Going first overall in the NFL Draft is supposed to mean you’re a franchise-changing superstar. But sometimes, all it guarantees is unrealistic hype and a massive paycheck.
From can’t-miss prospects who very much missed to guys who never lived up to the expectations, the history of No. 1 picks is filled with letdowns. These players were handed the keys to the league and barely got the car started.
11. Russell Maryland
He was solid, sure—but never really dominant like a No. 1 pick should be. Surrounded by talent in Dallas, he often blended in more than he stood out.
10. Ki-Jana Carter
Carter had speed, power, and Heisman hype—but his NFL career peaked before it even started. One preseason injury and he was never the same, stuck in the shadow of what could’ve been.
9. Alex Smith
Yes, he had a long career and a nice comeback story, but for a No. 1 overall pick, the ceiling was painfully low. He was more game manager than game changer.
8. David Carr
The Texans drafted Carr to be their guy, then handed him the worst offensive line imaginable. He got sacked into oblivion and never recovered, no matter how good his hair looked in commercials.
7. Steve Emtman
Touted as a dominant defensive force out of college, Emtman couldn’t stay on the field long enough to prove it. Injuries wrecked his career before it ever really got started.
6. Baker Mayfield
The swagger was there, the consistency was not. Baker had a few flashes but never quite lived up to his own hype—or the commercials.
5. Tim Couch
Cleveland needed a hero, and they got… Tim Couch. He took a beating behind a bad line and never became the cornerstone the Browns hoped for.
4. Jeff George
George had all the arm talent in the world, but couldn’t put it together between the ears. He bounced around the league, leaving frustration in his wake wherever he went.
3. Courtney Brown
Another Browns misfire, Brown was supposed to dominate the trenches for years. Instead, injuries and inconsistency made him nearly forgettable.
Read More: 15 NFL First-Round Picks Who Were Basically Just Combine Hype
2. Sam Bradford
He looked the part of a top pick, but never quite delivered anything beyond checkdowns and cautious play. Injuries didn’t help, but even when healthy, Bradford felt more like a placeholder than a star. Maybe he’ll turn things around in Seattle.
Read More: 15 NFL First-Round Picks Who Should’ve Never Heard Their Name That Early
1. JaMarcus Russell
The arm strength was legendary, but unfortunately, so was the laziness. Russell looked the part but played like someone who wanted to be anywhere else but on the field.
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