NFL Draft Black Quarterbacks: Full List Of First Round Picks

The first round of this year’s NFL Draft made history. On Thursday 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 the University of Alabama, went No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers. CJ Stroud, of the Ohio State University, went No. 2 to the Houston Texans. Anthony Richardson, of the University 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 have 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.

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The 2023 NFL Draft came about three months after the Super Bowl, which featured two Black starting quarterbacks for the first time in league history. The delayed milestone underscored how the history of Black quarterbacks in the NFL has been a long, strenuous journey filled with overcoming odds and breaking barriers. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes emerged victorious this season, becoming the only Black quarterback with multiple Super Bowl wins. Mahomes entered the Super Bowl as the youngest quarterback to ever win the NFL championship game. Even on a bum ankle, Mahomes was able to lead the Chiefs to a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship. Mahomes won the game with a scramble play that led to a game-winning field goal. Mahomes faced off against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts who, like many former Black quarterbacks in the league, has silenced pundits who criticized his throwing abilities, claiming he couldn’t pass the football to the standard of an elite NFL quarterback. The narrative always seems to follow the athletic Black quarterback. The NFL Draft also began on the same day when it was determined that the top two highest-paid players in the league are Black quarterbacks. On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens announced that Lamar Jackson had signed a five-year contract worth a whopping $260 million. Now, the Florida-bred athlete takes the lead as the highest-paid player in the league at $52 million a year. The massive deal includes a $185 million guarantee. According to ESPN, the 6-foot-2 football star negotiated the pact without the help of agents or representation. The Heisman Trophy honoree landed his deal with the Ravens 10 days after Hurts scored a legendary offer. Hurts, 24, is set to rake in $255 million in total. That comes out to $51 million per year. The Houston native locked in a guarantee worth $179.3 million. Judging from the Super Bowl, this year’s NFL Draft and the contract negotiations, the future of the Black quarterback in the league is in good hands for years to come. Keep scrolling for a complete list of Black QBs taken in the first round of each NFL draft!

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

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

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

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

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

KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 27: Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft Red Carpet event on April 27, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

4. Trey Lance: 2021 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 3

CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 29: Trey Lance poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected third by the San Francisco 49ers during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 09: Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears attends SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVII on February 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

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

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 25: Tua Tagovailoa #QB17 of Alabama interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

It’s important to note that Tagovailoa isn’t black, he’s Samoan. But, as a person of color, he makes today’s list!

(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

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

NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 25: The Arizona Cardinals select Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, at the Draft Main Stage on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, TN. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

8. Dwayne Haskins: 2019 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 15

ASHBURN, VA – MAY 11:Washington first-round draft pick quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. during the Washington Redskins rookie camp in Ashburn, VA on May 11, 2019. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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

ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Lamar Jackson holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd pick during the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Statium on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates onstage with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) photography,people,one person,horizontal,usa,celebration,sport,american football – sport,nfl,three quarter length,incidental people,missouri,vince lombardi trophy,nfl draft,kansas city – missouri,kansas city chiefs,round one,stage – performance space,draft – sports,patrick mahomes – american football quarterback,2023

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

PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: The Houston Texans select Deshaun Watson with the 12th pick at the 2017 NFL Draft and poses for photos with his jersey at the 2017 NFL Draft Theater on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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

2015 NFL Draft first overall pick Jameis Winston works out during the Buccaneers Rookie Camp at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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

Teddy Bridgewater holds a #1 Vikings jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked 32nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings during the first round at the 2014 NFL Draft. The 2104 NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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

Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) in action during the 2014 Buffalo Bills OTA practice session at the Buffalo Bills Field House in Orchard Park, NY. (Photo by Kellen Micah/ICON SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

15. Robert Griffin III: 2012 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 2

NEW YORK, NY April 26, 2012 Baylor QB Robert Griffin III and his family as he is drafted on April 26, 2012 in New York, NY (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK-April 28: The Carolina Panthers selected Auburn QB Cam Newton with the #1 selection in the draft on April 28 2011 in New York, N.Y.(Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB and No 17 overall pick Josh Freeman victorious with #1 jersey at Radio City Music Hall. New York, NY. (Photo by David Bergman /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

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

Oakland Raiders QB and No 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell victorious, holding #1 jersey at Radio City Music Hall. New York, NY. (Photo by David Bergman /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

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

Vince Young, QB from the University of Texas, is the 3rd pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2006 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in NY, NY on April 29, 2006. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

20. Jason Cambell: 2005 NFL Draft – Round 1, Pick 25

Baltimore, MD Washington Redskins against the Baltimore Ravens in a controlled scrimmage at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, August 5, 2005. Washington Redskins draft pick quarterback Jason Campbell in the huddle during the controlled scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens at BM&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, August 6, 2005. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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

Madison Square Theater, New York City. Byron Leftwich tips his cap at the request of a photographer after being chosen by the Jacksonville Panthers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft Saturday afternoon in New York. (Photo by Kevin Clark/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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

Michael Vick was the top pick by the Atlanta Falcons and the #1 pick overall in the NFL Draft 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, April 21, 2001. (photo by Gabe Palacio/Getty Images)

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

Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles holds up his Eagles jersey during the NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

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

Akili Smith of the Cincinnati Bengals stands next to the NFL Commisioner Paul Tagliabue and holds up his Bangals jersey during the NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

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

Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings stands next to the NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and holds up his Vikings jersey during the NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

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

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stands with Steve McNair the number 1 draft pick of the Houston Oilers in the 1995 NFL draft on April 22, 1995, at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

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

Andre Ware of the Detroit Lions warms up against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1993 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)

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

Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins looks to throw a pass during a football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 11, 1988, at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)