2018 QB Class: 8 Years Later – A Draft Redefined

2018 QB Class: 8 Years Later – A Draft Redefined

Eight seasons have passed since the highly anticipated 2018 NFL Draft, a draft that saw five potential franchise quarterbacks earmarked for greatness. Back in 2022, a deep dive into the first four years of their careers painted a picture of promise, uncertainty, and burgeoning talent. Now, eight years later, the landscape has dramatically shifted, revealing a class that has defied expectations, delivered redemption, and cemented its place in NFL history.

Baker Mayfield: From Browns’ Rollercoaster to Buccaneer Redemption

The Cleveland Browns kicked off the 2018 draft by selecting Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick. A polarizing prospect entering the league, Mayfield’s college career at Oklahoma was nothing short of inspirational. A two-time walk-on, he shattered records by becoming the first walk-on to win the Heisman Trophy. His intangible qualities – leadership, moxie, and fierce competitiveness – were undeniable, even if his physical measurables, like his 6-foot frame, raised some eyebrows. Scouts compared him to pocket passers like Drew Brees and Jeff Garcia, suggesting a potential second-round talent whose mental fortitude pushed him into the top pick conversation. Browns GM John Dorsey, seeking a confident leader to revitalize the franchise, gambled on Mayfield’s intangibles.

By early 2022, Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland was at a crossroads. He had delivered moments of brilliance and crushing disappointment, but consistency remained elusive. Despite setting a rookie record for touchdown passes in his debut season (2018) and leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance in 18 years in 2020 under head coach Kevin Stefanski, a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder derailed his 2021 campaign. The Browns ultimately moved on, trading Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers in 2022. After a brief, difficult stint there, he was released and landed with the Los Angeles Rams, where a dramatic 98-yard game-winning drive against the Raiders offered a glimmer of hope for his career.

The true redemption arc, however, unfolded in Tampa Bay. Signing a one-year prove-it deal in 2023, Mayfield delivered a Pro Bowl season, leading the Buccaneers to a division title and a playoff win. This resurgence earned him a three-year, $100 million contract. He followed it up with an even stronger 2024 regular season, throwing for 41 touchdowns, the second most in the league, and another division title. While 2025 saw a late-season dip due to injuries and inconsistent play, Mayfield has firmly established himself as a reliable Tier 2-3 starting quarterback, even holding the NFL record for playoff passer rating.

Sam Darnold: The Unfulfilled Promise and Unexpected Resurgence

The New York Jets selected Sam Darnold with the third overall pick, envisioning him as their future franchise cornerstone. Heralded as a Pro Bowl-level talent with comparisons to Andrew Luck, Darnold possessed a strong arm and playmaking ability. However, concerns about his turnover-prone nature and decision-making, evident even in his final year at USC, followed him to the NFL. His professional debut was marred by a pick-six on his first career pass, a sign of struggles to come.

Darnold’s time in New York was largely defined by inconsistency and a lack of health. After three difficult seasons, the Jets moved on. In 2021, he joined the Carolina Panthers, experiencing a promising 3-0 start before a fractured scapula sidelined him. He returned in 2022 but did not earn a new contract. A move to the San Francisco 49ers as a backup in 2023 proved invaluable for his development. Then, in 2024, a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings led to an unforeseen Pro Bowl season. With rookie J.J. McCarthy injured, Darnold stepped in, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 14-2 start. Despite a late-season stumble, his performance created a contract dilemma for the Vikings. Ultimately, the Seattle Seahawks offered a more lucrative deal, and in 2025, Darnold led Seattle to a Super Bowl victory, a stunning turn of events for a player once deemed unlikely to become a decent NFL starter.

Josh Allen: From “Boom or Bust” to MVP Caliber

The Buffalo Bills took a significant swing on Josh Allen at pick number seven, recognizing his immense physical gifts: a towering 6’5″ frame, impressive athleticism, and one of the strongest arms in draft history. However, his collegiate career at Wyoming was marked by significant accuracy issues and a low completion percentage, leading to comparisons with other high-upside, boom-or-bust prospects like Jake Locker. The prevailing wisdom was that Allen would need considerable development to refine his accuracy.

His rookie year (2018) was predictably rough, characterized by high-risk plays and a significant number of interceptions. However, the improvement was rapid and dramatic. By 2020, Allen had transformed into an elite passer, demonstrating vastly improved accuracy, a significant jump in yardage and touchdowns, and a higher quarterback rating. He was no longer solely reliant on his rushing ability, becoming an unstoppable force and leading the Bills to the AFC Championship game. By the time of the previous video in 2022, Allen was firmly entrenched as a top-three quarterback, with the Bills considered Super Bowl contenders, despite the heartbreak of the infamous 13-second loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs.

