When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Florida State's Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston became the 21st quarterback to be taken with the top pick in the NFL draft's modern era (since 1967).
While football fans eagerly await the progress of Winston's NFL career, we'll take a look at what he has to live up to -- on both ends of the spectrum -- with this ranking of the previous 20 quarterbacks to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
1 / 20
20. JaMarcus Russell
Draft: 2007
Team: Oakland Raiders
Russell will be a prominent fixture in any "who was the greatest draft bust in NFL history?" debate for as long as NFL football is played. The Raiders passed on a cavalcade of future Pro Bowl players -- Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch, Jon Beason, Joe Staley, Ryan Kalil, Marshal Yanda, Eric Weddle, just to name a few -- to take Russell, who lasted just three seasons in the NFL.
Greg Trott/Associated Press
2 / 20
19. Tim Couch
Draft: 1999
Team: Cleveland Browns
The Browns came off their three-year hiatus with hopes that Couch would be a franchise quarterback to build around. Instead, the Browns have had 22 different starting quarterbacks since then (and likely a 23rd once the 2015 NFL season kicks off).
Amy Sancetta/Associated Press
3 / 20
18. David Carr
Draft: 2002
Team: Houston Texans
Like Couch before him, Carr was expected to be the cornerstone of a start-up franchise. However, The Texans couldn't keep Carr upright -- he set an NFL record that still stands for times sacked, with 76. He led the league in times sacked three times in his first four seasons (208 times total in 60 games played). After the 2006 season, Carr was released and he spent his final NFL seasons as a backup.
Mike Longo/Associated Press
4 / 20
17. Sam Bradford
Draft: 2010
Team: St. Louis Rams
After five mostly injury-riddled seasons in St. Louis, Bradford was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. His NFL career started promising -- he earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2010, and had a career-high 3,702 yards and 21 touchdowns passing in 2012 -- but knee injuries kept Bradford out of all but seven games the past two seasons. Of the 20 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall (excluding Winston since he has yet to play in the NFL), only four have failed to record a single playoff appearance. Bradford is one of them. The other four? Not exactly elite company: JaMarcus Russell, David Carr and Tim Couch.
Seth Perlman/Associated Press
5 / 20
16. Jeff George
Draft: 1990
Team: Indianapolis Colts
George played 12 seasons with five different teams -- though he did spend time with but didn't play for two others, the Seattle Seahawks in 2002 and Chicago Bears in 2004. In 1997, George -- while playing for the Raiders -- led the league in passing yards (3,917), beating notables such as Brett Favre, Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, Warren Moon and John Elway.
Eric Lars Bakke/Associated Press
6 / 20
15. Alex Smith
Draft: 2005
Team: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will get knocked for eternity for passing on Aaron Rodgers and drafting Smith at No. 1 overall instead in 2005, but he's directed two different teams to the playoffs -- the 2011 49ers and 2013 Chiefs.
Ben Liebenberg/NFL
7 / 20
14. Steve Bartkowski
Draft: 1975
Team: Atlanta Falcons
in 1974, the Falcons' quarterbacks were Bob Lee, Pat Sullivan and Kim McQuilken, the trio combined to throw four touchdowns and 31 interceptions. In all, the Falcons offense scored just 12 touchdowns, the lowest total in franchise history, and the team finished 3-11 on the season. Bartkowski was the top pick and the Falcons paid him handsomely to help fix their offense -- $650,000 over four years, the richest rookie contract at the time. By 1978, the Falcons were in the playoffs, the first of three appearances over the next five years.
Chuck Solomon/Associated Press
8 / 20
13. Vinny Testaverde
Draft: 1987
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This might come as a surprise to many, but Testaverde ranks No. 9 all time in career passing yards with 46,233 -- right behind Fran Tarkenton (47,003), who had held the NFL record until fellas such as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, John Elway and Warren Moon came around. That total is a testament to Testaverde's ability to maintain his career. He played 21 seasons in NFL for seven teams.
