First-Round QB Classes Since 2001

2013

Unlike in the two previous drafts, when four quarterbacks were taken in each of the first rounds, the 2013 draft saw only one QB selected, and EJ Manuel was not the guy many envisioned. Here's a look back at the quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the previous 12 drafts.

2012

Clockwise from top left: #1: Andrew Luck (Stanford), Indianapolis Colts #2: Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Washington Redskins #8: Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M), Miami Dolphins #22: Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State), Cleveland Browns

2011

Clockwise from top left: #1: Cam Newton (Auburn), Carolina Panthers #8: Jake Locker (Washington), Tennessee Titans #10: Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), Jacksonville Jaguars #12: Christian Ponder (Florida State), Minnesota Vikings

2010

#1: Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), St. Louis Rams #25: Tim Tebow (Florida), Denver Broncos

2009

#1: Matthew Stafford (Georgia), Detroit Lions #5: Mark Sanchez (USC), New York Jets #17: Josh Freeman (Kansas State), Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2008

#3: Matt Ryan (Boston College), Atlanta Falcons #18: Joe Flacco (Delaware), Baltimore Ravens

2007

#1: JaMarcus Russell (LSU), Oakland Raiders #22: Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Cleveland Browns

2006

#3: Vince Young (Texas), Tennessee Titans #10: Matt Leinart (USC), Arizona Cardinals #11: Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt), Denver Broncos

2005

#1: Alex Smith (Utah), San Francisco 49ers #24: Aaron Rodgers (California), Green Bay Packers #25: Jason Campbell (Auburn), Washington Redskins

2004

Clockwise from top left: #1: Eli Manning (Ole Miss), San Diego Chargers* #4: Philip Rivers (NC State), New York Giants* #11: Ben Roethlisberger (Miami (OH)), Pittsburgh Steelers #22: J.P. Losman (Tulane), Buffalo Bills *The Chargers immediately traded Manning to the Giants for Rivers and were also compensated with a third-round pick and first- and fifth-round picks in 2005.

2003

Clockwise from top left: #1: Carson Palmer (USC), Cincinnati Bengals #7: Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Jacksonville Jaguars #19: Kyle Boller (California), Baltimore Ravens #22: Rex Grossman (Florida), Chicago Bears

2002

#1: David Carr (Fresno State), Houston Texans #3: Joey Harrington (Oregon), Detroit Lions #32: Patrick Ramsey (Tulane), Washington Redskins

2001

#1: Michael Vick (Virginia Tech), Atlanta Falcons It is worth noting that Drew Brees (Purdue) was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the first pick of the second round (32nd overall) in a draft with only 31 teams. Had the Texans entered the NFL a year sooner, Brees could have been a first-round pick.