Yardbarker
x
The best QBs drafted by every NFL team
Arthur Anderson / Getty Images

The best QBs drafted by every NFL team

There is no more important position in the NFL than quarterback, which is why so many teams gamble in the draft in the hopes of finding that elusive franchise QB. While some of these signal-callers didn't fulfill their potential with the teams that drafted them, they all eventually proved worthy of their draft status.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: Joe Namath, 1965

Arizona Cardinals: Joe Namath, 1965
Kidwiler Collection / Diamond Images

Namath was drafted by both the AFL's New York Jets and NFL's St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. Of course, he opted to sign with the Jets and went on to have a Hall of Fame career.

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Brett Favre, 1991

Atlanta Falcons: Brett Favre, 1991
Perry McIntyre / Getty Images

Oh, what could have been. The Falcons drafted Favre 33rd overall out of Southern Miss in 1991, only to trade him one year later to Green Bay for a first-round pick. Favre went on to have a Hall of Fame career, winning three MVPs and going to 11 Pro Bowls. Other notable of Atlanta's drafted quarterbacks include Steve Bartkowski, Michael Vick and Matt Ryan.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, 2018

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, 2018
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

2008 first-round pick Joe Flacco won a Super Bowl MVP with the Ravens, but his career with the team ended in disappointment. Replaced by first-round pick Lamar Jackson in 2018, the Ravens have found another franchise player. Jackson is arguably the league's most exciting and multi-dimensional quarterback since Michael Vick, going 6-1 in his rookie campaign as a starter and 13-2 en route to the NFL MVP in 2019. He had a staggering 36 touchdown passes to go along with 1,206 yards rushing in 2019, and Jackson's career is just getting started.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Jim Kelly, 1983

Buffalo Bills: Jim Kelly, 1983
Mike Powell / Getty Images

Kelly was drafted 14th overall in 1983 and notoriously said he wasn't going to Buffalo after spending his college years at Miami. Instead, he went to the USFL but ended up with the Bills in 1986. Over 11 seasons in Buffalo, Kelly led the Bills to four Super Bowl losses and went to five Pro Bowls. He's now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, 2011

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, 2011
Al Bello / Getty Images

The Panthers have drafted eight quarterbacks in their brief history, and Newton has been far and away their best in only seven seasons. He had a career 68-55-1 record before the Panthers released him in 2020, and he won MVP honors in 2015 while leading the team to the Super Bowl. Kerry Collins, drafted fifth overall in 1995, is clearly the team's second-best quarterback ever drafted.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: George Blanda, 1949

Chicago Bears: George Blanda, 1949
Focus on Sport

The Bears drafted Bobby Layne and Blanda in consecutive years, and they are both Hall of Famers. Blanda won the 1961 AFL MVP and the 1970 NFL MVP playing with Chicago, Houston and Oakland. Layne appeared in only 11 games with the Bears and was a three-time NFL champion with the Lions. More recent notable Bears draftees are Jim McMahon (1982), Jim Harbaugh (1987) and Mitchell Trubisky (2017).

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: Ken Anderson, 1971

Cincinnati Bengals: Ken Anderson, 1971
Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images

Anderson edges out Boomer Esiason and Carson Palmer in a close race. Anderson made four Pro Bowls and won the NFL MVP in 1981. He's the organization's all-time leader in wins, passing yards and passing touchdowns. He was taken in the third round in 1971.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Brian Sipe, 1972

Cleveland Browns: Brian Sipe, 1972
George Rose/Getty Images

Have Browns quarterbacks always been cursed? You could say so. Sipe edges out Milt Plum as the best draftee ever, as he won the 1980 NFL MVP after going in the 13th round in 1972. Recent Browns draft disasters include Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel. Fans are hoping 2018 first -rounder Baker Mayfield bucks the trend.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: Roger Staubach, 1964

Dallas Cowboys: Roger Staubach, 1964
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Drafted in the 10th round out of Navy, Staubach went on to win one NFL MVP, make six Pro Bowls and have his number retired. Troy Aikman isn't far behind Staubach as another Pro Football Hall of Famer, drafted by Dallas in 1989.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: Jay Cutler, 2006

Denver Broncos: Jay Cutler, 2006
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

For all the success the Broncos have had over the last 20-plus years, they can point to Cutler as their best quarterback ever drafted. He played only three seasons with the Broncos before getting traded to Chicago but leads all Denver quarterback draftees in nearly every category.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Y.A. Tittle, 1948

