We all love the QB. They are the ones remembered and cherished when they are the true great ones. Johnny Unitas. Joe Montana. John Elway. Peyton Manning. Tom Brady. Drew Brees. The names can continue on and on.

What do those players have in common other than being in or en route to the Hall of Fame? They all struggled or sat early in their careers. Unitas was even cut from the team that drafted him (way to go, 1955 Steelers). Montana played 1 game as a rookie. Manning led the league in interceptions his rookie year. What does this say? Yes, even the best of the best get humbled by the game at the beginning.

Occasionally you’ll get Dan Marino in 1983. Cam Newton in 2011. Deshaun Watson in 2017. The players who light the world on fire from the start. Kyler Murray, Gardner Minshew and Daniel Jones had their moments in 2019. The players drafted this year may have them if/when they see the field. But as fantasy owners, we need to take the long view with the 2020 rookie class, thinking about these players more along the lines of dynasty and keeper formats. Even the guy at the top.

Joe Burrow — #1 Bengals
It was set up too perfectly. Ohio kid. Heisman Trophy winner. Threw so many TDs in the FBS semis and title game that Bengal fans and fantasy owners were salivating at the prospect of him pitching it in Cincinnati for many years. He’ll likely start Game 1, but probably not for your team. QB is still stacked, and this is a rookie. He’s an early pick in dynasty, but for 2021 he’s a backup or the second QB in super-flex leagues. Maybe a streamer based on the opposing D.

Tua Tagovailoa — #5 Dolphins
Feels like forever ago that “Tank for Tua” was a thing. Smoke screens abounded that the Dolphins were either interested in a tackle or Herbert. Scouts called him a left-handed Drew Brees. I saw a lot of Steve Young in his throwing mechanics. Tua looked great in his YouTube workout before the draft, but a redshirt year learning from Ryan “FitzMagic” Fitzpatrick might be the best thing for the Hawaiian.

Justin Herbert — #6 Chargers
Where have we seen this movie before? Tyrod Taylor is the projected starter in front of the much-ballyhooed rookie picked toward the top of the draft. In 2018, it was only 3 games before Baker Mayfield took the starting job in Cleveland. In 2020, it might be a few more. Herbert’s got a big arm and can run, so comparisons to Cam Newton and Josh Allen are warranted. The Chargers would take any of those comps coming true. 

Jordan Love — #26 Packers
It can’t be asked enough: What was the Green Bay braintrust thinking? Maybe they think their 2018 class of WRs is going to take a leap forward in Year 3. Maybe they’re going to use A.J. Dillon as a battering ram along with Aaron Jones as they try to hark back to football in the 1960s. One thing is certain: As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, he’s playing all 16 games. Love is a great prospect, but the plan is for him to get a redshirt year. 

Jalen Hurts — #53 Eagles
The Eagles sure like to make sure they have a good backup. Hard to argue, since Nick Foles won them a Super Bowl in 2018. Yes, Carson Wentz has gotten injured enough in his career that it makes sense to have a good backup at the ready. Though if Hurts is in the game, his legs could help with some rushing yards, a la Lamar Jackson in 2018. But that will be after waiver wire adds. Nothing to see here until training camp at the earliest.