The NFL Draft is one of the most important events in professional football, but history has proven that being selected early doesn’t guarantee success. Several quarterbacks drafted in later rounds have gone on to win Super Bowl championships, including Tom Brady, Bart Starr and Brad Johnson.
But who was the lowest-drafted quarterback to win a Super Bowl in NFL history?
The answer depends on whether you’re looking at the lowest overall draft selection, the latest draft round or quarterbacks who went completely undrafted.
Brad Johnson: Lowest Overall Draft Pick to Start and Win a Super Bowl
Brad Johnson holds the distinction of being the lowest overall NFL Draft selection to start at quarterback and win a Super Bowl.
Johnson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft with the 227th overall pick.
More than a decade later, Johnson led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003.
The Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders 48–21 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
Johnson completed 18 of 34 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the championship game.
His victory demonstrated that quarterbacks selected deep into the NFL Draft can eventually become Super Bowl champions.
Kurt Warner: Undrafted Quarterback Who Won a Super Bowl
While Johnson was the lowest overall draft pick among Super Bowl-winning starting quarterbacks, Kurt Warner accomplished something even more unusual.
Warner was never selected in the NFL Draft.
After going undrafted in 1994, Warner eventually became the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.
During the 1999 NFL season, Warner led the Rams’ high-powered offense, known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” to a Super Bowl championship.
In Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000, Warner threw for 414 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23–16.
Warner was named Super Bowl MVP and later earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His journey remains one of the most remarkable success stories for an undrafted quarterback in NFL history.
Tom Brady: Sixth-Round Draft Pick Who Won Seven Super Bowls
Tom Brady is arguably the most famous late-round draft selection in NFL history.
The New England Patriots selected Brady with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Despite being overlooked by every NFL franchise multiple times, Brady went on to win a record seven Super Bowl championships.
He won six championships with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady also earned five Super Bowl MVP awards, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history.
Although Brady was drafted earlier overall than Brad Johnson, his seven championships remain the most by any quarterback.
Bart Starr: 17th-Round Pick Who Won Two Super Bowls
Another remarkable late-round success story belongs to Green Bay Packers legend Bart Starr.
Starr was selected with the 200th overall pick in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL Draft.
He eventually became the quarterback of Vince Lombardi’s legendary Packers teams.
Starr led Green Bay to victories in the first two Super Bowls, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I and the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II.
He was named MVP of both championship games.
Because the NFL Draft previously featured significantly more rounds than it does today, Starr was selected in a later round than Johnson, even though his overall selection number was higher.
Lowest-Drafted Starting Quarterbacks to Win a Super Bowl
Several quarterbacks selected outside the early rounds have achieved Super Bowl success.
| Quarterback | Draft position | Super Bowl titles |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Warner | Undrafted (1994) | 1 |
| Brad Johnson | 227th overall, 9th round (1992) | 1 |
| Bart Starr | 200th overall, 17th round (1956) | 2 |
| Tom Brady | 199th overall, 6th round (2000) | 7 |
| Mark Rypien | 146th overall, 6th round (1986) | 1 |
| Roger Staubach | 129th overall, 10th round (1964) | 2 |
Note: This table highlights notable late-round and undrafted Super Bowl-winning starting quarterbacks, rather than providing an exhaustive ranking.
Why Are Late-Round Quarterbacks Successful in the NFL?
Although first-round quarterbacks receive considerable attention, draft position doesn’t always determine long-term success.
Several factors can contribute to the development of a successful late-round quarterback:
- Player development: Quarterbacks can improve their decision-making, accuracy and understanding of NFL defenses over time.
- Coaching: Strong offensive systems and experienced coaching staffs can help quarterbacks maximize their abilities.
- Opportunity: Injuries, roster changes and competition can create opportunities for overlooked players.
- Team support: Effective offensive lines, running games and defenses can help quarterbacks compete for championships.
- Experience: Quarterbacks who spend several seasons developing can eventually become reliable NFL starters.
Johnson, Brady, Starr and Warner each followed different paths to championship success, demonstrating that NFL Draft position is not the only predictor of quarterback performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the lowest overall draft pick to start and win a Super Bowl?
Brad Johnson was selected 227th overall in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He started and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Has an undrafted quarterback ever won a Super Bowl?
Yes. Kurt Warner went undrafted in 1994 and later led the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.
What round was Tom Brady drafted in?
Tom Brady was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft with the 199th overall pick by the New England Patriots.
Who was the latest-round quarterback drafted to win a Super Bowl?
Bart Starr was selected in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowls I and II with the Green Bay Packers.
Which late-round quarterback has won the most Super Bowls?
Tom Brady holds the record with seven Super Bowl championships after being drafted in the sixth round.
Final Takeaway
Brad Johnson is the lowest overall draft pick to start at quarterback and win a Super Bowl, having been selected 227th overall in 1992 before leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a championship in 2003.
However, Kurt Warner’s success as an undrafted quarterback, Bart Starr’s selection in the 17th round and Tom Brady’s seven championships as a sixth-round pick show that NFL greatness isn’t limited to first-round selections.
These quarterbacks remain examples of how overlooked prospects can become Super Bowl champions.