The Best Quarterback The Year You Were Born

Special Report

Published: April 27, 2021 3:00 pm

The 2021 NFL Draft, taking place on April 29, has football fans excited for the future, as there are an unusually high number of highly touted quarterback prospects projected to go early in the draft process. College QBs Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones all have unique skill sets that could propel each into becoming a top-10 pick.

Though the NFL is filled with young talent at the QB position, with players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and more, there is optimism that many of the incoming QBs can play at an MVP level. Each season, there is one quarterback that stands out as the very best at his position, putting his team in a great position to win the Super Bowl.

In order to determine the best quarterback from each year, 24/7 Wall St. used data from Pro Football Reference to review the statistics, honors, and postseason success of NFL and AFL quarterbacks each season dating back to 1945.

Though nothing is official yet, Trevor Lawrence seems like a lock to be drafted first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, with scouts hailing the Clemson quarterback as one of the most promising prospects in recent memory.

Jags fans will no doubt hope that Lawrence will follow in the tradition of Peyton Manning, John Elway, and Terry Bradshaw — can’t-miss prospects turned first overall picks who were as good as advertised, taking their teams from obscurity to Super Bowls. These are the most successful #1 overall draft picks in history.

Though draft picks are always cause for optimism, the sad reality is that highly touted amateur players do not always pan out in the pros. For every Peyton Manning, there are at least a few Jamarcus Russells — players who seem to have all the tools to be successful but can never put it together. These are the 40 most disappointing draft picks of all time.

Click here to see the best quarterback the year you were born.

1945. Sammy Baugh, Washington Redskins
> Quarterback rating: 109.9
> Passing yards: 1,669
> Passing touchdowns: 11
> Postseason success Lost in NFL Championship game
> Honors: n/a

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1946. Sid Luckman, Chicago Bears
> Quarterback rating: 71.0
> Passing yards: 1,826
> Passing touchdowns: 17
> Postseason success NFL Champions
> Honors: n/a

1947. Sammy Baugh, Washington Redskins
> Quarterback rating: 92.0
> Passing yards: 2,938
> Passing touchdowns: 25
> Postseason success None
> Honors: n/a

1948. Tommy Thompson, Philadelphia Eagles
> Quarterback rating: 98.4
> Passing yards: 1,965
> Passing touchdowns: 25
> Postseason success NFL Champions
> Honors: n/a

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1949. Johnny Lujack, Chicago Bears
> Quarterback rating: 76.0
> Passing yards: 2,658
> Passing touchdowns: 23
> Postseason success None
> Honors: n/a

1950. Norm Van Brocklin, Los Angeles Rams
> Quarterback rating: 85.1
> Passing yards: 2,061
> Passing touchdowns: 18
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1951. Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns
> Quarterback rating: 79.2
> Passing yards: 2,205
> Passing touchdowns: 17
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: Pro Bowl, All-Pro, MVP

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1952. Bobby Layne, Detroit Lions
> Quarterback rating: 64.5
> Passing yards: 1,999
> Passing touchdowns: 19
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: Pro Bowl, All-Pro

1953. Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns
> Quarterback rating: 99.7
> Passing yards: 2,722
> Passing touchdowns: 11
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1954. Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns
> Quarterback rating: 73.5
> Passing yards: 2,092
> Passing touchdowns: 11
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1955. Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns
> Quarterback rating: 94.0
> Passing yards: 1,721
> Passing touchdowns: 15
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: All-Pro

