All-time NFL quarterback draft: Ranking the best QBs taken with picks 1-32, from Peyton Manning to Lamar Jackson

Bill Bender

All-time NFL quarterback draft: Ranking the best QBs taken with picks 1-32, from Peyton Manning to Lamar Jackson image

A total of 132 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in the Super Bowl era. 

USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy are expected to join that group in the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix are possible first-round picks, too. It's a distinguished group that has spawned countless rankings lists. 

So, what's one more with a different spin? The Sporting News was curious about where those quarterbacks were drafted in the first round. We compiled the Super Bowl era quarterback draft based on draft position and picked the best one at each spot from 1 to 32. 

A total of 28 of those 32 spots were filled, and there were more than a few surprises. Seven quarterbacks on this list won a Super Bowl as a starter. Four active quarterbacks are on the list. The Dolphins, Bears and Ravens have three quarterbacks each here. 

Who made our Super Bowl-era QB draft from 1-32? Here's a closer look: 

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Pick No. 1: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (1998) 

A total of 26 quarterbacks have been drafted No. 1 in the Super Bowl era. Manning, a five-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champ, reset the standard for success with 71,940 and 539 TDs. 

Most recent: Bryce Young (2023)

Who else? Terry Bradshaw (1970), Jim Plunkett (1971), Steve Bartkowski (1975), John Elway (1983), Vinny Testaverde (1987), Troy Aikman (1989), Jeff George (1990), Drew Bledsoe (1993), Tim Couch (1999), Michael Vick (2001), David Carr (2002), Carson Palmer (2003), Eli Manning (2004), Alex Smith (2005), JaMarcus Russell (2007), Matthew Stafford (2009), Sam Bradford (2010), Cam Newton (2011), Andrew Luck (2012), Jameis Winston (2015), Jared Goff (2016), Baker Mayfield (2018), Kyler Murray (2019), Joe Burrow (2020)

Pick No. 2: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles (1999)

McNabb was drafted behind Tim Couch in 1999, and he spent the majority of his 13-year career with the Eagles. McNabb was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and led Philadelphia to five NFC championship games and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX. McNabb finished with 37,276 passing yards, 234 TDs and 117 interceptions. 

Most recent: C.J. Stroud (2023)

Who else? Archie Manning (1971), Bert Jones (1973), Rick Mirer (1993), Ryan Leaf (1998), Robert Griffin III (2012), Marcus Mariota (2015), Carson Wentz (2016), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Zach Wilson (2021)

Pick No. 3: Steve McNair, Houston Oilers (1995) 

This was a toss-up between McNair and Matt Ryan. Both have MVP awards and led their teams to a Super Bowl appearance. We gave the slight edge to McNair, who had a 91-62 record as a starter between Houston and Tennessee and led with a tough-guy mentality for 13 seasons. 

Most recent: Trey Lance (2021) 

Who else? Steve Spurrier (1967), Mike Phipps (1970), Dan Pastorini (1971), Jack Thompson (1979), Jim Everett (1986), Heath Shuler (1994), Akili Smith (1999), Joey Harrington (2002), Vince Young (2006), Matt Ryan (2008), Blake Bortles (2014), Sam Darnold (2018)

Pick No. 4: Bob Griese, Miami Dolphins (1967) 

Griese is one of three Dolphins quarterbacks on this list. He gets the edge over Philip Rivers, one of the all-time great passers, because of the postseason success. Griese won two Super Bowls and was a member of the undefeated 1972 team. He was 92-56-3 as a starter. 

Most recent: Anthony Richardson (2023)

Who else? Art Schlichter (1982), Philip Rivers (2004) 

Pick No. 5: Kerry Collins, Carolina Panthers (1995) 

Jim McMahon would be the splash pick here given he won a Super Bowl with the Bears, but Collins had a longer career and sustained success with three different franchises. He led the Panthers to a NFC championship game and the Giants to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV. Collins finished with 40,922 passing yards, 208 TDs and 196 interceptions. 

Most recent: Tua Tagovailoa (2020) 

Who else? Greg Cook (1969), Jim McMahon (1982), Mark Sanchez (2009)  

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Pick No. 6: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (2020) 

We could have put Trent Dilfer here based on the Super Bowl ring, but we're projecting forward with Herbert, who passed for 17,223 yards and 114 TD passes in just four seasons. We've seen enough to be convinced that Herbert will lead the Chargers to a few deep postseason runs. 

