NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking Every NFL Team's 1st-Round Draft Success
Some teams just can't seem to get it right.
Others are pretty masterful when it comes to first round picks in the NFL Draft. Look through their lists of first round picks, and it's been littered with current starters and Hall of Famers.
Baltimore is a perfect example: In 1996 alone, its two first-round picks were guard Jonathan Ogden at No. 4, then middle linebacker Ray Lewis with the 26th pick.
Two centerpieces, two All-Pros and two future Hall of Famers without a doubt.
With that in mind, ask yourself this: Which teams have had the best first round success in the draft? Trying to rank that isn't easy. In many cases, some teams totally bomb on first rounders, but then draft smart and get their stars in later rounds.
Let's consider some factors before going any further. Every team has had misses, but some are bigger than others, and some teams have had numerous misses. That will cause some teams to slip down this list. I try to also reward teams for consistently solid picks, whether they're stars or blue-collar role players.
The Kevlar is back on, and I'm ready for your comments. Tell me what you think.
32. Cincinnati Bengals
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Yes, they've had some home runs with Carson Palmer, Anthony Munoz and Takeo Spikes.
This is the same Bengals team though that went after David Klingler (1992), Ki-Jana Carter (1995), Akili Smith (1999), Peter Warrick (2000) and Chris Perry (2004).
A losing culture exists there. So does an incompetent one.
31. Detroit Lions
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Hey, when the Lions have hit, they've done quite well.
I can't include the China Doll just yet. We'll see how Matthew Stafford does when he returns to the field. But this is the same team that drafted Army halfback Glenn Davis (1947), Y.A. Tittle (1948), Otto Graham (1944), Florida tackle Lomas Brown (1985), Barry Sanders (1989) and Ndamukong Soh last year.
At the same time, let's not forget the blunders like Andre Ware (1990), Joey Harrington (2002), Charles Rogers (2003) and Roy Williams (2004).
30. Carolina Panthers
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Got to give the Panthers credit for landing Julius Peppers, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
At the same time, Tim Biakabutuka (pictured), Rae Carruth and Jason Peter never amounted to much.
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Keep in mind the Jags did hit on some quality players like Fred Taylor (1998), Byron Leftwich (2003) and Marcedes Lewis (2006).
Who did they also go for? Remember the highly overrated Kevin Hardy back in 1996? Or how about R. Jay Soward in 2000? Of course, we all know how Matt Jones turned out.
28. Seattle Seahawks
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Go back and look through past drafts, and the Seahawks have some quality first round picks.
They did grab Shaun Alexander (pictured) back in 2000, who was one of the league's top running backs. Joey Galloway also became a talented wide receiver, and Russell Okung is one of the most talented young offensive linemen in the NFL.
You will wince, though, when you see some of the misses: Back in 1993, remember Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer? How about defensive end Lamar King in 1999, or tight end Jerramy Stephens?
27. Houston Texans
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The Texans did bomb with David Carr back in 2002, but they have hit on players like Andre Johnson (2003), Dunta Robinson (2004), Mario Williams (2006) and Brian Cushing in 2009.
Quality picks, but the franchise is still so young. Hard to justify ranking them real high when they really haven't built an extended track record of excellence or failure in the first round.
26. San Diego Chargers
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If it weren't for that Ryan Leaf pick back in 1998, I'd have San Diego higher.
That was just awful, though.
Keep in mind, San Diego's done quite well in the first round, landing players like Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow (1979), Junior Seau (1990), LaDainian Tomlinson (2001), Shawne Merriman (2005) and Antonio Cromartie (2006).
25. Arizona Cardinals
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Back when they were the Chicago Cardinals, the team selected former Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow from Texas A&M in the first round of the 1958 draft.
They also hit another home run in 1979 when they were the St. Louis Cardinals and took Ottis Anderson with the eighth overall pick. Other good selections include Larry Fitzgerald (2004), Leonard Davis (2001) and Thomas Jones (2000).