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1956. Ed Brown, Chicago Bears
> Quarterback rating: 83.1
> Passing yards: 1,667
> Passing touchdowns: 11
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1957. Y.A. Tittle, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 80.0
> Passing yards: 2,157
> Passing touchdowns: 13
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1958. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
> Quarterback rating: 90.0
> Passing yards: 2,007
> Passing touchdowns: 19
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1959. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
> Quarterback rating: 92.0
> Passing yards: 2,899
> Passing touchdowns: 32
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1960. Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia Eagles
> Quarterback rating: 86.5
> Passing yards: 2,471
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Won NFL Championship
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1961. Sonny Jurgensen, Philadelphia Eagles
> Quarterback rating: 88.1
> Passing yards: 3,723
> Passing touchdowns: 32
> Postseason success No
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1962. Y.A. Tittle, New York Giants
> Quarterback rating: 89.5
> Passing yards: 3,224
> Passing touchdowns: 33
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1963. Y.A. Tittle, New York Giants
> Quarterback rating: 104.8
> Passing yards: 3,145
> Passing touchdowns: 36
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1964. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
> Quarterback rating: 96.4
> Passing yards: 2,824
> Passing touchdowns: 19
> Postseason success Lost NFL Championship game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1965. John Brodie, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 95.3
> Passing yards: 3,112
> Passing touchdowns: 30
> Postseason success No
> Honors: Pro Bowl

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1966. Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 105.0
> Passing yards: 2,257
> Passing touchdowns: 14
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1967. Sonny Jurgensen, Washington Redskins
> Quarterback rating: 87.3
> Passing yards: 3,747
> Passing touchdowns: 31
> Postseason success No
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1968. Earl Morrall, Baltimore Colts
> Quarterback rating: 93.2
> Passing yards: 2,909
> Passing touchdowns: 26
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1969. Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams
> Quarterback rating: 86.8
> Passing yards: 2,549
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1970. John Brodie, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 93.8
> Passing yards: 2,941
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship Game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1971. Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
> Quarterback rating: 104.8
> Passing yards: 1,882
> Passing touchdowns: 15
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

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1972. Earl Morrall, Miami Dolphins
> Quarterback rating: 91.0
> Passing yards: 1,360
> Passing touchdowns: 11
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: All-Pro

1973. John Hadl, Los Angeles Rams
> Quarterback rating: 88.8
> Passing yards: 2,008
> Passing touchdowns: 22
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1974. Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders
> Quarterback rating: 94.9
> Passing yards: 2,468
> Passing touchdowns: 26
> Postseason success Lost AFC Championship game
> Honors:

1975. Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings
> Quarterback rating: 91.8
> Passing yards: 2,994
> Passing touchdowns: 25
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1976. Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts
> Quarterback rating: 102.5
> Passing yards: 3,104
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1977. Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
> Quarterback rating: 87.0
> Passing yards: 2,620
> Passing touchdowns: 18
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1978. Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers
> Quarterback rating: 84.7
> Passing yards: 2,915
> Passing touchdowns: 28
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1979. Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers
> Quarterback rating: 82.6
> Passing yards: 4,082
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1980. Brian Sipe, Cleveland Browns
> Quarterback rating: 91.4
> Passing yards: 4,132
> Passing touchdowns: 30
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1981. Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals
> Quarterback rating: 98.4
> Passing yards: 3,754
> Passing touchdowns: 29
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1982. Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers
> Quarterback rating: 93.3
> Passing yards: 2,883
> Passing touchdowns: 17
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1983. Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins
> Quarterback rating: 97.0
> Passing yards: 3,167
> Passing touchdowns: 29
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1984. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
> Quarterback rating: 108.9
> Passing yards: 5,084
> Passing touchdowns: 48
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1985. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
> Quarterback rating: 84.1
> Passing yards: 4,137
> Passing touchdowns: 30
> Postseason success Lost AFC Championship game
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1986. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
> Quarterback rating: 92.5
> Passing yards: 4,746
> Passing touchdowns: 44
> Postseason success None
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1987. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 102.1
> Passing yards: 3,054
> Passing touchdowns: 31
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1988. Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati Bengals
> Quarterback rating: 97.4
> Passing yards: 3,572
> Passing touchdowns: 28
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1989. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 112.4
> Passing yards: 3,521
> Passing touchdowns: 26
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1990. Jim Kelly, Buffalo Bills
> Quarterback rating: 101.2
> Passing yards: 2,829
> Passing touchdowns: 24
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1991. Mark Rypien, Washington Redskins
> Quarterback rating: 97.9
> Passing yards: 3,564
> Passing touchdowns: 28
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

