1 Vs. 2 Vs. 3 Vs. 4

[The Gipper]

What I am going to do here is to compare the quality of the draft positions made at each selection spot of the NFL draft, since the common AFL/NFL draft of 1967. This constitutes 45 draft spots. I have highlighted the Hall of Famers. The next post will be that list of #2 overall picks, and so on for the first 4 spots....or maybe I will do 5. Lets see how they compare.

1st overall picks:

 

1 2011 1 1 Cam Newton QB CAR Auburn

2 2010 1 1 Sam Bradford QB STL Oklahoma

3 2009 1 1 Matthew Stafford QB DET Georgia

4 2008 1 1 Jake Long T MIA Michigan

5 2007 1 1 JaMarcus Russell QB OAK LSU

6 2006 1 1 Mario Williams DE HOU North Carolina St.

7 2005 1 1 Alex Smith QB SFO Utah

8 2004 1 1 Eli Manning QB SDG Mississippi

9 2003 1 1 Carson Palmer QB CIN USC

10 2002 1 1 David Carr QB HOU Fresno St.

11 2001 1 1 Michael Vick QB ATL Virginia Tech

12 2000 1 1 Courtney Brown DE CLE Penn St.

13 1999 1 1 Tim Couch QB CLE 1999 2003 Kentucky

14 1998 1 1 Peyton Manning QB IND Tennessee

15 1997 1 1 Orlando Pace T STL 1997 2009 Ohio St.

16 1996 1 1 Keyshawn Johnson WR NYJ USC

17 1995 1 1 Ki-Jana Carter RB CIN Penn St.

18 1994 1 1 Dan Wilkinson DT CIN 1994 Ohio St.

19 1993 1 1 Drew Bledsoe QB NWE Washington St.

20 1992 1 1 Steve Emtman DE IND Washington

21 1991 1 1 Russell Maryland DT DAL Miami (FL)

22 1990 1 1 Jeff George QB IND Illinois

23 1989 1 1 Troy Aikman HOF QB DAL UCLA

24 1988 1 1 Aundray Bruce LB ATL Auburn

25 1987 1 1 Vinny Testaverde QB TAM Miami (FL)

26 1986 1 1 Bo Jackson RB TAM Auburn

27 1985 1 1 Bruce Smith HOF DE BUF Virginia Tech

28 1984 1 1 Irving Fryar WR NWE Nebraska

29 1983 1 1 John Elway HOF QB BAL Stanford

30 1982 1 1 Kenneth Sims DE NWE 1982 Texas

31 1981 1 1 George Rogers RB NOR South Carolina

32 1980 1 1 Billy Sims RB DET Oklahoma

33 1979 1 1 Tom Cousineau LB BUF Ohio St.

34 1978 1 1 Earl Campbell HOF RB HOU Texas

35 1977 1 1 Ricky Bell RB TAM USC

36 1976 1 1 Lee Roy Selmon HOF DE TAM Oklahoma

37 1975 1 1 Steve Bartkowski QB ATL California

38 1974 1 1 Too Tall Jones DE DAL Tennessee St.

39 1973 1 1 John Matuszak DE HOU Tampa

40 1972 1 1 Walt Patulski DE BUF Notre Dame

41 1971 1 1 Jim Plunkett QB NWE Stanford

42 1970 1 1 Terry Bradshaw HOF QB PIT Louisiana Tech

43 1969 1 1 O.J. Simpson HOF RB BUF USC

44 1968 1 1 Ron Yary HOF T MIN USC

45 1967 1 1 Bubba Smith DE BAL Michigan St.

[The Gipper]

Here is the list of #2 overall selections:

 

1 2011 1 2 Von Miller LB DEN Texas A&M

2 2010 1 2 Ndamukong Suh DT DET Nebraska

3 2009 1 2 Jason Smith T STL Baylor

4 2008 1 2 Chris Long DE STL Virginia

5 2007 1 2 Calvin Johnson WR DET Georgia Tech

6 2006 1 2 Reggie Bush RB NOR USC

7 2005 1 2 Ronnie Brown RB MIA Auburn

8 2004 1 2 Robert Gallery T OAK Iowa

9 2003 1 2 Charles Rogers WR DET Michigan St.

10 2002 1 2 Julius Peppers DE CAR North Carolina

11 2001 1 2 Leonard Davis T ARI Texas

12 2000 1 2 LaVar Arrington LB WAS Penn St.

13 1999 1 2 Donovan McNabb QB PHI Syracuse

14 1998 1 2 Ryan Leaf QB SDG Washington St.

15 1997 1 2 Darrell Russell DT OAK USC

16 1996 1 2 Kevin Hardy LB JAX Illinois

17 1995 1 2 Tony Boselli T JAX USC

18 1994 1 2 Marshall Faulk HOF RB IND San Diego St.