Al Golub/Associated Press
9 / 20
12. Michael Vick
Draft: 2001
Team: Atlanta Falcons
For a period of time, Vick was the most exciting NFL player to watch. He was equally as dangerous chucking the pigskin as he was running with it. In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. A few months after that accomplishment, his career came to a crashing halt. A suspension in 2007 derailed his career, Vick rebounded in 2010 to become the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Greg Trott/Associated Press
10 / 20
11. Matthew Stafford
Draft: 2009
Team: Detroit Lions
Stafford helped rescue the Lions from the embarrassment of an 0-16 season in 2008, leading the team to the playoffs just three seasons later. He's twice led the Lions to the postseason, which is important because the Lions did have one of the longest playoff droughts when he arrived, not having reached the postseason since 1999. Statistically, Stafford has piled up impressive yardage totals throwing for 5,038, 4,967, 4,650 and 4,257 yards the previous four seasons.
Paul Sancya/Associated Press
11 / 20
10. Cam Newton
Draft: 2011
Team: Carolina Panthers
Newton has helped the Panthers make history of sorts, becoming the first NFC South team to win back-to-back division titles (note: the NFC South dates back to 2002). In a sense, Newton has taken over that must-watch role that was vacated by Vick four years before Newton entered the league. Newton isn't the same threat to run (career-high 741 yards rushing in 2012), but is a more dynamic passer (career-high 4,051 yards in his rookie season).
Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL
12 / 20
9. Drew Bledsoe
Draft: 1993
Team: New England Patriots
Like so many quarterbacks taken No. 1 before him, Bledsoe was expected to be the cornerstone of a rebuilding project for a franchise that had sunk to the depths of the NFL standings. Coming off a 2-14 season, the Patriots hired a new coach -- Bill Parcells -- and with the top pick took Bledsoe. In two years, the Patriots were in the playoffs for the first time since 1986 after Bledsoe led the NFL with 4,555 yards passing. Two years after that, Bledsoe had the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Mark Duncan/Associated Press
13 / 20
8. Carson Palmer
Draft: 2003
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
So far, Palmer has had the most successful NFL career for any Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback over the past quarter century. After helping drag the Bengals out of the depths of mediocrity in the mid-2000s, Palmer is now a vital cog in the Cardinals' hopes to make back-to-back postseason appearances.
Bill Kostroun/Associated Press
14 / 20
7. Andrew Luck
Draft: 2012
Team: Indianapolis Colts
This is a conversative place for Luck, who has a chance to violently vault up these type of lists very quickly. Luck has taken the Colts to the postseason in each of his three NFL seasons. Last season, Luck led the league with 40 touchdown passes. Luck has the potential to be at or near the top of this list once his career is complete.
Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL
15 / 20
6. Jim Plunkett
Draft: 1971
Team: New England Patriots
Plunkett had a bit of a vagabond existence in the before finding a comfortable home with the Raiders, a team then-known as being a refuge for NFL misfits. Plunkett is the only non-active two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was named game MVP in the Oakland Raiders' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV, and was a vital part of the Raiders' upset of the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII.
J. Walter Green/Associated Press
16 / 20
5. Eli Manning
Draft: 2004
Team: San Diego Chargers
Like Plunkett before him, Manning is a two-time Super Bowl winner. And, like Plunkett, Manning's two Super Bowl wins will make him an interesting case study once it is time for Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration. Manning was game MVP in both of his Super Bowl wins, including a shocking upset win over the then-unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Bill Kostroun/Associated Press
17 / 20
4. Troy Aikman
Draft: 1989
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Aikman directed the "Team of the '90s", leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowl triumphs -- including one game in which he was MVP -- and for a six-year run from 1991-1996 was an annual Pro Bowl selection. With 90 wins as a starter during the 1990s, Aikman became the winningest starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history.
Linda Kaye/Associated Press
18 / 20
3. Terry Bradshaw
Draft: 1970
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Bradshaw was provided a great luxury that quarterbacks in today's game don't experience. It took Bradshaw several seasons to grasp the NFL game. The statistics from his first five seasons are brutal -- 48 touchdowns to 81 interceptions; only once with a completion percentage over 50 percent. However, Steelers coach Chuck Noll showed patience, and that patience paid off handsomely in the long run. Bradshaw and the Steelers experienced unprecedented success, winning four Super Bowls in a six-year span; Bradshaw was named MVP in two of those Super Bowl wins.
Tony Tomsic/Associated Press
19 / 20
2. Peyton Manning
Draft: 1998
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Manning already holds the NFL's career touchdown passing record (530), and should break the career passing yardage record this season (he's at 69,691 yards to Brett Favre's 71,838 yards). Manning already holds the records for most passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) in a single season. While Manning has achieved statistical glory, victory in the NFL's ultimate game has been elusive. While he's taken his team to 14 postseason berths, Manning has just one Super Bowl win (Super Bowl XLI) in three appearances.
