Recent NFL Drafts: Ranking the Last 5 First Overall Picks

Zack Cook
Host · Writer
1. Joe Burrow (2020)
After an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, Joe Burrow will be looking to make a big statement come 2024. Burrow has already led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance during his short time in the league, and he will be a problem in the AFC moving forward. Burrow is on a Hall of Fame-level trajectory if he can stay on the football field and has the weapons around him to make the dream a reality. There's no question: Burrow has been the best first-overall pick of the last decade.
Joe Burrow NFL MVP Odds: +1000
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5. Bryce Young (2023)
Although some are ready to write off the NFL career of Bryce Young, we're not quite there. Young had a troublesome first year with the Carolina Panthers for many reasons. It's not always smooth sailing for a rookie quarterback, especially not one with arguably the NFL's worst roster surrounding him. Young didn't forget how to play football overnight, and although there were real questions about his game, the potential is there for a bounce back in Year 2.
Bryce Young NFL MVP Odds: +15000
4. Travon Walker (2022)
There were definite question marks when the Jacksonville Jaguars used the 2022 first-overall pick on Travon Walker. The tools are there for him to dominate on Sundays, but he has yet to reach his potential. When the Jags made this selection, they knew it was a project, and it's played out like that early on. Still, we saw a nice jump in production from Year 1 to Year 2, which is an encouraging sign for Year 3. Look for Walker to put the league on notice moving forward.
Travon Walker Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +15000
3. Kyler Murray (2019)
Kyler Murray has had a solid start to his NFL career after being selected first by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. It's still somewhat unknown whether he has what it takes to be a star franchise quarterback in this league, but we'll get a better idea after next season. The Cardinals will likely add a high-end receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, which should help elevate Murray's offensive game. This is a big year for Murray, and he has a chance to prove he can play with the league's best.
Kyler Murray NFL MVP Odds: +5000
2. Trevor Lawrence (2021)
After helping to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the postseason two years ago, Trevor Lawrence and the team took a step back last season after a late collapse in the AFC South. The talent remains elite with Lawrence, but he has shown some flaws at this point in his NFL career. It's fair to say that it's been a slightly underwhelming start to his NFL career, but we're not willing to write him off a legitimate franchise quarterback yet. The buzz on him entering the league didn't help, but we're still looking for a little more from him, even if we have him ranked second on this list.
Trevor Lawrence NFL MVP Odds: +2000
1. Joe Burrow (2020)
After an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, Joe Burrow will be looking to make a big statement come 2024. Burrow has already led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance during his short time in the league, and he will be a problem in the AFC moving forward. Burrow is on a Hall of Fame-level trajectory if he can stay on the football field and has the weapons around him to make the dream a reality. There's no question: Burrow has been the best first-overall pick of the last decade.
Joe Burrow NFL MVP Odds: +1000
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
5. Bryce Young (2023)
Although some are ready to write off the NFL career of Bryce Young, we're not quite there. Young had a troublesome first year with the Carolina Panthers for many reasons. It's not always smooth sailing for a rookie quarterback, especially not one with arguably the NFL's worst roster surrounding him. Young didn't forget how to play football overnight, and although there were real questions about his game, the potential is there for a bounce back in Year 2.
Bryce Young NFL MVP Odds: +15000

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