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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
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