History of Falcons drafting quarterbacks

Since 1966, the Falcons have selected a total of 25 quarterbacks in the NFL draft.

The picks range from first overall to 424th in the 17th round — with only a handful having significant longevity in the league.

Duke has been a preferred collegiate playground. A few made No. 7 a fashionable jersey number, others never dressed in a Falcons uniform. Some never played an NFL down.

One reached Hall of Fame status (though not with Atlanta). One led the team to a Super Bowl and held the title of league MVP.

Here are their names:

1966

• Round 1, 16th - Randy Johnson, Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville)
• Round 11, 156th - Steve Sloan, Alabama

1967

• Round 7, 162nd - Corey Colehour*, North Dakota
• Round 17, 424th overall - Bill Buckner*, Delta State

1971

• Round 3, 59th - Leo Hart, Duke

1972

• Round 2, 40th - Pat Sullivan, Auburn

Quarterback Pat Sullivan played in 30 games with Atlanta Falcons from 1972 to 1975. (AJC)

1973

• Round 14, 351st - John Madeya*, Louisville

1974

• Round 3, 69th - Kim McQuilken, Lehigh

1975

• Round 1, 1st - Steve Bartkowski, California
• Round 17, 418th - Mitch Anderson*, Northwestern

Falcons vs. Rams: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski throws the winning touchdown pass. October 26, 1980.

1979

• Round 6, 154th - Mike Moroski, UC-Davis

1982

• Round 6, 149th - Mike Kelley, Georgia Tech

1984

• Round 6, 148th - Ben Bennett, Duke

1986

• Round 11, 280th - Chris Hegg*, Truman State

1987

• Round 1, 13th - Chris Miller, Oregon

Quarterback Chris Miller played seven seasons in Atlanta. (AJC)

1989

• Round 8, 202nd - Paul Singer*, Western Illinois

1991

• Round 2, 33rd - Brett Favre, Southern Miss

1994

• Round 4, 111th - Perry Klein*, C.W. Post

1997

• Round 7, 204th - Tony Graziani, Oregon

Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani makes his way around the Ravens' Rod Woodson during the first half Aug. 21, 1999, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (David Tulis/AJC)

2001

• Round 1, 1st - Michael Vick, Virginia Tech

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for Atlanta in 2002, 2004, and 2005.

2002

• Round 5, 158th - Kurt Kittner, Illinois

The Rams (background) celebrate in the end zone as Falcons backup quarterback Kurt Kittner walks off the field after throwing a fourth-quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. (Curtis Compton/Curtis.Comtpon@ajc.com)

2004

• Round 3, 90th - Matt Schaub, Virginia

Falcons backup quarterback Matt Schaub completes a pass against the 49ers taking over for Matt Ryan during the fourth quarter of a 41-13 victory Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

2006

• Round 7, 223rd - D.J. Shockley*, Georgia

2008

• Round 1, 3rd - Matt Ryan, Boston College

Matt Ryan passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)

2013

• Round 7, 249th - Sean Renfree, Duke