Ranking the first overall picks in the NFL Draft since 2010
Anticipation of just who will be selected first-overall in the 2022 NFL Draft is close to hitting a fever-pitch with Aidan Hutchinson facing a late surge from Travon Walker.
However, selecting the consensus best player in an NFL Draft class isn’t always a guarantee of immediate success, with the results of the last decade having varied enormously.
As part of Sportskeeda’s continued NFL Draft coverage, we’ve ranked every first overall selection since 2010.
How have the 12 first-overall NFL Draft picks since 2010 fared in the NFL?
12 - 2016 - Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Having been selected as the quarterback to lead the Los Angeles Rams into a new era, Jared Goff has failed to live up to expectations, having been traded to the Detroit Lions after five years with the Rams.
The marriage initially started well as Goff took the starting role in the 2017 season, throwing for 3,804 yards and 28 touchdowns.
What followed was his best year in Los Angeles, where he threw for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns as the Rams went all the way to the Super Bowl.
It was perhaps the pinnacle of Goff’s career, and the beginning of his downfall. Whilst his numbers in 2019 didn’t drop dramatically, he began to throw more interceptions and the team’s results dipped.
By 2020, a lot of faith had been lost in Goff as he threw for only 3,952 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Sean McVay made the decision to move on from him.
A trade with the Detroit Lions saw Matthew Stafford finally get his chance to win, whilst Goff was moved to a Detroit franchise that is still looking for their answer at quarterback.
2021 was a poor season for Goff in Detroit, and it is difficult to envisage him regaining a starting spot anywhere in the NFL.
11 - 2015 - Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Some players are victims of how high they are drafted and Jameis Winston is a prime example of that.
Whilst his numbers have been serviceable throughout his NFL career, they weren’t those of a first-overall selection.
Turnovers have killed Winston’s chances of being viewed as an elite starting quarterback, and his 2019 season saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally lose patience with him as he threw 30 interceptions.
What people often forget is that alongside that high number of interceptions, Winston also threw for a league-leading 5,109 yards.
Tampa Bay, like the Rams with Goff, made the decision that Winston wasn’t worth paying beyond his rookie deal, and took the opportunity to bring Tom Brady into the fold.
What followed, like with the Rams, was a Super Bowl championship, whilst Winston is rebuilding his career battling for a starting spot in New Orleans.