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

By Hans Themistode

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)
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) /
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Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: 30 best No. 1 overall picks in league history: number 30, QB Sam Bradford

Stats:

  • 19,449 passing yards
  • 103 touchdowns
  • 62.5 completion percentage

Awards: 

  • 2010 Offensive Rookie of the Year

The signs were always there, the St. Louis Rams just simply chose to ignore them. Sam Bradford looked about as good as any quarterback in the history of college football at the University of Oklahoma. He dominated as a freshman but took his game to a whole other level in his Sophomore season.

On the year, Bradford threw for 4,720 yards, 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He managed to take home both the Heisman Trophy and the National Title. He followed up that ridiculous season with an injury-plagued third year but opted to turn pro anyways.

Although he was impressive from the beginning, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,512 yards, the injuries soon followed him around like an unwanted shadow.

During the 2013 season, Bradford was forced to miss the final nine games due to a torn ACL. While he would bounce back in time the following year, he failed to take a single snap as he was hurt in the preseason. For the final two years of his career, Bradford would play in only five games due to ineffectiveness and injuries.

At one point, Bradford appeared to be a rising star with a world of potential in front of him. If he could’ve stayed injury-free, Bradford would be much higher on this list.

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