Analyzing The Last 26 First Overall NFL Draft Picks

The NFL Draft has always been an opportunity for teams to improve their situation from the previous season. The first overall pick is always the most scrutinized and crucial decision an NFL owner and coach have to make. It can make or break a team for years to come, and has been the reason for unbelievable success, as well as failure. This slideshow will depict every first overall draft pick since 1985 and the stats they accumulated. 

*Tackles and some defensive stats could be inaccurate before 2001 season

(1985) Bruce Smith: Buffalo Bills

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Bruce Smith acknowledges Buffalo Bills fans during the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

College: Virginia Tech

112 tackles

200 sacks

11 x Pro Bowl selection

2 x AP Defensive Player of the Year

Elected to NFL Hall of Fame

(1986) Bo Jackson: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 4: Former Auburn Tigers player Bo Jackson looks into the crowd during the 2010 SEC Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

College: Auburn

Jackson played in the MLB as well as the NFL. He signed a contract with the Kansas City Royals and never played a game with the Buccaneers. He signed with Al Davis and the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987, where he played only until 1990.

1 x Pro Bowl selection

2,782 rushing yards

16 touchdowns

Only player to be named to both MLB All-Star game and Pro Bowl.

(1987) Vinny Testaverde: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde of the Carolina Panthers warms up before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium December 30, 2007 in Tampa, Florida. The Panthers won 31 - 23 and Testaverde announced his ret

College: Miami (Fla.)

46,233 passing yards

275 touchdowns

267 interceptions

2 x Pro Bowl selection

21 NFL seasons

(1988) Aundray Bruce: Atlanta Falcons

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

8 Aug 1996: Defensive lineman Aundray Bruce of the Oakland Raiders looks on during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Seahawks won the game, 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greu

College: Auburn

32 sacks

4 interceptions

 11 NFl seasons

(1989) Troy Aikman: Dallas Cowboys

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and FOX broadcaster looks on before the Houston Texans play the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

College: UCLA

32,942 passing yards

165 touchdowns

3 x Super Bowl Champion

NFL Hall of Fame Inductee

(1990) Jeff George: Indianapolis Colts

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL- DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Jeff George #11 of the Chicago Bears warms-up for the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium on December 12, 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won the game 22-3. (Photo by Scott Haller

College: Illinois

27,602 passing yards

154 touchdowns

113 interceptions

80.4 QB rating

(1991) Russel Maryland: Dallas Cowboys

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

15 Sep 1996: Defensive lineman Russell Maryland of the Oakland Raiders looks on during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game, 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn

College: Miami (Fla.)

1 x Pro Bowl selection

24.5 sacks

375 tackles*

9 forced fumbles

(1992) Steve Emtman: Indianapolis Colts

Gary Newkirk/Getty Images

1 Nov 1992: Defensive lineman Steve Emtman of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during a game against the San Diego Chargers at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers won the game, 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk /Allsport

College: Washington

134 tackles*

8 sacks

1 interception

6 NFL seasons

(1993) Drew Bledsoe: New England Patriots

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

IRVING, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe #11 of the Dallas Cowboys during the game against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium on October 23, 2006 in Irving, Texas. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 36-22. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

College: Washington State

44,671 yards

251 touchdowns

4 x Pro Bowl selection

Super Bowl champion

(1994) Dan Wilkinson: Cincinnati Bengals

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson watches play against the St. Louis Rams on August 31, 2006, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. Miami won the game 29-9. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

College: Ohio State

385 tackles*

56.5 sacks

5 interceptions

(1995) Ki-Jana Carter: Cincinnati Bengals

Harry How/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Ki-Jana Carter #32 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. Saints defeated the Rams 28-25 in overt

College: Penn State

1,144 rushing yards

3.6 Yards per Carry

20 touchdowns

(1996) Keyshawn Johnson: New York Jets

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 10: Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the Carolina Panthers gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the New York Giants on December 10, 2006, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo By Grant Halverson/

College: Southern California

818 receptions

10,571 receiving yards

64 touchdowns

3 x Pro Bowl selection

(1997) Orlando Pace: St. Louis Rams

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - AUGUST 22: Orlando Pace #76 of the Chicago Bears watches from the sidelines as his teammates take on the New York Giants during a pre-season game on August 22, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Giants 17-3. (Phot

College: Ohio State

165 games started

7 fumble recoveries

Named to 2000 All-Decade Team

(1998) Peyton Manning: Indianapolis Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17

College: Tennessee

54,828 passing yards

399 touchdown passes

94.9 QB rating

Super Bowl champion

(1999) Tim Couch: Cleveland Browns

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Tim Couch #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up for play against the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on August 11, 2007 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

College: Kentucky

64 touchdowns

67 interceptions

11,131 passing yards

75.1 QB rating

(2000) Courtney Brown: Cleveland Browns

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 21: Defensive lineman Courtney Brown #92 of the Cleveland Browns watches the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 21, 2003 in San Francisco, California. The Browns defeated the 49ers 13-12. (Phot

College: Penn State

156 tackles

19 sacks

6 forced fumbles

(2001) Michael Vick: Atlanta Falcons

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotma

College: Virginia Tech

93 passing touchdowns, 32 rushing touchdowns

14,609 pass yards, 4,640 rushing yards

4 x Pro Bowl selection

(2002) David Carr: Houston Texans

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: David Carr #5 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

College: Fresno State

65 touchdowns

71 interceptions

14,433 passing yards

74.9 QB rating

(2003) Carson Palmer: Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

College: Southern California

154 touchdowns

22,694 pass yards

86.9 QB rating

(2004) Eli Manning: San Diego Chargers (Traded To New York Giants)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

College: Mississippi

155 touchdowns

22,102 pass yards

80.4 QB rating

(2005) Alex Smith: San Francisco 49ers

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

College: Utah

51 touchdowns

53 interceptions

9,399 pass yards

(2006) Mario Williams: Houston Texans

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans in action during the game against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

College: North Carolina State

230 tackles

48 sacks

2 x Pro Bowl selection

(2007) JaMarcus Russell: Oakland Raiders

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on January 3, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

College: LSU

18 touchdowns

23 interceptions

4,083 passing yards

65.2 QB rating

(2008) Jake Long: Miami Dolphins

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: Offensive lineman Jake Long #77 of the Miami Dolphins warms up just prior to the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 27, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

College: Michigan

3 x Pro Bowl selection

48 games started/0 games missed

1 x All-Pro selection

(2009) Matthew Stafford: Detroit Lions

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - AUGUST 22: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws to a reciever against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of their NFL game in Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 22, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Gett

College: Georgia

19 touchdowns

21 interceptions

2,802 pass yards

67.1 QB rating

(2010) Sam Bradford: St. Louis Rams

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

College: Oklahoma

18 touchdowns

3,512 passing yards

76.5 QB rating