NFL History! A Complete List of Black QBs Drafted in the First Round

This post was updated on April 26, 2024, to include the 2024 NFL Draft. This post was originally published on April 28, 2023.  The first round of this year’s NFL Draft made history. Last night three black quarterbacks were selected within the first four picks for the first time in a league that’s been drafting players out of college since 1936. Bryce Young, from Alabama, went No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers. CJ Stroud, of Ohio State, went No. 2 to the Houston Texans. Anthony Richardson, of Florida, went No. 4 to the Indianapolis Colts. Before we move on, congratulations to those young men for their life-changing accomplishments! Hard work and dedication to the craft has resulted in maximum success. They now have a chance to carve their names into record books of the most popular professional sport in the world. Keep scrolling for a complete list of black QBs taken in the first round of each NFL draft!

1. Cam Ward: 2025 NFL Draft – Round 1 Pick 1, Titans

2. Caleb Williams: 2024 NFL Draft – Round 1 Pick 1, Bears

3. Jayden Daniels: 2024 NFL Draft – Round 1 Pick 2, Commanders

4. Michael Penix Jr: 2024 NFL Draft – Round 1 Pick 8, Falcons

5. Bryce Young: 2023 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Panthers

6. CJ Stroud: 2023 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 2, Texans

7. Anthony Richardson: 2023 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 4, Colts

8. Trey Lance: 2021 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 3, 49ers

9. Justin Fields: 2021 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 11, Bears

10. Tua Tagovailoa: 2020 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 5, Dolphins

11. Kyler Murray: 2019 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Cardinals

12. Dwayne Haskins: 2019 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 15, *Commanders

13. Lamar Jackson: 2018 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 32, Ravens

14. Patrick Mahomes: 2017 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 10, Chiefs

15. Deshaun Watson: 2017 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 12, Texans

16. Jameis Winston: 2015 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Buccaneers

17. Teddy Bridgewater: 2014 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 32, Vikings

18. EJ Manuel: 2013 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 16, Bills

19. Robert Griffin III: 2012 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 2, *Commanders

20. Cam Newton: 2011 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Panthers

21. Josh Freeman: 2009 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 17, Buccaneers

22. JaMarcus Russel: 2007 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Raiders

23. Vince Young: 2006 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 3, Titans

24. Jason Cambell: 2005 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 25, *Commanders

25. Byron Leftwich: 2003 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 7, Jaguars

26. Mike Vick: 2001 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 1, Falcons

27. Donovan McNabb: 1999 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 2, Eagles

28. Akili Smith: 1999 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 3, Bengals

29. Dante Culpepper: 1999 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 11, Vikings

30. Steve McNair: 1995 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 3, Oilers

31. Andre Ware: 1990 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 7, Lions

32. Doug Williams: 1978 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 17, Buccaneers