25 most sought after NFL quarterback draft prospects of all time
By Zach Bigalke
The 1971 NFL Draft saw three quarterbacks selected with the first three picks for the first time in 36 editions to that point. Only once more, when Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb and Akili Smith were selected back-to-back-to-back in 1997, was the feat replicated. It also provided the first opportunity of a Manning family member factoring into a discussion about the No. 1 overall pick.
Entering the 1971 NFL Draft, three quarterbacks were drawing lots of buzz from NFL teams. Archie Manning, the patriarch of the clan and father of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, was a highly regarded passer from Ole Miss who showcased his prototypical size against SEC competition for three years. Dan Pastorini, a quarterback who also moonlighted as a punter at Santa Clara, was also in the mix to go No. 1 overall.
But neither Manning nor Pastorini could boast the list of accomplishments that Jim Plunkett brought to the table. The Stanford star led all NCAA quarterbacks in passing yards in 1970, earning him the Heisman Trophy. During his three years on The Farm, Plunkett threw for more than 7,800 yards and added 369 rushing yards, as he racked up 63 total touchdowns at Stanford.
With the riches available at quarterback, New England settled on Plunkett. His time with the Patriots proved a disappointment, as he failed to post a record above .500 in any of his five seasons in New England.
The Patriots traded Plunkett away to San Francisco, where he played out two forgettable years. After starting 6-1 with the 49ers in 1976, Plunkett and the team lost five of their last seven to fall out of contention. With a 5-9 campaign the following year, San Francisco opted to part ways with Plunkett.
Signed as a backup by the Oakland Raiders, Plunkett finally paid dividends on his early promise. In 1980, Plunkett took over for none other than Pastorini after a broken leg ended his season.
The Raiders went on to win Super Bowl XV against Philadelphia and Plunkett won MVP honors after throwing for 261 yards and three scores against the Eagles. He also led the Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XVIII.
As of 2019, Plunkett is the only two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback currently eligible for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction who is not enshrined in Canton.