The remaining NFL playoff starting QBs were seven first-round picks and a second-round pick

The eight teams left in the playoffs show how important it is to prioritize the quarterback when building a winning team.

All eight starting quarterbacks still in the playoffs were high draft picks, with seven in the first round and one in the second.

The two remaining quarterbacks were taken first overall, who were traded for each other: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions took Stafford first overall in 2009, the Rams took Goff first overall in 2016, and they traded for each other (with the Lions also getting two first-round picks) in 2021. With the Rams winning the Super Bowl in In Stafford’s first season, and Goff leading the Lions to two of their best seasons in franchise history over the last two years, it’s a trade both teams are happy they made.

And the other six playoff teams are glad they picked their quarterbacks when they did.

Washington’s Jayden Daniels was the second overall pick in 2024. Houston’s CJ Stroud was the second overall pick in 2023. Buffalo’s Josh Allen was the seventh overall pick in 2018. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes was the 10th pick in 2017. Lamar Baltimore was Lamar Jackson. The 32nd overall pick in 2018. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, the only second-round pick, was the 53rd overall pick in 2020.

There’s more than one way to build a winner in the NFL, but there’s one move that’s more important than any other when building a roster: hitting the right guard.