All 32 NFL teams have experienced the special feeling of drafting a franchise-changing quarterback at least once. On the flip side, they’ve also one through the pain of wasting a valuable draft pick on a QB who never lived up to expectations.
Here is a dive into the best and worst draft pick in every NFL team’s history.
Who were the best and worst quarterback draft picks each NFL team had in their franchise?
Arizona Cardinals: Best: Neil Lomax
The two-time Pro Bowler is second all-time on the Cardinals’ passing yards and passing touchdowns list, behind only Jim Hart.
Arizona Cardinals: Worst: Josh Rosen
The 2018 first-round pick lost 10 of 13 starts in his rookie year, tossing 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Arizona drafted Kyler Murray with the first overall pick one year later and subsequently traded Rosen to the Miami Dolphins.
Atlanta Falcons: Best: Matt Ryan
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The four-time Pro Bowler and 2016 league MVP led Atlanta to six playoff appearances, including two NFC Championships and a trip to Super Bowl 51.
Atlanta Falcons: Worst: Chris Miller
The 1987 first-round pick went 23-43 as a starter over seven seasons with 87 touchdowns and 72 interceptions.
Baltimore Ravens: Best: Lamar Jackson
The two-time league MVP has turned Baltimore into an annual Super Bowl contender with his slick dual-threat game, and he’s well on his way to the Hall of Fame at this point.
Baltimore Ravens: Worst: Kyler Boller
The 2003 NFL first-round pick went 20-22 as the Ravens’ starting quarterback and had just 45 touchdowns against 44 picks.
Buffalo Bills: Best: Jim Kelly
The Pro Football Hall of Famer and five-time Pro Bowler was instrumental in turning the Bills into an NFL powerhouse in the ‘90s, leading them to four straight Super Bowl appearances.
Buffalo Bills: Worst: EJ Manuel
The No. 16 pick of 2013 made just 17 starts as a Bill and lost 11 of them. He had 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, with 11 of those TDS coming in his rookie year.
Carolina Panthers: Best: Cam Newton
Considered a “boom or bust” prospect, the No. 1 pick of 2011 emerged as one of the greatest dual-threat NFL quarterbacks ever. Newton led Carolina to four playoff berths, which was highlighted by a trip to Super Bowl 50 in his 2015 MVP-winning season.
Carolina Panthes: Worst: Jimmy Clausen
Clausen made just 14 career starts. He lost nine of 10 as a rookie in Carolina, doing so bad that it at least led to them taking Cam Newton first overall.
Chicago Bears: Best: Sid Luckman
The No. 2 pick of 1939 was a five-time first-team all-pro who captained the Bears to four NFL championships in the 1940s decade.
Chicago Bears: Worst: Mitch Trubisky
Oof. The Bears used the No. 2 pick of 2017 over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson!!!
Cincinnati Bengals: Best: Ken Anderson
Anderson holds every meaningful Bengals’ passing record, not to mention he put this team on the map in the ‘80s by leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance in the 1981 season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Worst: Akili Smith
Smith made just 17 starts over his four years in Cincinnati, losing 14 of them. The No. 3 pick of 1999 had just five touchdowns against 13 interceptions…
Cleveland Browns: Best: Bernie Kosar
The Browns used their 1985 supplemental NFL Draft on Kosar, who remains the last great quarterback this franchise employed. The one-time Pro Bowler led the Browns to three AFC Championship Game appearances in the ‘80s.
Cleveland Browns: Worst: Tim Couch
The first overall pick of 1999 started the Browns’ long and tragic list of wasting high-end draft picks, as he lasted just five seasons in the NFL with 64 touchdowns against 67 interceptions.
Dallas Cowboys: Best: Roger Staubach
The greatest QB in Cowboys history was, shockingly, a 10th-round pick in 1964. The proud Canton member guided Dallas to two Super Bowl championships in the ‘70s.
Dallas Cowboys: Worst: Sonny Gibbs
Dallas used the No. 18 pick in the 1962 draft on Gibbs, but he never wound up throwing a pass for the organization. Aye aye aye!
Denver Broncos: Best: Brian Griese
John Elway’s successor provided four quality seasons as the Broncos’ main NFL quarterback from 1999 to 2002, throwing for 11,763 yards and 71 touchdowns against 53 interceptions.
Denver Broncos: Worst: Paxton Lynch
The Broncos moved up to snag Memphis QB Paxton Lynch at No. 26 overall in 2016.
The Broncos saw just four starts from Lynch over two years before deciding that enough was enough. He was waived ahead of the 2018 season.
Detroit Lions: Best: Matthew Stafford
The top pick of 2009 broke every Lions’ major passing record. Stafford led the longtime struggling franchise to three playoff berths, not to mention his trade to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff was the ultimate win-win for all parties!
Detroit Lions: Worst: Joey Harrington
The third overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft never sliced it as Detroit’s starting quarterback, to say the least. He lost 37 of 55 starts and had 60 touchdowns against 62 interceptions.
