Every single selection in the NFL draft is difficult, but the challenge is greatest at the most important position on the field.

There is a reason we say that about quarterbacks, after all.

In each cycle, somewhere around 10 signal-callers are selected. The trouble is that a strong majority of them—well, they never amount to much at the professional level. Again, it's really hard to do that!

The value of the position, though, influences NFL teams to trade up for that prospect they believe can become a long-term answer. Many of those well-intended plans fail, but a bold decision can sometimes result in Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

In 2024, we saw the Minnesota Vikings move up one spot to grab J.J. McCarthy, though he has a grace period before being considered for groupings like this.

While the list is subjective, it focuses on the most successful quarterbacks during their time on the franchise that traded up for them. Key elements are production and team success.

Honorable Mentions

Colin Kaepernick (2011): Alex Smith held the QB1 job in 2011, but the San Francisco 49ers packaged three picks to land Colin Kaepernick with the Denver Broncos' slot at 36th overall. He supplanted Smith one season later, guiding the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012 and another NFC Championship trip in 2013.

Teddy Bridgewater (2014): From a performance lens, the Minnesota Vikings made a sound decision to snag the Seattle Seahawks' 32nd overall pick in the 2014 draft. Bridgewater quickly paid dividends in Minnesota, which won an NFC North title in his second year. Unfortunately, a horrid knee injury in 2016 altered his trajectory. Bridgewater spent most of the rest of his career as a backup.

Carson Wentz (2016): No, he wasn't perfect, and an ACL tear halted Carson Wentz's hopes of propelling the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl they won in 2017 with Nick Foles. Still, it's worth mentioning Wentz—the No. 2 pick in 2016 via the Cleveland Browns—was a legitimate MVP contender that year, even as he never regained that form.

Jordan Love (2020): During the 2020 draft, the Miami Dolphins sent their No. 26 selection to the Green Bay Packers. It resulted in the controversial addition of Jordan Love, who watched Aaron Rodgers for three seasons before leading the Pack in 2023. Love struggled early but guided Green Bay to the playoffs and even won a game. Too early to tell, yes, though he's off to a good start.

5. Deshaun Watson (2017)

The elephant in the room is how Deshaun Watson's tenure with the Houston Texans ended. He'd been accused of sexual assault in more than 20 lawsuits and didn't play in 2021 before Houston traded him to Cleveland.

That's an undeniable part of the story. Also, he started 15-plus games in three seasons with the Texans.

Houston initially moved its first-round selection in 2017 and 2018 to Cleveland—go figure, right?—for the 12th pick in 2017. Watson had a breakout start to his rookie year until an ACL tear shelved him.

Watson returned the next season and ultimately propelled the Texans to consecutive AFC South titles. He made the Pro Bowl in each season from 2018-20, as well.

Although his tenure is not remembered positively, Watson was reasonably successful on the field in Houston.

4. Jared Goff (2016)

We can acknowledge the good factors that influenced Jared Goff's time on the Los Angeles Rams, starting with Sean McVay's impact on the offense. You couldn't have simply plugged anyone onto the Rams and watched them reach a Super Bowl, though.

Goff seemed to regress over time, absolutely, yet he deserves praise for his contributions with the Rams.

Los Angeles traded a total of six selections to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 pick in 2016. Goff ended up playing five seasons for the Rams, helping them win three NFC West crowns and advance to Super Bowl LIII in the 2018 season. He made the Pro Bowl twice.

The franchise sent Goff to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford during the offseason before the 2021 campaign—in what's become a rare win-win trade for both organizations.

3. Josh Allen (2018)

The first of two memorable draft-day deals in 2018 featured the Buffalo Bills taking a swing on Wyoming product Josh Allen.

We can basically call it a home run, too.

Yes, the Bills are still seeking a Super Bowl appearance through his first six seasons. The franchise had reached the playoffs just once in the 17 years before his arrival, yet Allen has five postseason trips—with four AFC East titles—in his career to date.

Allen finished as the MVP runner-up in 2020, also checking in third (2022) and fifth (2023). In addition to four seasons of 4,000-plus passing yards, he's already ninth in career rushing yards (3,611) and second in rushing touchdowns (53) by a quarterback.

He's been well worth the first-round and pair of second-round picks it cost Buffalo to land the No. 7 slot from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2. Lamar Jackson (2018)

As the opening round of Day 1 came to a close, one last trade announcement hit the microphone. Very soon, it changed the trajectory of the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson dealt with criticism about his ability throughout the predraft process, particularly if he should play receiver instead. The talk clouded the perception of Jackson and made him fall behind Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Allen and Josh Rosen.

Now, there's no doubt he's a quarterback. In fact, he's an icon.

Similar to Allen, minimal postseason success is the current thorn for Jackson. However, he's posted a 58-19 record as a starter in Baltimore and is only the ninth post-merger player to win multiple MVPs.

Good thing Baltimore dialed up the Eagles for that final pick of a memorable first round.

1. Patrick Mahomes (2017)

Pretty self-explanatory, no?

Although the Kansas City Chiefs had Alex Smith, they rolled the dice on a strong-armed prospect from Texas Tech. They shipped two first-rounders and a third-round pick to Buffalo for the No. 10 choice in 2017.

Patrick Mahomes hasn't simply been a great QB; he's effectively locked up a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Through his age-28 campaign, he's collected one Offensive Player of the Year, two league MVPs and three AP All-Pro honors. Most importantly, he's hoisted the Lombardi Trophy three times—and guided the Chiefs to a fourth Super Bowl appearance, as well.

Drafting any player is difficult, finding a franchise QB is incredibly tough and trading up is a risky move.

In the move for Mahomes, the Chiefs managed to nail all three.