Best #1 overall pick of our lifetimes

J-Mike88 · 02-09-2012, 03:09 PM

I won't go back to the 1970's where we had:

(1969) OJ Simpson
1970 Terry Bradshaw
1974 Ed Too Tall Jones
1978 Earl Campbell

But since then, going back to Elway in 1983, I think it's an open debate which was the best #1 overall pick.

1983 - Elway, (by Baltimore)
1985- Bruce Smith, no rings, but he was dominant.
1989- Troy Aikman, not the stats, but with a great team, he won.
1993- Drew Bledsoe, don't laugh, he was great for awhile.
1997- Orlando Pace, OL, but an anchor for a long time.
1998- Peyton Manning, obviously great for a long time, plus a ring.
2004- Eli Manning (by San Diego), What would have happened if he was forced to stay in San Diego? Would they have any titles, would Rivers in New York?

Like 90% of the stuff on this board, it's pure speculation.
What do you think? And where are the RB's?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/alltimeno1

bigbluedefense · 02-09-2012, 03:12 PM

I think I'm going with Elway. For now. Gotta think about this. It's either Elway or Peyton.

Mr. Goosemahn · 02-09-2012, 03:14 PM

In my lifetime, it's probably Peyton right now.

the_dark_knight · 02-09-2012, 03:15 PM

Oh great topic, at first I was thinking the question would be a lock for Elway, but Peyton has really solidified himself in that Category of elite of all time QBs.

Those are my 2 choices, I'd really have to lean towards Peyton though. I love Elway, and he was amazing to watch and enjoy, but Peyton is on an entirely different level mentally and I love that aspect of football, that chess game that is played. No one has ever been better at it than Peyton, and for the situation he came into in Indy, to be the key component in the franchises rise to prominence, I'll give him my vote.

zachsaints52 · 02-09-2012, 03:37 PM

Since I wasnt born until 89, and I love OL, Im going Pace.

jrdrylie · 02-09-2012, 03:43 PM

I'll say Manning. You could make the argument for Elway being a better player. But the question is best number one pick. Manning has played his entire career with the Colts while Elway never played for Baltimore (the team that drafted him). Because of this, Manning was the better PICK. Who is the better player is a different argument altogether.

Ness · 02-09-2012, 03:46 PM

In my lifetime it's Peyton Manning.

Complex · 02-09-2012, 04:04 PM

Elisha Nelson Manning.You draft a QB #1 overall to win championships. Elisha has won 2 with that Giants. There for he is the best #1 pick in my lifetime.

vidae · 02-09-2012, 04:06 PM

It's Peyton for me.

descendency · 02-09-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complex

Elisha Nelson Manning.You draft a QB #1 overall to win championships. Elisha has won 2 with that Giants. There for he is the best #1 pick in my lifetime.

Except he was picked by the Chargers.

Peyton Manning.

Mufasa · 02-09-2012, 07:31 PM

How many people here are really older than 29? I thought most people on here were college age, or just a bit older.

So with Elway out, it's Peyton Manning. Easily.

J-Mike88 · 02-09-2012, 07:32 PM

Aikman doesn't get a mention at all?
Guy got to, and went 3-0 in Super Bowls.
And he was the top of a draft with Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Derrick Thomas. Imagine passing on ALL those guys.... and not regretting it one bit.

BTW, no RB's in the dicussion, which I find very interesting.

The last RB to go #1 overall was 1995 with Ki-Jana Carter. Guy blew out his knee before his first 'real' game.
This season, we saw 2 great rookies in Ryan Williams and Mikel Leshoure blow theirs out before they even played their first 'real' game.
Of course, we saw Jamal Charles knee break in the first real game of this season, and then the great Adrian's blow up later in the season.

RB's, even when they are great and last -which is rarer and rarer each year- like LaDanian and MJD, don't lead teams to Super Bowls anyway.

But look at the QBs.

