2020 NFL Draft: 4 Reasons Why Cincinnati Should Not Take Joe Burrow 1st Overall

Why do teams need to avoid taking a quarterback early, much less No. 1 overall? NFL draft history isn’t kind.

NFL Draft History, Part 1

Who did Arizona pass over for Kyler Murray last year? Nick Bosa.

Murray looks promising, but Bosa – okay, it was just one year – looks like he’ll be fitted for a yellow jacket someday.

Who did Cleveland ignore to take Baker Mayfield? Saquon Barkley.

Let’s be fair – Murray and Mayfield are just getting started. They still have plenty of time to be special.

In 2016, the Rams and Eagles worked to get Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, respectively. They also passed on Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott.

Considering Cam Newton is no longer a Carolina Panther, do you think the franchise would’ve rather had Von Miller, who went second overall in 2011?

In 2007, the Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell. They passed on Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas to do it, and in 2002 the Houston Texans grabbed David Carr with the No. 1 overall pick and didn’t take Julius Peppers.

Occasionally the quarterback was absolutely the right call at the 1, even if he didn’t win the franchise a Super Bowl.

Matthew Stafford was a great pick in 2009 over Jason Smith. Andrew Luck was obvious for Indianapolis – and even with the early retirement, correct – over Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson, and Cincinnati nailed the Carson Palmer pick in 2003 over Charles Rogers.

But in 1990, Indy took Jeff George, and Cortez Kennedy went two picks later.

And that leads to this …

NEXT: Who is Cincinnati passing over to take Joe Burrow?