NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: New York Jets, QB Joe Namath
Pick: 1965 NFL Draft, 1st round number 12 overall
Stats:
- 27,663 passing yards
- 173 touchdowns
- 50.1 completion percentage
Awards:
- 5 time Pro Bowler
- 1 time Super Bowl Champion
- Super Bowl MVP
Joe Namath had the bravado and the swag that’s needed when playing under the watchful eye associated with the New York media circus. Although Namath hasn’t worn a New York Jets in over 40 years, no player has come close to having his level of impact on the franchise.
Thanks to a trade the year before, the Jets lucked up in having the 12th overall pick in the 1965 draft and wasted no time in taking him. From the moment he got on the field, he sliced and diced defenses and walked around with the sort of confidence that allowed everyone in the New York area to gravitate towards him.
Namath, of course, made his name in 1969 after guaranteeing a win over the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl. Namath delivered on his promise and went on to have the greatest career for a player drafted by the New York based franchise.
If we take a peek at just the raw numbers, no other quarterback comes even close to Namath. It may have been over four decades since he’s thrown a pass on the field but his 27,057 passing yards and 170 passing touchdowns still rank number one in franchise history. With the Jets a perpetual bottom feeder, Namath will continue to hold his spot as the best player the franchise has ever drafted for years to come.