"Najee Harris ain't it". NAJEE 3.0 It's time to go, yo....

[stillwright]

Brady is far from the only exception of QBs not taking in the top 10 and most not in the top 20.

"
Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., is a retired American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win 7 Super Bowls, and was often considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Brady was also... read more
Still active, of course, Brady was drafted in the 6th round, 199th overall. Quite a bargain. We all know the legacy he will leave behind, and it's still possible he may add to that.

Update: Brady has now officially retired. Seven Super Bowl rings. My gosh.

Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr., nicknamed Joe Cool and The Comeback Kid, is a retired American football quarterback.
Joe Cool was drafted in the 3rd round, no. 82 overall. This picture is telling. Take a look at that valuable right hand.

Why isn't Joe Montana no. 1? He is the best QB of all time.

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
It was a little hard to include Rodgers in the top 10 because his numbers will never compare favorably to the all-time greats. Remember, he sat for three years to start his career and has had a spotty injury history, causing him to miss even more time.

Still, in my eyes, he belongs because he has made some of the most unbelievable throws I have ever seen, and in my opinion, he can throw more accurately on the run than any QB. Rodgers was drafted in the 1st round, but at no. 24 overall. One ring, three NFL MVPs, and who knows, maybe more on the way.

Update: Like Favre before him, Rodgers has been traded to the NYJ. The NFC North teams not in Green Bay breathe a collective sigh of relief. The Packers usher in the Jordan Love era. Love was drafted no. 26 overall in the 2020 Draft and is a candidate to also appear on this list someday.

Johnny Unitas

John Constantine Unitas, nicknamed "Johnny U", or "The Golden Arm", was an American professional football player from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Drafted in the 9th round, no. 102 overall. Three-time NFL champion, one Super Bowl ring, and three-time NFL MVP.

Dan Marino

Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. is a former American football player who was a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.
Drafted in the 1st round, but 27th overall. A nice bargain for the Dolphins. He's the first on this list to not have a ring. However, he retired with many NFL records, and no one would doubt his arm talent and quick release. NFL MVP in 1984.

Brett Favre

Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
Favre was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 33 overall. The gunslinger took home one ring and three NFL MVPs.

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He is the only player to have back to back to back 5,000 yards in three seasons straight. Brees also has the all time best completion percentage with 66.95%.
Drew Brees was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 32 overall, and won one Super Bowl ring. QB records have been broken by Brees in recent seasons, but it's important to note that the NFL has made significant rule changes over the last 20-25 years to open up the passing game, allowing Brees and other QBs to thrive.

This is not to discredit Brees, who is an all-time great and a brilliant talent, but to acknowledge that QBs before these rule changes did not have the same benefits.

Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a former American football quarterback, a current part-time TV football analyst, and a philanthropist.
Not drafted at all. Signed by Green Bay as a free agent in 1994 but released before the season started. One of the greatest stories ever in NFL history, Warner spent five years in the Arena Football League and/or stocking shelves at Hy-Vee. Picked up by the Rams in 1999, the rest is history. One ring, two NFL MVPs.

Ben Roethlisberger

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger, Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.
1st round, no. 11 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion.

Fran Tarkenton

Drafted in the 3rd round, no. 29 overall. One NFL MVP.

​

?Russell Wilson

Russell Carrington Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and formerly for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.
Drafted in the 3rd round, 75th overall. What a steal for the 'Hawks. One Super Bowl championship.

?Bart Starr

17th round, 200th overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion, one NFL MVP. Arguably a better QB than Favre or Rodgers, and certainly a much bigger bargain.

The Contenders
Roger Staubach

Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.
10th round, no. 129 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion."

Yep..13 out how how many? Thanks for doing the homework and proving my point.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Yep..13 out how how many? Thanks for doing the homework and proving my point.

What percentage of all first round QBs succeed?
“In the modern era of the NFL Draft (since 1967), 130 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round. Only 61 of those (46.9 percent) have won a playoff game as a starter, according to NFL Research, and just 58 of those quarterbacks (44.6 percent) have garnered Pro Bowl honors.Apr 27, 2024”

 

[stillwright]

What percentage of all first round QBs succeed?
“In the modern era of the NFL Draft (since 1967), 130 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round. Only 61 of those (46.9 percent) have won a playoff game as a starter, according to NFL Research, and just 58 of those quarterbacks (44.6 percent) have garnered Pro Bowl honors.Apr 27, 2024”

Ok

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Brady is far from the only exception of QBs not taking in the top 10 and most not in the top 20.

"
Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., is a retired American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win 7 Super Bowls, and was often considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Brady was also... read more
Still active, of course, Brady was drafted in the 6th round, 199th overall. Quite a bargain. We all know the legacy he will leave behind, and it's still possible he may add to that.

