In the high-stakes world of the NFL, being selected as the number one overall draft pick is both a blessing and a burden. It comes with sky-high expectations, a franchise’s hopes pinned on your shoulders, and often, the weight of history. Of course, it also brings with it a pocket load of cash, with Caleb Williams – the most recent number one pick – receiving a guaranteed $39.5 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus.
Some players have managed to thrive under the pressure. Joe Burrow was selected as the first overall pick of the 2021 draft after leading the LSU Tigers to the NCAA National Championship in 2020 as well as winning the Heisman. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals and in his second season as a starter, led Cincy to a first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years. However, for Bryce Young – the first overall pick in last year’s Draft, his journey thus far has been fraught with challenges.
Bryce Young’s Woes
After being selected first overall last year, much was expected of Bryce Young. The former Alabama Crimson Tide man had just won the Heisman himself and he was expected to finally fill the clears of Cam Newton in Carolina. However, the Panthers and their upstart quarterback had a dismal time, winning just two games all season. To make matters worse for the Charlotte-based outfit, C. J. Stroud – the man selected number two overall – had a blistering campaign, winning Rookie of the Year honors as he led the Houston Texans to the AFC South title and the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
This season then, there was plenty of pressure on Young to improve quickly. But if week one is anything to go by, that improvement has not happened. The Panthers opened the 2024 season on the road at the New Orleans Saints, and both their and their quarterback’s performances were met with significant disappointment. Following a disastrous 47-10 defeat, the latest NFL lines at Bovada now make Carolina a +30000 outsider to win the Super Bowl this season, the longest odds of any team and by some distance.
Despite the team’s efforts to bolster the offense—hiring a quarterback guru, enhancing their offensive line, and adding skilled receivers—the 23-year-old’s struggles from his rookie season seemed to persist. In that season opener in the Superdome, Young completed a meager 13 of his 30 passes, tallying just 161 yards with two interceptions, while enduring four sacks. The expectations of him transforming into a franchise savior appear increasingly distant.
Despite the bleak start, it’s crucial to remember that Young’s career is still in its infancy. The NFL landscape is littered with stories of slow-starting quarterbacks who eventually found their footing. Peyton Manning threw a record 28 interceptions in his maiden campaign with the Indianapolis Colts after being selected first overall and is now considered one of the all-time greats.
Young’s Heisman-winning college career showcased his ability to perform at a high level, and his flashes of brilliance, even in difficult games, suggest that all hope is not lost. The same, however, cannot be said for these three.
JaMarcus Russell
Like the aforementioned Burrow, JaMarcus Russell was also a number one overall pick out of LSU, helping the Tigers to the National Championship in 2003. He was selected with the first overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders and is often considered the biggest bust of all time. The now-39-year-old was a physical marvel with a cannon of an arm, as demonstrated by the whopping 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns – as well as 400 yards on the ground – he picked up during his senior year.
However, when it comes to the NFL, talent, and physique only get you part of the way. Work ethic is just as important, and unfortunately for Russell, this is an area in which he struggled. After struggling to adapt to the professional game, his career fizzled out after just three seasons, marred by poor performance and off-field issues. In his only full season as a starter, he racked up a paltry 2,423 yards and was dropped by the Raiders after just three seasons.
Young, while not facing the same off-field criticisms, is battling the on-field demons of consistency and adapting to the pro level, much like Russell. Whether his career goes the same way remains to be seen.
Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford was selected first overall in 2010 by the St. Louis Rams, but went on to experience a career plagued by injuries, despite showing occasional flashes of potential. In 2008, he led the Oklahoma Sooners to a national championship and became only the second sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy. HE threw for a monstrous 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns at the helm of the highest-scoring offense in NCAA history.
Much was expected of him when he was selected by the Rams and he looked to be the real deal as he threw for over 3,500 yards in his maiden campaign. However, after that, he was unable to stay healthy and live up to his draft billing, rendering him a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of a career in the NFL.