Detroit Lions: Y.A. Tittle, 1948
Focus on Sport

Tittle edges out 1944 fourth overall pick Otto Graham as the Lions' best quarterback ever drafted. Tittle never actually played for the Lions, starting his pro career with the Baltimore Colts. He won four NFL MVP Awards and had his number retired by the Giants.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, 2005

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, 2005
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

With apologies to Bart Starr, Aaron Rodgers is the best Packers quarterback ever drafted. He fell to the Packers at 24th overall in 2005, and since then he has won two MVP Awards and appeared in eight Pro Bowls.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, 2017

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, 2017
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Houston spent its first draft choice ever on David Carr, yet Watson's success has already surpassed Carr's. He took the league by storm in his rookie season before injuring his knee but had a great second year with 4,165 yards passing and 26 touchdowns, along with 551 yards rushing. Watson didn't quite match those numbers in his third year but still went 10-5 as a starter during the 2019 regular season.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning, 1998

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning, 1998
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Manning ironically beats out John Elway as the best quarterback ever drafted by the Colts and arguably the best quarterback to ever play. The future Hall of Famer shattered records during his 18-year NFL career, winning five MVPs, making 14 Pro Bowls and claiming two Super Bowl wins. He finished his career working under Broncos general manager John Elway in Denver.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard, 2002

Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard, 2002
Rick Stewart / Getty Images

Garrard had a solid yet brief career. He went 39-37 as a starter with the Jags after being drafted in the fourth round, and he passed for more than 16,000 yards over his career. 2014 first-round pick Blake Bortles failed to find as much success, going 24-49 as a starter in five seasons.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Roger Staubach, 1964

Kansas City Chiefs: Roger Staubach, 1964
Cindy Ord / Getty Images

Yes, Staubach was drafted by both the NFL's Cowboys and AFL's Chiefs. He opted to sign with the Cowboys when he started his career in 1969 after serving in the Navy and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Of course, an argument can be made for 2017 first-round pick Patrick Mahomes already, as he won NFL MVP in 2018 and led the franchise to its second Super Bowl victory in 2019.

 
17 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Dan Marino, 1983

Miami Dolphins: Dan Marino, 1983
Rhona Wise / Getty Images

Marino is the second Hall of Fame quarterback the Dolphins ever drafted, with Bob Griese the first. His stats are some of the most impressive ever, throwing for more than 61,000 yards with 420 touchdown passes over his career. He went to nine Pro Bowls and won the NFL MVP in 1984. Joe Theismann was another notable Dolphins draftee.

 
18 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: Fran Tarkenton, 1961

Minnesota Vikings: Fran Tarkenton, 1961
Sylvia Allen / Getty Images

Sorry, Brad Johnson, but there's no debating this one. Tarkenton is a Pro Football Hall of Famer after throwing for more than 47,000 yards over his career, winning the 1975 MVP and being named to nine Pro Bowls.

 
19 of 32

New England Patriots: Tom Brady, 2000

New England Patriots: Tom Brady, 2000
Jim Rogash / Getty Images

Fran Tarkenton was drafted by the Pats in the fifth round in 1961 before signing with the Vikings. That was the organization's best quarterback ever drafted until Tom Brady came along. The future Hall of Famer has won six Super Bowls and three MVPs and has been named to 14 Pro Bowls.

 
20 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Archie Manning, 1971

New Orleans Saints: Archie Manning, 1971
James Flores / Getty Images

Selected second overall in 1971, Manning's Saints were never good, but that wasn't all his fault. He went 35-101-3 as a starter but still threw for nearly 24,000 yards over his career. Of course, he's now better known as Peyton and Eli's father. The team doesn't have a rich history with quarterback drafting, with Marc Bulger being the only other one it's drafted with significant time as a starter.

 
21 of 32

New York Giants: Philip Rivers, 2004

New York Giants: Philip Rivers, 2004
Chris McGrath / Getty Images

Rivers was drafted fourth overall in 2004 before getting traded to the Chargers for Eli Manning. He's had a steady career, going 123-101 as a starter and being named to eight Pro Bowls before leaving for Indianapolis in 2020. He has the most passing yards of any Giants quarterback ever drafted, easily beating out Phil Simms.

