The list isn’t all that promising.
The San Francisco 49ers own the second overall pick in the upcoming draft. For now, anyways. The 49ers are going to get a very good player at number two. This is a strong draft class. Even if they decide Nick Bosa isn’t the guy, there will be options that are worthy at number two. So with that, let’s take a look at the last 10 players that went second in the NFL draft.
2018: RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
2017: QB Michell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
2016: QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
2015: QB Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
2014: OT Greg Robinson, St. Louis Rams
2013: OT Luke Joeckel, Jacksonville Jaguars
2012: QB Robert Griffin III, Washington
2011: Edge rusher Von Miller, Denver Broncos
2010: DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
2009: OT Jason Smith, Rams
2008: Edge rusher Chris Long, Rams
Dating back to 2000, only four of the players selected number two made five or more Pro Bowls. Five players weren’t re-signed by the original team that drafted them.
You can look at that list and say don’t take an offensive lineman early, draft a defensive player, or—if you really want to have some fun—trading for established players when you have the draft capital is the way to go.
With the 49ers in a good spot, I don’t think that their selection will end up on the “bust” list, unless they really reach for a player. It was just surprising looking back at the names that have gone this high. It always seems like a foregone conclusion that these guys will “play 10 years” and “transcend their teams.” That’s simply not the case.
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