15 biggest NFL quarterback busts of all-time
By John Buhler
Since the 1983 NFL Draft, the quarterback position has been a major focus in the first round of drafts. Here are the 15 biggest NFL quarterback busts ever.
The 1983 NFL Draft is widely considered the first draft of the modern era of NFL quarterbacking. That draft had six quarterbacks taken in the first round: three Pro Football Hall of Famers John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly, a multi-time Pro Bowler in Ken O’Brien, another guy that started in a Super Bowl in Tony Eason, and one other guy we’ll get to later.
Since that famous 1983 NFL Draft, the quarterback position has increasingly become the most important role on an NFL offense, replacing the ever popular running back. It took a couple of decades, but now the roles have reversed with teams trading up to select their next franchise quarterback and looking for value at running back with a middle round pick.
With the NFL becoming exponentially passing-centric, it is arguably priority No. 1 to get the quarterback position right. The Cleveland Browns haven’t since Bernie Kosar left and for the most part neither the Miami Dolphins or Buffalo Bills have adequately replaced Marino and Kelly, respectively.
Every spring, at least one team is in dire need of a franchise quarterback and will take one in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, not every first-round selection pans out. Many do end up busting, unfortunately.
While some will argue that active quarterbacks like Blaine Gabbert, E.J. Manuel, and Johnny Manziel have all busted with their original team, they are not included in this list because they aren’t several years out of the league.
Since 1983, dozens of former first-round quarterbacks have busted. Here are the 15 biggest NFL quarterback busts of the modern era of the National Football League.
Next: 15. David Carr