Mike Groll/Associated Press
20 / 20
1. John Elway
Draft: 1983
Team: Baltimore Colts
Elway was originally selected by the Colts, but he refused to join the team and was ultimately dealt to the Denver Broncos, for whom he flourished. Elway came of age with "The Drive," which led to the first of five Super Bowl appearances delivered by Elway. He finally won the big one following the 1997 season. He then led the Broncos on a Super Bowl triumph repeat the following season.
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Related
FAQs
What qbs have been drafted in rd 1? ›
- No. 1: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers.
- No. 2: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans.
- No. 4: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts.
| NAME | TEAM | PICK |
|---|---|---|
| Jameis Winston | Buccaneers | 1 |
| Jadeveon Clowney | Texans | 1 |
| Eric Fisher | Chiefs | 1 |
| Andrew Luck | Colts | 1 |
2020: QB Joe Burrow, LSU, Bengals. 2019: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, Cardinals. 2018: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, Browns. 2017: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, Browns.
What was the worst QB draft class? ›Worst: 1996
Louis Rams before he was replaced by Kurt Warner, who quickly led them to a Super Bowl. Then he started for a season and a half with the Baltimore Ravens before being replaced by Trent Dilfer, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Beyond Banks, no one in this class started more than 27 games.
Lowdown: Carter suffered a serious knee injury in his first exhibition game with the Bengals. He scored 15 rushing TDs from 1996-97 with the Bengals before bouncing after seven NFL seasons. He's the last running back to be selected No. 1 in the NFL Draft.
Has a WR ever been drafted 1st? ›Yes, a wide receiver has been drafted first overall before. It's happened three times, actually, but not in almost 30 years. The last wideout to be the No. 1 pick was Keyshawn Johnson, who was taken by the New York Jets out of USC in 1996.
How many number one draft pick quarterbacks have won a Superbowl? ›1 selections at the position with four Super Bowl rings. Here is the full list of QB selected first overall to win a Super Bowl ring.
Who has the best QB record vs 1 team? ›Tom Brady has the most career wins by a quarterback against a team, with 33 wins against the Bills.
Is the quarterback always number 1? ›Below is the numbering system established by the NFL, and in place since 1973: Numbers 1 to 19 are worn by quarterbacks, kickers, and punters. Since 2004, wide receivers are also allowed to wear numbers between 10 and 19 if they so choose, even if there is an 80-89 number available.
What high school has the most NFL draft picks? ›According to a news release, a total of 243 high schools contributed to the 259 players selected in the seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. Of those selected, Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas saw more of its players drafted into the league than any other school in the country, the NFL said.
Who has the most 1st round picks NFL 2023? ›
Which Team Has the Most Picks in the 2023 NFL Draft? The Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders have 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, leading the NFL. Houston has each of its own picks in Rounds 1 through 4, plus the Cleveland Browns' first- and third-round picks from the Deshaun Watson trade last year.
Who went number 1 in the 2023 NFL draft? ›R1 (1) CAROLINA PANTHERS: QB BRYCE YOUNG, ALABAMA
Carolina moved up to No. 1 overall and secured their potential franchise quarterback.
At 285 lb (129 kg), Lorenzen was the heaviest quarterback to play in the NFL. He was nicknamed "Hefty Lefty" because of his weight and being left-handed. Covington, Kentucky, U.S. Fort Thomas, Kentucky, U.S.
Which NFL QB's have beaten all 32 teams? ›| Player | Beat | Not Beat |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Brees | 32 | |
| Peyton Manning | 32 | |
| Brett Favre | 32 | |
| Alex Smith | 31 | Kansas City Chiefs |
Keaton Mitchell runs official 4.37-second 40-yard dash at 2023 combine. East Carolina Pirates running back Keaton Mitchell runs an official 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Who is the oldest RB in the NFL? ›Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints, 33 years old (12/21/89) *Taiwan Jones is listed as an RB and was active for the Buffalo Bills in 2022, but played every snap on special teams and did not have a carry.
