I’ve been studying the NFL Draft since 1979, and I’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks. Some great, some terrible. Some of the first-round picks who made the H-F fame, and some of the top-10 picks that were full buses.
So when I was recently asked if Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is among the highest-class quarterbacks I’ve ever studied, I just said, “He’s there.” I really wanted to dig, though, and against its grade, check out the last 40 – plus years of the rest of the mine. Below are the top 10 quarterbacks on the list, based on me Pre-draft Status. It doesn’t reflect their NFL performance but instead where I rated them the day before the related drafts.
You see, the list and the order are a little different when I did something back in 2011. This is because I added Andrew Luck from the 2012 class, plus a quarterback who still plays at No. 10. Through my grades and scouting reports, I discovered that the 2011 list is not quite as accurate as it used my last April Scouting Reports vs. March Scouting Reports. Don’t worry, though – I’m hiding on a number of legends as I press down.
Let’s dig into my highest-grade quarterbacks since 1979, and I’ll include snippets from my final scouting reports, quick notes on how his career ended and where Lawrence sits in the 2021 class:
Draft class: 1983
Pick: No. 1 overall, Denver Broncos
What I wrote at the time: “His talents were best evaluated by Cardinals coach Paul Wiggins, who said: ‘He’s got John Brody’s confidence and field prowess, Archie Manning’s special human qualities and Terry Bradshaw’s physical qualities.’ In my final evaluation, Alve received the highest grades possible in all categories. It has no comprehension weakness and is a prototype QB. Without question Alve can’t miss the all-pro NFL QB, which is capable of building capacity. Put yourself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Hall of Fame. “
Career Notes: Alway started 231 games for the Broncos and won two Super Bowls to end his 16-year NFL career. His 300 career touchdowns are ranked 12th all the time. He entered the Pro Football Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Draft class: 2012
Pick: No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote at the time: “Destiny has all those sizes, incredible smarts, accuracy and a great work ethic. I compare him to Pitton Manning a lot, but luck is more athletic. Because of this, expectations for luck will be through the roof. He has to deal with that kind of pressure. There is an overall makeup to do and enjoy a career that lives up to all the hype. “
Career Notes: Fate made four Pro Bowls in his seven-year career before retiring abruptly before the 2019 season. After missing the entire 2017 season with injuries, he was named the 2018 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He completed his career with 171 touchdown passes and 83 interceptions.
Draft class: 1998
Pick: No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote at the time: “It wouldn’t provide an extra dimension to Steve Young, but I can’t think of a player who would have led my football team into battle. With an agency fee agency, teams change staff every year. The need for consistency and leadership in QB than ever before. More decisive. Manning Pro will win and win at the pro level, provided he gets the help he needs from his teammates and organization. “
Career Notes: Manning threw 28 inceptions as a rookie but then settled into the elite quarterback. He was named a first-team All-Pro seven times, five times as a regular-season MVP 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 category later this year.
Draft class: 2021
Pre-draft scouting report: “Lawrence has a clear top prospect in this category. He’s going to be number one in the Jaguars and with coach Urban Meyer he will have the opportunity to lead the transition to the franchise. The right talent and the right throwing ability. L’Rance completed his Clemson career with 108 total touchdowns (18 runs) and just 17 interruptions in three seasons. “
Lawrence underwent surgery last month to repair damage to his left shoulder. He told ESPN’s Stephania Bell that his rehabilitation was going better than expected, and that he should be ready for training camp in July.
Draft class: 1983
Pick: No. 14 Overall, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote at the time: “Kelly has amassed impressive stats throughout his career and as John Alway played against very strong competition (six bowling teams in 1981). Outside of Alway, Kelly is the smartest to come out of the college ledge rankings this season. One should be smooth if he weren’t injured he would have been one of the first five players to draft, but depending on the results of tests on the near shoulder of the draft he should go to the middle of the first round.Day.I feel like Kelly Will rate as. “
Career Notes: Kelly cleared the bills for the upstart USFL by playing two seasons for Houston gamblers. He joined Buffalo in 1986 and played 11 seasons for Bill, guiding him to four straight Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Draft class: 1990
Pick: No. 7 overall, the Detroit Lions
What I wrote at the time: “A key factor in getting such a high rating is her leadership qualities, as well as her intelligence, calm and overall presence. I can go on forever about her qualities as a player and as a person, but I need room for other prospects. First in any draft. QB should have been selected, that’s great! In fact, if he goes to the right team, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him lead his club to the Super Bowl early in his pro career. Maybe he’ll enjoy a successful career, get high honors throughout his NFL stay. “
Career Notes: Revenge has just six starts on four NFL seasons, with five touchdown passes and eight picks thrown. Road’s Pete Coach was the Lions’ favorite starter under Wayne Fantas.
