The NFL draft, as we know it, began in 2002, when the arrival of the Houston Texans expanded each round to 32 picks. Eighteen drafts have been conducted since, leaving a fun sample size that we can construct a dream first round from.
So who was the best No. 1 pick? The best No. 12? Best 23? We analyzed each selection spot from 1 to 32 to see which teams were able to make the most of being on the clock.
1. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (2011)
This pick almost has to be a quarterback, and no non-QBs make a really good case for saying otherwise. But which quarterback?
Eli Manning was No. 1 in 2004, but the Chargers had to immediately trade him to the Giants. Andrew Luck (2012) was great but retired before he could achieve any of the big things predicted for him. Matthew Stafford (2009), Carson Palmer (2003) and Alex Smith (2005) had nice long careers, but nothing extraordinary. Jameis Winston (2015) and Jared Goff (2016) have underwhelmed, and it’s too early to make a judgment on Baker Mayfield (2018) or Kyler Murray (2019).
Sam Bradford (2010), David Carr (2002) and JaMarcus Russell (2007)?
No, just no.
That leaves Cam Newton, who’s been the face of the Panthers for a decade, winning the MVP in 2015 and taking the team to the Super Bowl in 2015.
He’s not exactly a Peyton Manning or John Elway-type pick, but it’s the best we’ve got.