Who has the most consecutive 1 draft picks in the NFL? ›The Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams have each made the most first overall selections in history with seven. Of the first overall draft picks, 43 have been selected to a Pro Bowl and of those 43, fourteen have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Has a team ever had the first and second pick in a draft? ›Indianapolis Colts, 1992
That pick landed at No. 2 overall, meaning the Colts -- after a 1-15 season in 1991 -- became the only team in the common draft era to hold the Nos. 1 and 2 picks.
Men turning 21 in the year of the draft would be second priority, men turning 22 would be third, and so on until a man turns 26, at which time he is over the age of liability.
What school has the most players drafted in a single draft? ›Georgia holds the record for most NFL draft selections by a college in a single year since the NFL draft became seven rounds in 1994, setting the mark at 15 players in 2022. 2004 Miami tied 2021 Alabama for the record for most first-round picks at six.
Has an undrafted QB ever won a Super Bowl? ›
Considered the NFL's greatest undrafted player, Warner is the only undrafted player to be named NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, as well as the only undrafted quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. He was also the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl during his first season as the primary starter.
What QB has the most touchdown passes in a single Super Bowl? ›Steve Young has the most passing touchdowns by a quarterback in a Super Bowl, with 6 touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIX against the San Diego Chargers on January 29, 1995.
Who has the most accurate QB performance? ›Joe Burrow has the highest career completion percentage by a quarterback, at 68.2 percent.
Who is a better QB than Brady? ›But who's first? Of all quarterbacks to start at least 100 regular-season games in the Super Bowl Era, the only QB with a higher cover percentage than Brady is Joe Montana, who went 101-63 ATS in regular-season games for his career (61.6%).
What QB has beaten every team? ›But the answer to your question is yes - 3 people - Drew Brees, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning.
Can you wear 00 in the NFL? ›On March 28, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles proposal to the NFL Competition Committee was approved by owners to allow greater flexibility to jersey numbers including wearing the number zero.
Can a QB wear number 99? ›According to the NFL website, the rule – which was proposed by the Philadelphia Eagles – allows quarterbacks to choose from numbers 0-19; defensive backs 0-49; fullbacks, tight ends, halfbacks and wide receivers 0-49 and 80-89; linebackers 0-59 and 90-99.
Can a quarterback wear number 0? ›The first proposal allowed for more flexibility in assigning jersey numbers – and it passed. Except for offensive and defensive linemen, players can now wear the number zero. It follows in the path of college football, where the number was first allowed in 2020.
What high school sends the most kids to the NFL? ›Meanwhile, no high school has produced more NFL players than Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia.
What US high school has produced the most NFL players? ›Chicago is the city that has produced the most players overall. LA comes up first for having the most quarterbacks and receivers. No single high school has produced more NFL players than the athletic factory at Fort Union Military Academy in Virginia.
What year had the best NFL draft class? ›
What Was the Best NFL Draft Class of All Time? The 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers draft is and likely always will be the greatest draft in league history. Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, and Mike Webster would all go on to be Pro Football Hall of Famers. The quartet won four Super Bowls.
Who has the easiest NFL schedule 2023? ›What NFL team has the easiest schedule for 2023: Based on projected win totals, the New Orleans Saints have the easiest strength of schedule for the 2023 NFL season. NFL teams with the easiest schedules in 2023: New Orleans Saints.
Why is there only 31 first round picks? ›There are 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft because the Miami Dolphins were stripped of their top selection for violations of league policies relating to the integrity of the game.
Who is the best WR in the NFL 2023? ›SOFI DRAFT LAB – The Rams have a new addition to their quarterback room. Los Angeles on Saturday selected Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett No. 128 overall in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Who is the 500 pound quarterback? ›Lorenzen has a long way to go. He currently weighs precisely 502.8 pounds. After putting off a weight loss campaign for some time, Lorenzen finally reached a breaking point.
What NFL QB has the best stats all time? ›- 89,214 — Tom Brady.
- 80,358 — Drew Brees.
- 71,940 — Peyton Manning.
Who is the most accurate on NFL draft? ›
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: 6 picks correct.
- Todd McShay, ESPN: 4 picks correct.
- Peter King, NBC Sports: 2 picks correct.
- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: 1 pick correct.
- ROUND 1: EDGE Nolan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles.
- ROUND 2: S Brian Branch, Detroit Lions.
- ROUND 3: TE Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers.