19 1993 1 2 Rick Mirer QB SEA Notre Dame

20 1992 1 2 Quentin Coryatt LB IND Texas A&M

21 1991 1 2 Eric Turner DB CLE UCLA

22 1990 1 2 Blair Thomas RB NYJ Penn St.

23 1989 1 2 Tony Mandarich T GNB Michigan St.

24 1988 1 2 Neil Smith DE KAN Nebraska

25 1987 1 2 Cornelius Bennett LB IND Alabama

26 1986 1 2 Tony Casillas DT ATL Oklahoma

27 1985 1 2 Bill Fralic G ATL Pittsburgh

28 1984 1 2 Dean Steinkuhler T HOU Nebraska

29 1983 1 2 Eric Dickerson HOF RB RAM SMU

30 1982 1 2 Johnie Cooks LB BAL Mississippi St.

31 1981 1 2 Lawrence Taylor HOF LB NYG North Carolina

32 1980 1 2 Lam Jones WR NYJ Texas

33 1979 1 2 Mike Bell DE KAN Colorado St.

34 1978 1 2 Art Still DE KAN Kentucky

35 1977 1 2 Tony Dorsett HOF RB DAL Pittsburgh

36 1976 1 2 Steve Niehaus DT SEA Notre Dame

37 1975 1 2 Randy White HOF DT DAL Maryland

38 1974 1 2 Bo Matthews RB SDG Colorado

39 1973 1 2 Bert Jones QB BAL LSU

40 1972 1 2 Sherman White DE CIN California

41 1971 1 2 Archie Manning QB NOR Mississippi

42 1970 1 2 Mike McCoy DT GNB Notre Dame

43 1969 1 2 George Kunz T ATL Notre Dame

44 1968 1 2 Bob Johnson C CIN Tennessee

45 1967 1 2 Clint Jones RB MIN Michigan St.

[The Gipper]

Here are the #3 overall selections:

 

1 2011 1 3 Marcell Dareus DT BUF Alabama

2 2010 1 3 Gerald McCoy DT TAM Oklahoma

3 2009 1 3 Tyson Jackson DE KAN LSU

4 2008 1 3 Matt Ryan QB ATL Boston Col.

5 2007 1 3 Joe Thomas T CLE Wisconsin

6 2006 1 3 Vince Young QB TEN Texas

7 2005 1 3 Braylon Edwards WR CLE Michigan

8 2004 1 3 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI Pittsburgh

9 2003 1 3 Andre Johnson WR HOU Miami (FL)

10 2002 1 3 Joey Harrington QB DET Oregon

11 2001 1 3 Gerard Warren DT CLE Florida

12 2000 1 3 Chris Samuels T WAS Alabama

13 1999 1 3 Akili Smith QB CIN Oregon

14 1998 1 3 Andre Wadsworth DE ARI Florida St.

15 1997 1 3 Shawn Springs DB SEA Ohio St.

16 1996 1 3 Simeon Rice DE ARI Illinois

17 1995 1 3 Steve McNair QB HOU Alcorn St.

18 1994 1 3 Heath Shuler QB WAS Tennessee

19 1993 1 3 Garrison Hearst RB PHO Georgia

20 1992 1 3 Sean Gilbert DT RAM Pittsburgh

21 1991 1 3 Bruce Pickens DB ATL Nebraska

22 1990 1 3 Cortez Kennedy HOF DT SEA Miami (FL)

23 1989 1 3 Barry Sanders HOF RB DET Oklahoma St.

24 1988 1 3 Bennie Blades DB DET Miami (FL)

25 1987 1 3 Alonzo Highsmith RB HOU Miami (FL)

26 1986 1 3 Jim Everett QB HOU Purdue

27 1985 1 3 Ray Childress DT HOU Texas A&M

28 1984 1 3 Carl Banks LB NYG Michigan St.

29 1983 1 3 Curt Warner RB SEA Penn St.

30 1982 1 3 Chip Banks LB CLE USC

31 1981 1 3 Freeman McNeil RB NYJ UCLA

32 1980 1 3 Anthony Munoz HOF T CIN USC

33 1979 1 3 Jack Thompson QB CIN Washington St.

34 1978 1 3 Wes Chandler WR NOR Florida

35 1977 1 3 Eddie Edwards DE CIN Miami (FL)

36 1976 1 3 Chuck Muncie RB NOR California

37 1975 1 3 Ken Huff G BAL North Carolina

38 1974 1 3 John Hicks G NYG Ohio St.

39 1973 1 3 Jerry Sisemore T PHI Texas

40 1972 1 3 Lionel Antoine T CHI Southern Illinois

41 1971 1 3 Dan Pastorini QB HOU Santa Clara

42 1970 1 3 Mike Phipps QB CLE Purdue

43 1969 1 3 Leroy Keyes DB PHI Purdue

44 1968 1 3 Claude Humphrey DE ATL Tennessee St.

