Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

History of Falcons drafting quarterbacks

Falcons quarterback Brett Favre drops back to pass against Tampa Bay, Aug. 17, 1991, in Atlanta. (Frank Niemeir/AJC)

Credit: AJC

Credit: AJC

Falcons quarterback Brett Favre drops back to pass against Tampa Bay, Aug. 17, 1991, in Atlanta. (Frank Niemeir/AJC)
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 28, 2021

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

1967

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

1971

  • Round 3, 59th - Leo Hart, Duke

1972

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

Credit: AJC file photo

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Credit: AJC file photo

1973

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

1974

  • Round 3, 69th - Kim McQuilken, Lehigh

1975

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

Credit: Nancy Mangiafico/AJC staff

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Credit: Nancy Mangiafico/AJC staff

1979

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

1982

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)

Credit: AJC file photo

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Credit: AJC file photo

1989

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

1991

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)

Credit: AJC

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Credit: AJC

2001

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

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

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)

Credit: ajc staff

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Credit: ajc staff

2004

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)

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

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Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

2006

2008

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

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

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Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

2013

  • Round 7, 249th - Sean Renfree, Duke

* - Did not play in NFL

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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