As for the busts, take your pick from Garrison Hearst, Andre Wadsworth, David Boston and Matt Leinart.ย
24. New Orleans Saints
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Have the Saints done good in the first round? I would say it's been all right.
They definitely hit on Archie Manning (1971), Willie Roaf (1993), Kyle Turley (1998) and Deuce McCallister in 2001.
What I noticed about the Saints in the first round is they went after a ton of players with so much potential coming out of college, but got hardly anything in return. To prove my point, just take a look back at Johnathan Sullivan, Will Smith, Jammal Brown, Chris Naeole and even Reggie Bush.
I think Ricky Williams showed off his talent when he was selected in 2006, but he had barely any supporting cast and also no support to help him through the rigors and demands of being the Saints' supposed savior. For a guy with social anxiety disorder, that spelled disaster.
23. Denver Broncos
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Denver is the perfect team to prove my point about getting great value in later rounds.
Some of their picks have been terrific, like Terrell Davis (sixth round, 1995), Trey Teague (seventh, 1998) and Mike Anderson (sixth, 2000). In 2006, they also took Elvis Dumervil in the fourth round as well as wide receiver Brandon Marshall. In 2008, running back Peyton Hillis was a seventh round selection.
Since we're talking about the first round, I do like those picks such as Steve Atwater (1989), Deltha O'Neal (2000) and Jay Cutler (2006).
The Broncos did tank it, though, when they selected Tommy Maddox back in 1992 and Ashley Lelie (pictured) in 2002.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
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I look back and definitely see some quality players like Jeremy Maclin (2009), Lito Sheppard (2002), Corey Simon (2000) and Donovan McNabb (1999).
Other than that, the Eagles' first round choices didn't stand out and really inspire me much compared to some other teams.
21. Oakland Raiders
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Before you start cussing me out and typing your rants down below, I've got to pay you Raider fans a compliment.
When they've done well, the Raiders have been exceptional in the first round. Really, they're in elite status.
Go back to 1967, when they took future Hall of Fame guard Gene Upshaw with the 17th pick. Four years later? That would be one Jack Tatum. Then came others like Marcus Allen (1982), Tim Brown (1988), Charles Woodson (1998) and Nnamdi Asomugha in 2003.
However, their busts are huge. Sorry Raider fans, but this is the same team that bombed on both Todd Marinovich and JaMarcus Russell. Throw in Robert Gallery, Phillip Buchanon and Napolean Kaufman, and I can't put the Raiders any higher.
I think I'm being pretty fair here.
20. San Francisco 49ers
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Their first round successes have been impressive.
Go back to the early 80s and you'll find names like Bubba Paris (1982), Roger Craig (1983) and of course wide receiver Jerry Rice (1985). Each of them were integral parts in the 49ers' dynasty. The current team also has some key parts to build on with Vernon Davis (2006), Patrick Willis (2007) and Michael Crabtree (2009).
However, their busts have been pretty bad. You can go back to Jim Druckenmiller in 1997, followed a year later with R.W. McQuarters, then Kwame Harris (2003), Rashaun Woods (2004) and Alex Smith (2005).
19. Washington Redskins
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Washington and San Francisco are very similar.
The Redskins have had some impressive selections, from legends like Hall of famers Sammy Baugh (1937), Charley Taylor (1964) and Art Monk (1980), to recent players like Champ Bailey (1999), LaVar Arrington (2000), LaRon Landry (2007) and Brian Orakpo (2009).
This is the same team, though, that bombed on Devin Thomas, Patrick Ramsey and Heath Shuler. The former Tennessee quarterback never lived up to his hype, and if Ramsey had put up numbers at a major school, the 'Skins would be lower.
I never thought a Tulane quarterback would dominate, though. Sounds bad, but it's true.ย
18. Cleveland Browns
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Tim Couch proved to be quite a bust after being taken first in 1999.
The Browns have had some great success in the first round, however, with names like Jim Brown (1957), both Clay Matthews and Ozzie Newsome in 1978, Eric Metcalf in 1989 and Gerard Warren in 2001.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
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Back in the day, I used to love it when Neil Smith would tear through a line, sack the quarterback then do his famous swing.
Smith (1988) was one of the Chiefs' many first round successes, along with Derrick Thomas (1989), Harvey Williams (1991), Tony Gonzalez (1997), Derrick Johnson (2005), Tamba Hali (2006), Dwayne Bowe (2007) and Eric Berry last year.
They have had some bad ones, though, like Ryan Sims.ย
16. St. Louis Rams
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When you draft players like Trung Canidate and Lawrence Phillips, you can't get too high on this list.
The Rams have more than made up for it in other years, taking the likes of Eric Dickerson (1983), Jerome Bettis (1993), Orlando Pace (1997), Torry Holt (1999), Steven Jackson (2004) and Sam Bradford last year.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Bucs have done fairly well actually in the first round.
In 1976, they went with future Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, then years later chose Vinny Testaverde in 1987. Vinny had a rough time in Tampa, but did have a long career in the NFL.
Other great picks by Tampa Bay have included Broderick Thomas (1989), Warrick Dunn (pictured, 1997), Warren Sapp (1995) and Anthony McFarland (1999).
14. Buffalo Bills
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That Aaron Maybin pick was a little off, I think.
I have to applaud Buffalo, though, because it's been impressive before in the first round, taking Hall of Famers like OJ Simpson (1969), Joe DeLamielleure (1973), Jim Kelly (1983) and Bruce Smith two years later out of Virginia Tech.
13. New York Jets
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One of the big misses in Jets' history came back in 1991, when they took quarterback Browning Nagle.
Nagle peaked in 1992, when he threw for 2,280 yards, but the rest of his career he never made it over 100 yards in a season. He also finished with eighth total touchdown passes. For his entire career.
Along with Nagle, New York's tanked it on Blair Thomas and Vernon Gholston.
Their successes are plentiful: John Riggins (1971), Aaron Glenn (1994), Kyle Brady (1995), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), James Farrior (1997), Shaun Ellis (2000), Santana Moss (2001), Darrelle Revis (2007) and Mark Sanchez (2009).
12. Green Bay Packers
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Drafting Tony Mandarich was just inexcusable.
Outside of that, Green Bay has a track record of success in the first round, with players like James Lofton (1978), Sterling Sharpe (1988), Javon Walker (2002), Bubba Franks (2000), Aaron Rodgers (2005), A.J. Hawk (2006) and B.J. Raji back in 2009.
11. Miami Dolphins
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If it weren't for busts like Ronnie Brown and Yatil Green, I'd probably move the Dolphins into my top 10.
They have done quite well in the first round, taking legends like Bob Griese (1967), Larry Csonka (1968) and Dan Marino with the 27th pick in the legendary 1983 class.
10. New York Giants
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Mark Ingram had a decent career, and Ron Dayne did absolutely nothing, really.
The Giants have done pretty well for the most part, though, taking legends like Frank Gifford and Lawrence Taylor in the first round, along with Phil Simms and Jeremy Shockey.
That's where many current starters were snagged, too, including Mathias Kiwanuka (2006), Aaron Ross (2007) and Hakeem Nicks (2009).
9. Tennessee Titans
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Pacman Jones and Vince Young keep the Titans at the bottom of the top 10.
Other than that, the Titans have hit home runs, especially back when they used to be the Houston Oilers. You've got three Hall of Famers in Earl Campbell (1978), current head coach Mike Munchak (1982) and Bruce Matthews (1983).
Along with them also came Steve McNair (1995), Eddie George (1996) and Chris Johnson (2008).
8. Chicago Bears
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Talk about a team of extremes.
The Bears have had some incredible busts like Curtis Enis, Cade McNown, Rashaan Salaam and Alonzo Spellman.
Their successes, though, are stunning.
Go back to 1961, when they chose Mike Ditka in the first round. Then there was Walter Payton (1975), Jim McMahon (1982), William Perry (1985), Brian Urlacher (2000) and Tommie Harris (2004).