Here's a refresher for anyone not wanting to click the link:

2012
Andrew Luck
QB
Stanford
Indianapolis Colts

2011
Cam Newton
QB
Blinn Junior College
Carolina Panthers

2010
Sam Bradford
QB
Oklahoma
St. Louis Rams

2009
Matthew Stafford
QB
Georgia
Detroit Lions

2008
Jake Long
OT
Michigan
Miami Dolphins

2007
JaMarcus Russell
QB
LSU
Oakland Raiders

2006
Mario Williams
DE
N. Carolina State
Houston Texans

2005
Alex Smith
QB
Utah
San Francisco 49ers

2004
Eli Manning
QB
Mississippi
San Diego Chargers

2003
Carson Palmer
QB
USC
Cincinnati Bengals

2002
David Carr
QB
Fresno State
Houston Texans

2001
Michael Vick
QB
Virginia Tech
Atlanta Falcons

2000
Courtney Brown
DE
Penn State
Cleveland Browns

1999
Tim Couch
QB
Kentucky
Cleveland Browns

1998
Peyton Manning
QB
Tennessee
Indianapolis Colts

1997
Orlando Pace
OT
Ohio State
St. Louis Rams

1996
Keyshawns Johnson
WR
USC
New York Jets

1995
Ki-Jana Carter
RB
Penn State
Cincinnati Bengals

1994
Dan Wilkinson
DT
Ohio State
Cincinnati Bengals

1993
Drew Bledsoe
QB
Washington State
New England Patriots

1992
Steve Emtman
DT
Washington
Indianapolis Colts

1991
Russell Maryland
DT
Miami, (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys

1990
Jeff George
QB
Illinois
Indianapolis Colts

1989
Troy Aikman
QB
UCLA
Dallas Cowboys

1988
Aundray Bruce
LB
Auburn
Atlanta Falcons

1987
Vinny Testatcleverde
QB
Miami, (Fla.)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1986
Bo Jackson
RB
Auburn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1985
Bruce Smith
DE
Virginia Tech
Buffalo Bills

1984
Irving Fryar
WR
Nebraska
New England Patriots

1983
John Elway
QB
Stanford
Baltimore Colts

Sloopy · 02-09-2012, 07:49 PM

Peyton is probably one of my favorite players ever so maybe I'm biased but I feel pretty safe saying Peyton as the greatest #1 pick of all time

Xonraider · 02-09-2012, 07:50 PM

Born in '92...... so Jamarcus Russell

Brodeur · 02-09-2012, 08:10 PM

Peyton Manning by a pretty sizable margin.

DraftSavant · 02-09-2012, 08:21 PM

Q: "Cam, are you surprised by your fast transition to the pros?"
A: "If you write a good article, do your surprise yourself?"

Brothgar · 02-09-2012, 08:35 PM

Where are the RBs?

Bo Knows where the RBs are!

D-Unit · 02-09-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complex

Elisha Nelson Manning.You draft a QB #1 overall to win championships. Elisha has won 2 with that Giants. There for he is the best #1 pick in my lifetime.

Aikman won 3. Wanna reconsider? ^_^

nobodyinparticular · 02-09-2012, 08:41 PM

I like Peyton Manning a little more than Elway and Aikman. Then I'd say Smith and Pace. Then Eli.

Giantsfan1080 · 02-09-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Aikman won 3. Wanna reconsider? ^_^

He said in his lifetime. He might be a younger fan.

RaiderNation · 02-09-2012, 08:50 PM

Going to likely either be Manning/Luck for me. I was born in 1992 so hopefully I will get to see some more awesome prospects come out in the future.

J-Mike88 · 02-09-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DraftSavant

Look at those cute funky shaped little ears.

SenorGato · 02-09-2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Goosemahn

In my lifetime, it's probably Peyton right now.

+1

Tencharacters.

J-Mike88 · 02-09-2012, 10:33 PM

2 WRs taken #1 overall here.

Keyshawn, and Irving Fryar (which was the draft that had Jerry Rice in it, by the way.)

Not Megatron, Fitzgerald, Andre, or Randy Moss.
Not Michael Irvin, Tim Brown, or Sterling Sharpe (all in the amazing same draft class)

Bengalsrocket · 02-09-2012, 10:34 PM

Aikman's stats are so far off of how he actually played. Guy was a boss and gets massively under appreciated for what he did with the Cowboys. No I don't believe he's the greatest of all time or anything, and it's fine to think Peyton or Elway had better careers - but Aikman was still great.