The NFL Draft is part science, part guesswork, and part wild gamble. And nothing stings quite like drafting a quarterback early—only to watch a future Hall of Famer get picked a few slots (or rounds) later.
Over the years, several teams have swung and missed while true superstars slipped right through their fingers. Here are 10 quarterbacks who were taken before someone much, much better.
10. E.J. Manuel (2013) – Taken before Russell Wilson (2012)
Okay, technically, different drafts, but the Bills used a first-round pick on Manuel just a year after Wilson lit up the league. They definitely could’ve waited and found better long-term value elsewhere.
9. Christian Ponder (2011) – Taken before Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick
The Vikings hoped Ponder would be their guy, but he never really found his rhythm. Meanwhile, Dalton and Kaepernick both led teams to the playoffs and made plenty of noise.
8. Brandon Weeden (2012) – Taken before Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, and Kirk Cousins
Weeden was 28 on draft night and never quite adjusted to the league. Three Pro Bowl quarterbacks went after him—and at least one turned into a franchise cornerstone.
7. Jake Locker (2011) – Taken before Cam Newton and others
Locker had all the physical tools but struggled with injuries and consistency. Cam Newton went No. 1 overall that year—and a handful of solid QBs came later, too.
6. Blaine Gabbert (2011) – Taken before Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick
Gabbert was a top-10 pick but never found his footing as a starter. Meanwhile, others taken later in the same round ended up leading playoff teams.
5. Mark Sanchez (2009) – Taken before Matthew Stafford (same draft, different pick order)
Sanchez helped the Jets to two AFC title games, but Stafford became the long-term superstar. Looking back, there’s no comparison in overall career impact.
4. Josh Rosen (2018) – Taken before Lamar Jackson
Rosen was taken 10th overall and bounced around the league with little success. Lamar Jackson went 32nd and won an MVP not long after.
3. Mitchell Trubisky (2017) – Taken before Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson
The Bears traded up to get Trubisky at No. 2. Mahomes and Watson both went later and immediately became stars—it’s one of the biggest draft “what-ifs” in NFL history.
Read More: The 10 Worst Number 1 NFL Draft Picks in History
2. Tim Couch (1999) – Taken before Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper
Couch was the first pick of the ’99 draft and never lived up to it. McNabb and Culpepper had long, productive careers—and both went to multiple Pro Bowls.
Read More: 10 NFL Players Who Were Blacklisted From the League
1. Six QBs Taken Before Tom Brady (2000)
The most famous example of all. Six quarterbacks went before the Patriots took a flyer on Brady at pick 199—and none of them came close to what he became.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Were Drafted Too High – and It Showed
