The Last Ten First-Overall NFL Draft Picks, Ranked From Best To Worst

These are the last ten number-one NFL Draft picks, ranked from best to worst.

When a team gets the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft, who they decide to take can make or break the franchise for years to come. Here are the last ten top picks ranked from best to worst, taking into account their whole career, not just what they did for the team that drafted them.

1. Myles Garrett

With respect to the guy right behind him on this list, Myles Garrett is the clear-cut top guy on the list. The 2017 first-overall pick of the Cleveland Browns has arguably been the best defensive player in all of football since he came into the league. He’s headed for Canton whenever his career is over.

2. Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow could certainly be at the top of this list, as he’s been the best quarterback taken first-overall the last ten years. The 2022 AFC Champion has been arguably the best pocket passer in the league since going first-overall in 2020. He’s a true franchise quarterback, and seems destined for the Hall of Fame.

3. Jared Goff

There’s a huge drop-off after the first two guys in this list, but Goff is a solid third. Yes, the Rams ended up trading him for Matthew Stafford, but he made two Pro Bowls as a Ram and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. He’s been very good for the Detroit Lions. Altogether, he’s an above-average starting quarterback in the NFL.

4. Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield was unceremoniously forced out of Cleveland in what will end up being one of the worst mistakes in franchise history. He made the 2020 Pro Bowl as a Brown and led them to a playoff victory. He’s been sensational in Tampa Bay the last two seasons, and is the team’s franchise quarterback.

5. Travon Walker

Walker is flying under the radar a bit, but the Georgia product and 2022 first-overall pick has turned himself into a great player. He’s posted back-to-back ten-sack seasons the last two years, and is phenomenal against the run. It feels like an All-Pro season is coming.

6. Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence’s career has been up-and-down, with his rookie year and 2024 seasons not being very good, and 2022 and 2023 being solid. But, he has a playoff win, is an established franchise quarterback, and has shown real upside at times. The 2021 first-overall pick hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he’s not a total bust, either.

7. Caleb Williams

You’re probably thinking this is too high. But, despite a terrible offensive line and coaching staff, Williams threw for over 3500 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. He has a lot to improve on, but we’ve seen far worse rookie seasons. The 2024 first-overall pick will show improvement.

8. Kyler Murray

Murray’s career has had highs, but it’s been mostly mediocre. Durability has been a concern, and his leadership skills and dedication has been repeatedly questioned. That’s not what you want out of a franchise quarterback. The 2019 first-overall pick could sitll improve, but right now, he hasn’t been as good as the hype suggested he would be.

9. Jameis Winston

As fun as Jameis Winston has been in his career, he’s simply thrown too many interceptions to be a viable franchise quarterback. He did lead the league in passing yards in 2018, but threw 30 picks in that season. I thought Jameis, the 2015 first-overall pick, had the potential to be an elite quarterback, but he never reached that level.

10. Bryce Young

The jury is still out, but the first eighteen-or-so starts for Bryce Young cannot be ignored. He was abysmal prior to a benching early last year, though came back and played at a passable level later in the season. Still, he needs to develop quite a bit to pay off his status as the 2023 first-overall pick.