Record-setting 6 QBs taken in the top 12 (2024)

Quarterbacks went off the draft board at a record-setting pace.Thursday night was the fourth time in the common draft era starting in 1967 that QBs went with the top three picks, with three more going in the top 12. It was the fewest number of picks for six QBs to be drafted.This marked the first time five quarterbacks were drafted in the top 10 and matched the famed 1983 class with six first-rounders in all as teams throughout the league went in search of a big-time passer who can turn the fortunes of a franchise.“I wasn’t shocked,” said Bo Nix, who was the last QB off the board at No. 12 to Denver. "I think the six of us, we’re all capable of playing at the next level. It’s going to be fun to watch everybody and see how they develop. I wasn’t shocked at all because I think this class of quarterbacks was very strong.”The draft started in predictable fashion with Caleb Williams going first to Chicago, Jayden Daniels second to Washington and Drake Maye third to New England, marking the second time in the past four drafts that QBs went 1-2-3.But in a note of caution, two of those highly drafted quarterbacks in 2021 have already been busts for their teams, with the New York Jets trading No. 2 pick Zach Wilson earlier this week to Denver as part of a late-round draft pick swap and San Francisco dealing No. 3 pick Trey Lance last August to Dallas for a fourth-rounder.Two other first-round quarterbacks from that draft have also been dealt away, with Chicago trading No. 11 pick Justin Fields to Pittsburgh and New England dealing No. 15 pick Mac Jones earlier this offseason.Those failures didn't deter teams from using premium picks on quarterbacks. Atlanta pulled off the biggest shocker by taking Washington's Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick less than two months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency."If we see a player that we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point, whether it’s this draft, next draft, whether it’s a player we can trade for, whatever it is, you have to bring that player in because we’re talking about the next four to five years plus when we’re talking about guys that we’re drafting,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said.Minnesota then traded up one spot to take Michigan's J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick, unwilling to take the chance of missing out on their target.“We knew we weren’t the only ones that had identified him as a quarterback we wanted to select,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “You start thinking about the what-if.”Denver completed the haul by taking Nix with the 12th pick.The only other time six quarterbacks were taken in the entire first round came in 1983 in a draft that produced Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, along with less-productive quarterbacks like Ken O'Brien, Tony Eason and Todd Blackledge.But the QBs came off the board much faster this time around. Marino had to wait until the 27th pick to be taken by Miami 41 years ago.This draft is the eighth in the past nine years with at least three QBs taken in the first round, which matches the number of times that happened in the first 38 years of the common draft era.

Quarterbacks went off the draft board at a record-setting pace.

Thursday night was the fourth time in the common draft era starting in 1967 that QBs went with the top three picks, with three more going in the top 12. It was the fewest number of picks for six QBs to be drafted.

This marked the first time five quarterbacks were drafted in the top 10 and matched the famed 1983 class with six first-rounders in all as teams throughout the league went in search of a big-time passer who can turn the fortunes of a franchise.

“I wasn’t shocked,” said Bo Nix, who was the last QB off the board at No. 12 to Denver. "I think the six of us, we’re all capable of playing at the next level. It’s going to be fun to watch everybody and see how they develop. I wasn’t shocked at all because I think this class of quarterbacks was very strong.”

The draft started in predictable fashion with Caleb Williams going first to Chicago, Jayden Daniels second to Washington and Drake Maye third to New England, marking the second time in the past four drafts that QBs went 1-2-3.

But in a note of caution, two of those highly drafted quarterbacks in 2021 have already been busts for their teams, with the New York Jets trading No. 2 pick Zach Wilson earlier this week to Denver as part of a late-round draft pick swap and San Francisco dealing No. 3 pick Trey Lance last August to Dallas for a fourth-rounder.

Two other first-round quarterbacks from that draft have also been dealt away, with Chicago trading No. 11 pick Justin Fields to Pittsburgh and New England dealing No. 15 pick Mac Jones earlier this offseason.

Those failures didn't deter teams from using premium picks on quarterbacks. Atlanta pulled off the biggest shocker by taking Washington's Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick less than two months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency.

"If we see a player that we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point, whether it’s this draft, next draft, whether it’s a player we can trade for, whatever it is, you have to bring that player in because we’re talking about the next four to five years plus when we’re talking about guys that we’re drafting,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said.

Minnesota then traded up one spot to take Michigan's J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick, unwilling to take the chance of missing out on their target.

“We knew we weren’t the only ones that had identified him as a quarterback we wanted to select,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “You start thinking about the what-if.”

Denver completed the haul by taking Nix with the 12th pick.

The only other time six quarterbacks were taken in the entire first round came in 1983 in a draft that produced Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, along with less-productive quarterbacks like Ken O'Brien, Tony Eason and Todd Blackledge.

