NFL Draft: The Greatest 1st Overall Picks Ever

30. player. 44. The Atlanta Falcons were still a relatively new franchise that hovered between okay and bad throughout the 1970s. It wasn’t until they drafted strong-armed Steve Bartkowski in 1975 that things began to change. After a rough first three years he led the Falcons to their first-ever playoff berth in 1978, even defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round. It wasn’t until two years later though that Bartkowski went from solid quarterback to star. <p> </p> <p>In back-to-back seasons in 1980 and 1981 he reached the Pro Bowl and threw 30 touchdowns. Atlanta went 12-4 during the former season and narrowly missed playing in the NFC championship if not for a last-second Hail Mary against Dallas. The Falcons would have three winning seasons with Bartkowski under center and would not make the playoffs again until five years after he retired. For a brief moment in time he played like somebody drafted #1 should. Maybe if his teams had been better he might’ve had a more appreciated legacy.</p>. QB. Cal. Steve Bartkowski