Update: Brady has now officially retired. Seven Super Bowl rings. My gosh.

Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr., nicknamed Joe Cool and The Comeback Kid, is a retired American football quarterback.
Joe Cool was drafted in the 3rd round, no. 82 overall. This picture is telling. Take a look at that valuable right hand.

Why isn't Joe Montana no. 1? He is the best QB of all time.

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
It was a little hard to include Rodgers in the top 10 because his numbers will never compare favorably to the all-time greats. Remember, he sat for three years to start his career and has had a spotty injury history, causing him to miss even more time.

Still, in my eyes, he belongs because he has made some of the most unbelievable throws I have ever seen, and in my opinion, he can throw more accurately on the run than any QB. Rodgers was drafted in the 1st round, but at no. 24 overall. One ring, three NFL MVPs, and who knows, maybe more on the way.

Update: Like Favre before him, Rodgers has been traded to the NYJ. The NFC North teams not in Green Bay breathe a collective sigh of relief. The Packers usher in the Jordan Love era. Love was drafted no. 26 overall in the 2020 Draft and is a candidate to also appear on this list someday.

Johnny Unitas

John Constantine Unitas, nicknamed "Johnny U", or "The Golden Arm", was an American professional football player from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Drafted in the 9th round, no. 102 overall. Three-time NFL champion, one Super Bowl ring, and three-time NFL MVP.

Dan Marino

Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. is a former American football player who was a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.
Drafted in the 1st round, but 27th overall. A nice bargain for the Dolphins. He's the first on this list to not have a ring. However, he retired with many NFL records, and no one would doubt his arm talent and quick release. NFL MVP in 1984.

Brett Favre

Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
Favre was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 33 overall. The gunslinger took home one ring and three NFL MVPs.

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He is the only player to have back to back to back 5,000 yards in three seasons straight. Brees also has the all time best completion percentage with 66.95%.
Drew Brees was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 32 overall, and won one Super Bowl ring. QB records have been broken by Brees in recent seasons, but it's important to note that the NFL has made significant rule changes over the last 20-25 years to open up the passing game, allowing Brees and other QBs to thrive.

This is not to discredit Brees, who is an all-time great and a brilliant talent, but to acknowledge that QBs before these rule changes did not have the same benefits.

Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a former American football quarterback, a current part-time TV football analyst, and a philanthropist.
Not drafted at all. Signed by Green Bay as a free agent in 1994 but released before the season started. One of the greatest stories ever in NFL history, Warner spent five years in the Arena Football League and/or stocking shelves at Hy-Vee. Picked up by the Rams in 1999, the rest is history. One ring, two NFL MVPs.

Ben Roethlisberger

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger, Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.
1st round, no. 11 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion.

Fran Tarkenton

Drafted in the 3rd round, no. 29 overall. One NFL MVP.

​

?Russell Wilson

Russell Carrington Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and formerly for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.
Drafted in the 3rd round, 75th overall. What a steal for the 'Hawks. One Super Bowl championship.

?Bart Starr

17th round, 200th overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion, one NFL MVP. Arguably a better QB than Favre or Rodgers, and certainly a much bigger bargain.

The Contenders
Roger Staubach

Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.
10th round, no. 129 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion."

Yep and that list is far from complete of the good-great QBs

Guys like Randall Cunningham, Ron Jaworski, Jalen Hurts, Kordell “slash” Stewart, Boomer Edison, Andy Dalton, Jake Plummer, Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy all come to mind as pretty solid guys not even drafted in the first.

What would really be interesting is the list of top 10 QBs taken that basically amounted to zilch.

That’s a pretty long list too.

Situation is huge when drafting a QB

 

[Confluence]

What would really be interesting is the list of top 10 QBs taken that basically amounted to zilch.

That’s a pretty long list too.

It would save time to start with the stains; they have a handy list of lovers since Bernie Kosar, including guys like Mayfield who are only useless at the factory of sadness.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

why does this thread still exist.. its going full dri archer

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Ok

My only point is the Steelers are no worse than anyone else drafting QBs particularly in the first round. Since 1970 we are 50% on first round QBs. Bradshaw and Ben good and Malone and Pickett bad. It sucks trying to draft and project QBs.