Most recent: Daniel Jones (2019)

Who else? Richard Todd (1976), Rich Campbell (1981), Kelly Stouffer (1987), David Klingler (1992),  Trent Dilfer (1994)

Pick No. 7: Phil Simms, New York Giants (1979) 

Five quarterbacks have been taken with the No. 7 pick in the first round, and Simms found his niche with Bill Parcells and the Giants in the 1980s. New York won two Super Bowls, including one which Simms missed because of injury. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XXI and finished with 199 TDs and 157 interceptions. Josh Allen could take this spot in the future. 

Most recent: Josh Allen (2018) 

Who else? Todd Blackledge (1983), Andre Ware (1990), Byron Leftwich (2003)

Pick No. 8: Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (2012) 

Tannehill is a polarizing quarterback, but he's enjoyed a solid 11-year NFL career to this point with the Dolphins and Titans. He's a free agent heading into his 12th season. 

Who else? Jake Locker (2011) 

Pick No. 9: Marty Domres, San Diego Chargers (1969) 

Domres is the only quarterback to be taken No. 9 in the Super Bowl era. He was an Ivy League star at Columbia, but his NFL career never took off. He was mostly a backup over nine seasons and finished 12-20 as a starter. 

Pick No. 10: Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City Chiefs (2017)

Mahomes has accomplished so much in just five seasons. He's won two NFL MVP awards, won three Super Bowls and led Kansas City to six straight AFC championship games. He's 74-22 as a starter for the Chiefs, and his flashy style is a hit with all generations. 

Most recent: Josh Rosen (2018) 

Who else? Ken Hobart (1984), Matt Leinart (2006), Blaine Gabbert (2011) 

Pick No. 11: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004) 

Roethlisberger was the third quarterback taken in 2004 behind Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. Big Ben won two Super Bowls as part of an 18-year career with the Steelers. He finished with 64,088 passing yards, 418 TDs and 211 interceptions. That should be enough to land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Most recent: Justin Fields (2021) 

Who else? Greg Landry (1968), Jerry Tagge (1972), Daunte Culpepper (1999), Jay Cutler (2006)

Pick No. 12: Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (2017)  

Watson spent the first five seasons of his career with the Texans. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and TDs (33) in 2020. Watson served a 12-game suspension in 2022. He is entering a pivotal third season in Cleveland. 

Most recent: Christian Ponder (2011)

Who else? Chuck Long (1986), Cade McNown (1999)

Pick No. 13: Chris Miller, Atlanta Falcons (1987) 

Miller is somehow the only quarterback that has been selected with the No. 13 pick. He lasted 10 NFL seasons and led the Falcons to a run in the NFL playoffs in 1991. Miller finished with 123 TDs and 102 interceptions. 

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Pick No. 14: Jim Kelly, Buffalo Bills (1984) 

Kelly initially passed on the Bills in favor of the Houston Gamblers of the USFL, but he returned to Buffalo after that league folded. He went on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career that included four Super Bowl appearances. He finished with 35,467 yards, 237 TDs and 175 interceptions. 

Who else? John Reaves (1972) 

Pick No. 15: Marc Wilson, Oakland Raiders (1980) 

This is a toss-up with Tony Eason, who was part of the legendary 1983 class. Wilson was a star at BYU who played 10 seasons, and he had his best season in 1985 when he went 11-2 as the starter for the Raiders. 

Most recent: Mac Jones (2021) 

Who else? Tony Eason (1983), Dwayne Haskins (2019) 

Pick No. 16: Randy Johnson, Atlanta Falcons (1966) 

Who? It's not the Hall of Fame pitcher. Johnson is one of three quarterbacks who has been selected No. 16, and it's a thin group. Johnson played nine NFL seasons, which was broken up in 1974 when he played one season with The Hawaiians in the World Football League. 

Most recent: EJ Manuel (2013) 

Who else? Dan McGwire (1991) 

Pick No. 17: Doug Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978) 

Williams, a Grambling State star, played his first five seasons with the Buccaneers before a stint in the USFL. He returned for a productive four-year career with Washington, where he became the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He passed for 340 yards and four TDs in Washington's 42-10 win against Denver in Super Bowl XXII. 

Who else? Josh Freeman (2008) 

Pick No. 18: Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (2008)

Flacco joins this elite list after all. He is one of only two quarterbacks taken with the No. 18 pick, and he was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII. Flacco has 43,936 passing yards with 245 yards and 155 interceptions. He is still active and will begin 2022 with the New York Jets, who drafted the only other QB in this spot in 2000.  

