In the last seven NFL Drafts, nine quarterbacks have been picked in the top five overall. All currently are starters for their respective teams, although that could change by the time you read this.
How good a Sunday was it for each of the highly compensated nine? We rated their day one to nine:
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1. Philip Rivers (No. 4, 2004) » The Chargers QB was 24 of 36 for 209 yards, threw three touchdown passes and directed the game-winning drive in the final two minutes of a 21-20 win over the Giants. Beating the team that traded him and the QB he was traded for (Eli Manning) makes this a perfect day for the thin-skinned Rivers.
2. Vince Young (No. 3, 2006) » Since his return to the lineup, his stats resemble those of a game manager (12 of 19, 172 yards in a 34-27 win over the Niners). But the Titans had 18 turnovers in six games (all losses) without Vince, and now zero turnovers in two games (both wins) with him.
3. Carson Palmer (No. 1, 2003) » Supported by the suddenly-potent Cedric Benson, Palmer (20 of 33, 224 yards) directed an offense that dominated possession (40:00-20:00) in a 17-7 win over Baltimore. The resurgent Bengals (6-2) have swept the Ravens and Palmer’s career is on the rebound.
4. Matt Ryan (No. 3, 2008) » He didn’t need to do much against the listless Redskins (17 of 24 for 135 yards) in a 31-17 win. Atlanta (5-3) is on course for another playoff berth. Could the future be any brighter for “Matty Ice”?
5. Mark Sanchez (No. 5, 2009) » Had a bye. Another day, another super model.
6. JaMarcus Russell (No. 1, 2007) » Had a bye. Another day, another bag of Doritos.
7. Eli Manning (No. 1, 2004) » Had better numbers than Rivers (25 of 33, 215 yards, 2 TD), but with the Giants losing their fourth straight, this was a bad day for Manning and his soul-searching squad that has yet to establish their once-irrepressible running attack.
8. Alex Smith (No. 1, 2005) » Threw three interceptions in a Niners’ loss to the visiting Titans. The Niners have lost four straight; Smith is doing little to stem the tide and San Fran fans wondering why they didn’t draft local standout Aaron Rodgers (taken No. 24 by the Packers out of Cal in 2005).
9. Matthew Stafford (No. 1, 2009) » Threw five interceptions, including a pick-six, as Lions blew a 17-0 lead at Seattle. Seriously though, didn’t you see this coming?
