The NFL playoffs showcase the value of first-round quarterbacks, emphasizing their impact on team success and the risks of drafting decisions.
Four of those eight were picked either first or second overall, and six were in the top 10. Then there’s Lamar Jackson from the Ravens, who’s on track to snag his third MVP award.
Of course, we can’t forget about Tom Brady. He won seven Super Bowls as a sixth-round pick back in 2000, showing that teams can find success in unexpected places. And Brock Purdy, a seventh-rounder from the 49ers, almost took his team to the Super Bowl last year.
Jalen Hurts, who was picked in the second round in 2020, has already made a Super Bowl appearance and is aiming for another. Plus, Russell Wilson and Nick Foles, both third-round picks, have lifted the Lombardi Trophy.
This year’s playoffs really drive home why teams invest heavily in quarterbacks during the draft. Hitting on those picks can lead to huge rewards. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, both No. 1 overall picks, have already played in a Super Bowl after being traded between Detroit and L.A.
C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels were the No. 2 picks in the last two drafts, while Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes were both top 10 picks. Mahomes has three Super Bowl rings to his name.
Interestingly, Jackson was the last pick of the first round in 2018, which was a huge oversight by many teams. Hurts is the only one still playing who wasn’t a first-round pick.
Even in the Wild Card round, the trend continued with 10 of 12 quarterbacks being former first-rounders. This included Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold.
Four of the five QBs drafted in 2018 were starting in the playoffs, with only Josh Rosen missing out. The Commanders and Broncos, both picking in the top 12 of the draft, made quick playoff runs thanks to their new quarterbacks.
But not every team with a first-round QB made it to the playoffs. The Dolphins, Jaguars, Jets, Bengals, Giants, Bears, and Panthers all fell short. Still, the Dolphins were in the playoffs last year with Tua Tagovailoa, and the Bengals were close to winning it all in 2021.
Missing on a quarterback pick can be a big deal. Just look at Anthony Richardson, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Rosen, and Mitchell Trubisky. Those picks can cost GMs and coaches their jobs.
It’s interesting to think about how the Giants passed on Justin Herbert in 2019, opting for tackle Andrew Thomas instead. They had just picked Daniel Jones the year before. Would taking Herbert have been a bold move? Maybe. But it definitely wouldn’t have been the wrong choice.
Looking ahead, the Titans, Browns, and Giants hold the top three picks in the upcoming draft, with the Raiders at No. 6. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the top prospects, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers just declared.
Reaching for a player can be risky. The Colts’ pick of Richardson shows how forcing a need can backfire. But the strategy behind these picks is clear: if you don’t land a first-round caliber quarterback, your team might be left behind as the game evolves.