Green Bay Packers: Best: Aaron Rodgers
Tough call between Rodgers and Bart Starr, but it’s hard to go against the four-time league MVP who has a case as the most all-around decorated QB ever. We still can’t believe he went 24th overall in 2005 to a Packer team that already had Brett Favre…
Green Bay Packers: Worst: Randy Duncan
Well, this really sucked for Green Bay. They used the No. 1 pick of the 1959 NFL Draft on Iowa quarterback Rand Duncan, who snubbed the Packers to sign with the CFL’s BC Lions for more money.
Houston Texans: Best: Deshaun Watson
CJ Stroud should overtake Watson on this list in a couple of years, but we have to go with Watson for now. The 2017 first-round pick led Houston to a pair of AFC South division titles and left the franchise second all-time in passing yards and TDs despite playing just 54 games over four seasons.
Houston Texans: Worst: David Carr
The first overall pick of 2002 has a case as the biggest draft bust in NFL history. Do we really need to say more on this one?
Indianapolis Colts: Best: Peyton Manning
The first overall pick of 1998 won four MVPs with the Colts and guided them to 11 playoff appearances. That included two AFC championships and a Super Bowl 41 title in the 2006 season.
Indianapolis Colts: Worst: Jeff George
George had some success with the Falcons and Raiders, but don’t remind Colts fans. The first overall pick of 1990 never lived up to expectations in Indy, throwing 41 touchdowns and 46 interceptions over his two years there.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Best: Trevor Lawrence
This may seem premature to some, but the No. 1 pick of 2021 is already the most talented NFL quarterback in Jaguars history. Assuming he stays around long-term, he’ll easily smash all the franchise passing records.
Jacksonville Jaguars Worst: Blaine Gabbert
The Jaguars traded up to snag Gabbert 10th overall in 2011. He lasted just three years in Jacksonville and has been a journeyman backup…while the rival Texans took JJ Watt with the very next pick.
Kansas City Chiefs: Best: Patrick Mahomes
No explanation is needed here. Best NFL quarterback in the game today. Moving on…
Kansas City Chiefs: Worst: Todd Blackledge
The 1983 draft featured John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino. The Chiefs got neither of them, using the No. 7 pick on Todd Blackledge, who is more known for his broadcasting career than what he did on the field…
Las Vegas Raiders: Best: Ken Stabler
The “Snake” made the Raiders a relevant and iconic franchise by leading them to a Super Bowl title in the 1976 season. Stabler won 1974 MVP honors and earned four Pro Bowl nods en route to a gold jacket.
Las Vegas Raiders: Worst: JaMarcus Russell
In our eyes, the worst first-overall pick in NFL history. NEXT.
Los Angeles Chargers: Best: Dan Fouts
Fouts spent his entire career with the Bolts, which spanned from 1973 to ‘87. The six-time Pro Bowler won four straight passing yard crowns from 1979 to ‘82, guiding the Chargers to four playoff berths and a pair of AFC Championship Game appearances.
Los Angeles Chargers: Worst: Ryan Leaf
The No. 2 pick of 1998 is far and away the biggest draft bust in NFL history. Also, NEXT.
Los Angeles Rams: Best: Roman Gabriel
The second overall pick of 1962 played for the Rams for 11 years. He won 1969 NFL MVP honors and twice led the league in passing TDs. Gabriel is the Rams’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 154 and third in passing yards with 22,223.
Los Angeles Rams: Worst: Sam Bradford
Bradford could have been a star if injuries hadn’t, sadly, cut his career short. But alas, the No. 1 pick of 2010 had a frustrating five-year run with the Rams that saw him appear in just 49 total games.
Miami Dolphins: Best: Dan Marino
Arguably the best pure pocket passer ever, the nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time passing yards leader would have a GOAT case if he weren’t the best QB ever without a Super Bowl ring.
Miami Dolphins: Worst: Rick Norton
Miami got 11 starts, one win, and seven touchdowns out of the second overall pick from the 1966 AFL Draft. Yikes!
Minnesota Vikings: Best: Fran Tarkenton
Like Marino, Tarkenton was a nine-time Pro Bowler who’s regular season success was overshadowed by a lack of playoff success. Tarkenton led the star-studded Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances but somehow never won a championship.
Still, the best quarterback in Vikings NFL history, and that counts for something.
Minnesota Vikings: Worst: Christian Ponder
Are 14 wins and 38 touchdowns against 36 picks good for a guy taken 12th overall in 2011? No? Oh. moving on.
New England Patriots: Best: Tom Brady
With the Patriots, Brady won six Super Bowl championships and won three MVP awards. He was the undisputed GOAT even before joining Tampa Bay in 2020. Not bad for a guy who was taken 199th overall in 2000.
