The NFL Draft is full of swings and misses, but sometimes the biggest surprises come from players who were overlooked rather than overhyped. For quarterbacks, especially, draft position doesn’t always tell the full story of how great their careers will become.
Some of the league’s most legendary signal-callers didn’t hear their names called until late in the draft or, in some cases, not at all. From overlooked college stars to underestimated backups who became icons, here are 15 quarterbacks who absolutely were not drafted high enough.
15. Dak Prescott
Taken in the fourth round, Dak quickly proved he was no developmental project. He stepped in as a rookie and never looked back, becoming the face of the Cowboys.
14. Matt Hasselbeck
A sixth-round pick turned three-time Pro Bowler, Hasselbeck was a steady force in Seattle. He helped the Seahawks to a Super Bowl and racked up over 36,000 career passing yards.
13. Mark Brunell
Drafted in the fifth round by the Packers, Brunell found his success elsewhere. He became a three-time Pro Bowler with the Jaguars and led them to multiple playoff runs.
12. Tony Romo
Romo wasn’t drafted at all, which is wild considering what he accomplished in Dallas. Despite the lack of postseason glory, he was a statistical monster and a four-time Pro Bowler.
11. Russell Wilson
Third-round pick, Super Bowl champion, and a perennial MVP candidate in his prime, Russ was a steal. He changed the trajectory of the Seahawks franchise.
10. Rich Gannon
Gannon was taken in the fourth round but didn’t fully blossom until the back end of his career. He eventually won an MVP and took the Raiders to the Super Bowl.
9. Trent Green
An eighth-round pick (back when that existed), Green became a consistent and productive starter. His best years came with the Chiefs, where he led one of the NFL’s top offenses.
8. Ken Anderson
Anderson went in the third round and went on to win an MVP and lead the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance. He was one of the most accurate passers of his era.
7. Brad Johnson
Drafted in the ninth round (again, different era), Johnson wasn’t flashy but got the job done. He even won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and made two Pro Bowls.
6. Joe Theismann
Theismann was a fourth-round pick who didn’t even start his NFL career right away, but patience paid off. He became an NFL MVP and led Washington to a Super Bowl victory.
5. Bart Starr
Taken in the 17th round, yes, that’s real, Starr went on to win five NFL championships. He was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls and a Hall of Fame legend.
4. Roger Staubach
Because of his Navy commitment, Staubach slid to the 10th round. Once he finally suited up, he became a Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer, and Cowboys icon.
3. Kurt Warner
Warner wasn’t drafted at all and was bagging groceries before getting his NFL shot. Then he won two MVPs and a Super Bowl, rewriting what’s possible in football fairytales.
Read More: 11 Athletes Who Refused to Play For the Team That Drafted Them
2. Johnny Unitas
Drafted in the ninth round and then cut, Unitas got a second chance and made the most of it. He became a league MVP, NFL champion, and one of the most influential QBs ever.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Underrated Picks of the 2025 NFL Draft
1. Tom Brady
Sixth round, 199th overall, and now the greatest quarterback of all time. It’s the biggest draft miss in league history and the ultimate example of underestimation.
Read More: NFL Stars Who Were Overlooked in High School Football