45 1967 1 3 Steve Spurrier QB SFO Florida

[The Gipper]

Here are the #4 overall picks:

 

1 2011 1 4 A.J. Green WR CIN Georgia

2 2010 1 4 Trent Williams T WAS Oklahoma

3 2009 1 4 Aaron Curry LB SEA Wake Forest

4 2008 1 4 Darren McFadden RB OAK Arkansas

5 2007 1 4 Gaines Adams DE TAM Clemson

6 2006 1 4 D'Brickashaw Ferguson T NYJ Virginia

7 2005 1 4 Cedric Benson RB CHI Texas

8 2004 1 4 Philip Rivers QB NYG North Carolina St.

9 2003 1 4 Dewayne Robertson DT NYJ Kentucky

10 2002 1 4 Mike D. Williams T BUF Texas

11 2001 1 4 Justin Smith DE CIN Missouri

12 2000 1 4 Peter Warrick WR CIN Florida St.

13 1999 1 4 Edgerrin James RB IND Miami (FL)

14 1998 1 4 Charles Woodson DB OAK Michigan

15 1997 1 4 Peter Boulware LB BAL Florida St.

16 1996 1 4 Jonathan Ogden T BAL UCLA

17 1995 1 4 Michael Westbrook WR WAS Colorado

18 1994 1 4 Willie McGinest DE NWE USC

19 1993 1 4 Marvin Jones LB NYJ Florida St.

20 1992 1 4 Desmond Howard WR WAS Michigan

21 1991 1 4 Mike Croel LB DEN Nebraska

22 1990 1 4 Keith McCants DE TAM Alabama

23 1989 1 4 Derrick Thomas HOF LB KAN Alabama

24 1988 1 4 Paul Gruber T TAM Wisconsin

25 1987 1 4 Brent Fullwood RB GNB Auburn

26 1986 1 4 Jon Hand DE IND Alabama

27 1985 1 4 Chris Doleman HOF DE MIN Pittsburgh

28 1984 1 4 Kenny Jackson WR PHI Penn St.

29 1983 1 4 Chris Hinton T DEN Northwestern

30 1982 1 4 Art Schlichter QB BAL Ohio St.

31 1981 1 4 Kenny Easley DB SEA UCLA

32 1980 1 4 Bruce Clark DE GNB Penn St.

33 1979 1 4 Dan Hampton HOF DE CHI Arkansas

34 1978 1 4 Chris Ward T NYJ Ohio St.

35 1977 1 4 Marvin Powell T NYJ USC

36 1976 1 4 Joe Washington RB SDG Oklahoma

37 1975 1 4 Walter Payton HOF RB CHI Jackson St.

38 1974 1 4 Waymond Bryant LB CHI Tennessee St.

39 1973 1 4 John Hannah HOF G NWE Alabama

40 1972 1 4 Ahmad Rashad WR STL Oregon

41 1971 1 4 J.D. Hill WR BUF Arizona St.

42 1970 1 4 Phil Olsen DT BOS Utah St.

43 1969 1 4 Joe Greene HOF DT PIT North Texas

44 1968 1 4 Russ Washington T SDG Missouri

45 1967 1 4 Bob Griese HOF QB MIA Purdue

[The Gipper]

From what I see here, it is possible that the Browns could be almost as likely to draft a Hall of Famer in the 4th slot as they are the first slot.

#1 Hall of Famers=8

#2 Hall of Famers=5

#3 Hall of Famers=3

#4 Hall of Famers=7

 

On each list of course there may be a number of future Hall of Famers and near HOFers.

Perhaps from these lists you all may state who you think will make the HOF and those who you think could have a chance to make it. Example: from the #1 list should Bubba Smith, Too Tall Jones and Billy Sims be in?

From #2 should Archie Manning, Bert Jones and Tony Cassillas be considered?

From #3 should John Hicks be considered?

From #4 how about Kenny Easley?

 

Then there is the bust factor. It may be hard to tell if the #1s have more busts, or any of the others. The #1s are certainly more well known busts.Who do you think are the biggest busts of each of these groups?

[SiperBowl]

Sam Bradford is an exception seeing that he is from Oklahoma.

[choco]

donovan mcnabb is the only QB with a winning record taken with the second pick since, like the seventies. archie manning was first on the list i believe...

[brownfish]

I have a retinal damage caused by spending 4 years of my youth living on a boat in key west(thanks mom) anyway can't see which players are highlited but how many years have multiple HOFs in the first 4 picks. I saw off the top of my head in 83 with dickerson and elway and in 69 with greene and o.j. any other years?

[Jason J]

You have to wonder how the current HOF Roster doesn't include:

 

Chris Hinton

Neil Smith

Tiny Boselli (ok maybe didn't play long enough)

Carl Banks

Art Still

 

You figure Jon Ogden will get in.

 

But... Wow cautionary tale there about RBs. Billy Sims, Bo Jackson, George Rogers all taken one overall & careered cut short due to injuries. Only Rigers made it even 5 years.

