NFL Draft's Greatest Can't Miss Prospects

With the NFL Draft beginning this weekend, there’s very little drama surrounding the top pick as everyone expects the Chicago Bears to take USC QB Caleb Williams with the no.1 overall pick. Just three years after drafting Ohio St. QB Justin Fields in the first round, the Bears,who traded Fields to Pittsburgh, have shifted their focus to Williams as the face of the franchise.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, Williams is the latest can’t miss prospect in an a near annual parade of “generational talents” entering the NFL Draft. While Williams ceiling is very high, more times than not, these can’t miss prospects often do. Below is a look at some of the most highly touted prospects of all time and how they fared at the next level.

Considered one of the greatest college players ever, Bush, was selected by the New Orleans Saints with2nd overall pick in the 2005 NFL DraftPhoto byPeter Read Miller/SI

#1. Reggie Bush. USC RB. 2006. #2 Overall. New Orleans Saints

A 2x All American and Heisman Trophy winner during his time at USC, Bush is arguably the most electric player in colleege football history. Widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time, the hype train surrounding Bush worked overtime heading into the 2006 NFL Draft. The presumptive no.1 pick, Bush, actually fell to the New Orleans Saints at no.2. While NC State DE/LB Mario Williams went no.1 to the Houston Texans. Outrage and shock gripped football fans from east to west, as everyone had Bush penciled in at no.1. Everyone except, Texans GM Charlie Casserly that is. In the end, Casserly was correct as Williams was a better fit and had a more productive career. Bush, was far from a bust however, his NFL career never came close to matching the hype. He played 11 NFL seasons for five different teams.

John Elway's athleticism, size and strong arm led to incredible hype entering the 1983 NFL Draft.Photo byAl Messerschmidt/Associated Press

#2. John Elway. Stanfoord QB. 1983. #1 Overall. Baltimore Colts

Considered the perfect QB prospect, Elway had it all entering the 1983 NFL Draft. Big, strong, fast and smart, Elway’s big arm and 4.51 speed placed him at the head the famed QB class of 1983 that included Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. Selected in the second round of the 1983 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, Elway threatened to play baseball if the Baltimore Colts used their no.1 pick on him. Eventually, Elway relented when Baltimore agreed to a sign and trade with the Broncos. Elway, a 2x Super Bowl champion and 1987 NFL MVP was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004.

A freakish athlete, Herschel Walker is widely considered one of the greatest college football players of all time.Photo byRonald C. Modra

#3. Herschel Walker. RB. UGA. 1987. 5th Round. Dallas Cowboys

Herschel Walker was a force of nature. A gifted, physical specimen, Walker, was a man among boys during an illustrious three year college career. A unanimous three-time All-American selection and winner of the 1982 Heisman Trophy, Walker petitioned to enter the NFL Draft after his junior year. At the time, underclassmen were forbidden from entering the NFL Draft early and despite his prodigious talents, the NFL stood firm, denying Walker’s request. Subsequently, Walker, signed with USFL’s New Jersey Generals where he spent the first three years of his professional career before the league folded in 1986. Walker was selected in the 5th round of the 1987 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Walker, a 2x Pro Bowl selection played 12 NFL seasons for four different teams amassing nearly 14,000 yards of total offense and 82 career touchdowns.

Drafted as the heir apparent to Peyton Manning by Indianapolis in 2012, Luck retired after just 5 NFL seasons.Photo byJenny Lai. US Presswire

#4. Andrew Luck. QB. Stanford. 2010. #1 Overall. Indianapolis Colts

Easily the most hyped QB since Peyton Manning nearly 15 years earlier, Luck had the intangibles and the pedigree NFL GM’s salivate over. A 6-foot-4, 240 pound QB, Luck possessed the prototypical size, an extremely high football IQ and no discernable weaknesses coming out of Stanford in 2012. A surefire star at the next level, Luck routinely wowed scouts with his ability to make virtually any throw from any spot on the field under any situation. Ironically, Luck replaced Manning as the Colts QB1 after the franchise didn’t re-sign Manning in 2012 in order to make room for Luck whom they selected with the no.1 overall pick. Luck was well on his way to becoming one of the great QBs of his era before his abrupt retirement after just 5 NFL seasons.

The Colts made the right choice by taking Peyton Manning over Washington St. QB Ryan Leaf with the first overall selection in 1998Photo byMichael Layton. Getty Images

#5. Peyton Manning. QB. Tennessee. 1998, #1 Overall. Indianapolis Colts

While there was some real debate between Manning and Washington St.. QB Ryan Leaf as to who the Colts would select with the no.1 overall pick, Manning was widely viewed as the most surefire lock since John Elway in 1983. Ultimately, Indianapolis made the right call taking Manning no.1 overall. While Leaf’s career was derailed by a series of issues ranging from a bad work ethic to substance abuse, Manning proved wothy of every beat of the hype accompanying him after a stellar college career at Tennessee. A 2x Super Bowl champion and 4x MVP, Manniing briefly turned basketball crazed Indiana into a football mad state, elevating a lowly Colts franchise into one of the league’s premiere organizations. Manning retired in 2015 as one of the greatest QBs of all time.

Trevor Lawrence's hype preceeded him all the way back to his sophomore season at Cartersville (GA) High School.Photo byHarry How. Getty Images

#6. Trevor Lawrence. QB. Clemson. 2021. #1 Overall. Jacksonville Jaguars

Known as “Sunshine” for his flowing blond locks and his boyish face, Lawrence was a cold blooded killer when he stepped between the lines. A multi-year starter at Cartersville (GA) high school, Lawrence led the Hurricanes to 41 straight wins and two state championships in a state teeming with elite blue chip talent. His overall record as a starter in high school and college is a staggering 90–4. As a freshman, he led Clemson to a national championship in 2018 and was a first team All-American in 2020. Lawrence is currently the starting QB for the Jacksonville Jaguars