The Washington Commanders weren’t expected to draft a quarterback in last week’s showcase, but the rumors were certainly floating leading up to the event.
Just days before the draft, Washington was linked to Malik Willis, who shockingly waited until Round 3 to hear his name called, Matt Corral, who also went in the third round, and Sam Howell, who somehow fell into the team’s lap with the first pick of the fifth round after they traded back.
If you’ve read up on draft grades and reviews, the Howell selection is widely regarded as the biggest steal of the seven-round event. Some analysts pegged it as the biggest steal of Day 3, but the point remains: the Commanders got great value in the North Carolina product.
It’s unclear what Howell’s ceiling is, but he could push to supplant Taylor Heinicke as the backup with an impressive camp and preseason.
Does the former Tar Heel have starting potential? It’s too early to tell, but he does have history working in his favor, as several QBs drafted in Round 4 or beyond went on to enjoy successful – in some cases, historic – careers.
Commanders: Best late-round QBs in NFL Draft history
Mark Brunell (Round 5)
Ironically enough, Brunell might be the greatest fifth-round quarterback in drafting history. He took home a Super Bowl ring as Drew Brees’ backup, but went to multiple Pro Bowls and led Jacksonville to the playoffs four times. The Jags never appeared in the Super Bowl with Brunell quarterbacking the offense, but they did reach the AFC Championship Game in 1996.
Brunell owns a 78-73 career record and retired as the Jags’ all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, fourth quarter comebacks, game-winning drives and second in passer rating for QBs who started at least 40 games for the franchise.
Not too shabby.
Dak Prescott/Kirk Cousins (Round 4)
We figured we’d lump Prescott and Cousins together. Though former division rivals in the NFC East, the two quarterbacks have endured eerily similar career paths, as both overachieved as fourth-round picks and were recipients of the franchise tag before inking mammoth contracts.
Cousins and Prescott also have a similar reputation. They excel during the regular season, but have had trouble rising to the occasion in the playoffs, where they’ve been two and three times, respectively. Believe it or not, they both own a 1-3 record in the tournament.
Despite their lack of playoff success, though, Cousins and Prescott are two of the most talented late-round QBs in recent draft history. Both are annual locks to eclipse 4,000 passing yards and 25-30 touchdowns with minimal turnovers and have a combined 98.65 career passer rating.
Matt Hasselbeck (Round 6)
Drafted by the Packers in the fifth-round in 1998, Hasselbeck was traded to the Seahawks with Brett Favre already starring for Green Bay. In 10 years as Seattle’s starer, the Boston College product led the team to the playoffs six times, culminating in an appearance in Super Bowl XL, where they lost to the Steelers.
Hasselbeck made three Pro Bowls and retired with almost every franchise passing record … before Russell Wilson entered the fold in 2012. He would have a greater reputation as a quarterback if he didn’t play during a golden era that included Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Favre and Ben Roethlisberger.
Mark Rypien (Round 6)
More Washington flavor! There’s no doubting Hasselbeck posted more gaudy statistics than Rypien, but the former Washington QB gets the not because he as a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP on his resume. Tough to beat that.
Rypien’s 1991 season was nothing short of iconic, as he threw for 3,564 yards and 28 touchdowns, culminating in leading Washington to a 37-24 win over Buffalo (while taking home MVP honors) in Super Bowl XXVI.
Rypien made two Pro Bowls in his career and is currently fifth in Washington history in passing yards and touchdowns. That type of career is unheard of for a sixth-round pick, which makes Howell replicating his success such a long shot.
Joe Theismann (Round 4)
Another former fourth-round pick and another former Washington gunslinger, Theismann led Washington to consecutive Super Bowls in 1983 and 1984, with them coming on top in Super Bowl XVII.
Theismann’s path to Washington was unique and he didn’t win the starting job right away, but he still ranks first in team history in passing yards, fourth quarter comebacks and game-winning drives, while ranking third in touchdowns. He’s also the only quarterback on this list (so far) with an MVP on their resume.
Roger Staubach (Round 10)
We hate giving credit to a former Cowboy as much as the next guy, but Staubach is fully deserving of his flowers. Drafted by Dallas out of the Naval Academy in 1964, Staubach didn’t join the team until 1969 due to military commitments.
Stauback was 27 by the time his career got started. As it turns out, the later-than-expected star didn’t hold him back, as he led the Cowboys to two championships while taking home MVP honors at Super Bowl VI, and made six Pro Bowls.
He ranks third in Cowboys history in passing yards and fourth in touchdown throws and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Bart Starr (Round 17)
A former 17th (!) round draft pick, you can’t think of Vince Lombardi’s iconic Packers teams without mentioning Starr, who helped lead the team to five NFL championships and two Super Bowls; the first two, at that.
A two-time Super Bowl MVP, league MVP in 1996 and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Starr was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1973 and is without question one of the greatest success stories in NFL history … though he didn’t quite do enough to earn the top spot on this list.
Tom Brady (Round 6)
Not only the greatest late-round QB selection in drafting history, but the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady experienced an improbable rise to football immortality and he has a chance to add to his already GOAT resume after he unretired this offseason to return to Tampa Bay.
On top of winning seven Super Bowls – most all-time for a quarterback – Brady owns a slew of passing records, including passing yards, completions, touchdowns, wins and games played.
A three-time MVP, five-time Super Bowl MVP and 17-time Pro Bowler, there will never be another Brady, and the fact he accomplished all this as a sixth-round pick makes it even more otherworldly, if that’s even possible.