 

-jj

[The Gipper]

I have a retinal damage caused by spending 4 years of my youth living on a boat in key west(thanks mom) anyway can't see which players are highlited but how many years have multiple HOFs in the first 4 picks. I saw off the top of my head in 83 with dickerson and elway and in 69 with greene and o.j. any other years?

 

To answer your question:

1969 saw both OJ Simpson and Mean Joe Greene make the HOF from the first 4 picks

 

1983 had Elway and Dickerson

 

1985 had Bruce Smith and Chris Doleman

 

1989 had 3 of the 4 with Aikman, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas.

[The Gipper]

donovan mcnabb is the only QB with a winning record taken with the second pick since, like the seventies. archie manning was first on the list i believe...

 

To be fair, only 5 QBs have been taken with the #2 overall since 1970:

Archie Manning, who many think should be a HOFer except he played on such bad teams.

Bert Jones, who many think is a borderline HOFer

Rick Mirer

Ryan Leaf

Donovan McNabb

 

Two of those are yes, certifiable bust. McNabb will be like Jones and Archie: borderline HOF.

[The Gipper]

You have to wonder how the current HOF Roster doesn't include:

 

Chris Hinton

Neil Smith

Tiny Boselli (ok maybe didn't play long enough)

Carl Banks

Art Still

 

You figure Jon Ogden will get in.

 

But... Wow cautionary tale there about RBs. Billy Sims, Bo Jackson, George Rogers all taken one overall & careered cut short due to injuries. Only Rigers made it even 5 years.

 

-jj

 

Not to mention Ki-Jana Carter, Steve Emtman and Bo Jackson who also had careers curtailed due to injury. And you can add Tim Couch as well. If not for injuries he would have played much longer. And, yes, also Courtney Brown.

[Zombo]

Great thread, I love this stuff, but you need to quit mentioning Archie Manning and the Hall of Fame in the same sentence.

 

Zombo

[The Gipper]

Great thread, I love this stuff, but you need to quit mentioning Archie Manning and the Hall of Fame in the same sentence.

 

Zombo

 

Uh Oh, sounds like a challenge. Lets do some comparison:

 

Archie Manning, drafted with #2 pick in 1971. Played 14 seasons:

139 games started

2014 of 3642 for a 55.2 career completion pct.

23,911 yards

125 TD passes

3.4% TD pass %

 

Terry Bradshaw, drafted with #1 pick of 1970. Played 14 seasons:

158 games started

2025 of 3901 for a 51.9% career completion pct.

212 TD passes

5.4% TD pass %

 

So, what did Bradshaw have that Archie didn't have? Two Hall of Fame receivers, a Hall of Fame running back, a Hall of Fame center, a Hall of Fame defense. A Hall of Fame Coach.

Had Archie been with the Steelers and Bradshaw with the Saints I think that the Steelers would have even been better.

 

The Killer for Archie was his teams record, which was quite poor.

[The Gipper]

What I am going to do here is to compare the quality of the draft positions made at each selection spot of the NFL draft, since the common AFL/NFL draft of 1967. This constitutes 45 draft spots. I have highlighted the Hall of Famers. The next post will be that list of #2 overall picks, and so on for the first 4 spots....or maybe I will do 5. Lets see how they compare.

1st overall picks:

 

I am highlighting what I think can be considered certifiable busts...or near busts in purple:

 

1 2011 1 1 Cam Newton QB CAR Auburn

2 2010 1 1 Sam Bradford QB STL Oklahoma

3 2009 1 1 Matthew Stafford QB DET Georgia

4 2008 1 1 Jake Long T MIA Michigan

5 2007 1 1 JaMarcus Russell QB OAK LSU

6 2006 1 1 Mario Williams DE HOU North Carolina St.

7 2005 1 1 Alex Smith QB SFO Utah

8 2004 1 1 Eli Manning QB SDG Mississippi

9 2003 1 1 Carson Palmer QB CIN USC

10 2002 1 1 David Carr QB HOU Fresno St.

11 2001 1 1 Michael Vick QB ATL Virginia Tech

12 2000 1 1 Courtney Brown DE CLE Penn St.

13 1999 1 1 Tim Couch QB CLE 1999 2003 Kentucky

14 1998 1 1 Peyton Manning QB IND Tennessee

15 1997 1 1 Orlando Pace T STL 1997 2009 Ohio St.

16 1996 1 1 Keyshawn Johnson WR NYJ USC

17 1995 1 1 Ki-Jana Carter RB CIN Penn St.

18 1994 1 1 Dan Wilkinson DT CIN 1994 Ohio St.

19 1993 1 1 Drew Bledsoe QB NWE Washington St.

