The good news is 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney finally says he’s 100 percent healthy as his Houston Texans begin their offseason program. The bad news is the injury-prone defensive end has 4.5 sacks in two NFL seasons and is entering what might be a make-or-break campaign at the age of 23.
And if Clowney doesn’t come through and avoid becoming a bust, it could indicate that quarterbacks will continue to own the top pick of the draft.
Pivots have been chosen first overall in six of the last eight drafts, and only five non-quarterbacks have been selected first overall since 1998 — a 19-year span.
Just look at that group of five…
Clowney (2014): 4.5 sacks in 17 career games.
Eric Fisher (2013): Zero All-Pro nods and a negative PFF grade in all three of his seasons.
Jake Long (2008): One All-Pro nod, but now unemployed.
Mario Williams (2006): One All-Pro nod, but has begun to fade.
Courtney Brown (2000): Zero All-Pro nods; played just six seasons.
Long was solid for a short time and Williams has been pretty good, but the last top pick who wasn’t a quarterback who lived up to expectations was Orlando Pace. The 1997 first overall pick made seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro offensive tackle on three occasions, but that was nearly 20 years ago.
It’s easy to see why teams are afraid of taking quarterbacks early, and why top picks seem to be up for sale often, but when you consider the numbers above it’s even easier to understand why standing pat and picking the best non-quarterback isn’t any more rewarding or tempting.
Clowney can change that, but a lot will depend on whether he can stay healthy and finally start producing in his third NFL season.
