NFL Draft: Ranking the last 20 No. 1 overall draft picks
By Kyle Edmond
No. 4 – Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions, 2009 NFL Draft
Heading into the 2009 NFL Draft Matthew Stafford was the clear number one pick. Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman joined Stafford in the first round, but it’s now pretty clear that Stafford was the best of the bunch.
Having spent all 11 seasons of his NFL career in Detroit, Stafford has appeared in all 16 games eight times, doing so each season from 2011-2018. In 2011 and 2012 he led the league in pass attempts while also eclipsing the 5,000 passing mark in 2011.
The 2016 season also saw Stafford lead the league in both 4th Quarter Comebacks as well as Game-winning Drives, both set at eight. He also was named the 2011 Comeback Player of the Year.
Stafford has had a strong career in Detroit and has created stability at the quarterback position for the Lions while also outplaying others from his class. Despite success in those areas, Stafford has only made one Pro Bowl (2014) and has yet to win a playoff game, which is why he slots in at the fourth spot on this list.
He’s had a strong career statistically, but with a rather empty accolades list, he just can’t be put ahead of the remaining players.