No. 1s, 1989-2007Since 1989, retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman is the only player selected with the draft's No. 1 overall pick in the Hall of Fame. Here is a look at the players chosen since then. 2007: Oakland QB JaMarcus Russell (Louisiana State): Missed all of the 2007 preseason in a contract holdout and started just one game as a rookie. 2006: Houston DE Mario Williams (North Carolina): Considered one of the NFL's top young pass rushers after notching 14 sacks in 2007. 2005: San Francisco QB Alex Smith (Utah): Has struggled adjusting from spread offense in college; will compete against journeymen Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for a starting spot in training camp. 2004: New York Giants QB Eli Manning (Mississippi): Manning blossomed late in the 2007 season while leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. 2003: Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer (Southern California): A fantastic player trapped on a poor team. 2002: Houston QB David Carr (Fresno State): Trying to resuscitate career with the Giants after wiping out in Houston and Carolina. 2001: Atlanta QB Michael Vick (Virginia Tech): NFL career may be over after being sentenced to prison on animal-abuse charges. 2000: Cleveland DE Courtney Brown (Penn State): Spent more time in the training room than on the field during seven NFL seasons. 1999: Cleveland QB Tim Couch (Kentucky): Arm problems ultimately ended a disappointing NFL career. 1998: Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning (Tennessee): Could ultimately set every major NFL passing record en route to joining Aikman in the Hall of Fame. 1997: St. Louis T Orlando Pace (Ohio State): Reached seven Pro Bowls in his first eight seasons but has missed 23 games the past two years because of arm injuries. 1996: New York Jets WR Keyshawn Johnson (Southern California): Voted to four Pro Bowls while playing for four different teams in 12 seasons. 1995: Cincinnati RB Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State): Injured his knee during a rookie preseason game and was never the same player. 1994: Cincinnati DT Dan Wilkinson (Ohio State): A solid run-stuffer who never fulfilled the athletic potential he showed in college. 1993: New England QB Drew Bledsoe (Washington State): Starred with New England until the emergence of Tom Brady; wasn't as successful during subsequent stints in Buffalo and Dallas. 1992: Indianapolis DT Steve Emtman (Washington): Knee injuries ruined what should have been a fine NFL career. 1991: Dallas DT Russell Maryland (Miami): While considered a reach when drafted, Maryland would ultimately reach one Pro Bowl in 10 NFL seasons. 1990: QB Jeff George (Illinois): Talent was overshadowed by attitude problems that contributed to his bouncing around seven different NFL teams in 15 seasons. He was brutalized as a rookie quarterback, throwing 18 interceptions and losing all 11 of his starts. First sometimes worst So far, 2007 No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell isn't looking particularly Aikman-esque. And he's in good company. Take a gander at the top selections since Troy Aikman shook the commish's hand back in 1989. But compared to other players chosen with the draft's first overall pick, Troy Aikman considers himself lucky. Aikman survived that 1989 season with the Dallas Cowboys en route to forging a Hall of Fame career and winning three championships. Most of the other players subsequently selected at No. 1 haven't enjoyed such good fortune. None besides Aikman currently have their busts on display in Canton. While some active players can still reach such heights, Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (1998) is considered the lone lock among the past 19 top picks for future induction. Manning is one of just five players drafted No. 1 since 1986 to reach a Super Bowl. Even more telling is the lack of Pro Bowl appearances. Only 11 of the past 20 top choices have earned that honor. Considering a team can pick from an entire draft class, such production is disappointing. But one of the NFL's most respected agents says it shouldn't be surprising. "It takes health, patience and the team that drafted you to become better," said Marvin Demoff, who has represented such No. 1 picks as John Elway (1993), Steve Emtman (1992) and Courtney Brown (2000). "That's a pretty difficult trifecta." Botched talent evaluations a la quarterbacks Tim Couch (1999) and possibly Alex Smith (2005) are only part of the problem. Injuries have derailed some No. 1 picks like Emtman, Brown and running back Ki-Jana Carter (1995). One star quarterback — Michael Vick (2001) -- is in prison. Other No. 1s enjoyed solid but unspectacular NFL careers like defensive tackles Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson (1994) and Russell Maryland (1991). But much of the time, the club choosing first ultimately wishes another name was submitted on the draft card read by the NFL commissioner. "There's a lot of pride associated with being the first pick," Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "But there's also a lot of pressure." Aikman felt that upon arriving in Dallas. He was immediately expected to help the Cowboys regain their lost glory from the 1970s and early 1980s. LINK http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8057300/Why-don't-the-No.-1-overall-picks-play-like-it?
The last few QB's who ran a pro-style offense in college and were drafted #1 overall have done pretty well in terms of value by their 3rd year (Manning x2, Palmer, Bledsoe) , just throwing it out there.
