Each April, the eyes of all NFL fans turn towards New York City, home to the annual NFL draft.  This draft serves as a way for losing teams to turn their luck around, and for winning teams to make themselves even stronger as the next season looms.  Being a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, I am all too familiar with the buzz that surrounds having the first overall pick…and the disappointment that follows.  This pick is reserved for a player that made his mark in college, and who is ready to be the next big-time player poised for NFL stardom, endorsement deals, and perhaps a plaque in Canton when all is said and done.  Basically, he is supposed to be a gamechanger for the franchise.  The NBA is the only sport that comes close to matching the hype that surrounds the NFL’s number 1 pick.

I thought it would be fun to take a look back the 10 number picks from the 90s.  Were they as good as advertised, or just busts that cost their team millions of dollars?

1990: Jeff George, QB - Illinois
George was drafted by the Colts and received the richest NFL rookie contract at the time.  Anybody who knows anything about George knows that he never spent too much time with one team.  After 4 not so great years with the Colts, George went on to play for the Falcons, Raiders, Vikings, Redskins, and Bears.  George is definitely the definition of the journeyman Quarterback.
Ruling: Bust

1991: Russell Maryland, DT - Miami (The U)
The Cowboys made a deal with the Patriots in order to accuire Maryland with the first pick.  Maryland spent his ten years in the league with Cowboys, Raiders, and Packers.  To quote SI’s wiki page, “Most people believe that 1992 was Russell Maryland’s best year, as he ran back a fumble for a touchdown.”  Uh, not good.
Ruling: Bust

1992: Steve Emtman, DT - Washington
Who?  I’ll admit that I’m not an NFL know-it-all, but I’ve been following pretty close for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never heard of this guy.  Apparently he played himself in the film, “Little Giants.”  The Colts clearly were not having much success during this time, as they had the first pick again and took Emtman.  Cool fact: Emtman was the first player to ever return after tearing their patellar tendon.
Ruling: Bust

1993: Drew Bledsoe, QB - Washington State
Did you know Bledsoe’s middle name is McQueen?  Just a year after being drafted Bledsoe was a major force in the complete turnaround of the Patriots franchise, and by 1996 he was leading the team to the Super Bowl (they lost to the Packers).  Most football fans can remember the massive hit he took from Mo Lewis of the Jets in 2001 that eventually led to rise of Tom Brady.  Once Brady got his groove there was no turning back and Bledsoe was relegated to the back-up role.  Sort of cool fact (I guess): Bledsoe owns his own vineyard and roasting company.

Ruling: Great Pick

1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT - Ohio State
“Big Daddy,” as he was known, was the first overall number 1 draft pick in Bengals (not the last, as you’ll soon see), and he was actually a solid player during his years in Cincinnati.  Though I am not an Ohio State fan and was not as excited as many of my friends about a Buckeye joining the Bengals, Wilkinson was a great player in college and we all had high expectations.  In 95 he lead all AFC interior lineman in QB sacks (8), and in 96 he led the Bengals with 6.5 sacks.   Throughout his time with the Bengals he had been a solid player, unlike some of his teammates.  Some issues with the team led to his departure in 98.  He finished out his career playing for the Redskins, Lions, and Dolphins.  Wilkinson put up some good stats for the Redskins and proved to be an important player. Fun Fact: Wilkinson called Cincinnati a racist city!
Ruling: Good, not Great.

1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB - Penn State
Oh god.  Draft day was the highest moment in Carter’s career, as the Bengals snapped him with the first overall pick.  On his third run in his first preseason game with the Bungles, Carter tore his ACL and that was pretty much it for him.  He spent some time with the Redskins and Saints before hanging it up.   Fun Fact: Yahoo! Sports named Carter the worst number 1 pick since the AFL-NFL merger in 1966!
Ruling: BIGGEST BUST EVER!

1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR - USC
Johnson spent his first 3 seasons playing for Jets before being traded to the Bucaneers in 2000, where he earned a Super Bowl ring in 2002.  Eventually Johnson was traded to the Cowboys where he proved to be a leader in and out of the locker room.  Johnson finished his career with the Panthers where eventually set a record for catching a touchdown pass with four different teams.  Johnson was eventually let go when the team drafted Dwayne Jarrett, a bit of a backfire for Keyshaw as you will see in the video below.  Johnson can now be seen on ESPN next to Boomer, Mel and Mort for Sunday NFL and Monday Night Countdown.
Ruling: Push

1997: Orlando Pace, OT - Ohio State
Known for his pancake tackling skills, Pace was drafted by the Rams in 1997 - the first offensive lineman to be the first overall pick in 29 years.  Pace became an immediate starter for the Rams, and in 1999 he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.  He made 5 more Pro Bowls following that 99 appearance, and was part of both Rams teams that made it to the Super Bowl.  Injuries have hampered Pace’s career since then, but he’s still hoping for a future return.
Ruling: Great Pick

1998: Peyton Manning, QB - Tennessee
Well this one seems to have worked out pretty well.  Fresh off getting whopped by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, Peyton Manning came to the NFL as the obvious number 1 pick for the Colts.  I can go into all sorts of stats but how many conference titles he’s lead his team or his Super Bowl win, but really, I hope that Manning’s legacy is solely based on around this commercial:

Ruling: Laser Rocket Arm

1999: Tim Couch, QB - Kentucky
Couch took over the starting job for the Cleveland Browns during the second game of his rookie season.  Couch was a stud at Kentucky, so the expectations were extremely high for him and the newly re-formed Cleveland Browns.  Though Couch had some success, he never became the star Cleveland had hoped for.  Before there was Quinn vs. Anderson, there was Couch vs. Holcomb.  Because of injuries, Couch had to battle with Holcomb for the starting QB job.  Couch does rank highly in several Browns QB categories, but like I said, he was supposed to be so much more.  Fun Fact: Couch is married to a former Playboy Playmate, so life isn’t too bad.
Ruling: Push

If you liked this, check out the NFL’s Top 10 Non-Kicking Special Teamers Of All Time.

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