😱 What Happened to the #1 Picks? A Journey of Triumph and Tragedy! 😱

The NFL Draft is a pivotal moment for teams, especially for the organization that secures the first overall pick.

Since the year 2000, we have seen a diverse array of talents emerge from this position, each with their own unique story.

Let’s kick things off by revisiting the 2000 NFL Draft, where the Cleveland Browns found themselves in dire need of help after finishing the previous season with a dismal 2-14 record.

With a roster that included only a few recognizable names like Tim Couch and Phil Dawson, the Browns opted for defensive end Courtney Brown from Penn State with the first overall pick.

Brown had an impressive college career, being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

However, his NFL career quickly took a downturn due to injuries, limiting him to just 26 games over three seasons, and he recorded only eight sacks.

After being released by the Browns, he signed with the Denver Broncos but failed to make a significant impact, ultimately ending his career without much fanfare.

The year 2001 brought a different narrative as the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Vick.

Vick was seen as a game-changer, and after a rocky start backing up Chris Chandler, he exploded onto the scene in 2002, leading the Falcons to an impressive 9-6-1 record.

His unique style of play revolutionized the quarterback position, and he became the first quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

However, his career was marred by a dog-fighting scandal that led to a two-year suspension.

After his return, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had a brief resurgence, earning Pro Bowl honors before eventually retiring in 2016.

In 2002, the Houston Texans made their inaugural draft pick, selecting quarterback David Carr.

Unfortunately, Carr’s tenure in Houston was plagued by a poor offensive line, leading him to be sacked more than any other quarterback during his time there.

Despite showing flashes of potential, he never found sustained success and eventually moved to the Carolina Panthers, where he also struggled.

Carr later won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants, but his career was largely viewed as a disappointment.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted quarterback Carson Palmer first overall in 2003, and while he didn’t play during his rookie season, he came into his own in 2005, leading the Bengals to an 11-5 record.

Injuries hampered his career, particularly a devastating ACL tear during a playoff game.

Palmer eventually found success with the Arizona Cardinals, leading them to a 13-3 record in 2015, but he too faced injury setbacks that plagued his career.

Eli Manning was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2004 but famously refused to play for them, resulting in a trade to the New York Giants.

Manning’s career is highlighted by two Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, cementing his legacy as a clutch performer.

He retired in 2020 and has since engaged in various business ventures and media appearances.

In 2005, the San Francisco 49ers selected Alex Smith, whose career began poorly with one touchdown and 11 interceptions in his rookie season.

However, he eventually found success, particularly with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he made three Pro Bowls.

Smith’s career took a tragic turn when he suffered a horrific leg injury in 2018 but made a miraculous comeback to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2020 before retiring.

In 2006, the Texans opted for defensive end Mario Williams, who became a dominant force on the field, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and eventually signing with the Buffalo Bills.

He retired after a successful career but faced legal issues post-retirement.

The 2007 draft saw the Raiders select JaMarcus Russell, who became one of the biggest busts in NFL history due to a lack of work ethic and poor performance.

After a brief stint in the league, Russell attempted a comeback but never returned to the NFL.

In 2008, the Miami Dolphins selected offensive tackle Jake Long, who had an impressive start with four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances but struggled with injuries later in his career.

He spent time with several teams before retiring and has focused on family life since.

The Detroit Lions drafted quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2009, who faced a challenging start due to injuries but eventually became a prolific passer, leading the team to numerous playoff appearances.

His career reached new heights when he won the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, solidifying his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

In 2010, the Rams selected Sam Bradford, who had a promising rookie season but faced a series of injuries that hampered his development.

He later played for the Eagles and Vikings but never reached the heights expected of a number one pick.

Cam Newton was the first overall pick in 2011, and he quickly became a star, winning the MVP award in 2015 and leading the Panthers to the Super Bowl.

However, injuries derailed his career in subsequent years, and after a stint with the Patriots, he has not played in the NFL since 2021.

Andrew Luck was taken by the Colts in 2012 and had an immediate impact, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances before retiring unexpectedly in 2019 due to injuries.

He has since focused on family life and coaching youth football.

In 2013, the Chiefs selected offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who became a key player on the offensive line and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2020.

However, injuries have impacted his later career, and he is currently a free agent.

The Texans selected Jadeveon Clowney first overall in 2014, and while he had a strong start with the Texans, injuries plagued his career, leading to stints with several teams.

He played a significant role in the Ravens’ defense in 2022 before becoming a free agent again.

Jameis Winston was the first pick in 2015, and while he had a strong rookie season, his career has been marked by inconsistency and off-field issues.

He currently serves as a backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

The Rams took Jared Goff first overall in 2016, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018, but he was traded to the Lions after a disappointing performance in the playoffs.

Goff has since found success in Detroit, leading the team to a promising season.

Miles Garrett was selected by the Browns in 2017 and has emerged as one of the league’s top defensive players, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections.

Baker Mayfield was the first pick in 2018, and while he led the Browns to their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades, his career has been a rollercoaster ride, with recent success as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kyler Murray was drafted by the Cardinals in 2019 and had a promising start, but injuries have impacted his performance in recent seasons.

Joe Burrow was taken first overall by the Bengals in 2020 and quickly established himself as a franchise quarterback, leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2022.

Trevor Lawrence was the first pick in 2021, and after a challenging rookie season under Urban Meyer, he showed significant improvement in 2022, leading the Jaguars to the playoffs.

In 2022, the Jaguars selected Trayvon Walker, who has shown promise but has not yet reached the level of impact expected from a number one pick.

Finally, Bryce Young was taken by the Panthers in 2023, but his rookie season was marred by struggles, raising questions about the team’s future direction.

As we look ahead to 2024, the Bears hold the first overall pick, and speculation is rife about who they will select.

The journey of these #1 picks illustrates the unpredictability of the NFL Draft, where success is never guaranteed, and every selection carries the weight of expectations.