Allen continued his stellar play, leading the Bills to 13 wins in 2022 before a playoff upset by the Bengals. The 2023 season saw a mid-season slump and a change in offensive coordinator, but a late-season surge propelled them back into the playoffs, only to fall again to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. In 2024, the Bills’ offensive identity evolved, becoming less reliant on Allen’s individual heroics and incorporating a stronger run game, which allowed him to flourish. He captured the league MVP award. Despite another deep playoff run, the Bills were once again eliminated by the Chiefs. In 2025, facing a playoff landscape without the Chiefs or Bengals, the Bills faltered, losing in overtime to Denver. Despite these playoff disappointments, Josh Allen remains on a Hall of Fame trajectory, with the ultimate question being whether he and the Bills can finally overcome their postseason hurdles.

Josh Rosen: The Pro-Ready Prospect Who Fizzled

Josh Rosen was widely considered the most pro-ready quarterback in the 2018 class. His polished pocket presence, excellent mechanics, and traditional quarterback build drew comparisons to Trent Green. However, concerns about his durability due to a slight frame and past injuries, coupled with questions about his passion and coachability, lingered. Rosen himself made comments that later proved regrettable, and scouts noted he wasn’t always the most rallying figure in college.

Despite being a highly touted prospect, Rosen’s NFL career was short-lived. The Arizona Cardinals, who traded up to select him 10th overall, cut ties after just one season, ultimately drafting Kyler Murray. Rosen bounced between four teams in four years. By the time of the previous video, he was a backup with the Falcons and his career was in limbo. His year-by-year breakdown is a stark reminder of unmet potential: a disastrous rookie year in Arizona (2018) led to him being traded to the Miami Dolphins, where his struggles continued. After being cut by the Dolphins, he spent time on practice squads with the Buccaneers and 49ers before signing with the Falcons in 2021 to back up Matt Ryan. He saw limited action, performing poorly, and was not re-signed. Brief stints with the Browns and Vikings practice squads followed. As of 2024, Rosen has transitioned to a successful career in investment banking, leaving his NFL aspirations behind.

Lamar Jackson: The Heisman Winner Who Redefined Quarterback Play

Lamar Jackson, the electrifying Heisman Trophy winner from Louisville, entered the NFL with unparalleled athleticism, drawing comparisons to Michael Vick. His sheer speed and elusiveness were game-changing, but his passing ability was considered raw, leading some, like former GM Bill Polian, to suggest a position change to wide receiver. Undeterred, Jackson insisted on playing quarterback, and the Baltimore Ravens traded up to select him 32nd overall in 2018.

Jackson quickly proved the doubters wrong. After serving as Joe Flacco’s backup in 2018, he took over in Week 11 and led the Ravens to a 6-1 record, showcasing his elite rushing prowess. The following year, 2019, was a revelation. Jackson delivered an MVP season, dramatically improving his passing game while remaining a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses. Despite his dominance, the Ravens suffered a stunning playoff upset to the Tennessee Titans. The 2020 season saw him continue his elite play, but another postseason loss, this time to the Buffalo Bills, highlighted persistent questions about his playoff performance. The 2021 and 2022 seasons were hampered by injuries, leading to missed games and a decline in performance, raising concerns about his durability and future with the team. After a tumultuous offseason that included a trade request, Jackson signed a record-breaking extension with the Ravens.

The 2023 season saw Jackson return to MVP form, delivering his most impressive passing season to date and earning his second MVP award. He led the Ravens to a dominant playoff victory over the Houston Texans, but fell short in the AFC Championship game. In 2024, with the addition of Derrick Henry, Jackson posted career-best numbers and finished second in MVP voting. He avenged his playoff loss to Josh Allen and the Bills in a hard-fought divisional round game, but a critical fumble on a two-point conversion attempt in the AFC Championship against the Chiefs proved to be a pivotal moment. The 2025 season saw a team-wide regression, with injuries and inconsistent play limiting the Ravens to a missed postseason. Despite injury concerns, Lamar Jackson remains one of the league’s most dominant players, holding records for career rushing yards by a quarterback and career passer rating. His legacy, like Allen’s, hinges on his ability to finally achieve ultimate success in the postseason.

A Class for the Ages

The 2018 quarterback class has proven to be one of the most impactful in recent memory. It produced four legitimate starting NFL quarterbacks, two of whom have captured MVP awards. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, once considered busts or disappointments, have carved out remarkable redemption stories, with Darnold even achieving a Super Bowl victory. Josh Allen stands as a perennial MVP candidate and a Hall of Fame-caliber talent, while Lamar Jackson continues to redefine the quarterback position and chase his own elusive Super Bowl title. This draft class has delivered far more than anyone could have predicted, a testament to the unpredictable nature of the NFL and the resilience of its athletes.

Source: 2018 QB Class… 8 Years Later (YouTube)