Skip to main content
Advertising

NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com

Ranking best second-round quarterbacks since 1970

Derek Carr is the NFL's highest-paid player after signing a five-year, $125 million contract. But where does he fit among the best second-round picks of the post-merger era? Gil Brandt ranks his top 10.

Headshot_Author_Gil_Brandt_1400x1000
Gil Brandt
St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, 1981–1988 » Two Pro Bowl appearances » Passed for 4,614 yards in 1984, the fourth-most in a single season at the time
1 / 10
10. Neil Lomax

St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, 1981–1988
» Two Pro Bowl appearances
» Passed for 4,614 yards in 1984, the fourth-most in a single season at the time

David Durochik/Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers, 1995–2002; Chicago Bears, 2003; Baltimore Ravens, 2004–2005 » One Pro Bowl appearance » 2001 AFC Offensive Player of the Year » Tremendous athlete who finished with 2,874 career rushing yards, 38 rushing touchdowns
2 / 10
9. Kordell Stewart

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1995–2002; Chicago Bears, 2003; Baltimore Ravens, 2004–2005
» One Pro Bowl appearance
» 2001 AFC Offensive Player of the Year
» Tremendous athlete who finished with 2,874 career rushing yards, 38 rushing touchdowns

Roberto Borea/Associated Press/1998 AP
Arizona Cardinals, 1997–2002; Denver Broncos, 2003–2006 » Considered the best athlete to come out of state of Idaho » One Pro Bowl appearance » 69-67-0 career record as NFL starter » Took Cardinals to playoffs as rookie, leading team to first postseason victory in 50 years » Holds two Broncos franchise records: Most passing yards in a game (499) and best playoff season passer rating (103.1 in 2004)
3 / 10
8. Jake Plummer

Arizona Cardinals, 1997–2002; Denver Broncos, 2003–2006
» Considered the best athlete to come out of state of Idaho
» One Pro Bowl appearance
» 69-67-0 career record as NFL starter
» Took Cardinals to playoffs as rookie, leading team to first postseason victory in 50 years
» Holds two Broncos franchise records: Most passing yards in a game (499) and best playoff season passer rating (103.1 in 2004)

Scott Boehm/Associated Press
L.A. Rams, 1973–1976; Philadelphia Eagles, 1977–1986; Miami Dolphins, 1987–1988; Kansas City Chiefs, 1989 » NFC Player of the Year in 1980 after leading Eagles to Super Bowl » 73-69-1 career record as NFL starter » Voted to one Pro Bowl » Started then-NFL record 116 straight games » 170 regular-season touchdowns with Eagles is second-most in franchise history
4 / 10
7. Ron Jaworski

L.A. Rams, 1973–1976; Philadelphia Eagles, 1977–1986; Miami Dolphins, 1987–1988; Kansas City Chiefs, 1989
» NFC Player of the Year in 1980 after leading Eagles to Super Bowl
» 73-69-1 career record as NFL starter
» Voted to one Pro Bowl
» Started then-NFL record 116 straight games
» 170 regular-season touchdowns with Eagles is second-most in franchise history

Greg Trott/Associated Press/AP1985
Cincinnati Bengals, 2011–present » Three Pro Bowl appearances » One of six quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in each of first three seasons » One of five quarterbacks to pass for at least 20 touchdowns in each of first three seasons » 56-35-2 career record as NFL starter
5 / 10
6. Andy Dalton

Cincinnati Bengals, 2011–present
» Three Pro Bowl appearances
» One of six quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in each of first three seasons
» One of five quarterbacks to pass for at least 20 touchdowns in each of first three seasons
» 56-35-2 career record as NFL starter

Sam Craft/Associated Press
Philadelphia Eagles, 1985–1995; Minnesota Vikings, 1997–1999; Dallas Cowboys, 2000; Baltimore Ravens, 2001 » Four Pro Bowl appearances, two-time First Team All-Pro » Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame » 4,928 career rushing yards, 35 career rushing touchdowns » Tremendous athlete who was also a very good punter
6 / 10
5. Randall Cunningham

Philadelphia Eagles, 1985–1995; Minnesota Vikings, 1997–1999; Dallas Cowboys, 2000; Baltimore Ravens, 2001
» Four Pro Bowl appearances, two-time First Team All-Pro
» Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
» 4,928 career rushing yards, 35 career rushing touchdowns
» Tremendous athlete who was also a very good punter

Vernon Biever/Associated Press
Cincinnati Bengals, 1984–1992, 1997;N.Y. Jets, 1993–1995; Arizona Cardinals, 1996 » 1988 league MVP » 20th on career passing yards all-time list » Four Pro Bowls, one-time First Team All-Pro
7 / 10
4. Boomer Esiason

Cincinnati Bengals, 1984–1992, 1997;N.Y. Jets, 1993–1995; Arizona Cardinals, 1996
» 1988 league MVP
» 20th on career passing yards all-time list
» Four Pro Bowls, one-time First Team All-Pro

David Durochik/Associated Press
Oakland Raiders (2014–present) » 53 touchdown passes in first two seasons, second most in NFL history » Ranked 11th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 » Two Pro Bowls appearances » Signed new five-year, $125 million deal that potentially makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history
8 / 10
3. Derek Carr

Oakland Raiders (2014–present)
» 53 touchdown passes in first two seasons, second most in NFL history
» Ranked 11th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017
» Two Pro Bowls appearances
» Signed new five-year, $125 million deal that potentially makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history

Tony Avelar/Associated Press
San Diego Chargers, 2001–2005; New Orleans Saints, 2006–present » Third on all-time lists for career passing yards and touchdowns » 10 Pro Bowls, voted First Team All-Pro once » 131-101 career record as NFL starter » Super Bowl champion, MVP » Career record-holder in completion percentage (66.6)
9 / 10
2. Drew Brees

San Diego Chargers, 2001–2005; New Orleans Saints, 2006–present » Third on all-time lists for career passing yards and touchdowns
» 10 Pro Bowls, voted First Team All-Pro once
» 131-101 career record as NFL starter
» Super Bowl champion, MVP
» Career record-holder in completion percentage (66.6)

David Goldman/Associated Press/Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Atlanta Falcons, 1991; Green Bay Packers, 1992-2007; N.Y. Jets, 2008; Minnesota Vikings, 2009-2010 » Three-time league MVP » 186-112 record as NFL starter » 11 Pro Bowls, three-time First Team All-Pro » NFL record-holder in most career completions, attempts, starts » Second on all-time lists for career passing yards and touchdowns
10 / 10
1. Brett Favre

Atlanta Falcons, 1991; Green Bay Packers, 1992-2007; N.Y. Jets, 2008; Minnesota Vikings, 2009-2010
» Three-time league MVP
» 186-112 record as NFL starter
» 11 Pro Bowls, three-time First Team All-Pro
» NFL record-holder in most career completions, attempts, starts
» Second on all-time lists for career passing yards and touchdowns

David Stluka/Associated Press/2005 David Stluka
Advertising
This Ad will close in 3
Advertising

Related

gallery

Best of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Take a look at all the action as the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway in Indianapolis.
gallery

Top 10 Photos from the 2023-24 NFL Season

Check out the best images from around the league during the 2023-24 NFL season!
gallery

Top 10 Photos from the Conference Championships of the 2023 Season

Check out the best images from the Conference Championships of the 2023 season!
gallery

Super Bowl LVIII - Style Guide & Décor 

Take a look at the photographs that served as the artistic blueprint for Super Bowl LVIII, and see how they were incorporated into the numerous event spaces throughout the state.