No. 1 NFL Draft Picks of the Past 25 Years

Stafford joined the Lions after forgoing his senior season at Georgia, and became the face of a franchise in need of a savior. The young QB was considered a bright spot on an otherwise desolate squad, leading Detroit to its first wins since the 2007 season, including a 38-37 victory over the Browns in which Stafford became the youngest player in NFL history to throw five touchdown passes. Stafford racked up 2,267 passing yards and 13 TDs before a separated shoulder ended his rookie campaign.

A unanimous All-America at left tackle during his senior season at Michigan in 2007, Long became just the third offensive tackle to be selected with the NFL's top overall draft pick. Miami made Long a starter from day one, and the 6-7, 317-pound lineman has rewarded the Dolphins with back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in his first two seasons.

After leading LSU to a dominating 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl as a junior, Russell rode the wave of momentum into the NFL Draft and went to the Raiders with the first overall pick. But Russell's physical tools - primarily his ridiculous arm strength -- have yet to produce wins for Oakland, and the Raiders look ready to give up on the brazen QB, who was reported to have shown up to training camp in March weighing close to 300 pounds.

Houston passed over universally popular choice Reggie Bush with the first pick, selecting the freakishly athletic defensive end from N.C. State instead. The controversial selection didn't pay immediate dividends, with Williams logging a modest 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks as a rookie. But his sophomore campaign demonstrated dramatic improvement: 59 tackles, 14.0 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Smith became the first quarterback to lead a non-BCS school to a victory in a BCS bowl during the '04 season, spiriting Utah to a 12-0 record capped by a dominating performance against Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl. Since joining the 49ers as the top pick in the '05 draft, Smith has bounced between starter and backup, battling injuries and working under four offensive coordinators in five years. But after a good showing in '09, Niners head coach Mike Singletary has committed to Smith as the starter for 2010 and beyond.

The Chargers chose the Ole Miss signal-caller with the first overall pick despite admonitions from Manning's agent, who insisted the quarterback wouldn't sign with San Diego due to the franchise's reputation for not paying well. The Giants chose Philip Rivers with the second pick and brokered a trade with the Chargers: the rights to Manning in exchange for the rights to Rivers, a 2005 first-rounder (Shawne Merriman), a 2004 third-rounder (Nate Kaeding) and a 2005 fifth-rounder (traded to Tampa Bay). Manning overcame early struggles and intense media scrutiny to lead the Giants to a near-miraculous victory in Super Bowl XLII.

The Bengals tabbed Palmer as their quarterback of the future after the Fresno native won the Heisman Trophy during his senior year at USC. Palmer has enjoyed a decorated career despite a horrific knee injury suffered during the 2005-06 postseason, setting a number of franchise passing records, making a pair of Pro Bowls and leading Cincinnati to its first division title since 1990.

One of the most prolific passers in college football history, Carr threw for 7,849 yards and 70 touchdowns during a four-year career at Fresno State. But Houston's first overall pick in franchise history, Carr couldn't handle the pressure -- literally. Carr set the single-season record for sacks taken (70) during his rookie season and struggled mightily throughout his five-year stint in the Lone Star State. The 49ers signed Carr in March as a back-up to Alex Smith, another former #1 pick.

Atlanta selected Vick with the first overall pick following an electric collegiate career at Virginia Tech. The multi-talented quarterback made three Pro Bowls and led the Falcons to the NFC Championship Game in 2004 while finishing second in the MVP voting. But a 2007 indictment on federal dog fighting charges led to a 23-month prison sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Vick returned to the field in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles after his indefinite suspension was lifted, playing sparingly behind starter Donovan McNabb.

A rare combination of speed, strength and athleticism, Brown went first overall in the '00 draft to the Cleveland Browns. But after totaling 70 tackles and 4.5 sacks during a promising rookie campaign, injuries took a toll with Brown playing just 26 games from 2002 through 2004 (and amassing a modest eight sacks). After a minor resurgence in Denver during the 2005 regular season and playoffs, a torn ACL in his left knee during 2006 preseason effectively ended his pro career.

Couch's place at the head of the Quarterback Class of 1999 didn't translate add up to much in the NFL. Instead of following in the footsteps of classmates Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper, Couch went the way of historical footnotes Akili Smith and Cade McNown. Attempted comebacks with the Green Bay Packers (2004) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2007) proved futile.