New England Patriots: Worst: Jim Plunkett
The first overall pick of 1971 won two Super Bowls…with the Raiders. As a Patriot, Plunkett was a mega draft bust who threw a whopping 87 interceptions in 61 games.
New Orleans Saints: Best: Archie Manning
The Saints struck gold when they selected Peyton and Eli’s father second overall in 1971. The two-time Pro Bowler walked away as the Saints’ all-time passing yards and TDs leader, with Drew Brees proudly holding both records now.
New Orleans Saints: Worst: Dave Wilson
New Orleans took Wilson first overall in the 1981 NFL Draft. Wilson went 12-19 as a starter with 36 touchdowns against 55 interceptions.
New York Giants: Best: Phil Simms
The No. 7 pick of 1979 spent his entire career with the Giants which spanned from 1979 to ‘93. The two-time Pro Bowler helped Big Blue to their first two Super Bowls in franchise history, and there’s still a case to be made that he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
New York Giants: Worst: Daniel Jones
No contest here. Can’t believe they’ve committed so much money and time to Danny Dimes, who was a mega reach at No. 6 overall in 2019.
New York Jets: Best: Joe Namath
“Broadway Joe” was taken first overall by the Jets in the 1965 AFL Draft. The Hall of Famer led the Jets to their only Super Bowl victory in the 1968 season — a monumental upset against the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts.
New York Jets: Worst: Zach Wilson
Remember when Wilson was supposed to save the Jets franchise after being selected 2nd overall in 2021? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Philadelphia Eagles: Best: Donovan McNabb
The Eagles never won the big one with McNabb, but he provided stability as an NFL player for over a decade BEFORE Philly became the renowned “quarterback factory.” In his 11-year run, he led Philly to five NFC title games and one Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles: Worst: John Reaves
The Eagles’ 1972 first-round pick lost all seven starts he made in Philly. An 0-and-7 record for a first-round selection? Oof.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Best: Terry Bradshaw
The first overall pick of 1970 helped Pittsburgh emerge as the first dynasty of the Super Bowl era, leading the Steelers to Super Bowl championships in the ‘70s decade. Like we were gonna put someone else here!
Pittsburgh Steelers: Worst: Kenny Pickett
Not to be captain obvious, but getting just 24 starts and 13 touchdowns out of a 2022 first-round pick wasn’t in the Steelers’ plans. No wonder they dumped him to the Eagles in a 2024 offseason trade.
San Francisco 49ers: Best: Joe Montana
Before Tom Brady, Montana was the goat of football. The 49ers changed the NFL landscape forever when they selected Montana 82nd overall in 1979.
The two-time league MVP and Hall of Famer led the 49ers to four Super Bowl championships, cementing his place on the NFL quarterback Mount Rushmore.
San Francisco 49ers: Worst: Earl Morrall
Morrall had plenty of success as a journeyman NFL quarterback, but not in San Francisco. The 49ers wasted the No. 2 pick of 1956 on a guy who saw a whopping four game appearances during his run on the West Coast.
Seattle Seahawks: Best: Russell Wilson
Nine Pro Bowls, eight playoff berths, two NFC championships, and a Super Bowl 47 victory — the first in franchise history. Not bad for a 2012 third-round pick.
Seattle Seahawks: Worst: Rick Mirer
Congrats to Seattle on using the No. 2 pick of 1993 on Mirer, who gave them 20 wins, 31 losses, 41 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions. Yippee!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Best: Jameis Winston
Winston never fully lived up to expectations as the first overall pick of 2015, but he needed just five seasons to set the franchise records for passing yards and TDs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Worst: Vinny Testaverde
Testaverde had a successful career as a journeyman NFL quarterback, but none of his success came in Tampa. The first overall pick of 1987 lost 48 of 72 starts in Tampa, throwing 77 touchdowns against a whopping 112 interceptions.
Tennessee Titans: Best: Steve McNair
“Air McNair” led the Titans to four playoff appearances, including two AFC title game berths and a trip to Super Bowl 34. He and Peyton Manning shared MVP honors in 2003.
Tennessee Titans: Worst: Vince Young
Don’t let his two Pro Bowl nods fool you. Young never lived up to the hype as a third overall pick in 2006 after winning a national title at Texas.
Young only completed 57.9 percent of pass attempts as a Titan with 42 touchdowns and as many picks.
Washington Commanders: Best: Sammy Baugh
The No. 6 pick of 1937 was the NFL’s best quarterback of the 1940s decade, leading the league in every major passing category multiple times. The Hall of Famer led Washington to NFL championships in the 1937 and ‘42 seasons.
Washington Commanders: Worst: Robert Griffin III
The No. 2 pick of 2012 had a dazzling rookie year and led Washington to a surprise NFC East. Sadly, injuries cut his career short — and the mega package Washington gave up to the Rams to snag RG3 set them back for years to come.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Quarterback Situations From WORST To FIRST For This Upcoming 2024 Season
