The first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, had many top-ranked Black players joining different franchises but none at quarterback and only one selected in the draft’s seven rounds.
Two quarterbacks were selected in the first 13 picks, but No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza form Indiana Universi ty is Cuban-American, while University of Alabama QB Ty Simpson, identifies as white, according to ESPN.
Ebony reports that
this is the first time in a decade when no Black quarterbacks were selected in the first round and noted that this draft could mark a shift away from the modern dominance of Black quarterbacks currently in the league. The sole Black quarterback drafted, Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 182nd pick.Black QBs from Patrick Mahomes to Jalen Hurts have seen NFL success with Super Bowl rings to match. Their rise in popularity has paved the way for future Black quarterbacks to become the faces of NFL franchises.
Prior to this, the NFL has long struggled with a Black quarterback problem. Not only has the league received backlash for its alleged racial bias in drafting for the position but in their treatment and perception of these players’ leadership abilities and skillset.
According to the National Urban League,
it took the league nearly a century for all 32 teams to have started at least one Black quarterback, a feat only accomplished in 2017.However, Black QBs have received more representation in the league in recent years. A record number of 16 even started during the 2025 season.
This record may not improve next fall, especially with Black quarterbacks left out of the star recruits from this year’s draft. The draft’s results could even trigger a decline in new ones making it into the league, and starting.
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