Who else? Chad Pennington (2000) 

Pick No. 19: Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens (2003) 

In this draft, Boller, a former Cal quarterback, is taken ahead of Aaron Rodgers. Boller played 10 NFL seasons, had a 20-27 record as a starter and finished with 8,931 yards, 48 TDs and 54 interceptions. 

Who else? Steve Pisarkiewicz (1977) 

Pick No. 20: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (2022) 

Pickett became the first quarterback taken with the No. 20 pick in last year's draft. Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the first round last season. Pickett had 13 TDs and 13 interceptions in two seasons with the Steelers and was traded to Philadelphia. 

Pick No. 21: No pick 

A quarterback has not been selected with the No. 21 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Three quarterbacks have been selected in the second round with the No. 21 pick, and the most notable is Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts (53rd overall) in 2020. 

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Pick No. 22: Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears (2002) 

The No. 22 pick has been an interesting ride for the Browns (see below), but the Bears found fleeting success with Grossman, who was the starting quarterback for Chicago in Super Bowl XLI. Grossman finished his career with 10,232 yards, 56 TDs and 60 interceptions. 

Most recent: Johnny Manziel (2014) 

Who else? JP Losman (2004), Brady Quinn (2007), Brandon Weeden (2012)

Pick No. 23: Steve Fuller, Kansas City Chiefs (1979) 

Fuller is the only quarterback that has been selected with the No. 23 pick in the history of the NFL Draft. He played eight NFL seasons and had 28 TDs and 41 interceptions. Fuller was a backup for Jim McMahon for the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl championship team in 1985. 

Pick No. 24: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (2005)  

Stop if you've heard this one before. Rodgers slid down the draft board after San Francisco passed on him at No. 1 and went on to become the successor for Brett Favre in Green Bay. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP winner with 59,055 passing yards, 475 TDs and 105 interceptions. He's entering his second season with the New York Jets. 

Most recent: Todd Marinovich (1991)

Who else? Ken O'Brien (1983)

Pick No. 25: Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins (2005) 

Campbell was taken with the pick after Rodgers. He had a 10-year career in the NFL where he compiled 16,771 yards, 87 TDs and 60 interceptions. 

Most recent: Tim Tebow (2010) 

Who else? Don Horn (1967), Eldridge Dickey (1968), Tommy Maddox (1992)

Pick No. 26: Jim Harbaugh, Chicago (1987) 

Harbaugh had a 66-74 record as a starter in 14 NFL seasons. He led the Colts to the 1995 AFC championship game and was a Pro Bowl selection that season. He is now the head coach at Michigan. 

Most recent: Jordan Love (2020) 

Who else? Jim Druckenmiller (1997), Paxton Lynch (2016) 

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Pick No. 27: Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins (1983) 

Marino was the last quarterback taken in the first round in the 1983 NFL Draft, which also included Elway. Marino set then-records with 61,361 passing yards and 420 TDs. He was the NFL MVP in 1984 and considered one of the greatest arm talents of all time. 

Who else? Tommy Kramer (1977) 

Pick No. 28: Mark Malone, Pittsburgh Steelers (1980)

Malone is the only quarterback to be taken with the 28th pick in the first round. Malone played nine seasons and finished 23-30 as a starter. He continues to be a sportscaster and radio talk show host. 

Pick No. 29: No pick 

No quarterbacks have been selected with the No. 29 pick. To find a quarterback selected with the No. 29 pick you have to go to a pair of third-rounders in New England's Jacoby Brissett (91st overall) in 2016 and Buffalo's Trent Edwards (92nd overall) in 2007. 

Pick No. 30: No pick 

No quarterbacks have been selected with the No. 30 pick. A pair of notable quarterbacks were taken with the No. 30 pick in the second round. That includes Charlie Batch (60th overall) in 1998 and Jimmy Garoppolo (62nd overall) in 2014. 

Pick No. 31: No pick 

No quarterbacks have been selected with the No. 31 pick. Cody Kessler was taken with the 31st pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. 

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Pick No. 32 Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (2018) 

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome rescued Jackson with the last pick in the first round in 2018. The Heisman Trophy winner won the NFL MVP award in 2019 and 2023. 

Most recent: Teddy Bridgewater (2014) 

Who else? Patrick Ramsey (2002) 

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.