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NFL Draft: The Greatest 1st Overall Picks Ever

By Erik Lambert

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jared Goff (California) is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jared Goff (California) is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah. Alex Smith . 31. player. 42. For a lot of years people railroaded the San Francisco 49ers for taking Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers. It’s true they deserve criticism given the success Rodgers has enjoyed in Green Bay, but they deserve even more for how poorly they handled the early years of Smith’s time there. The man had five different offensive coordinators his first five seasons as a pro. No player is going to have success when stuff like that is happening. Not until the arrival of Jim Harbaugh in 2011 did fans start to see the player Smith could be. <p> </p> <p>He’s not Rodgers but time has proven he is capable of playing at a high level. Smith is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the game today. He has thrown double digit interceptions just twice since 2009, led his team to the playoffs in three seasons and went to a Pro Bowl in 2013. He hasn’t had a losing record since the start of the decade. Time will tell how much higher he might yet rise on these rankings. Perhaps a championship could quiet the doubters, but until that happens he’ll have to be content with just being on the list.</p>. QB

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