20 1992 1 1 Steve Emtman DE IND Washington

21 1991 1 1 Russell Maryland DT DAL Miami (FL)

22 1990 1 1 Jeff George QB IND Illinois

23 1989 1 1 Troy Aikman HOF QB DAL UCLA

24 1988 1 1 Aundray Bruce LB ATL Auburn

25 1987 1 1 Vinny Testaverde QB TAM Miami (FL)

26 1986 1 1 Bo Jackson RB TAM Auburn

27 1985 1 1 Bruce Smith HOF DE BUF Virginia Tech

28 1984 1 1 Irving Fryar WR NWE Nebraska

29 1983 1 1 John Elway HOF QB BAL Stanford

30 1982 1 1 Kenneth Sims DE NWE 1982 Texas

31 1981 1 1 George Rogers RB NOR South Carolina

32 1980 1 1 Billy Sims RB DET Oklahoma

33 1979 1 1 Tom Cousineau LB BUF Ohio St.

34 1978 1 1 Earl Campbell HOF RB HOU Texas

35 1977 1 1 Ricky Bell RB TAM USC

36 1976 1 1 Lee Roy Selmon HOF DE TAM Oklahoma

37 1975 1 1 Steve Bartkowski QB ATL California

38 1974 1 1 Too Tall Jones DE DAL Tennessee St.

39 1973 1 1 John Matuszak DE HOU Tampa

40 1972 1 1 Walt Patulski DE BUF Notre Dame

41 1971 1 1 Jim Plunkett QB NWE Stanford

42 1970 1 1 Terry Bradshaw HOF QB PIT Louisiana Tech

43 1969 1 1 O.J. Simpson HOF RB BUF USC

44 1968 1 1 Ron Yary HOF T MIN USC

45 1967 1 1 Bubba Smith DE BAL Michigan St.

[The Gipper]

Here is the list of #2 overall selections:

 

Busts here in purple as well. I am only doing the ones I am pretty sure of. With some of these names I don't recall how their career went. Fill in any blanks in that area.

 

1 2011 1 2 Von Miller LB DEN Texas A&M

2 2010 1 2 Ndamukong Suh DT DET Nebraska

3 2009 1 2 Jason Smith T STL Baylor

4 2008 1 2 Chris Long DE STL Virginia

5 2007 1 2 Calvin Johnson WR DET Georgia Tech

6 2006 1 2 Reggie Bush RB NOR USC

7 2005 1 2 Ronnie Brown RB MIA Auburn

8 2004 1 2 Robert Gallery T OAK Iowa

9 2003 1 2 Charles Rogers WR DET Michigan St.

10 2002 1 2 Julius Peppers DE CAR North Carolina

11 2001 1 2 Leonard Davis T ARI Texas

12 2000 1 2 LaVar Arrington LB WAS Penn St.

13 1999 1 2 Donovan McNabb QB PHI Syracuse

14 1998 1 2 Ryan Leaf QB SDG Washington St.

15 1997 1 2 Darrell Russell DT OAK USC

16 1996 1 2 Kevin Hardy LB JAX Illinois

17 1995 1 2 Tony Boselli T JAX USC

18 1994 1 2 Marshall Faulk HOF RB IND San Diego St.

19 1993 1 2 Rick Mirer QB SEA Notre Dame

20 1992 1 2 Quentin Coryatt LB IND Texas A&M

21 1991 1 2 Eric Turner DB CLE UCLA

22 1990 1 2 Blair Thomas RB NYJ Penn St.

23 1989 1 2 Tony Mandarich T GNB Michigan St.

24 1988 1 2 Neil Smith DE KAN Nebraska

25 1987 1 2 Cornelius Bennett LB IND Alabama

26 1986 1 2 Tony Casillas DT ATL Oklahoma

27 1985 1 2 Bill Fralic G ATL Pittsburgh

28 1984 1 2 Dean Steinkuhler T HOU Nebraska

29 1983 1 2 Eric Dickerson HOF RB RAM SMU

30 1982 1 2 Johnie Cooks LB BAL Mississippi St.

31 1981 1 2 Lawrence Taylor HOF LB NYG North Carolina

32 1980 1 2 Lam Jones WR NYJ Texas

33 1979 1 2 Mike Bell DE KAN Colorado St.

34 1978 1 2 Art Still DE KAN Kentucky

35 1977 1 2 Tony Dorsett HOF RB DAL Pittsburgh

36 1976 1 2 Steve Niehaus DT SEA Notre Dame

37 1975 1 2 Randy White HOF DT DAL Maryland

38 1974 1 2 Bo Matthews RB SDG Colorado

39 1973 1 2 Bert Jones QB BAL LSU

40 1972 1 2 Sherman White DE CIN California

41 1971 1 2 Archie Manning QB NOR Mississippi

42 1970 1 2 Mike McCoy DT GNB Notre Dame

43 1969 1 2 George Kunz T ATL Notre Dame

44 1968 1 2 Bob Johnson C CIN Tennessee

45 1967 1 2 Clint Jones RB MIN Michigan St.

[The Gipper]

Here are the #3 overall selections:

 

Again, busts in purple.