 

[madinsomniac]

What percentage of all first round QBs succeed?
“In the modern era of the NFL Draft (since 1967), 130 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round. Only 61 of those (46.9 percent) have won a playoff game as a starter, according to NFL Research, and just 58 of those quarterbacks (44.6 percent) have garnered Pro Bowl honors.Apr 27, 2024”

And even the pro bowl thing is inflated too... because
A. So many guys pull out of tge game that you sometimes have guys like Huntley making it cause there wasnt anyone left
B. Some high first round picks have too much hype, and make the pro bowl on name recognition really early in their careers, then never again. Rookie Pro bowlers like Mac Jones who made the pro bowl year 1 then flamed out right afterwards... i mean that guy had passing numbers close to Tannehill that year, who went 12-5 yet Mac Jones made an all pro list over him... he was 13th in passing yards and an AP because he was replacing Tom Brady and way overhyped...

or RG3.. who legit had a great rookie season, then, like many rookies, fell off a cliff after that season because the league caught up with him and their system.

When you break down draft successes.. you see a lot of guys who had one or two great or really good seasons, then were just garbage later

 

[Steelers War Room]

FWIW I was hoping for someone faster.

Per Scout's Eye (Williamson), his mph data in games is faster than his 40 time might suggest. He also faced the 2nd most heavy boxes last year in NCAA. And the least number of light boxes. He was on a team where he was most of the offense.

Has a lot of 20+ yard runs. Hoping some site goes through his carries like the Depot contextualization of Najee's explosives in college. I think that post really showed how Najee's big runs in college was a product of his OL. Would be interesting to see if the rook is the same.

Unlike Najee, he sounds like he isn't super well-rounded. One of the things that Najee was good at that didn't show up on the stat sheet was pass pro. He eventually got passed by Warren here, but I think that's because Warren is elite at this, not that Najee isn't good. Najee is probably also a better receiver out of the backfield.

So Johnson's a big guy. But it sounds like he might have more big play ability than Najee (who didn't have much in this area). But it also sounds like he'll need work to be the complete back Najee was.

In the 3rd, this seems like a good pick to me. But we'll see when they play games.

If we want the 40 time at the combine to be more practical, there should be men in pads trying to tackle the runner along the way.

 

[Coryea]

If we want the 40 time at the combine to be more practical, there should be men in pads trying to tackle the runner along the way.

I read he was clocked at 22mph during a game this year, which is extremely fast, not many NFL players have hit that mark.

 

[Steelers War Room]

I read he was clocked at 22mph during a game this year, which is extremely fast, not many NFL players have hit that mark.

Bottom line is he's just a good RB. When you look at his highlights, you don't watch it and think "there's a 4.57 running back."

 

[Drink IRON City]

Home Page article about Najee not being happy at the end of his time here.

Mostly hear-say, worth the read but nothing new.

NOTE: The Chargers took a RB early in the draft.

https://www.steelernation.com/2025/04/28/steelers-najee-harris-exposed-miserable-pittsburgh

Salute the nation

 

[NorthernBlitz]

If we want the 40 time at the combine to be more practical, there should be men in pads trying to tackle the runner along the way.

And they should get guys to run at their playing weight.

If you've ever read 4 Hour Body by Tim Ferriss, there's some really interesting info on him training for the combine for a short period of time and how to game the different events.

 

[NorthernBlitz]

Home Page article about Najee not being happy at the end of his time here.

Mostly hear-say, worth the read but nothing new.

NOTE: The Chargers took a RB early in the draft.

https://www.steelernation.com/2025/04/28/steelers-najee-harris-exposed-miserable-pittsburgh

Salute the nation

Wonder how happy he is with the Chargers' draft?

 

[WindyCitySteel]

What percentage of all first round QBs succeed?
“In the modern era of the NFL Draft (since 1967), 130 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round. Only 61 of those (46.9 percent) have won a playoff game as a starter, according to NFL Research, and just 58 of those quarterbacks (44.6 percent) have garnered Pro Bowl honors.Apr 27, 2024”

I’m guessing those numbers are worlds better than all the other rounds combined. Top 20 QBs are much more likely to succeed than later round picks, but that doesn’t mean later round guys can’t and in fact, I think we could see a Dak or Cousins type career from a couple in this class.

And of course, we already know that Howard is Brady 2.0.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

My only point is the Steelers are no worse than anyone else drafting QBs particularly in the first round. Since 1970 we are 50% on first round QBs. Bradshaw and Ben good and Malone and Pickett bad. It sucks trying to draft and project QBs.

50% in the first is actually above average rate
Just need to swing more

4 swings in 55 years- yikes

 

[NorthernBlitz]

I’m guessing those numbers are worlds better than all the other rounds combined. Top 20 QBs are much more likely to succeed than later round picks, but that doesn’t mean later round guys can’t and in fact, I think we could see a Dak or Cousins type career from a couple in this class.

And of course, we already know that Howard is Brady 2.0.

My guess is that the success rate also decreases exponentially within the first round.

Success of a guy drafted 1-3 must be much higher than guys drafted 30 - 32.

Although it's possible that few guys get drafted 30-32 (since so many QBs get overdrafted), so the 1-3 rate is probably closer to the "true rate".