- ROUND 4: EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Pick 110, Indianapolis Colts.
- ROUND 5: S Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars.
The lowest-drafted player to make it into the Hall of Fame is Roosevelt Brown. Brown was drafted No. 321 overall as an offensive tackle out of Morgan State in the 27th round of the 1953 draft.
What QB has beaten Tom Brady the most? ›#1 Peyton Manning took down Tom Brady 3 times
Tom Brady is 72-1 as a starting QB, including the playoffs, when he has a halftime lead of 14+ points, including 51 straight wins entering today. The lone loss was the 2006 AFC Championship game against the Colts.
Tittle, Sammy Baugh and Tuffy Leemans are tied for the fewest career wins by a quarterback Hall of Famer in the playoffs, with 0 wins.
Who are the 4 QBs to beat every NFL team? ›Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre are the quarterbacks who have beaten all 32 teams.
How many starting QBs were drafted in the first round? ›Of those 35 quarterbacks, 19 (54%) were selected in the first round. Four others were taken in the second round, including Drew Brees who was taken with the 32nd selection in the 2001 draft, which is the equivalent of the last pick in the first round in the 32 team NFL draft of today.
How many QBs were drafted in 2023 first round? ›This year, 14 quarterbacks were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft with nine taken on Day 3. That is well above last year's total of nine quarterbacks selected. Here's a look at all QBs selected in this year's draft.
How many starting QBs are 1st round picks? ›"There have been 38 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2011, the year the NFL changed the collective bargaining agreement to set a wage scale for rookie deals, making it extremely affordable to draft a quarterback," he began. "These 38 first-round quarterbacks have made a total of 1,909 starts.
When was the last draft that a QB wasn t taken in the first round? ›...
An NFL draft without a first-round QB.
| Year | No. 1 pick | 1st QB taken |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Ed "Too Tall" Jones | Danny White, No. 53, Dallas Cowboys |
Which team has drafted the most QBs in round one in its history? ›
T-1.
The Titans' track record of making first-round quarterback choices is not the strongest. They've drafted three quarterbacks in the first round since 2000, and all three haven't lived up to expectations: Marcus Mariota in 2015 (No.
1 selections at the position with four Super Bowl rings. Here is the full list of QB selected first overall to win a Super Bowl ring.
What percent of first round picks are busts? ›That said, the numbers are really that great and the bust factor in the first round is tied for the worst overall. Of 317 selected, only 74 have become starters for at least half their careers. The first round success rate is 58% and the second round is almost as good at 49%.
Who was Mr irrelevant 2023? ›Desjuan Johnson is Mr. Irrelevent in 2023. Johnson is a defensive lineman who played his college ball at Toledo. The 6-2, 285-pounder played five years for the Rockets and was a monster in his final two seasons with the team.
Has a team ever drafted two QBs? ›1 pick in the supplemental draft on Steve Walsh in 1989, but no team has ever committed two first-round picks in one draft to that position. Two quarterbacks have been selected by one team in the same draft only three times this decade, and on all three of those occasions, the second signal-caller was drafted on Day 3.
Why are there only 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft? ›There are 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft because the Miami Dolphins were stripped of their top selection for violations of league policies relating to the integrity of the game.
Has a team ever had 4 first round picks? ›New York Jets | 2000
This marked the only time in NFL Draft history that a team has made four first-round picks. Two of them came the Jets' way because of the Keyshawn Johnson trade, which yielded them two first-rounders in the same draft.
- Tom Brady. Icon Sportswire / Getty Images.
- Joe Montana. Montana was prolific: He passed for 40,551 yards and collected 293 total touchdowns (including rushing) in his storied career. ...
- Johnny Unitas. ...
- Peyton Manning. ...
- Patrick Mahomes. ...
- John Elway. ...
- Steve Young. ...
- Terry Bradshaw. ...
Otto Graham holds the record for the highest winning percentage with a minimum of 50 starts at . 814 (57–13–1).
What quarterback was not drafted in the first round of the 2023 draft? ›Kentucky quarterback Will Levis has dropped lower than expected in the 2023 NFL Draft as he wasn't drafted in Round 1 on Thursday night.
What NFL team has never had the 1st pick? ›
Which NFL Teams Have Never Had the First Pick? Only three teams have never held the first pick in the draft: the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks.