NFL Draft 2011: Ranking Every Number One Overall Draft Pick Since 2001
Since 2001, there have been 10 NFL drafts, meaning 10 different teams have had an opportunity to select the next "franchise player" to turn their team around.
The following 10 slides will look at the players drafted, grading them from worst to best.
As some of these players have not had much time to prove themselves in the NFL, a few of these rankings will be based solely off of projection for the future.
10. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback, 2007-2009
1 of 10
JaMarcus Russell is the worst number one overall pick in the history of the National Football League.
He had a terrible work ethic and horrendous conditioning. He reportedly weighed close to 300 pounds near the end of his playing career.
In three seasons, he completed 52.1 percent of his passes for 4083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His passer rating was 65.2 and he won seven of 25 starts.
After he was released by the Raiders, Russell was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. His life coach, former NBA player John Lucas, recently severed all ties with Russell and told him to leave the Houston area, citing his poor work ethic as the reason.
9. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback, 2005-Present
2 of 10
Smith still has time to prove himself before he is labeled as a complete bust, but it's not looking good for him right now.
He's thrown 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions in his six seasons, including a one-touchdown, 11-interception performance as a rookie, while posting a very mediocre 72.1 passer rating. He's won just 16 of his 40 starts and spent a lot of 2010 alternating starts with Troy Smith.
Smith might have a year or two left to prove himself.
8. David Carr, Houston Texans, Quarterback, 2002-Present
3 of 10
Carr was put into a no-win situation. He was selected by the expansion Houston Texans and was sacked 76 times in his rookie season, an NFL record.
He started for five seasons, throwing 59 touchdowns against 65 interceptions. He posted a 75.5 passer rating and never won more than seven games in a season.
He has been a backup for the past four seasons, with the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, but will likely be out of football in a year or two.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Quarterback, 2009-Present
4 of 10
Stafford has only started in 13 games during his two seasons in the league.
He made 10 starts as a rookie, throwing 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. His highlight was a five-touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns, which included a walk-off touchdown pass to win the game on the final play of regulation despite a severely separated shoulder.
He made just three starts in 2010 but injured his right shoulder twice. Health problems are definitely a concern for the Lions' quarterback, who is already being labeled by some as a bust.
6. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback, 2010-Present
5 of 10
Bradford started all 16 games for the Rams in the 2010 season, leading the Rams to seven wins, a six-win improvement from the previous year.
He tossed 18 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, while throwing for 3512 yards, and a rookie-record 354 completions.
He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Bradford has the potential to rank as high as number one on this list.
5. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback, 2002-Present
6 of 10
Everybody knows the Michael Vick story. After the Falcons selected him with the number one overall pick before the 2002 season, he led the team to postseason appearances in 2002 and 2004.
He became arguably the most exciting quarterback in the league, rushing for a QB-record 1039 yards in 2006. He ranks second among quarterbacks with 4630 career rushing yards.
After spending the 2007 and 2008 seasons in prison, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2010, he revived his NFL career by throwing for 21 touchdowns, rushing for nine scores, and earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Vick could easily move up several spots on this list before his career ends.
4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback, 2003-Present
7 of 10
Despite eight relatively successful seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals' starting quarterback, Palmer hasn't been able to lead the Bengals to a deep playoff run, or even a postseason victory. The team reached the playoffs in 2005 and 2007.
Palmer was named a Pro Bowl in 2005 and 2006. He has thrown 154 touchdowns against just 100 interceptions in his career, for a passer rating of 86.9.
However, he has talked his way out of Cincinnati and will be playing elsewhere next season, unless he chooses to retire.
3. Eli Manning, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback, 2004-Present
8 of 10
Traded to the New York Giants immediately after he was drafted, Eli has thrown 156 touchdowns against 113 interceptions in his seven-year career. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2008.
Manning has never missed a start due to injury in his career. He has led the Giants to at least eight wins in all six full seasons as the team's quarterback.
In 2007, Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl title, completing an improbably postseason run by defeating the undefeated New England Patriots on a late 83-yard game-winning touchdown drive. He was named MVP of the game.
2. Mario Williams, Houston Texans, Defensive End, 2006-Present
9 of 10
The 6'7", 295-pound Mario Williams was shockingly selected over Reggie Bush with the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Amazingly, the Houston Texans made the better decision.
In five seasons, Williams has been named to two Pro Bowls. He has 48 career sacks, including a career-high of 14 in 2007.
He's missed just three games in five seasons and is one of the ten best defensive ends in the league.
1. Jake Long, Offensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins, 2008-Present
10 of 10
Just three offensive tackles have been selected as the number one overall pick in a draft: Ron Yary, Orlando Pace and Jake Long. Yary is in the Hall of Fame, Pace will be inducted in his first year of eligibility and Long will probably join them one day.
In three seasons, Long has established himself as one of the elite offensive linemen in the NFL. He's made all 48 starts and has been selected to three Pro Bowls.
He was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2009 and a First-Team All-Pro in 2010. He was rated as the second best offensive linemen in the league after his second season.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
