The 2024 NFL draft was historic in several ways, but the most noteworthy piece of history happened in the first round, as six quarterbacks were taken in the first 12 picks. The quarterbacks in the 2024 first round were Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr, J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix.
The last time six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round, take your DeLorean back to 1983.
The 1983 draft was filled with star talent, none more so than at the quarterback position. Overall, eight Hall of Famers were selected in the this draft, six alone in the first round.
How did those six quarterbacks fare, and is it a harbinger of things to come?
1st overall: John Elway, Stanford University
John Elway’s career as a Denver Bronco almost never materialized, as the Baltimore Colts selected him before then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle could walk off stage after welcoming fans and teams to the draft. Elway refused to play for the Colts, which nearly resulted in him playing baseball for the New York Yankees. Instead, Elway was traded to the Broncos, and was the only quarterback in the 1983 NFL draft to win a Super Bowl. In fact, as a quarterback, he won two; as a GM, he won another. Elway retired from pro football in 1999, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
7th overall: Todd Blackledge, Penn State
Blackledge was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs seventh overall. Blackledge was mostly a career backup, finishing his career with 29 career starts with both the Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
14th overall: Jim Kelly, Miami (FL)
Kelly was a very successful quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. When Kelly was originally drafted in 1983, he did not want to be with Buffalo, so he began playing with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. However, when the USFL folded in 1986, Kelly went back to the Bills. He went on to have a 10-year career with Buffalo, helping the franchise to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. A five-time Pro Bowler and a one-time AP First-Team All-Pro, Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
15th overall: Tony Eason, Illinois
Eason was selected by the New England Patriots, where he ended up a nine-year veteran playing for the Patriots and the New York Jets. He garnered 51 career starts, with a 28-23 overall record. His best season was in 1986, when they finished with a 10-6 record. Eason led the Patriots to a Super Bowl, but the team lost to the Chicago Bears.
24th overall: Ken O'Brien
O’Brien may have been one of the last stable quarterbacks for the New York Jets, as he started for nine years between 1983-1992. In nine years as a Jet, O’Brien threw for 24,386 yards, 124 touchdowns and 95 interceptions. O’Brien was a two-time Pro Bowler during his career.
28th overall: Dan Marino, Pitt
Marino was the final quarterback selected in the 1983 first round, where he was picked by the Miami Dolphins. Without a doubt, Marino may be the best quarterback to have never won a Super Bowl. Marino wrote the record book for quarterback statistics before his records began to be broken by fellow Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. After Favre, almost every one of Marino’s records began to be shattered by the likes of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Marino was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a one-time MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Marino was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
