First Round QBs Are No Guarantee

The most valuable asset any NFL team can possess is a franchise quarterback—like a Terry Bradshaw or a Troy Aikman. That first-round passer that can deliver not only championships, but a dynasty.

But you better hope to God that he is at least productive and can bring the Lombardi trophy to your city. Since the suggested greatest first-round quarterback draft of Hall of Famers John Elway (1), Jim Kelly (14), and Dan Marino (27), out of the possible six taken in 1983, teams, for the most part, have struggled to find that marquee guy on the first try the next 25 times around.

With no quarterback drafted in the first rounds of ‘84 and ‘85, 1986 brought us the talented arms of Jim “Chris” Everett (3) and Chuck Long (12), producing a grand total of one Pro Bowl and a memorable interview.

1987 presented us with “his career is older than most of you” Vinnie Testaverde (1), along Kelly Stouffer (6), Chris Miller (13), and Jim Harbaugh (26), a tally of four Pro Bowls and a collegiate head coach with a big mouth.

After passers were avoided in 1988, the next year brought Jerry Jones and Dallas fans bragging rights with Troy Aikman on top of the board, hauling in an impressive six Pro Bowls, three All-Pros, three Super Bowl wins, and a Super Bowl MVP.

1990, however, was not so promising, with Jeff George (1) and Andre Ware (7) entering the league. And again, in ’91, luck was not in the cards for Dan McGwire (16) and “Robo QB” Todd Marinovich (24), noted more for his father’s strict discipline and his post-career antics. 1992 had the drafting of David Klinger (6) and Tommy Maddox (25).

’93 presented us with Rick Mirer (2) and Drew Bledsoe (1), whose Hall of Fame chances were derailed with Tom Brady, and 1994 was the year of Heath Shuler (3).

Steve McNair (3) was a highlight in ’95, while Kerry Collins (5) faltered as his career continued. Quarterbacks took a back seat to the wide receivers in 1996, and Jim Druckenmiller (26) is easily forgotten the next year (he should have done beer advertising if he had the chance).

1998 and 1999 told the tale of wisely choosing a franchise QB with the first-overall pick. The Indianapolis Colts, in ’98, had the infamous choice between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, going with the NFL quarterback pedigree, leaving Leaf (2) participating in shouting matches with the media in San Diego.  

The next year, the Cleveland Browns had multiple options of Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, and Akili Smith, leaving the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals in the cleanup positions. With Couch going at No. 1, Eagles fans, with the second pick, wanted RB Ricky Williams more than the remaining play callers and booed on cue when Andy Reid chose McNabb.

With Smith (3), Duante Culpepper (11), and Cade McNown (12) also selected within the first 12 picks of the draft, only McNabb has had close to a Hall of Fame career.

Bill Parcells drafts Chad Pennington (18) in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft and the talented, later troubled Michael Vick

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