NFL · 1 year ago

From Busts to Superstars: Ranking the Last Five Second Overall NFL Draft Picks

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

1. Nick Bosa (2019)
The importance of Nick Bosa to the San Francisco 49ers defense can't be understated. Bosa remains an elite part of this 49ers team and is a significant reason they remain favorites to win the Super Bowl next year. Bosa has tallied 53.5 career sacks in 68 games, combined with 150 solo tackles. Bosa is the definition of the type of player you want to build a defense around, and he continues to be a perennial contender to win Defensive Player of the Year. With Bosa's consistency and the body of work he's shown, it was hard to avoid him being placed in the top spot on this list, for now.

Nick Bosa Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +800
5. Zach Wilson (2021)
It's hardly a secret that the New York Jets selecting Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021 has yet to pay off. The tools were there for Wilson to find success, but he's failed to develop into a starting quarterback in the NFL despite being given ample opportunity to do so. Sure, the environment surrounding him hasn't always been the best, but that won't stop us from calling Wilson a bust. Let's see where the rest of his NFL career takes him, but for now, it's impossible to rank Wilson anywhere but last on this list.

New York Jets Super Bowl Odds: +2700

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4. Chase Young (2020)
It's been a solid last five years for second-overall picks, except Zach Wilson. The Washington Commanders drafted Chase Young out of Ohio State with plenty of hype surrounding him. Although he's yet to be the consistent dominant force every year, as many expected, he's still put together some strong seasons in the NFL. Young is set for a new beginning with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, and there's still plenty of runway for him to live up to his draft status.

New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Odds: +8500
3. Aidan Hutchinson (2022)
Here's where the rankings get way more interesting and challenging. Aidan Hutchinson has been a home run pick for the Detroit Lions at second overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Michigan Wolverine has helped reshape the Lions' pass rush and turned them into a real force. Hutchinson has played two years in the NFL and recorded 21 sacks and 93 tackles. Hutchinson is already on the cusp of being a superstar in the NFL, and his career is just getting started. Can he leapfrog into the top two down the road?

Aidan Hutchinson Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +1600
2. C.J. Stroud (2023)
It appears the Houston Texans hit a grand slam with their selection of C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud dominated the NFL in his rookie year and already showed the traits of a franchise quarterback. Franchise signal-callers don't grow on trees, so we had difficulty not ranking Stroud at the top of this list. As good as Stroud was last season, we need to see him put together more of a body of work before we put him at the top of this list. Regardless, the Texans are thrilled with what they've seen from the former Ohio State Buckeye.

C.J. Stroud NFL MVP Odds: +1000
1. Nick Bosa (2019)
The importance of Nick Bosa to the San Francisco 49ers defense can't be understated. Bosa remains an elite part of this 49ers team and is a significant reason they remain favorites to win the Super Bowl next year. Bosa has tallied 53.5 career sacks in 68 games, combined with 150 solo tackles. Bosa is the definition of the type of player you want to build a defense around, and he continues to be a perennial contender to win Defensive Player of the Year. With Bosa's consistency and the body of work he's shown, it was hard to avoid him being placed in the top spot on this list, for now.

Nick Bosa Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +800
5. Zach Wilson (2021)
It's hardly a secret that the New York Jets selecting Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021 has yet to pay off. The tools were there for Wilson to find success, but he's failed to develop into a starting quarterback in the NFL despite being given ample opportunity to do so. Sure, the environment surrounding him hasn't always been the best, but that won't stop us from calling Wilson a bust. Let's see where the rest of his NFL career takes him, but for now, it's impossible to rank Wilson anywhere but last on this list.

New York Jets Super Bowl Odds: +2700

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From Busts to Superstars: Ranking the Last Five Second Overall NFL Draft Picks

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