How Does the QB Class of 2019 Stack Up to Previous NFL Drafts?

Each year, ESPN analyst Todd McShay assigns grades to NFL prospects before the draft.

Last year, in a quarterback-heavy draft, McShay had Sam Darnold rated as the draft’s top QB, with an overall grade of 94. The Jets had him ranked high as well, and took Darnold with the third overall pick in the draft.

“The bottom line is that Darnold is the most complete quarterback in the 2018 class, and he has the type of makeup that most good NFL starters possess,” McShay wrote before Darnold was picked. “Darnold grades out as a high-level NFL starting quarterback, and he projects to be a top-five pick.”

After watching Darnold’s inaugural season — 17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, a 77.6 QB rating and generally promising reviews — McShay’s analysis reads pretty spot-on. So how does he see the top prospects in this year’s draft class?

Heisman winner Kyler Murray, who could potentially go as high as No. 1 overall, grades out with a score of 90, putting him behind only Darnold, Carson Wentz, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Jared Goff on the list of all first-round QB picks since 2016.

“Murray is an aggressive playmaker but also displays good overall decision-making skills and shows poise under pressure,” McShay writes. “He has fast eyes when making full-field progression reads and displays natural touch and timing as a passer, throwing accurately from a variety of different arm angles. In the right system, Kyler can be an electrifying playmaker at the quarterback position. But there are unique risks, including his lean frame and lack of experience.”

McShay awards similarly positive grades to projected first-round quarterbacks Dwayne Haskins (90), Drew Lock (89), and Ryan Finley (86).

For comparison’s sake, McShay had last year’s record-breaking MVP, Patrick Mahomes, tabbed with a pre-draft rank of 85 before he was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs.