Look away, Patriots fans. The recent history of the third overall pick in the NFL Draft is one that might make the fanbase cringe. Yes, I am aware that the history of the third overall pick is likely not going to impact the performance of who the Patriots decide to take with the pick. And sure, they could always trade it, too, but I strongly believe they will remain at No. 3.
Some of the recent third overall picks are quite encouraging, but as a large body of work if you will, a few of the recent third overall selections did not come close to living up to their draft status. With the rebuilding New England Patriots, they must nail this selection.
2024 NFL Draft: History of third overall pick should make Patriots fans cringe
2023 - Will Anderson, EDGE
Will Anderson might be one of the more encouraging young players in the NFL. During his rookie season, he racked up seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 22 QB hits. Not only is this fine production for a veteran pass rusher, but it's insane production for a rookie. Will Anderson might even be a darkhorse candidate to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024.
2022 - Derek Stingley, CB
Playing in just 20 games through two seasons, Derek Stingley has not been able to stay on the field consistently, but he did have five interceptions and 13 passes defended in just 11 games. Stingley clearly rook a huge step forward in his second season and will turn just 23 during his third year. The injuries are a concern, though.
2021 - Trey Lance, QB
Oh boy. The San Francisco 49ers traded a total of three first-round picks to move up in the NFL Draft back in 2021 to take Trey Lance, and I do believe that Lance's chances of being a starter in the NFL are zero. He could not make it happen in the QB-friendly Shanahan offense, and is now on the Dallas Cowboys. This was a huge miss.
2020 - Jeff Okudah, CB
Another shaky pick at best, Jeff Okudah finds himself signing for pennies with the Houston Texans this offseason and is now on his third NFL team since being drafted by the Detroit Lions. It's been a career to forget thus far for Okudah, but perhaps Houston will be the spot for him to reinvigorate his career. He's got all the talent in the world.
2018 - Sam Darnold, QB
The much-anticipated franchise QB previously of the New York Jets, Sam Darnold did precisely the opposite and has not come close to showing franchise QB potential. He's now on his fourth team but has strung together nine touchdowns against four interceptions over his last 16 games. Now in Minnesota, Darnold could have a shot to be a bridge QB for a year, and he's still just 26 years old.
2017 - Solomon Thomas, DL
Solomon Thomas has not been a full-time starter since 2018 and has started a total of 33 of his 99 career regular season games. Someone who I'd classify as an average player, Thomas' career to this point is much closer to someone taken in the third or fourth round, but not the third overall pick. The 49ers had the right idea in taking a defensive tackle this high, though, as NFL teams are built from the inside, out.
2014 - Blake Bortles, QB
I had to end the article with Blake Bortles, because why not. There wasn't much to like about Borltes at all. He came into the NFL as a pretty complete QB prospect and was drafted as one. However, Bortles fizzled out in Jacksonville and ended up as a backup for the next chunk of his career. He's not played in an NFL regular season game since 2019. In 2017, though, the 10-6 Jaguars made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game, and there was a legitimate shot at the NFL getting a Nick Foles vs. Blake Bortles Super Bowl.
Nonetheless, Bortles was a bust, unfortunately, but was not the only bust among some of these other third overall picks.