NFL Draft: 30 best No. 1 overall picks in league history

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Quarterback Sam Bradford (R) from the Oklahoma Sooners poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as they hold up a St. Louis Rams jersey after the Rams selected Bradford numer 1 overall during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

16 of 31

Carson Palmer (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: 30 best No. 1 overall picks in league history: number 16, QB Carson Palmer

Stats:

46,247 passing yards
294 touchdowns
62.5 completion percentage

Awards:

3 time Pro Bowler

Carson Palmer was incredibly average during his first year in the league. Not only did he throw for a mere 18 touchdowns, but he was also picked 18 times. To further cement his average year, Palmer led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 6-7 record and a finish toward the bottom of the standings, not the numbers the Bengals were expecting after selecting him with the first overall pick in 2004.

Once thought of as the man who could lead this franchise to the promised land, Palmer resembled an NFL backup rather than a shining star. With the doubters casting aspersions upon him, Palmer made everyone look like fools as he won 11 games and led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in years in his Sophomore campaign. Although he would come up short under the bright lights, he was chosen as a Pro Bowler. The same accolades would follow Palmer in year three as an 8-8 record paired with over 4,000 passing yards gave him the nod to his second straight Pro Bowl.

For much of Palmer’s career, his career rode a rollercoaster. At times, if you squinted hard enough, he resembled a truly great quarterback. One who checked off all the boxes and appeared to be the real deal but more times than not, Palmer was simply average and couldn’t keep up his consistently great play no matter where he ended up.

Home/NFL