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NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history

By Hans Themistode

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history: 28. Aaron Rodgers leaves the draft board a lot sooner

The San Francisco 49ers truly wish they could do it again. With the number one overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Aaron Rodgers was sitting right there in the green room just waiting to be taken.

Instead of getting the future first-ballot Hall of Famer, they opted to take the steady yet underwhelming Alex Smith. As the number one pick, Smith struggled to live up to the expectations that were placed on his shoulders.

His best year with the 49ers, which came in 2011, would be considered Rodgers’ worst. On the year, Smith threw for 3,144 yards, 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In comparison, Rodgers has never thrown for less than 3,800 yards in a full season.

As the 49ers have sat back and watched Rodgers destroy defenses, win multiple MVPs and make Super Bowl runs, the construction of their roster has made things even more painful. Considering they’ve had players such as running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, tight end Vernon Davis and much more, if they simply sprinkled Rodgers into the mix, there’s no telling how many Super Bowls they would’ve won.

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