The Browns had high hopes when they picked defensive end Courtney Brown out of Penn State first overall in 2000. As a rookie, he showed promise, playing in all 16 games and tallying 69 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Unfortunately, injuries slowed him down, and he never became the dominant force Cleveland envisioned.
Michael Vick brought a whole new level of excitement when the Falcons took him first overall in 2001. His rookie year was more of a learning experience, he played in eight games and started two, throwing for 785 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His rushing ability was on display, adding 289 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The Texans, in their first-ever draft, picked quarterback David Carr from Fresno State. He was immediately thrown into the fire, starting all 16 games. He passed for 2,592 yards with nine touchdowns but also threw 15 interceptions. The biggest problem? He got sacked 76 times, an NFL rookie record that made life rough for him.
The Bengals took USC’s Carson Palmer first overall, but fans had to wait to see him play. Unlike most No. 1 picks, Palmer didn’t take a single snap in his rookie year. When he finally got his shot in 2004, he quickly showed why he was worth the wait.
The 2004 draft was famous for Eli Manning refusing to play for the Chargers, leading to a draft-day trade that sent him to the Giants. His rookie season had its struggles. He played nine games, starting seven, throwing for 1,043 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions. It was a rough start, but things worked out pretty well for him in the long run.
Coming out of Utah, Alex Smith was seen as a potential franchise quarterback for San Francisco. His rookie season, though, was a disaster. He played in nine games, starting seven, but threw just one touchdown compared to 11 interceptions. It took years for him to develop, but he eventually found success later in his career.
The Texans shocked many by picking defensive end Mario Williams, but they saw something special in the NC State product. As a rookie, he started all 16 games and recorded 47 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Though his first year wasn’t dominant, he developed into a top-tier pass rusher.
The Raiders took a big gamble selecting LSU’s JaMarcus Russell, but it quickly turned into one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He barely played as a rookie, appearing in just four games with one start. He threw for 373 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. His lack of work ethic doomed his career.
Unlike most No. 1 picks, Jake Long wasn’t a quarterback. He was a dominant offensive tackle from Michigan. Miami took him first overall in 2008, and he immediately made an impact, starting all 16 games as a rookie. His outstanding play earned him a Pro Bowl selection, proving he was worth the pick.
The Lions, coming off an infamous 0-16 season, needed a fresh start, and they found it with Georgia’s Matthew Stafford. His rookie year had ups and downs. He played in 10 games, starting all of them, throwing for 2,267 yards with 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also set a rookie record with five touchdown passes in one game against Cleveland.
