Factoid
For just the seventh time since the merger in 1970, teams in the same division have selected quarterbacks in the first round. Jake Locker (Titans) and Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars) this time around.
But most of the the previous instances haven’t developed into career-long rivalries because one or the other of the quarterbacks hasn’t panned out.
The grand daddy of this drafting quirk occurred in 1983, when all five teams in the AFC East selected quarterbacks. John Elway later forced a trade to Denver (where he went head-to-head in the AFC West against the sixth quarterback from that heralded class, Todd Blackledge).
Of all the quarterbacks listed below, only one true years-long rivalry developed – Jim Kelly and Dan Marino in the AFC East.
TEAMS IN THE SAME DIVISION SELECTING QUARTERBACKS IN THE FIRST ROUND
1970
Terry Bradshaw, Steelers
Mike Phipps, Browns
1983
John Elway, Colts
Jim Kelly, Bills
Tony Eason, Patriots
Ken O’Brien, Jets
Dan Marino, Dolphins
1991
Dan McGwire, Seahawks
Todd Marinovich, Raiders
1999
Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
Cade McNown, Bears
1999
Tim Couch, Browns
Akili Smith, Bengals
2003
Carson Palmer, Bengals
Kyle Boller, Ravens
2011
Jake Locker, Titans
Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
—Ian Allan
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