But the QBs came off the board much faster this time around. Marino had to wait until the 27th pick to be taken by Miami 41 years ago.

This draft is the eighth in the past nine years with at least three QBs taken in the first round, which matches the number of times that happened in the first 38 years of the common draft era.

NFL teammates welcome baby girls on the same day

Record-setting 6 QBs taken in the top 12 (2024)

FAQs

Who were the six quarterbacks drafted in the 1983 draft? ›

The draft is frequently referred to as the quarterback class of 1983, because six quarterbacks were taken in the first round—John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O'Brien, and Dan Marino—the highest number of first round picks for the position, later tied by the 2024 NFL Draft.

What round was Dan Marino drafted? ›

Sixth QB taken in each NFL Draft (1983-2024)
YearNameRound
1986Robbie Bosco3
1985Steve Calabria9
1984Dean May5
1983Dan Marino1
38 more rows
2 days ago

How many QBs are in the first round? ›

Six quarterbacks were chosen in the first 12 picks; only nine defensive players were taken in the first round. The league banned the hip-drop tackle this offseason. Did NFL teams misinterpret that as a ban on people-who tackle?

Who drafted Spencer Rattler? ›

The Saints selected South Carolina signal-caller Spencer Rattler No. 150 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday.

What draft had the most quarterbacks taken? ›

The first round of the draft Thursday night was dominated by quarterbacks with six going in the first round. That's the most in any round of the common draft era (since 1967).

What was the order of the 1983 QB draft class? ›

1983 NFL Draft picks

In total, there were six quarterbacks selected in the first round — John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O'Brien, Dan Marino — which set the record for most at that position in the initial round. Most of the teams that took those quarterbacks hit on their pick.

What round was Troy Aikman drafted? ›

An All-America at UCLA, Aikman joined the Dallas Cowboys as the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He became the first Dallas rookie quarterback to start a season opener since Roger Staubach in 1969.

Did Dan Marino ever win a Super Bowl? ›

Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl, but the Miami Dolphins legend and Hall of Fame quarterback did win an AFC title against his childhood team -- the Pittsburgh Steelers -- who immediately regretted not selected him in the previous year's NFL Draft.

What round was Howie Long drafted? ›

Selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, Long played 13 seasons for the club, wearing the number 75. On the Raiders defensive line, Long earned eight Pro Bowl selections. He had high aspirations early in his career.

Who will be the top QB in the 2024 draft? ›

Caleb Williams is the frontrunner to be selected first overall and has been since declaring for the draft, with LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye being projected as the second and third picks. Here is a list of the top quarterbacks who will eagerly be waiting to hear their names called in Detroit.

Who went #1 in the NFL draft in 2024? ›

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft began with a quarterback and ended with a wide receiver. Fitting for a night that was all about the offenses. With their first No. 1 pick in 77 years, the Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams, hoping to finally find their franchise QB.

Who will be the first QB drafted in 2024? ›

The first overall pick was a no-brainer, as we've all figured that would be USC quarterback Caleb Williams for months. Poles used his second first-round pick, the ninth overall, on Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, who will be yet another weapon for Williams.

Where is the 2024 NFL draft? ›

The draft was held around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan, on April 25–27, 2024. The Chicago Bears held the first pick in the draft, traded from the Carolina Panthers, who had the worst record in the 2023 season.

Is Spencer Rattler in the 2024 NFL draft? ›

The New Orleans Saints selected quarterback Spencer Rattler from South Carolina with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Who will the Saints draft in 2024? ›

The Saints drafted Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, Pittsburgh wide receiver Bub Means, Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford, Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, and Eastern Kentucky tackle Josiah Ezirim.

Who were the quarterbacks in 1983? ›

It was, somewhat remarkably, the first time John Elway (drafted No. 1 overall by the Colts, then traded to the Broncos), Todd Blackledge (No. 7 by the Chiefs), Jim Kelly (No. 14 by the Bills), Tony Eason (No.

Who did Dan Marino play football for? ›

Daniel Constantine Marino Jr.

(/məˈriːnoʊ/ mə-REE-noh; born September 15, 1961) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and currently works for the same team since 2014 as a special advisor.

How many Super Bowls did Archie Manning win? ›

Archie Manning doesn't have any Super Bowl wins on his resume because he never even played in the Super Bowl. However, his sons Peyton and Eli each have two Super Bowl championship rings.

Who did the Bears draft in 1983? ›

The Bears also selected receiver Willie Gault in the first round, cornerback Mike Richardson in the second, safety Dave Duerson in the third, guard Tom Thayer in the fourth and guard Mark Bortz in the eighth.

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