Few first overall picks have realized the hype more impressively than Manning, the only four-time MVP in league history. Peyton's made ten Pro Bowl appearances while leading Indianapolis to two Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl XLI.

After not allowing a quarterback sack during his final two years at Ohio State, the brawny left tackle became the first offensive lineman in 29 years to go first overall in the draft. Pace has made seven Pro Bowls (and counting) and helped the Rams to the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl victory while blocking for Kurt Warner during the `99

Johnson solidified his draft standing with a magnificent performance for USC in the Rose Bowl, setting a game record with 216 receiving yards in a 41-32 victory over Northwestern. But while Johnson never quite lived up to his considerable hype, the L.A. native still made three Pro Bowls during an 11-year career and helped Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl title in 2002.

After helping Penn State to an undefeated record and finishing second in the Heisman voting as a senior, Carter went first overall to the Bengals in the '95 draft. But the Ohio native tore an ACL on the third carry of his first preseason game and ended up rushing for just 1,144 yards in 10 seasons.

Wilkinson played four seasons with the Bengals after Cincinnati took the Ohio State product with the first overall pick, recording 25.0 sacks and missing just three games. The Bengals sent Wilkinson packing after the defensive end called Cincinnati a "racist" city, and the Dayton native spent the remaining seven years of his career playing for the Redskins, Lions and Dolphins.

After going to the Patriots with the first pick of the '93 draft, Bledsoe spent the remainder of the decade as the face of the franchise. He broke a number of team passing records, made three Pro Bowls and led New England to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXI. Bledsoe made a fourth Pro Bowl during the first of three years with the Bills and finished up his career in Dallas under former New England coach Bill Parcells.

Injury-plagued practically from the start, the defensive end blew out his knee just nine games into his rookie season and finished each of his first three years with Indianapolis on injured reserve. Emtman bounced around the league but never approached the dynamic form displayed during a brilliant collegiate career at Washington. In 1997, Emtman retired from the Redskins at 27 years old.

Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson used draft picks acquired in the legendary Herschel Walker trade to deal with New England for the No. 1 overall selection in the '91 draft. With the choice, the Cowboys took Maryland -- and the University of Miami product started on the defensive line for three Super Bowl champions during the early 1990s.

Despite having one of the strongest arms of his generation, George never quite harnessed his natural gifts -- a 4,000-yard season with the Falcons in 1995 notwithstanding -- and spent his career as a journeyman signal-caller. The Illinois product played for seven different NFL teams throughout a 15-year career.

After finishing 3-13 during the 1988 season, the Cowboys made Troy Aikman the franchise's first pick of the post-Landry era. Dallas stumbled to a 1-15 mark during Aikman's rookie year, with the UCLA product going 0-11 as a starter. But things would turn around quickly, with Aikman winning his third Super Bowl title by his seventh NFL season.

Touted as the next Lawrence Taylor, the underwhelming Bruce started just 42 games during an 11-year career with the Falcons and Raiders.

Miami transformed into "The U" in the late 1980's with Jimmy Johnson as head coach and Testaverde as starting quarterback. A Heisman trophy-winning season propelled him into the NFL, despite a crushing loss to Penn State in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, a game in which Testaverde lobbed five interceptions. The definition of a journeyman quarterback, Testaverde played more than 20 seasons on seven teams.

In 1986, Bo Jackson ran the fastest verifiable 40-yard dash in NFL combine history, at 4.12 seconds. With that in mind, Tampa Bay made him the top pick of the NFL Draft, only to issue him an ultimatum: baseball or football? Bo chose baseball's Kansas City Royals, until the following year's NFL Draft, when he was selected in the 7th round by the Oakland Raiders. Legendary Raiders owner Al Davis allowed Jackson to play part-time as he juggled All-Star caliber careers in two professional sports.

Buffalo nabbed the reigning Outland Trophy winner and consensus All-America selection out of Virgina Tech with the draft's top pick in 1985. En route to 19 years with the Bills and Redskins, 11 Pro Bowls, four Super Bowl appearances and an NFL-record 200 sacks, Smith cemented himself as one of the most intimidating defensive forces in NFL history, and was rewarded with a Hall of Fame nod in 2009.