 
22 of 32

New York Jets: Joe Namath, 1965

New York Jets: Joe Namath, 1965
Focus on Sport

Going first overall in 1965, Namath is the only Hall of Fame quarterback the Jets have ever drafted. Even though he played in a long-ago era, he still leads all Jets quarterback draftees in career passing yards.

 
23 of 32

Oakland Raiders: Ken Stabler, 1968

Oakland Raiders: Ken Stabler, 1968
Robert Riger / Getty Images

Stabler had an excellent career after going in the second round, with four Pro Bowls and an NFL MVP Award in 1974. He won Super Bowl XI and retired with nearly 28,000 career passing yards. Fellow Raiders draftees Roman Gabriel and Craig Morton are awfully close to Stabler in accomplishments, and Raiders fans hope Derek Carr is in the discussion as his career develops.

 
24 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Sonny Jurgensen, 1957

Philadelphia Eagles: Sonny Jurgensen, 1957
Focus on Sport

The Eagles have had some solid quarterbacks drafted in their history, but Jurgensen is clearly their best. The Hall of Famer led the NFL in passing yards five times and was a First-Team All-Pro twice. He retired with more than 32,000 passing yards, playing more years in Washington than Philly.

 
25 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnny Unitas, 1955

Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnny Unitas, 1955
Bettmann/Getty Images

Believe it or not, Unitas was released by the Steelers after they drafted him in the ninth round in 1955. He joined the Colts the following year, and the rest is history. He won four MVPs, made 10 Pro Bowls, was a three-time NFL champion and won Super Bowl V. Hall of Famers Jim Finks, Len Dawson and Terry Bradshaw were also drafted by the Steelers, while Ben Roethlisberger is also likely to be enshrined in Canton one day.

 
26 of 32

San Diego Chargers: Drew Brees, 2001

San Diego Chargers: Drew Brees, 2001
Steve Grayson / Getty Images

Brees was selected 32nd overall in 2001 after the Chargers selected LaDainian Tomlinson in the first round. He spent five years with San Diego before hurting his shoulder and signing with the Saints in free agency, where he's done most of his damage. He's led the NFL in passing yards seven times and passing touchdowns four times, and he made 13 Pro Bowls. He also led the Saints to a win in Super Bowl XLIV. John Hadl, Hall of Famer Dan Fouts, Trent Green and Eli Manning are other notable quarterbacks drafted by the Chargers.

 
27 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Joe Montana, 1979

San Francisco 49ers: Joe Montana, 1979
Wally McNamee / Getty Images

Montana is the only Hall of Fame quarterback the 49ers ever drafted. Going in the third round, Montana went on to win four Super Bowls and two MVPs, and he made eight Pro Bowls.

 
28 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson, 2012

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson, 2012
Justin Edmonds / Getty Images

Eight seasons into his career, Wilson is clearly the best Seahawks quarterback ever drafted. He's gone 86-41-1 so far, leading the team to two NFC championship wins and a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. He's also been to six Pro Bowls.

 
29 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Norm Van Brocklin, 1949

Los Angeles Rams: Norm Van Brocklin, 1949
Vic Stein / Getty Images

The Rams selected both Hall of Famers Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield (1944). Van Brocklin went 61-36-4 during his NFL career, won two NFL championships and the 1960 MVP and made nine Pro Bowls. He has a long way to go, but 2016 first overall draft choice, Jared Goff, is off to a nice start with two Pro Bowls in four years.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vinny Testaverde, 1987

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vinny Testaverde, 1987
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

The Bucs organization has lost more than it's won during its history, and Testaverde is the team's most accomplished quarterback. He went first overall in 1987 and started 214 games in his career, making two Pro Bowls. Other notable Bucs draftees include Doug Williams and Trent Dilfer, but 2015 first overall draft choice Jameis Winston didn't pan out for the franchise.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Steve McNair, 1995

Tennessee Titans: Steve McNair, 1995
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Air McNair went third overall out of Alcorn State. He went to three Pro Bowls during his career and was the 2003 MVP. McNair went 91-62 during his career as a starter.

 
32 of 32

Washington Redskins: Sammy Baugh, 1937

Washington Redskins: Sammy Baugh, 1937
Nate Fine / Getty Images

Baugh was the Washington organization's first quarterback ever drafted, going sixth overall. He's also the organization's only Hall of Fame quarterback ever drafted after winning two NFL championships and two NFL Player of the Year Awards.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.