 

[Drink IRON City]

Wonder how happy he is with the Chargers' draft?

I’d say probably not to happy.

He only signed a prove it 1 yr deal, so he had to suspect they’d draft a RB………..


Salute the nation

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

50% in the first is actually above average rate
Just need to swing more

4 swings in 55 years- yikes

Rather have 4 swings and the success we have had than the Browns record of abject failure swinging away. They were smart this year and didn't waste a pick like they unfortunately did with Kenny. I wasn't a fan of the pick but I supported him anyway. I think Howard has as good a shot as Kenny if they give him a chance.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I’m guessing those numbers are worlds better than all the other rounds combined. Top 20 QBs are much more likely to succeed than later round picks, but that doesn’t mean later round guys can’t and in fact, I think we could see a Dak or Cousins type career from a couple in this class.

And of course, we already know that Howard is Brady 2.0.

I am sure it is a better rate than later rounds but it is still abysmal considering the time and money that gets wasted making a bad first round pick. We actually got quite lucky to get out of the Kenny situation as quickly and relatively painlessly as we did. While we can blame the front office for making the pick we can also give the new front office kudos for not letting it fester.

 

[BringBackBubby]

Bottom line is he's just a good RB. When you look at his highlights, you don't watch it and think "there's a 4.57 running back."

The thing I noticed is that he was running through holes that even Najee may have gotten to in time.

 

[Coryea]

50% in the first is actually above average rate
Just need to swing more

4 swings in 55 years- yikes

We had Ben and Bradshaw for a combined 32 or whatever of those years.
I've done this several times and went back through the drafts of the 90's and looked who was available when we picked, we didn't pass on anyone that turned out to be great in round 1 or even really good. The 90's drafts overall was very poor when it comes to QB's: 90-Jeff George and Adre Ware, 91-Dan McGwire and Todd Marinovich, 92-David Klingler and Tommy Maddox, 93-Bledsoe and Rick Mirer, 94-Heath Schuler and Trent Dilfer, 95-Steve McNair and Kerry Collins, 96-Tony Banks and Bobby Hoying, 97-Jim Drunkenmiller and Jake Plummer, 98-Manning and Leaf, 99-Couch and McNabb.
Those are the top two QB's in each draft of the 90's.

 

[NorthernBlitz]

We had Ben and Bradshaw for a combined 32 or whatever of those years.
I've done this several times and went back through the drafts of the 90's and looked who was available when we picked, we didn't pass on anyone that turned out to be great in round 1 or even really good. The 90's drafts overall was very poor when it comes to QB's: 90-Jeff George and Adre Ware, 91-Dan McGwire and Todd Marinovich, 92-David Klingler and Tommy Maddox, 93-Bledsoe and Rick Mirer, 94-Heath Schuler and Trent Dilfer, 95-Steve McNair and Kerry Collins, 96-Tony Banks and Bobby Hoying, 97-Jim Drunkenmiller and Jake Plummer, 98-Manning and Leaf, 99-Couch and McNabb.
Those are the top two QB's in each draft of the 90's.

Lamar is the example that I hear people bring up.

But with Ben still around I don't think we were interested in looking for a real QB of the future (Mason in the 3rd is much different than Lamar in the 1st).

Plus, we would have had to change the entire offense for Lamar like the Rats did. And if the options are: (1) try to win one more with Ben in his twilight years or (2) draft a big risk, change the entire offense and hope it works out, I think it's reasonable to pick option (1).

It hurts to say this, but you have to credit the Rats for how they managed Lamar and his development. I tend to think that QBs don't really develop that much once they get to the NFL. But Jackson (and probably Allen) are the best counter examples IMO.

 

[Steelers War Room]

The thing I noticed is that he was running through holes that even Najee may have gotten to in time.

I noticed a lot of that not being the case. When I saw him finding big openings it was often on a cutback or something he created on his own. I saw a lot of breaking tackles, getting skinny to get through holes, and running just fast enough to stay out of reach of the defender.

 

[Coryea]

Lamar is the example that I hear people bring up.

But with Ben still around I don't think we were interested in looking for a real QB of the future (Mason in the 3rd is much different than Lamar in the 1st).

Plus, we would have had to change the entire offense for Lamar like the Rats did. And if the options are: (1) try to win one more with Ben in his twilight years or (2) draft a big risk, change the entire offense and hope it works out, I think it's reasonable to pick option (1).

It hurts to say this, but you have to credit the Rats for how they managed Lamar and his development. I tend to think that QBs don't really develop that much once they get to the NFL. But Jackson (and probably Allen) are the best counter examples IMO.

And we all know, No way in Hell Tomlin makes such a drastic change like the Rats did, Tomlin is to stubborn to do that.