It’s time for the latest Mazz’s Tiers! With the New England Patriots expected to take a quarterback at #3 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Mazz decided to rank the quarterbacks that were taken in the top-3 of the NFL Draft going back to the 1998 draft.
But before Mazz’s Tiers, here are some stats on QBs that’ll appear on the list!
Peyton Manning was selected 1st overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Manning won 2 Super Bowl titles in his career, 1 with the Colts and 1 with the Denver Broncos. He’s currently 3rd on the all-time passing yards list with 71,940 passing yards. Only Tom Brady and Drew Brees have passed for more yards than him in NFL history.
Eli Manning followed in his brothers footsteps and went 1st overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, who ultimately traded him to the New York Giants for Phillip Rivers. Like his brother, Eli would go on to win 2 Super Bowls in his career with the New York Giants.
Matthew Stafford was drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009. After 12 seasons in Detroit he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams where he has spent the last 3 seasons. Stafford has thrown for 56,407 yards in his career and won a Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams. .
Joe Burrow went 1st overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow has thrown for 14,083 yards in 4 seasons, 2 of which have been shortened due to injury. Burrow led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI where they fell to the Rams.
JaMarcus Russell went 1st overall to the Oakland Raiders in 2007 and turned out to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Russell only played in 3 seasons in the NFL and passed for just 4,803 yards and threw 23 interceptions.
Tier 1
INDIANAPOLIS – NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws the ball in the third quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning – 1st overall in 1998
Joe Burrow – 1st overall in 2020
Tier 2
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud – 1st overall in 2023
Jared Goff – 1st overall in 2016
Andrew Luck – 1st overall in 2012
Cam Newton – 1st overall in 2011
Matthew Stafford – 1st overall in 2009
Matt Ryan – 3rd overall in 2008
Alex Smith – 1st overall in 2005
Eli Manning – 1st overall in 2004
Tier 3
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Trevor Lawrence – 1st overall in 2021
Kyler Murray – 1st overall in 2019
Baker Mayfield – 1st overall in 2018
Carson Palmer – 1st overall 2003
Michael Vick – 1st overall in 2001
Donovan McNabb – 2nd overall in 1999
Tier 4
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Carson Wentz – 2nd overall in 2016
Mitch Trubisky – 2nd overall in 2018
Jameis Winston – 1st overall in 2015
Marcus Mariota – 2nd overall in 2015
Blake Bortles – 3rd overall in 2014
Robert Griffin III – 2nd overall in 2012
Sam Bradford – 1st overall in 2010
Vince Young – 3rd overall in 2006
Tier 5
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Young – 1st overall in 2023
Zach Wilson – 2nd overall in 2021
Trey Lance – 3rd overall in 2021
Sam Darnold – 3rd overall in 2018
JaMarcus Russell – 1st overall in 2007
David Carr – 1st overall in 2002
Tim Couch – 1st overall in 1999
Akili Smith – 3rd overall in 1999
Ryan Leaf – 2nd overall in 1998
Joey Harrington – 3rd overall in 2002