 

1 2011 1 3 Marcell Dareus DT BUF Alabama

2 2010 1 3 Gerald McCoy DT TAM Oklahoma

3 2009 1 3 Tyson Jackson DE KAN LSU

4 2008 1 3 Matt Ryan QB ATL Boston Col.

5 2007 1 3 Joe Thomas T CLE Wisconsin

6 2006 1 3 Vince Young QB TEN Texas

7 2005 1 3 Braylon Edwards WR CLE Michigan

8 2004 1 3 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI Pittsburgh

9 2003 1 3 Andre Johnson WR HOU Miami (FL)

10 2002 1 3 Joey Harrington QB DET Oregon

11 2001 1 3 Gerard Warren DT CLE Florida

12 2000 1 3 Chris Samuels T WAS Alabama

13 1999 1 3 Akili Smith QB CIN Oregon

14 1998 1 3 Andre Wadsworth DE ARI Florida St.

15 1997 1 3 Shawn Springs DB SEA Ohio St.

16 1996 1 3 Simeon Rice DE ARI Illinois

17 1995 1 3 Steve McNair QB HOU Alcorn St.

18 1994 1 3 Heath Shuler QB WAS Tennessee

19 1993 1 3 Garrison Hearst RB PHO Georgia

20 1992 1 3 Sean Gilbert DT RAM Pittsburgh

21 1991 1 3 Bruce Pickens DB ATL Nebraska

22 1990 1 3 Cortez Kennedy HOF DT SEA Miami (FL)

23 1989 1 3 Barry Sanders HOF RB DET Oklahoma St.

24 1988 1 3 Bennie Blades DB DET Miami (FL)

25 1987 1 3 Alonzo Highsmith RB HOU Miami (FL)

26 1986 1 3 Jim Everett QB HOU Purdue

27 1985 1 3 Ray Childress DT HOU Texas A&M

28 1984 1 3 Carl Banks LB NYG Michigan St.

29 1983 1 3 Curt Warner RB SEA Penn St.

30 1982 1 3 Chip Banks LB CLE USC

31 1981 1 3 Freeman McNeil RB NYJ UCLA

32 1980 1 3 Anthony Munoz HOF T CIN USC

33 1979 1 3 Jack Thompson QB CIN Washington St.

34 1978 1 3 Wes Chandler WR NOR Florida

35 1977 1 3 Eddie Edwards DE CIN Miami (FL)

36 1976 1 3 Chuck Muncie RB NOR California

37 1975 1 3 Ken Huff G BAL North Carolina

38 1974 1 3 John Hicks G NYG Ohio St.

39 1973 1 3 Jerry Sisemore T PHI Texas

40 1972 1 3 Lionel Antoine T CHI Southern Illinois

41 1971 1 3 Dan Pastorini QB HOU Santa Clara

42 1970 1 3 Mike Phipps QB CLE Purdue

43 1969 1 3 Leroy Keyes DB PHI Purdue

44 1968 1 3 Claude Humphrey DE ATL Tennessee St.

45 1967 1 3 Steve Spurrier QB SFO Florida

 

It is easier to pick out a bust at QB than at OL or DL or DB

[The Gipper]

Here are the #4 overall picks:

 

1 2011 1 4 A.J. Green WR CIN Georgia

2 2010 1 4 Trent Williams T WAS Oklahoma

3 2009 1 4 Aaron Curry LB SEA Wake Forest

4 2008 1 4 Darren McFadden RB OAK Arkansas

5 2007 1 4 Gaines Adams DE TAM Clemson I know he died, but I still gotta put him in purple.

6 2006 1 4 D'Brickashaw Ferguson T NYJ Virginia

7 2005 1 4 Cedric Benson RB CHI Texas

8 2004 1 4 Philip Rivers QB NYG North Carolina St.

9 2003 1 4 Dewayne Robertson DT NYJ Kentucky

10 2002 1 4 Mike D. Williams T BUF Texas

11 2001 1 4 Justin Smith DE CIN Missouri

12 2000 1 4 Peter Warrick WR CIN Florida St.

13 1999 1 4 Edgerrin James RB IND Miami (FL)

14 1998 1 4 Charles Woodson DB OAK Michigan

15 1997 1 4 Peter Boulware LB BAL Florida St.

16 1996 1 4 Jonathan Ogden T BAL UCLA

17 1995 1 4 Michael Westbrook WR WAS Colorado

18 1994 1 4 Willie McGinest DE NWE USC

19 1993 1 4 Marvin Jones LB NYJ Florida St.

20 1992 1 4 Desmond Howard WR WAS Michigan

21 1991 1 4 Mike Croel LB DEN Nebraska

22 1990 1 4 Keith McCants DE TAM Alabama

23 1989 1 4 Derrick Thomas HOF LB KAN Alabama

24 1988 1 4 Paul Gruber T TAM Wisconsin

25 1987 1 4 Brent Fullwood RB GNB Auburn

26 1986 1 4 Jon Hand DE IND Alabama

27 1985 1 4 Chris Doleman HOF DE MIN Pittsburgh

28 1984 1 4 Kenny Jackson WR PHI Penn St.

