Top 10 Best Quarterbacks Not Drafted in the Top Ten of the NFL Draft
An NFL franchise QB is hard to come by, and year after year, we see teams at the top of the draft take QBs they hope might turn their franchise around. It's little wonder, really, that teams would reach to possibly land a competent QB. If they don't take them high in the draft, some other team surely will.
But as I look back over the years, I ask myself this: How successful have those efforts been? For every John Elway and Peyton Manning going at the top of the draft and hitting big time, you'll also find many more JaMarcus Russells and Tim Couches who never lived up to expectations.
You'll see in the initial list below many examples of teams finding their great QBs outside of the top 10 of the NFL draft. We've all seen countless lists focusing on the worst QBs drafted high, and rightfully so. Missing on these picks can set a franchise back many years.
However, with so many misses, maybe it's time for the NFL's highly paid brain trust to rethink their position on taking QBs so high. This list focuses on both great all-time NFL QBs and young QBs that appear headed for greatness. Feel free to add any that apply.
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Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win seven Super Bowls and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time... read more
Still active, of course, Brady was drafted in the 6th round, 199th overall. Quite a bargain. We all know the legacy he will leave behind, and it's still possible he may add to that.
Update: Brady has now officially retired. Seven Super Bowl rings. My gosh.
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Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana Jr., nicknamed "Joe Cool" and "The Comeback Kid," is a retired American football quarterback. He is best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, whom he led to four Super Bowl championships. Montana is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history... read more
Joe Cool was drafted in the 3rd round, no. 82 overall. This picture is telling. Take a look at that valuable right hand.
Why isn't Joe Montana no. 1? He is the best QB of all time.
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Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He signed a one‑year deal with Pittsburgh in March 2025 after being released by the New York Jets. Rodgers is a four‑time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion... read more
It was a little hard to include Rodgers in the top 10 because his numbers will never compare favorably to the all-time greats. Remember, he sat for three years to start his career and has had a spotty injury history, causing him to miss even more time.
Still, in my eyes, he belongs because he has made some of the most unbelievable throws I have ever seen, and in my opinion, he can throw more accurately on the run than any QB. Rodgers was drafted in the 1st round, but at no. 24 overall. One ring, three NFL MVPs, and who knows, maybe more on the way.
Update: Like Favre before him, Rodgers has been traded to the NYJ. The NFC North teams not in Green Bay breathe a collective sigh of relief. The Packers usher in the Jordan Love era. Love was drafted no. 26 overall in the 2020 Draft and is a candidate to also appear on this list someday.
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Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas, nicknamed "Johnny U" and "The Golden Arm," was an American professional football quarterback. He played from the mid-1950s through the early 1970s, primarily with the Baltimore Colts. Unitas is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in National Football League history... read more
Drafted in the 9th round, no. 102 overall. Three-time NFL champion, one Super Bowl ring, and three-time NFL MVP.
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Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. is a former American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played 17 seasons from 1983 to 1999 and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Marino was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in... read more
Drafted in the 1st round, but 27th overall. A nice bargain for the Dolphins. He's the first on this list to not have a ring. However, he retired with many NFL records, and no one would doubt his arm talent and quick release. NFL MVP in 1984.
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Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He is a three-time NFL MVP and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Favre also played for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets... read more
Favre was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 33 overall. The gunslinger took home one ring and three NFL MVPs.
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Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a former American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League, primarily for the New Orleans Saints. He holds the NFL record for the most 5,000-yard passing seasons, achieving this milestone five times (2008, 2011-2013, 2016), including three... read more
Drew Brees was drafted in the 2nd round, no. 32 overall, and won one Super Bowl ring. QB records have been broken by Brees in recent seasons, but it's important to note that the NFL has made significant rule changes over the last 20-25 years to open up the passing game, allowing Brees and other QBs to thrive.
This is not to discredit Brees, who is an all-time great and a brilliant talent, but to acknowledge that QBs before these rule changes did not have the same benefits.
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Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is a former American professional football quarterback. He played his entire 18-season career for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. Roethlisberger led the team to two Super Bowl victories and retired after the 2021 season.
1st round, no. 11 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion.
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Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a former American football quarterback, a current part-time TV football analyst, and a philanthropist. He is best known for leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory and for his inspirational journey from undrafted free agent to NFL MVP. Warner was inducted... read more
Not drafted at all. Signed by Green Bay as a free agent in 1994 but released before the season started. One of the greatest stories ever in NFL history, Warner spent five years in the Arena Football League and/or stocking shelves at Hy-Vee. Picked up by the Rams in 1999, the rest is history. One ring, two NFL MVPs.
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Russell Wilson
Russell Carrington Wilson (born November 29, 1988) is an American football quarterback. He played for the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. After two seasons in Denver, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2024 and then joined the New York Giants for the 2025 season... read more
Drafted in the 3rd round, 75th overall. What a steal for the 'Hawks. One Super Bowl championship.
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Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr was an American professional football quarterback and coach. He played for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and led the team to five NFL championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls. Starr was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
17th round, 200th overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion, one NFL MVP. Arguably a better QB than Favre or Rodgers, and certainly a much bigger bargain.
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Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played his entire career (1969-1979) with the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls and earning six Pro Bowl selections. Staubach was inducted into the... read more
10th round, no. 129 overall. Two-time Super Bowl champion.
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Fran Tarkenton
Drafted in the 3rd round, no. 29 overall. One NFL MVP.