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).
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Scott Pelluer 10 months ago
Great article! It's shocking how many VERY EXPENSIVE 1st round QB's have not worked out, especially with all the millions of dollars the NFL puts into draft evaluation...
Well done.
Scott P
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James Senbeta 10 months ago
Perhaps NFL teams need to base their scouting more in game situations than the Wonderlic or weight lifting. Thanks for the comment.
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chad lamasa 10 months ago
James , Nice article. I tried to edit a couple of things but it wouldn't let me do it. I just wanted to change the word statically to statiscally in the section about Jay Cutler.
Also this sentence "Rivers earned a Pro Bowl spot in his first year starting in 2006 and is currently the QB of the team favored to win it all." I thought might flow better if it read as "Rivers earned a Pro Bowl spot in 2006, his first year starting, and is currently the QB of the team favored to win it all."
This is just a sugestion feel free to do what you please but I would definitely change the word in the part about Cutler.
Otherwise I thought it was well written and infomative.
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James Senbeta 10 months ago
Hey good look on the editing. I have to admit after viewing your latest article it seems that you may have some say in this subject.
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chad lamasa 10 months ago
Thanks James. Glad you liked my article.
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Mackenzie Kraemer 10 months ago
This is true, but they are the safest bets in putting your franchise. Ask Dolphins fans if they wish their team would take a chance on a round 1 QB.
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James Senbeta 10 months ago
I understand you Dolphins fans are still screaming for a quarterback being at least with half the talent of Marino. To be honest my eyebrows raised with them passing Quinn for Ginn, but I would not sleep on Henne. He would have been a first rounder had he not been injured for most of his senior season at Michigan. If he does fine next season, or off the bench this season, then consider it a steal from the third round. If not then the Dolphins salary cap isn't in as much trouble as oppose to him being a first round bust.
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Michael Schlossberg 10 months ago
the 2004 Qb class could go down as the greatest ever... But the Steelers in 05 and the Giants in 07 both had out of this world defenses... Eli Manning proved to be as unflappable as an NFL QB could possibly be... Big Ben is a better QB than Manning I will admit that and could be on the way to Canton when it is all said and done but the way to evaluate a QB is "Can he lead your team to score in the 4th quarter of a Super Bowl" and despite how poor Manning's regular season numbers may be no one can ever take that 2 minute drill away from him..
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James Senbeta 10 months ago
In relation to Eli, Brett Favre made a career of not too decent season stats as long as he could bring you back in the game at the end. Then again you can put Elway and Naimith in that category also, and those are in the Hall of Fame. Remember moments make careers and fans, while stat guys usually have a longer time to wait (Marino is an exception). It is possible that both Roethlisberger and Manning make it in, and yes, it helped that they had teams around them.
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Tom Highway 10 months ago
A very informative read, James!
This should be a must-read for every NFL GM before draft day!
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James Senbeta 10 months ago
And probably after once the QB signs his deal.
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