Three quarterbacks have been drafted with the 32nd pick in the NFL Draft since 2002. All three were selected by teams that traded up to take them, including most recently Lamar Jackson on Thursday night.
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The Baltimore Ravens — after a couple trades — passed on a quarterback with their first selection in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft but jumped back into the first round by acquiring the Philadelphia Eagles' 32nd pick in a deal that included five total picks. And, after officially selecting Jackson, continued a trend in moving up to No. 32 in search of a quarterback.
Lamar Jackson became the sixth quarterback drafted in that slot all-time. How did it work out in the previous five instances?
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2014: Teddy Bridgewater – Vikings
For the third straight year, the Minnesota Vikings selected multiple players in the first round. After picking Anthony Barr with the ninth pick in 2014, they went after Bridgewater. Minnesota traded a second-round (40th) and fourth-round (108th) to Seattle in exchange for the final pick of the first round.
Bridgewater started 28 games over his first two seasons before blowing out his knee during 2016 training camp. He appeared to be on the verge of turning the corner after a solid sophomore campaign but never got the chance. He missed all of 2016, attempted two passes last year and is now the odd man out with the New York Jets.
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2002: Patrick Ramsey – Redskins
After multiple trades, Washington didn't have a pick in the first round of the 2002 draft. That changed when they swapped picks with New England to select Tulane quarterback Patrick Ramsey at No. 32.
Ramsey showed flashes of competence in 2002 and 2003 but injuries and ineffectiveness contributed to a poor 2004 season. Released after the 2005 season, he left Washington with 23 starts, 34 passing touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He signed with eight different teams over the next five years but never made an impact.
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2001: Drew Brees – Chargers
The best player ever drafted 32nd, Drew Brees was the Chargers' first pick of the second round in 2001.
The former Purdue quarterback spent five seasons in San Diego, throwing for 51 touchdowns over the final two years, including 27 in 2004, his lone Pro Bowl season in San Diego. Twelve years after signing with New Orleans, Brees is now an 11-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion and one of the best quarterbacks in league history.
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1989: Mike Elkins – Chiefs
In 1989, there were only 28 teams in the NFL, so the Kansas City Chiefs' 32nd pick was the fourth pick in the second round. With it, they chose Wake Forest quarterbacks Mike Elkins.
It didn't work out.
Elkins spent one season in Kansas City, making one start while throwing for five yards and zero touchdowns. He spent time with the Browns and Oilers but never attempted another pass.
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1960: Don Meredith – Bears
The fifth quarterback drafted in 1960, Don Meredith entered the league under bizarre circumstances. One month prior to the draft, Meredith signed a contract that guaranteed he would play for the Dallas Cowboys, an expansion team.
He was still drafted by the Bears with the eighth pick of the third round but the league honored the Cowboys' contract. Meredith was a three-time Pro Bowler in Dallas, where he played nine seasons and threw 135 touchdowns.
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NEXT: Top 10 Late-Round Quarterbacks in NFL Draft History
