With the 2020 NFL Draft now less than 10 days away, the buzz is officially palpable. Even though this year's installment of the NFL Draft will be a bit different than usual due to the current climate across the country, football fans remain eager to learn exactly which players will be joining their favorite teams ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.
Although we will all soon be looking toward the future of the league, what better way is there to prepare for the future than taking a quick look back at the past?
As former LSU Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Joe Burrow prepares to more than likely become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after winning both a Heisman Trophy and National Championship this past season, there have been more than a few “sure things” that haven't ultimately panned out. On the other hand, players have been able to live up to the hype after coming off the board at No. 1 overall following stellar amateur careers. Whether the pick turned out positively or not so great, though, there have definitely been a few surprises — for a variety of reasons — along the way as risking it all to take a collegiate prospect in that top spot has to be absolutely nerve-racking for a franchise and all those involved.
In no particular order, the five most surprising No. 1 overall picks in the history of the NFL Draft…
Former Oklahoma Sooners QB Kyler Murray, 2019 NFL Draft (Arizona Cardinals)
It initially appeared as though former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray would begin his career as a Major League Baseball player following his final collegiate season. After initially being selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Murray appeared primed to sign with the American League West ball club. Because of his size — or lack thereof — and seemingly due to the massive paydays that are associated with professional football, Murray needed a huge season with the Sooners in order to even have a shot at outdoing himself come the 2019 NFL Draft. Not only did Murray manage to accomplish such a feat, but he won a Heisman Trophy and ultimately became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, thanks to the Arizona Cardinals.
Former Oklahoma Sooners QB Baker Mayfield, 2018 NFL Draft (Cleveland Browns)
Although former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield was primed to come off the board at some point in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns obviously had other ideas. With Mayfield initially graded behind the likes of fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen, Sam Darold, and Josh Rosen in addition to running back Saquon Barkley — among a few others — the Heisman Trophy winner was not expected to be picked until a bit later in the opening round. Despite having not one but two top-four picks that year, the Browns wasted absolutely no time en route to making Mayfield the No. 1 overall pick in the end. It had been speculated only briefly heading into the 2018 NFL Draft that the Browns truly saw Mayfield as the best quarterback of the bunch, though it was hard to tell if all of the fuss was just a front.
Former Cal Golden Bears QB Jared Goff, 2016 NFL Draft (Los Angeles Rams)
Although former Cal quarterback Jared Goff was considered to be one of the best signal-callers in the 2016 NFL Draft class, it was unlikely that the collegiate standout would come off the board as early as No. 1 overall. The biggest reason for this notion was the fact that the Tennessee Titans, who originally owned this selection, did not need a quarterback at the time as the AFC South franchise had picked Heisman Trophy winner and former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota just one year prior. However, that all changed leading up to the annual event as the Los Angeles Rams acquired the top spot from the Titans in exchange for quite the haul, which included several first round and several second-round picks — among some additional NFL Draft capital as well.
F0rmer Penn State Nittany Lions RB Ki-Jana Carter, 1995 NFL Draft (Cincinnati Bengals)
In today's NFL, there is almost a zero percent chance that a running back would ever be selected with the No. 1 overall pick as pass rushers, quarterbacks and offensive tackles have seemingly taken over. However, that was not the case back in 1995 as the Cincinnati Bengals elected to choose former Penn State running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ki-Jana Carter at No. 1 overall. Unfortunately, the gamble did not pay off for the Bengals as Carter only lasted parts of four seasons in Cincinnati and racked up less than 320 carries, 1,144 rushing yards, and 20 touchdowns via the ground game for his entire career atop the highest level. In fact, he only appeared in 35 games as a member of the Bengals before achieving journeyman status. What makes this selection even more surprising, though, is the fact that the Bengals actually acquired the top pick from the Carolina Panthers, an expansion team at the time.
Former Stanford Cardinal QB John Elway, 1983 NFL Draft (Baltimore Colts)
Similarly to the aforementioned Kyler Murray of two-sport fame, future Hall of Fame quarterback and Denver Broncos legend John Elway was well on his way to playing for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball when he was selected by the Baltimore Colts with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. With absolutely no desire to play for the Colts, Elway was eventually traded to the Broncos en route to forgoing a professional baseball career and becoming one of the best signal-callers in the history of the league. Even though it was a significant risk for the Colts, it was obviously the right selection in terms of taking the best overall player in the 1983 NFL Draft upon utilizing the No. 1 overall pick. However, things did not work out in the Colts' favor in the end as Elway got his way in Denver.
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