Draft class: 1993
Pick: No. 1 overall, the New England Patriots
What I wrote at the time: “I admire his skill level and raw potential since he entered the WSU campus in 1990, and nothing has changed since then to dampen my enthusiasm. Like all young, mature QBs, he needs to develop a little more touch. No. In college led football QB, either this year or in the years to come, could touch Bladeson in terms of raw physical potential which is why it ranks as the first ranked overall player on my ratings board and is clearly the most beloved future draft. “
Career Notes: Bladeso had a good career, but he is now known as the man who lost Tom Brad D’s early job – and Brad became the greatest quarterback ever. Bladeso took the Patriots to the Super Bowl in 1996, and also started playing for the Cowboys and the Bills after he left New England. He threw 251 career touchdown passes.
8. Ryan Leaf, Washington Washington State
Draft class: 1998
Pick: No. 2 overall, San Diego Chargers
What I wrote at the time: “Physically, it has always been what it takes to be one of the first players to be selected. However, last summer’s attention to detail and the desire to put time into the practice field pushed it to the top in terms of evolving. In full QB. The leaves are the type that A single hand can put the team in the victory column, which is the ultimate sign of greatness at the pro level. “
Career Notes: Leaf vs. Manning was a huge debate in 1998, and the Colts made the right choice with the top pick. Leaf had a disappointing career, 4-17 as an NFL starter in his career. He was released by the Chargers after three “stormy” seasons. “There were a lot of off-field issues with Ryan in the field, which I guess I should pay more attention to,” said Bobby Beathardt, general manager of the former Chargers. Leaf ended his career with 14 touchdown passes and 36 picks.
Draft class: 1989
Pick: No. 1 overall, the Dallas Cowboys
What I wrote at the time: “Man Kaman has a physical / athletic talent, about 20 pounds below 20.20. He throws everything out of his ear using his quick release to avoid possible sacks. His mobility is a real plus, as he delivers the ball. While rolling sideways, he rates as a super blue chipper capable of transforming a baseman into a contender early in his pro career.However, like all young Cubans, he will need time to hone his skills at the pro level and he will advance his potential. “He may be somewhat at a disadvantage as he doesn’t have the overall experience of former standouts like John Alway, Dan Merino, Jim Kelly and Winnie Testewarde, who really only played two years at the collegiate level.”
Career Notes: Ik Kamen went 0-11 as a starter as a rookie, but he and the Cowboys turned it around. He won three Super Bowl titles and made six Pro Bowl teams in 12 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Draft class: 2018
Pick: No. 7, Buffalo Bill
What I wrote at the time: “Ellen has crushed the pre-draft process and is in the No. 1 overall pick mix. She has shown improvement in the senior bowl and combine, and she has a high ceiling. Allen is super raw but can really do it. Sling it. Their number. The year 201 was not the best in the year (2 touch touchdown passes, 11 percent interruptions while completing 56 percent of its passes), and their number was not excellent in 2017 (1 touch touchdown pass, six interruptions, while its pass.36. .3 percent were completed)), but NFL teams will consider the talent around him. Wyoming offense lost 47 touchdowns in the 2016 team, along with its center. I think Allen’s number would be better in NFL offense with NFL players. Film together in a bowl win, throw three touchdown passes in the first half even after recovering from a shoulder injury. “
Career Notes: Ellen broke out in Buffalo in Year 3, completing 69.2% of the passes and throwing out 37 touchdown passes with just 10 picks. He finished second in the MVP polls, leading the BFs to the AFC title game. Ellen, who turns 25 this summer, has established herself at the top of the NFL signal-callers.
Next on the list
All the grades here are exactly the same, but who is in order here, not in any order:
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