NFL Quarterbacks have taken the league by storm in their rookie years recently.
Previously, it took quarterbacks a while to become good, but lately they have hit their stride quickly.
A lot of talented Quarterbacks have been selected in the NFL Draft from 2020-2025.
On the November 13 episode of ESPN’s First Take, Dan Orlovsky gave a list of his top-five QBs drafted since 2020 to start a franchise with.
Below, we will give Orlovsky’s top-five QBs drafted since 2020 to start a franchise, with then give our own list.
Dan Orlovsky’s Top Five List Of QBs Drafted Since 2020 To Start A Franchise With
He first begins with C.J. Stroud as number five. Orlovsky said, “All C.J.’s done is have back-to-back 10-win seasons after being the number two pick in the NFL Draft, and not one time in those seasons has he had even an above-average offensive line. Could you imagine what C.J. Stroud would become if in Houston you built him an offensive line? Outstanding player.”
Orlovsky’s number four pick is Justin Herbert. He stated, “The reality is Justin Herbert is absolutely built for that position, and to be in that role. He’s performed, I would say, on the same level as guys like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, but in significantly less favorable situations as those two players. He’s an outstanding guy that should play and win a Super Bowl.”
His third pick is Jayden Daniels. Orlovsky said, “I love Jayden Daniels. All Jayden Daniels did was get selected at number two, from a team that was 4-13, and bring them to the NFC Championship game. Don’t lose sight of what’s happening in Washington right now, this year, given the context that Jayden has missed some times, look how poorly that football team is performing without him.”
Orlovsky’s number two is Jalen Hurts. He stated, “I’m gonna go Jalen Hurts, and that might be surprising to some people. All this dude does is win. I know that sounds cliché, but that’s all he does is win. Under Nick Sirianni, he’s 50-14. He’s 50-14! And, in two Super Bowls, he realistically outperformed the best player that I have ever seen, Patrick Mahomes.”
His number one player that has been drafted since 2020 to start a franchise with is Drake Maye. Orlovsky said, “This goes a little back to college football because in college football, I loved this guy. I loved following his games. I fell in love with the character. I fell in love with the traits. He’s taking a rebuilding organization, rebuilding football team, and having them as legit contenders, and the lead for MVP in the NFL right now.”
Here is the full clip of Dan Orlovsky’s list he gave on ESPN’s First Take.
.@danorlovsky7 shares his top five list of QBs drafted since 2020 to start a franchise with 🔥 pic.twitter.com/94yCYFZ3YD
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 13, 2025
Mina Kimes Trolls Dan Orlovsky For Picking Drake Maye As Number One
Earlier on First Take, a question was asked about who is more responsible for the Patriots’ turnaround, Drake Maye or Mike Vrabel.
Dan Orlovsky stated it is Mike Vrabel.
During his top-five list, Orlovsky listed Drake Maye as the number one QB drafted since 2020 that he’d begin a franchise with.
Mina Kimes was in shock. She stated, “Ok, Dan, you know I love you, you know I love Drake Maye. The AUDICITY of you to put him number one, 12 minutes after arguing he’s not even the main reason why New England has its record is wild. Like you were, please I beg of you to hit that pause button if you are DVRing this. Go back 12 minutes and listen to Dan Orlovsky talk about this Patriots team. I feel insane right now. Like, did this not happen earlier?”
Mina Kimes couldn't believe that Dan Orlovsky listed Drake Maye as the top quarterback drafted since 2020 that he'd start a franchise with just minutes after saying he wasn't the biggest reason for the Patriots' success this season. pic.twitter.com/uTcscH9SDl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 13, 2025
Top Five List Of QBs Drafted Since 2020 To Start A Franchise With
Orlovsky’s list was decent, but missed one of the best QBs in the league. He kept him off because of injury concerns, but he is just too good to leave off a list like this.
The top five QBs drafted since 2020 to start a franchise with:
- 5. Drake Maye
- 4. Jayden Daniels
- 3. Justin Herbet
- 2. Jalen Hurts
- 1. Joe Burrow
It was tough to leave off C.J. Stroud, but had Orlovsky put Burrow on the list as he should have, he would have left Stroud off the list as well.
Orlovsky left off Joe Burrow due to injury concerns, but Burrow is too good to leave off. He is the best QB drafted since 2020. Like Stroud, Burrow has never had a good offensive line either. Burrow has been to a Super Bowl, unlike Maye, Herbert, Daniels, and Stroud. Joe Burrow is a top-four QB in the NFL when healthy, and is the best QB drafted since 2020. If given the chance, he would be the number one choice to start a franchise among all the QBs selected since 2020.
Jalen Hurts deserves to be number two on this list for all the reasons Orlovsky gave. Hurts is a winner, plain and simple. He has been to two Super Bowls, won one, won Super Bowl MVP, and outperformed Patrick Mahomes in both Super Bowls. Hurts would have had two Super Bowl MVP trophies had the Eagles won the first Super Bowl matchup against the Chiefs.
Herbert and Daniels should be flipped, with Herbert ranked third and Daniels ranked fourth. Daniels is injury-prone, and we have only seen him play at a high level for one season. Herbert has been playing at a high level since he was drafted in 2020. Both QBs are ultra talented, and Daniels has taken his team to a Conference Championship game, but still, one good season is too little to put him over Herbert.
Maye should be on the list over Stroud just because Maye’s ceiling is higher. He appears poised to be among the best QBs in the league, and looks like he can compete with Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson.
