There's not a lot of enthusiasm about the 2013 quarterback draft class; nothing compared to that of 2012, certainly. West Virginia's Geno Smith is drawing some consideration as a top-10 pick, but the other top signal-callers aren't even certain to be selected in the first round.
But if one or two among Ryan Nassib, E.J. Manuel and Matt Barkley do end up as early second rounders, perhaps they'll still turn into good or even great pro quarterbacks. Something about those quarterbacks who just miss being first-round picks has seemed to work out.
Over the previous 30 years of draft history, 10 quarterbacks just missed being selected in the first round -- drafted between picks 32-39. Those 10 quarterbacks include a host of Pro Bowlers, league MVPs, future Hall of Famers, and a couple of recent picks whose futures are still uncertain, but are off to decent starts.
Things didn't work out for Mike Elkins or Browning Nagle, but hey, maybe there's hope for Kevin Kolb yet. And the likes of Nassib and Barkley, if that's where they end up being taken.
QBs selected just outside 1st round, 1981-2011
Year Pick Player, Team
2011 35 Andy Dalton, Cin.
2011 36 Colin Kaepernick, S.F.
2007 36 Kevin Kolb, Phil.
2001 32 Drew Brees, S.D.
1991 33 Brett Favre, Atl.
1991 34 Browning Nagle, NYJ
1989 32 Mike Elkins, K.C.
1985 37 Randall Cunningham, Phil.
1984 38 Boomer Esiason, Cin.
1981 33 Neil Lomax, Cardinals
--Andy Richardson