A Decade of the First Two NFL Quarterback Draft Picks

Dorian, “The Trashman” Colbert, RosterWatch.com

At the gym the other day, I watched a segment of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption in which the draft prospects of quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were being scrutinized by follicle-ly challenged hosts Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser. Most often, I tune in to the show for the swift and sardonic commentary rather than the veracity of the reporting, but I was intrigued when during this segment Kornheiser stated that out of the top two QB picks in the NFL drafts, one is usually a bust. I thought about it for a bit, and when I got done hopelessly chiseling away at what was once a six-pack and is now more of a pony keg, I did some research myself of the first two QB picks over the last decade. I have my opinions, but I’ll leave it to the readers’ judgement….

2011: Cam Newton, Jake Locker

2010: Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow

2009: Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez

2008: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco

2007: JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn

2006: Vince Young, Matt Leinart

2005: Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers

2004: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers

2003: Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich

2002: David Carr, Joey Harrington

2001: Mike Vick, Drew Brees