The Best Quarterbacks Taken in Each Round of the NFL Draft

All eyes may be on the first round, but there have been plenty of late-stage steals in the draft’s seven-round era.

Author:
Conor Orr
Apr 23, 2024

On his first trading card, a 1957 Topps, Bart Starr is pictured in a Green Bay Packers jersey with the number 42. It’s odd for a quarterback, but as Starr recalled years later, “It was obvious [the team] thought I was not going to stay.” Starr had been a 17th-round draft pick and had zero expectations about making the roster, let alone earning an actual QB’s number.

Of course, he did that and more, leading Green Bay to five NFL titles. In the last of those championships, at Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders, the opposing quarterback was Daryle Lamonica, who had been a 12th-round selection (by the Packers, ironically) five years earlier.

Many of the all-time best quarterbacks were late-round steals: Johnny Unitas was a ninth-rounder in 1955, Roger Staubach went a round later in ’64, George Blanda was picked in the 12th in ’49. Warren Moon, who threw for 49,325 yards, went undrafted in ’78. Of course, snagging a game-changer that late is no longer an option—the draft went to seven rounds in 1994. But since then, plenty of QBs who heard their names called late, if at all, have gone on to thrive. Here are the best taken in each round since the draft’s seven-round era.

undefined — Colts QB Peyton Manning scores ahead of Bills cornerback Antoine Winfield.

Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

First round

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, 1998 (1st overall)

Since ’94, a total of 81 QBs have gone in the first round—19 of whom went 1/1. None can match Manning’s résumé, which includes 71,940 yards, five MVPs and two Super Bowl wins.

Honorable mention:

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, 2017 (10th)
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, 2005 (24th)

Second round

Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers, 2001 (32nd)

The first QB to throw for 80,000 yards, Brees didn’t begin to hit his stride until he was 25 and didn’t join the “elite” conversation until he signed with the Saints in ’06.

Honorable mention:

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles, 2020 (53rd)
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals, 2011 (35th)

Third round

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, 2012 (75th)

Granted, the past three years have been bumpy, but even with his recent struggles DangeRuss is still fourth all-time in passer rating—and he’s third in career rushing yards by a QB.

Honorable mention:

Matt Schaub, Atlanta Falcons, 2004 (90th)
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles, 2012 (88th)

Fourth round

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, 2016 (135th)

Dallas wanted to trade up for Connor Cook or Paxton Lynch but couldn’t swing a deal and had to “settle” for Prescott, who went 13–3 as a rookie and hasn’t looked back.

Honorable mention:

Kirk Cousins, Washington, 2012 (102nd)
David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 (108th)

Fifth round

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders, 2022 (144th)

Here’s where our thesis breaks down a bit: Howell is the only fifth-rounder since ’94 with so much as a 2,000-yard season. Alas, it came with 21 picks and 65 sacks.

Honorable mention:

A.J. Feeley, Philadelphia Eagles, 2001 (155th)
Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions, 2005 (145th)

Sixth round

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, 2000 (199th)

And the thesis is back, baby! Six quarterbacks went ahead of the GOAT in 2000, and they threw for a combined 44,470 yards—not even half of Brady’s total of 89,214.

Honorable mention:

Matt Hasselbeck, Green Bay Packers, 1998 (187th)
Marc Bulger, New Orleans Saints, 2000 (168th)

Seventh round

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, 2022 (262nd)

After picking Trey Lance third in 2021, the Niners took a flier in ’22 and made Purdy Mr. Irrelevant. Lance was traded away, while Purdy is 17–4 with a Super Bowl appearance.

Honorable mention:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, St. Louis Rams, 2005 (250th)
Gus Frerotte, Washington, 1994 (197th)

Undrafted

Kurt Warner 1994

The Hall of Famer had arguably the most circuitous route to Canton. Pro tip: If you’re looking for an undrafted free agent arm, check arena football leagues and/or grocery stores.