Grading the 2019 NFL quarterback draft class
Time to grade the former Duke star and the other nine QB picks.
(Note: We have omitted a grade for Dwayne Haskins, who died in 2022.)
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals, round 1, pick 1
Murray was wooed from the Oakland Athletics and baseball after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma. He has shown flashes but nothing to merit the first overall pick in the draft. Murray needs to deliver big time for Arizona in 2025 or it could be time for the Cardinals to consider moving to another signal-caller. Grade: C
Daniel Jones, New York Giants, round 1, pick 6
Nothing exceptional from Jones with Big Blue. However, give him credit that he did enough to get a $40 million contract that the Giants walked away from rather quickly. Remember, New York didn't exactly have another elite quarterback to replace Jones. This is a fresh start in a weak division. There are a lot of interesting skill position players around Jones. There is no guarantee he will use them to lead the Colts to great success. Grade: C-
Dwayne Haskins, Washington, round 1, pick 1
The former Ohio State quarterback tragically died at the age of 24 in 2022.
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos, round 2, pick 42
Lock was largely ineffective in Denver. He was part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Broncos. Lock did not play in 2022. He went to the New York Giants in 2024. You know, the same team that let Jones go. Grade: D-
Will Grier, Carolina Panthers, round 3, pick 100
Give Grier credit. He has made more than $4.5 million while playing all of two games. Those came in losses for the Panthers in 2019. He is currently a Dallas Cowboy, his second stint with America's Team. This six teams overall that Grier has called home. Grade: F
Ryan Finley, Cincinnati Bengals, round 4, pick 104
The former North Carolina State QB started all of four games for Cincinnati over 2019 and '20. He did win his last start. Grade: F
Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots, round 4, pick 133
Stidham did enough to become backup to Tom Brady in 2019. When the GOAT left for Tampa Bay the next season, Stidham was believed to be the successor. He didn't live up to that hype. Stidham went on to play for the Raiders, where he lost two starts and is currently a Bronco. Stidham is having a strong preseason and that won't mean much before Bo Nix is the Denver starter. Grade: D-
Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers, round 5, pick 166
Stick stuck with the Chargers until this year and he now is with the Falcons. He completed one pass in 2020, then didn't play until 2023 when he was 0-4 as a starter. Felt like he was destined to be Justin Herbert's backup forever but the Chargers moved on and Stick is hoping to find a home with Atlanta. Grade: F
Clayton Thorson, Philadelphia Eagles, round 4, pick 167
No stats for the Northwestern quarterback. He did play for the USFL Houston Gamblers in 2022. Grade: Incomplete
Gardner Minshew II, Jacksonville Jaguars, round 6, pick 178
There is an argument that Minshew has been the best quarterback of this sorry lot. He has stareted for four teams and while his overall mark is 17-29, Minshew has thrown for 11,950 yards with 68 touchdowns against 34 interceptions. He has a big arm and just as big a personality. The Chiefs saw enough in Minshew to bring him in to their fold for this season. Grade: B-
Tracey McSorley, Baltimore Ravens, round 6, pick 197
McSorley was 0-1 as a starter. That game came for Arizona in 2022. He currently is the assistant quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Penn State. Current Nittany Lions QB Drew Allar has to hope he has a better NFL career than McSorley. Grade: F
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