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1992. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 107.0
> Passing yards: 3,465
> Passing touchdowns: 25
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1993. Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys
> Quarterback rating: 99.0
> Passing yards: 3,100
> Passing touchdowns: 15
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1994. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 112.8
> Passing yards: 3,969
> Passing touchdowns: 35
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1995. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 99.5
> Passing yards: 4,413
> Passing touchdowns: 38
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1996. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 95.8
> Passing yards: 3,899
> Passing touchdowns: 39
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

1997. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers
> Quarterback rating: 104.7
> Passing yards: 3,029
> Passing touchdowns: 19
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship
> Honors: Pro Bowl

1998. Randall Cunningham, Minnesota Vikings
> Quarterback rating: 106.0
> Passing yards: 3,704
> Passing touchdowns: 34
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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1999. Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams
> Quarterback rating: 109.2
> Passing yards: 4,353
> Passing touchdowns: 41
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2000. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
> Quarterback rating: 94.7
> Passing yards: 4,413
> Passing touchdowns: 33
> Postseason success Lost Wildcard round
> Honors: Pro Bowl

2001. Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams
> Quarterback rating: 101.4
> Passing yards: 4,830
> Passing touchdowns: 36
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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2002. Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders
> Quarterback rating: 97.3
> Passing yards: 4,689
> Passing touchdowns: 26
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2003. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
> Quarterback rating: 99.0
> Passing yards: 4,267
> Passing touchdowns: 29
> Postseason success Lost AFC Championship
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2004. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
> Quarterback rating: 121.1
> Passing yards: 4,557
> Passing touchdowns: 49
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2005. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
> Quarterback rating: 101.1
> Passing yards: 3,836
> Passing touchdowns: 32
> Postseason success Lost Wildcard round
> Honors: Pro Bowl

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2006. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
> Quarterback rating: 101.0
> Passing yards: 4,397
> Passing touchdowns: 31
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

2007. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
> Quarterback rating: 117.2
> Passing yards: 4,806
> Passing touchdowns: 50
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2008. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
> Quarterback rating: 96.2
> Passing yards: 5,069
> Passing touchdowns: 34
> Postseason success None
> Honors: Pro Bowl

2009. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
> Quarterback rating: 109.6
> Passing yards: 4,388
> Passing touchdowns: 34
> Postseason success Won Super Bowl
> Honors: Pro Bowl

2010. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
> Quarterback rating: 111.0
> Passing yards: 3,900
> Passing touchdowns: 36
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2011. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 122.5
> Passing yards: 4,643
> Passing touchdowns: 45
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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2012. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
> Quarterback rating: 105.8
> Passing yards: 4,659
> Passing touchdowns: 37
> Postseason success Lost divisional round
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2013. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
> Quarterback rating: 115.1
> Passing yards: 5,477
> Passing touchdowns: 55
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2014. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 112.2
> Passing yards: 4,381
> Passing touchdowns: 38
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship Game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2015. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
> Quarterback rating: 99.4
> Passing yards: 3,837
> Passing touchdowns: 35
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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2016. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
> Quarterback rating: 117.1
> Passing yards: 4,944
> Passing touchdowns: 38
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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2017. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
> Quarterback rating: 102.8
> Passing yards: 4,577
> Passing touchdowns: 32
> Postseason success Lost Super Bowl
> Honors: All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2018. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
> Quarterback rating: 113.8
> Passing yards: 5,097
> Passing touchdowns: 50
> Postseason success Lost AFC Championship Game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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2019. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
> Quarterback rating: 113.3
> Passing yards: 3,127
> Passing touchdowns: 36
> Postseason success Lost Divisional Round
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

2020. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
> Quarterback rating: 121.5
> Passing yards: 4,299
> Passing touchdowns: 48
> Postseason success Lost NFC Championship Game
> Honors: MVP, All-Pro, Pro Bowl

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