Not to be forgotten: In 1965, the Bears had two first round picks. They didn't miss, either.
With one, they chose a linebacker from Illinois named Dick Butkus. The next went to a running back from Kansas named Gale Sayers.
7. Dallas Cowboys
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In three consecutive years, want to guess who the Cowboys went with in the first round?
It's an easy one. That would be Michael Irvin (1988), Troy Aikman (1989) and Emmitt Smith (1990).
The Triplets and countless others overshadow the dreadful picks like Shante Carver, David LaFleur, Dwayne Goodrich and Bobby Carpenter.
If you want to go way back, start in 1961 with Bob Lilly, followed by Lee Roy Jordan (1963), Too Tall Jones (1974), Randy White (1975) and Tony Dorsett (1977). Along with the legends are others like Russell Maryland and Alvin Harper, both drafted in 1991, DeMarcus Ware (2005) and Greg Ellis (1998).
There used to be a time when the Cowboys ruled at the draft. They scouted better than anyone. Now, some of their choices recently have been mind-boggling.
6. Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings don't mess around in the first round.
Go way back, and you'll find that's where they landed Hall of Famers Carl Eller (1964) and Randall McDaniel (1988).
Then came others like Chris Doleman (1985), Robert Smith (1993), Randy Moss (1998), Daunte Culpepper (1999), Chad Greenway (2006), Adrian Peterson (2007) and Percy Harvin (2009).
I remember thinking back then that Moss would land in Dallas, and when they snubbed him, I just knew he would punish them.
I also was skeptical about Culpepper, but he certainly proved me wrong.
5. Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts haven't been picture perfect in the first round. Keep in mind they did draft Jeff George and Steve Emtman.
For the most part, this is another impressive team. The year before taking George, they took Andre Rison and came back to get Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (1994), Marvin Harrison (1996), Peyton Manning (1998), Edgerrin James (1999) and Reggie Wayne (2001).
After that, they went on a tear. First came Dwight Freeney (2002), then tight end Dallas Clark (2003), defensive back Bob Sanders (2004), running back Joseph Addai (2006) and Anthony Gonzalez in 2007.
4. Baltimore Ravens
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As I mentioned before, the Ravens grabbed both Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in 1996.
It didn't stop there, as they went with running back Jamal Lewis (2000), followed by Todd Heap (2001), free safety Ed Reed (2002), Haloti Ngata (2006) and quarterback Joe Flacco in 2008.
If I'm a Ravens fan, I'd never worry at all about what the team does in the first round.
3. Atlanta Falcons
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If it's just good, solid football players you want, Atlanta's grabbed plenty like Lincoln Kennedy (1993), T.J. Duckett (2002), Keith Brooking (1998) and Tony Casillas (1986).
As for straight up ballers, how about this? They took Deion in 1989, got Michael Vick (2001), DeAngelo Hall (2004), Roddy White (2005) and most recently Matt Ryan back in 2008.
They all panned out pretty well, I'd say.
2. New England Patriots
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This isn't even the best part: Go back in the day, and you'll find the Patriots did pretty good selecting players like Irving Fryar (1984), Drew Bledsoe (1993), Willie McGinest (1994), Ty Law (1995) and Terry Glenn (1996).
She had a pretty good career, but now for the good stuff. Ready?
Check out New England's first round selections over the last 10 seasons: Daniel Graham (2002), Ty Warren (2003), Vince Wilfork (2004), Logan Mankins (2005), Laurence Maroney (2006), Brandon Meriweather (2007), Jerod Mayo (2008) and Devin McCourty last year.
Impressive, huh?
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
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They've got consistency, talent and Hall of Famers all wrapped up together.
How about this for a six-year run? In 1969, the team selected Joe Greene in the first round, followed by Terry Bradshaw (1970), Franco Harris (1972) and Lynn Swann (1974). They're all in Canton now.
Then came another four-year stretch recently where they added Troy Polamalu (2003), Big Ben (2004), Heath Miller (2005) and Santonio Holmes (2006).
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