29 1983 1 4 Chris Hinton T DEN Northwestern

30 1982 1 4 Art Schlichter QB BAL Ohio St.

31 1981 1 4 Kenny Easley DB SEA UCLA

32 1980 1 4 Bruce Clark DE GNB Penn St.

33 1979 1 4 Dan Hampton HOF DE CHI Arkansas

34 1978 1 4 Chris Ward T NYJ Ohio St.

35 1977 1 4 Marvin Powell T NYJ USC

36 1976 1 4 Joe Washington RB SDG Oklahoma

37 1975 1 4 Walter Payton HOF RB CHI Jackson St.

38 1974 1 4 Waymond Bryant LB CHI Tennessee St.

39 1973 1 4 John Hannah HOF G NWE Alabama

40 1972 1 4 Ahmad Rashad WR STL Oregon

41 1971 1 4 J.D. Hill WR BUF Arizona St.

42 1970 1 4 Phil Olsen DT BOS Utah St.

43 1969 1 4 Joe Greene HOF DT PIT North Texas

44 1968 1 4 Russ Washington T SDG Missouri

45 1967 1 4 Bob Griese HOF QB MIA Purdue

 

It actually seems like there are fewer busts at the #4 slot than at 1, 2, and 3.

[Tour2ma]

List thoughts later...

 

Uh Oh, sounds like a challenge. Lets do some comparison:

 

Archie Manning, drafted with #2 pick in 1971. Played 14 seasons:

139 games started

2014 of 3642 for a 55.2 career completion pct.

23,911 yards

125 TD passes

3.4% TD pass %

 

Terry Bradshaw, drafted with #1 pick of 1970. Played 14 seasons:

158 games started

2025 of 3901 for a 51.9% career completion pct.

212 TD passes

5.4% TD pass %

 

So, what did Bradshaw have that Archie didn't have? Two Hall of Fame receivers, a Hall of Fame running back, a Hall of Fame center, a Hall of Fame defense. A Hall of Fame Coach.

Had Archie been with the Steelers and Bradshaw with the Saints I think that the Steelers would have even been better.

 

The Killer for Archie was his teams record, which was quite poor.

Accidentally missed a few key stats?

 

Bradshaw 27,989 yds INT 210

 

Manning INT 173

 

May be a chicken/ egg thing depending upon your inclination toward Archie, but...

 

Easy to argue Archie's 0.72 TD:INT ratio contributed a great deal to "his team's record". Archie had to throw to be sure, but that explains his amassed yardage.

 

While Bradshaw's 1.01 ratio ain't much to brag about, his first four years were a dismal 0.56. Sometimes totals don't tell the entire story.

 

Gotta go with Z on this one...

[The Gipper]

List thoughts later...

 

 

Accidentally missed a few key stats?

 

Bradshaw 27,989 yds INT 210 Actually I wrote these down but forgot to post them

 

Manning INT 173 I didn't put down Ints. for either

 

May be a chicken/ egg thing depending upon your inclination toward Archie, but...

 

Well, I don't know if you were around watching football in that era, but I was, and everyone, announcers, pundits, other coaches and players sang the praises of Archie Manning but bemoaned the fact that he was literally a one man show for the Saints. I am simply suggesting that if the opposite had happened, if Manning had gone to the Steelers and Bradshaw to the Saints then Manning, not Bradshaw would have gotten the rings and the yellow jacket. TB would have been considered very good QB, like Archie is, but not a HOFer..

 

Easy to argue Archie's 0.72 TD:INT ratio contributed a great deal to "his team's record". Archie had to throw to be sure, but that explains his amassed yardage.

 

While Bradshaw's 1.01 ratio ain't much to brag about, his first four years were a dismal 0.56. Sometimes totals don't tell the entire story.

 

Gotta go with Z on this one...

[Zombo]

Uh Oh, sounds like a challenge. Lets do some comparison:

 

Archie Manning, drafted with #2 pick in 1971. Played 14 seasons:

139 games started

2014 of 3642 for a 55.2 career completion pct.

23,911 yards

125 TD passes

3.4% TD pass %

 

Terry Bradshaw, drafted with #1 pick of 1970. Played 14 seasons:

158 games started

2025 of 3901 for a 51.9% career completion pct.

212 TD passes

5.4% TD pass %

 

So, what did Bradshaw have that Archie didn't have? Two Hall of Fame receivers, a Hall of Fame running back, a Hall of Fame center, a Hall of Fame defense. A Hall of Fame Coach.

Had Archie been with the Steelers and Bradshaw with the Saints I think that the Steelers would have even been better.

 

The Killer for Archie was his teams record, which was quite poor.

 

The killer for Archie Mannng was that he did nothing that was Hall of Fame worthy. Nothing. 125 TDs to 173 Ints and never helped raise his team to one single winning season.

