11 Greatest #1 Draft Picks Who Carried Entire Franchises
The first overall pick in the NFL Draft is supposed to be the real deal. But while some players crumble under the spotlight, others carry entire franchises on their backs. These athletes exceeded expectations and reshaped their teams’ futures.
Peyton Manning
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Before the Colts became contenders, they needed a leader who could handle everything—expectation, pressure, and change. Peyton Manning provided all three. He was drafted in 1998 and brought consistency and intelligence to the quarterback position. Over the next decade, he guided Indianapolis to playoff runs, a Super Bowl title, and a complete shift in team identity.
John Elway
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John Elway arrived after a draft-day standoff and went on to define Denver football. His career included five Super Bowl appearances and two wins. More than stats, it was his late-game heroics and loyalty that made him the face of the franchise.
Terry Bradshaw
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Bradshaw faced doubts early on but grew into a fearless leader. He helped the Steelers go from struggling to unstoppable by winning four Super Bowls in six years. His tough style of play and ability to rise during clutch moments made him a defining figure in Pittsburgh’s proud history.
Troy Aikman
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When Dallas hit rock bottom, Aikman was the first step toward recovery. Troy Aikman played with control and toughness and led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins. He picked up the pace when it counted, and with every precise pass and fourth-quarter drive, he reshaped the team into a championship machine.
Bruce Smith
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Quarterbacks feared facing Buffalo’s defense, and Bruce Smith was the reason why. After being drafted in 1985, he racked up 200 career sacks and set the tone for an entire unit. His effort and leadership pushed the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances.
Eli Manning
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After being selected first overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Eli Manning was traded to the New York Giants in a high-profile swap with the Chargers. Manning’s most iconic moments came in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, where he led the Giants to stunning victories over the heavily favored New England Patriots—once against a team chasing a perfect 19–0 season.
Cam Newton
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Before Cam Newton arrived in 2011 as the No. 1 overall pick, the Carolina Panthers were a team with flashes of success but no lasting identity. Newton changed that overnight. In his rookie year, he set records for passing yards by a rookie and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. His 2015 MVP season established his legacy—throwing for 35 touchdowns, rushing for 10 more, and leading Carolina to a 15–1 record and a Super Bowl 50 appearance.
Andrew Luck
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Replacing Peyton Manning wasn’t supposed to be easy. But Andrew Luck managed to make the role his own. Despite poor protection and injuries, he engineered a turnaround that punched their playoff ticket. His early retirement left a void that Indianapolis is still struggling to fill.
Keyshawn Johnson
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When the Jets needed a kick, Keyshawn did not disappoint. The 1996 top pick backed up his talk with big plays and gave New York its true receiving threat in years. He carried the Jets to an AFC title game and brought relevance to a team that had long been stuck in neutral.
Michael Vick
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No one moved like Vick. His arm and speed made the Falcons must-watch TV. Michael Vick brought national attention to Atlanta and changed how the quarterback position was viewed. He was key in helping the Falcons win, which gave the franchise an identity and inspired the next generation of dual-threat stars.
Orlando Pace
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Every highlight from the “Greatest Show on Turf” started with protection, and that meant Pace. He anchored the Rams’ line, kept Kurt Warner upright, and allowed the offense to become the highlight of every game. His dominance at left tackle allowed St. Louis a win in the Super Bowl.
Carson Palmer
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The Cincinnati Bengals were in the middle of a long and frustrating stretch without a playoff win since 1990. Palmer gave the franchise something it hadn’t had in years—stability under center. After sitting out his rookie season, he took over in 2004 and quickly made an impact. By 2005, he led the Bengals to an 11–5 record and their first division title in 15 years by throwing for over 3,800 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Irving Fryar
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Irving Fryar helped give the franchise its first real sense of offensive firepower. Drafted in 1984, he quickly became New England’s most dangerous weapon on the outside, known for stretching the field and making contested catches in key moments. His breakout year came in 1985, when he played a key role in helping the Patriots reach their first Super Bowl appearance—a Cinderella run that included three straight road playoff wins.
Kyler Murray
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Murray arrived with questions about his size but quickly silenced doubters with elite speed, vision, and arm talent. He won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for over 3,700 yards and rushing for 544 more. By 2021, he led the Cardinals to their first playoff appearance in six seasons and became the centerpiece of a franchise ready to build around a dual-threat weapon.
Steve Bartkowski
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During the early ’80s, Bartkowski quietly became one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league by stacking 30-touchdown seasons and leading drives that actually gave Atlanta a fighting chance. In 1978, he guided the team to its first-ever playoff appearance and ended years of frustration for the fan base. His name may not always show up in highlight reels, but for longtime Falcons fans, Bartkowski represented the first real shift from survival mode to something better.