Fewest Quarterbacks Taken in First Round, NFL Draft

  • Since the 1999 NFL Draft, every first round has seen at least one QB selected.
  • The 2022 NFL Draft tied the modern record for the fewest QBs selected in round one.
  • From 1970-1998, five drafts saw no QBs taken in the first round.

Since the NFL expanded the first round to 32 selections, every draft has featured at least one QB taken in the first round.ย 

But the fewest first-round picks in a single NFL Draft belongs to 2022. That year, Kenny Pickett was the only first-round pick.ย 

The 2022 NFL Draft tied the modern record with the 2013 NFL Draft. That year, E.J. Manuel was the only quarterback drafted in the first round.ย 

The biggest inflection point for quarterbacks increasing in popularity came around 2010.ย 

Between 1999 and 2010, five drafts saw two or fewer quarterbacks selected in the first round over a 12-year span.ย 

Beginning with the 2011 NFL Draft, only three first rounds saw two or fewer selected in the first round: 2013, 2015 and 2022.ย 

Prior to the first round expanding to 32 picks, five previous drafts saw no quarterbacks taken in the opening round.

This year, oddsmakers expect thereโ€™s a decent chance two or fewer quarterbacks go in the first round.ย 

Based on NFL Draft odds, under 2.5 quarterbacks selected in the first round is priced at +310. That price implies a probability of 24.4%.ย 

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About the Author

Nick Hennion

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Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.

Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.