 

It's not the Hall Of Average Guys Who Play A Long Time For Bad Teams.

 

Zombo

[The Gipper]

The killer for Archie Mannng was that he did nothing that was Hall of Fame worthy. Nothing. 125 TDs to 173 Ints and never helped raise his team to one single winning season.

 

It's not the Hall Of Average Guys Who Play A Long Time For Bad Teams.

 

Zombo

 

And all I am saying is that if Archie were drafted by the Steelers and Bradshaw by the Saints you may have simply been able to replace Manning's name for Bradshaw in your above statement.

[Zombo]

And all I am saying is that if Archie were drafted by the Steelers and Bradshaw by the Saints you may have simply been able to replace Manning's name for Bradshaw in your above statement.

 

 

You are making a QUANTUM leap to say that Manning would have just effectively won all of those games with the Steelers. The thing with Bradshaw is the post-season. The four seasons they won the Super Bowl, he was 12-0 in the post-season and won two Super bowl MVPs. That's what gets you in the Hall of Fame. Manning had like 3 decent years, that's not enough to say that had he been drafted by Pittsburgh they would have still won 4 Super bowls and he would be in the Hall of Fame.

 

People like to tear down Bradshaw because of his overall stats, but the name of the game is winning. And if you have 4 rings and two SB MVPs you can't just say that's interchangeable and that any average Joe would have done the same thing. It's a ridiculous argument. You are pretty much saying that any halfway decent QB that would have gotten drafted by the Steelers would be a HOFer. Every single game would have been played differently and you have no idea how it would have ended up. Winning is greatness. Quarterbacking four teams to SBs is greatness. Bradshaw wasn't just along for the ride, he was the catalyst on the second set of SBs.

 

Zombo

--I hate Bradshaw, so quit making me defend him with this ridiculous assumption about Manning.

[Kerrigan91]

--I hate Bradshaw, so quit making me defend him with this ridiculous assumption about Manning.

 

Want me to make you defend Flacco?

[Zombo]

Want me to make you defend Flacco?

 

I am incapable of defending Flacco. I hope the Ravens sign him to a long term deal.

 

Z

[Kerrigan91]

I am incapable of defending Flacco. I hope the Ravens sign him to a long term deal.

 

Z

 

You and me both. Flacco to the Ratbirds is like Romo to the Cowboys. Good enough to give them a decent regular season, yet crumbles in the postseason (well, for Romo it's December and January).

[Zombo]

I have more respect for Romo than Flacco. At least Romo is a playmaker. You get the feeling we've already seen the best Unibrow has to offer.

 

Z

[BadNewsBrowns]

To play Devil's Advocate here if McCoy were to orchestrate a 91 yard last minute drive to beat the Steelers I think we'd be crowning him.

[The Gipper]

You are making a QUANTUM leap to say that Manning would have just effectively won all of those games with the Steelers. The thing with Bradshaw is the post-season. The four seasons they won the Super Bowl, he was 12-0 in the post-season and won two Super bowl MVPs. That's what gets you in the Hall of Fame. Manning had like 3 decent years, that's not enough to say that had he been drafted by Pittsburgh they would have still won 4 Super bowls and he would be in the Hall of Fame.

 

People like to tear down Bradshaw because of his overall stats, but the name of the game is winning. And if you have 4 rings and two SB MVPs you can't just say that's interchangeable and that any average Joe would have done the same thing. It's a ridiculous argument. You are pretty much saying that any halfway decent QB that would have gotten drafted by the Steelers would be a HOFer. Every single game would have been played differently and you have no idea how it would have ended up. Winning is greatness. Quarterbacking four teams to SBs is greatness. Bradshaw wasn't just along for the ride, he was the catalyst on the second set of SBs.

 

Zombo

--I hate Bradshaw, so quit making me defend him with this ridiculous assumption about Manning.

 

All I am saying is that in the 1970s if you took a poll of NFL players and coaches and GMs and sports commentators etc. they nearly unanimously would have had Archie Manning among the Top 5 QBs in the game.

Are you of the opinion that you cannot have a top flight QB on a crappy team?

Maybe today the QB gets more credit or has more responsibility for the outcome of his team, but back then it was not thought so. The best QBs barely had over a 50% completion rate. Staubach has the highest career passer rating of any QB of that era, and he only ranks 31st all time. Bradshaw and Manning's passer ratings were very close....and terrible by today's standards. Bradshaw was 70.9 and Archie 67.1.

[Kerrigan91]

I have more respect for Romo than Flacco. At least Romo is a playmaker. You get the feeling we've already seen the best Unibrow has to offer.

 

Z

 

Fair enough. Romo may be a playmaker, but his record come December and January is abysmal. It's like clockwork. As long as Skeletor (Jerruh Jones) continues to be the owner/GM, I'm a happy camper. Because there's no way he's going to do anything for the Pukes. He's riding the coattails of Jimmy Johnson's rings.