The NFL Draft is a high-stakes guessing game. For every franchise quarterback who turns into a legend, there’s a JaMarcus Russell lurking in the shadows. But when teams get it right, the rewards can be franchise-altering. Some picks look brilliant in hindsight, while others were pure genius from the jump.
We’re ranking the 15 smartest quarterback draft picks in NFL history—not just based on talent, but also on value, impact, and the sheer brilliance of the selection. Let’s get into it.
15. Justin Herbert
6th overall, 2020 – Los Angeles Chargers
Some doubted Herbert’s leadership, but the Chargers saw a future star. They nailed it. He’s got the arm, the poise, and the numbers to back it up.
14. Joe Montana
82nd overall, 1979 – San Francisco 49ers
Third-round quarterbacks aren’t supposed to win four Super Bowls. Bill Walsh knew what he was doing.
13. Dan Marino
27th overall, 1983 – Miami Dolphins
Five quarterbacks went before Marino. None of them had his arm. Miami made sure the 1983 QB class was remembered for him.
12. Jalen Hurts
53rd overall, 2020 – Philadelphia Eagles
Philly already had Carson Wentz, but they still drafted Hurts. That decision aged beautifully.
11. Russell Wilson
75th overall, 2012 – Seattle Seahawks
Undersized? Who cares. Seattle built a dynasty around a guy who lasted until the third round.
10. Drew Brees
32nd overall, 2001 – San Diego Chargers
The first pick of the second round turned into one of the most accurate passers ever. San Diego moved on too soon, but the Saints reaped the benefits.
9. Josh Allen
7th overall, 2018 – Buffalo Bills
A big, raw project turned into a superstar. Buffalo took a risk and hit the jackpot.
8. Aaron Rodgers
24th overall, 2005 – Green Bay Packers
Rodgers sat in the draft room forever, and Green Bay finally ended his misery. He repaid them with a Hall of Fame career.
7. Johnny Unitas
102nd overall, 1955 – Pittsburgh Steelers/Baltimore Colts
Pittsburgh cut him, but Baltimore scooped him up, and he became an all-time great. The ultimate second chance success story.
6. Patrick Mahomes
10th overall, 2017 – Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs traded up for Mahomes when they already had Alex Smith. Turns out, they were playing 4D chess.
5. Brett Favre
33rd overall, 1991 – Atlanta Falcons/Green Bay Packers
Atlanta drafted him, then immediately traded him. Green Bay won the lottery.
4. Lamar Jackson
32nd overall, 2018 – Baltimore Ravens
The last pick of the first round? MVP by Year 2. The Ravens got an absolute steal.
3. Peyton Manning
1st overall, 1998 – Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had to choose between Manning and Ryan Leaf. They made the easiest hard decision ever.
2. Tom Brady
199th overall, 2000 – New England Patriots
Sixth-round quarterbacks aren’t supposed to become the GOAT. Somehow, Bill Belichick saw what nobody else did.
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1. Joe Burrow
1st overall, 2020 – Cincinnati Bengals
It was an obvious pick, but the smartest moves are sometimes the simplest. Burrow transformed the Bengals from bottom-feeders to Super Bowl contenders overnight.
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