2011 NFL Draft: NFL History, a List of the Last 15 QBs to Go No. 1

Without question, quarterback is the most glamorous position on a football team.

They are the foundation of a franchise.

Within the game, quarterbacks are an integral part of the offense.

Working in tandem with their coach, they mastermind and execute plays.

As the most visible part of any team, they are always under scrutiny and constantly personify the team itself.

Quarterbacks must work hard to maintain their reputations and perform at the highest level.

When draft time comes, quality quarterbacks are highly sought-after. The ability to play under pressure is a vital part of a great quarterback's makeup. 

Some live up to the expectation and some surpass it.

Other just come up short.

2010: The St. Louis Rams Select, Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford also holds the NCAA record for most touchdown passes by a freshman quarterback; not a surprise that he earned praise for his first season in the NFL.

He set the record for most completions by a rookie in NFL history and just missed out on taking the 7-9 Rams to the playoffs on the final day of the season.

Career Resume

Still active after one NFL season.

Still with the team that drafted him.

2009: The Detroit Lions Select, Matthew Stafford

He was one of four rookie starters for the Lions in the season opener against New Orleans, and was the first Lions rookie quarterback to start the season since 1968.

On November 22, 2009, Stafford threw five touchdowns in a 38-37 win over the Browns, becoming the youngest quarterback ever to do so.

The former record-holder: Dan Marino.

Career Resume

Still active after two NFL seasons.

Still with the team that drafted him.

2007: The Oakland Raiders Select, JaMarcus Russell

Russell's arm strength and size were impressive. Several teams salivated after his performance at that year's NFL Combine. Experts predicted that it would be difficult to pass up on Russell at No. 1. The Raiders didn't.

His tenure with the Oakland Raiders was the shortest tenure with the drafting team among quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

Among those quarterbacks, Russell has the worst starting record.

Career Resume

Played for one NFL team for three NFL seasons.

Last played for the Oakland Raiders in 2009.

2005: The San Francisco 49ers Select, Alex Smith

Mike Nolan thought very highly of Alex Smith. The then-head coach, known for his strong personality, thought Smith to be cerebral, introspective and non-confrontational.

Nolan also evaluated Aaron Rodgers but did not believe that Rodgers' attitude could co-exist with him.

Career Resume

Still active after six NFL seasons.

Still with the team that drafted him.

2004: The San Diego Chargers Select, Eli Manning

Eli was the most highly-coveted player in that year's draft. San Diego was intent on drafting him first overall despite his public statements that he would refuse to play for the Chargers. They selected him with the first pick overall nonetheless as the team had a deal in place with the New York GIants.

The deal had the Giants draft Philips Rivers and then trade him along with draft picks.

Subsequently, San Diego used those picks to draft Shawne Merriman and Nate Keading.

Career Resume

Still active after seven NFL seasons; one Pro Bowl; one Super Bowl win.

Traded on draft day; has only played for one team.

2003: The Cincinnati Bengals Select, Carson Palmer

Unlike most quarterbacks drafted first overall, Carson did not play at all during his rookie season.

Palmer learned the position during games and in practice under veteran quarterback Jon Kitna, who signed with the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent in 2001.

It was Kitna who took every snap during the 2003 season. 

Career Resume

Still active after eight NFL seasons; two Pro Bowls

Currently with the team that drafted him.

2002: The Houston Texans Select, David Carr

With the first overall pick of 2002 NFL Draft, the expansion Houston Texans selected Carr. He would go on to start all but four games for the team in its first five years. Carr's professional career began on a productive note though as Houston became just the second expansion team to win their first game.

Career Resume

Still active after nine NFL seasons.

Has played for four NFL teams; currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

2001: The Atlanta Falcons Select, Michael Vick

Superstardom, then jail time, and right back to superstardom. By now, we all know his story. However, only time will tell how it ends.

Career Resume

Still active after eight NFL seasons; four Pro Bowls.

Has played for two NFL teams; currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

1999: The Cleveland Browns Select, Tim Couch

In Cleveland, he was immediately pegged as the next "Golden Boy" quarterback. Couch's career was plagued by inconsistency and an inability to stay healthy, combined with an ego and an attitude, as many were left to believe he was uncoachable. 

In career resurrection attempts, he made offseason/practice squads in 2004 with the Green Bay Packers and again in 2007 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Career Resume

Played for one NFL team; six NFL seasons.

Last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2003.

1998: The Indianapolis Colts Select, Peyton Manning

Son of Archie and brother of Eli, Peyton currently holds NFL records for consecutive seasons with 4,000+ yards passing and the most total seasons with 4,000+ yards passing in a career.

Manning holds the sixth-highest career passer rating (94.9) in NFL history. He is also the all-time Colts franchise leader in career wins, career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and passing touchdowns.

Career Resume

Still active after 13 NFL seasons; 11 Pro Bowls; four NFL MVPs; one Super Bowl win.

Currently with the team that drafted him.

1993: The New England Patriots Select, Drew Bledsoe

Drafted out of Washington State, Bledsoe spent his first nine seasons with the Patriots, the next three with the Buffalo Bills and his final two with the Dallas Cowboys.

Rather than spend a 15th season standing on a sideline as a backup, quarterback Drew Bledsoe has decided to walk away from pro football.

Career Resume

Played for three NFL teams; 14 NFL seasons; four Pro Bowls; one Super Bowl win (thanks, Tom).

Last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006.

1990: The Indianapolis Colts Select, Jeff George

The Colts traded to draft George and then rewarded him with the richest rookie contract in NFL history.

While George spent time on active NFL rosters through 2006, he had not attempted a pass since the 2001 season with the Washington Redskins.

He made the offseason/practice squads in 2002 with the Seattle Seahawks, 2004 with the Chicago Bears and again in 2006 with the Oakland Raiders.

Career Resume

Played for five NFL teams; 13 NFL seasons.

Last played for the Washington Redskins in 2001.

1989: The Dallas Cowboys Select, Troy Aikman

Aikman's NFL career started with a 28–0 loss to the Saints and ended with a series of concussions and eventually, no one wanted to sign him.

But along the way, Troy Aikman was a steady performer throughout his career. No season really stands out as his best. He achieved his highest passing yardage total in 1992 (3,445 yards) and posted his highest passer rating in 1993 (99.0).

Career Resume

Played for one NFL team; 12 NFL seasons; six Pro Bowls; three Super Bowl wins.

2006 NFL Hall of Fame Class.

1987: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select, Vinny Testeverde

This former Heisman-winner has definitely made a case for himself as one of the true ironmen in the modern era of the NFL. 

Testaverde holds the NFL records for having thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive seasons, losses by a starting quarterback with 123 and for throwing touchdown passes to 70 different players.

Career Resume

Played for seven NFL teams; 21 NFL seasons; two Pro Bowls.

Last played for the Carolina Panthers in 2007.

1983:The Baltimore Colts Select, John Elway

In the 1983 NFL Draft, Elway was selected as the first overall pick by the Baltimore Colts. He didn't want to play for the Colts—who were then among the worst teams in the NFL—or their then-head coach, Frank Kush.

Having played two summers of minor league baseball for the New York Yankees, he threatened to play baseball full-time unless he was traded. Thankfully for the fans in Denver, the Colts gave in.

Career Resume

Played for one NFL team; 16 NFL seasons; 10 Pro Bowls; one NFL MVP; two Super Bowl wins.

2004 NFL Hall of Fame Class.