the fact that he lacks the overall experience of former top riders such as John Elway, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Vinny Testaverde, as he actually only spent two full years on at a collegiate level. “
Career Notes: Aikman went 0-11 as a rookie starter, but he and the Cowboys turned it around. He has won three Super Bowl titles and made six Pro Bowl teams in 12 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Design class: 2018
Choose: Number 7 overall, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote at the time: “Allen has crushed the pre-draft process and is in the mix to be the # 1 overall pick. He’s shown improvement at the Senior Bowl and at the Combine, and he’s got a high ceiling. Allen’s super raw, but could it really be His number wasn’t great in 2016 (28 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes), and his number wasn’t great in 2017 (16 touchdown passes, six interceptions while completing 56.3 percent of his passes) completed)), but NFL teams will consider the talent around him. The Wyoming attack lost 47 touchdowns to the 2016 team along with the center. I think Allen’s numbers will be much better in an NFL attack with NFL players. film teamed up in the Cowboys’ bowl victory and threw three touchdown passes in the first half, even while recovering from a shoulder injury. “
Career Notes: Allen broke out in Year 3 at Buffalo, completing 69.2% of his passes and hitting 37 touchdown passes with just 10 tips. He finished second in the MVP voting as he led the bills to the AFC title game. Allen, who turns 25 this summer, has included herself among the top NFL signal callers.
Next on the list
The numbers are all very similar here, but here’s who is next, in no particular order: