25 most sought after NFL quarterback draft prospects of all time
By Zach Bigalke
Only one man in NFL Draft history has been selected in the top 10 on two separate occasions. That one man is Y.A. Tittle, the dynamic LSU quarterback who grew up to become a titan of the professional game at a formative stage of the NFL’s existence.
Selected No. 6 overall by the Detroit Rams in 1948, Tittle was simultaneously drafted by the Cleveland Browns of the short-lived All-America Football Conference. Opting to go to the AAFC, Tittle was traded to the Baltimore Colts. With Baltimore he earned AAFC Rookie of the Year honors in 1948. Tittle played one more year with Baltimore before the league was absorbed by the NFL.
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Re-entering the pool of eligible players in 1951, Tittle was selected No. 3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Given his early pro success and a college career that saw him set multiple LSU passing records during his time in Baton Rouge, it made perfect sense that NFL teams would jump at the opportunity to add a tested young player who was back up for a second chance in the draft.
After reaching the NFL, Tittle spent 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and won the 1957 UPI MVP award.
Traded to the New York Giants in 1961 as a 34-year-old veteran, Tittle played four more seasons and led the Giants to the three straight NFL championship games.
Though they lost each time, Tittle set the single-season passing touchdown record in 1962 and then surpassed it with 36 touchdowns in 1963. That record would hold until Dan Marino shattered it in 1984.
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Tittle remains the only man who can boast top-10 draft status in two different NFL Drafts. As such, he remains the most sought-after NFL Draft prospect of all time.