Every NFL trade involving the player drafted first overall

Playing through a shoulder injury in 2021 turned out to be the wrong move for Mayfield, who went from Browns extension candidate to an Ohio exit after the team's controversial Deshaun Watson trade. Cleveland merely entering the Watson sweepstakes irked Mayfield, who wanted out after his fourth season. It took nearly four months for the Browns and Panthers to finalize negotiations during one of a few chaotic years in Carolina. The Browns dealt the QB they drafted in 2018 for a conditional fifth-round pick. This sequence worked out for neither team. Watson has been a disaster in Cleveland, while Mayfield ranked last in QBR in Charlotte before being waived, helping key a resurgence.

The lower-profile prong of a January 2021 blockbuster, Goff fell out of favor in Los Angeles to the point the 2016 top pick was a throw-in to finalize a deal that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams. Several teams made offers for Stafford; the Rams, including a second first-round pick -- to take Goff's $33.5 million-per-year contract -- won the derby. Goff had started five Rams seasons, piloting the 2018 team to Super Bowl LIII. A down 2020 prompted Sean McVay to seek an upgrade, and it cost two first-rounders and a third to pry Stafford from Detroit. Rumored to eye Goff as a bridge QB, the Lions have instead centered their operation around him. 

The No. 1 pick in 2009, Stafford was not voted to a Pro Bowl on an original ballot as a Lion. While the laser-armed QB finally checked off the non-alternate Pro Bowl box in 2023, he delivered more memorable work two years prior. The Rams immediately benefited from the trade, with Stafford igniting Cooper Kupp to one of the greatest WR seasons ever. Leading a game-winning drive in Super Bowl LVI, Stafford has been the Rams' starter for four seasons, earning a $40 million-per-year extension shortly after the Super Bowl conquest. 

Bottoming out in Gary Kubiak's final season in charge, the Texans did not draft for need in 2014. Already rostering J.J. Watt, Houston tabbed Clowney, the consensus top prospect that year. Injuries, however, slowed the ex-South Carolina phenom, who did not become an elite pass rusher as a pro. Clowney still became a versatile piece and booked three Pro Bowl nods in Houston. The Texans franchise-tagged Clowney and traded him to the Seahawks in late August, collecting a third-round pick and edge rushers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin. Clowney spent one season in Seattle before embarking on a nomadic career that has consisted mostly of one-year deals.

The Steelers strolled into Arrowhead Stadium and eliminated the Chiefs without scoring a touchdown, providing that year's AFC No. 2 seed with a final push to upgrade on a capable but unremarkable quarterback. The Chiefs traded up from No. 27 to 10 in 2017, choosing Patrick Mahomes over Deshaun Watson. Andy Reid still sat Mahomes for a season but moved Smith out of the picture, via a trade to Washington, soon after. Washington sent Kansas City a third-round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller for Smith, who received an extension. Replacing Kirk Cousins, the 2005 No. 1 pick suffered a gruesome broken leg during his first season but did rally back for a 2020 Comeback Player of the Year honor.

Traded twice in two years, Bradford became an emergency fix for the Vikings. A severe Teddy Bridgewater knee injury sustained during training camp prompted the Vikings to send the Eagles first- and fourth-round picks for Bradford. After one season in Philadelphia, the 2010 top pick saw the Eagles trade up to No. 2 overall for Carson Wentz. While Philly's initial plan was for Bradford to work as a bridge to Wentz in 2016, the Bridgewater injury prompted the Eagles to accelerate the Division I-FCS prospect's timeline. Bradford set the NFL's completion percentage record in 2016 but saw an early-season 2017 injury end his time as Minnesota's starter.

In 2015, the Eagles demoted GM Howie Roseman to give Chip Kelly roster control. An eventful year followed. An offseason that also included a LeSean McCoy trade and multiple free agency misfires involved the Eagles trading Nick Foles for Bradford. Day 3 picks accompanied the swap, but the QBs were the entrees. Bradford had spent five seasons in St. Louis, two of which were marred by ACL tears. The 2010 Offensive Rookie of the Year had been effective when healthy, and the Eagles sought an upgrade on Foles. The Rams ended up benching Foles weeks after extending him, ultimately cutting the future Super Bowl MVP after one season.

From 2013-18, three No. 1 picks were traded twice. This QB carousel involved Palmer, whose less eventful trade brought a Kurt Warner-like resurgence. The Raiders acquired Palmer in 2011, but he could not turn the struggling franchise around. Effectively punting on the 2013 season at QB, the Raiders sent Palmer to the Cardinals for sixth- and seventh-round picks. Palmer immediately revived his career in Arizona, guiding the Cardinals to three 10-win seasons and the 2015 NFC championship game. The 2003 No. 1 overall pick finished as the MVP runner-up (to Cam Newton) that year, lasting five seasons in the desert. 

Still in this Bradford-Palmer-Smith cycle, the Chiefs made the first trade for Smith early in Andy Reid's Kansas City tenure. The Chiefs sent the 49ers two second-round picks for Smith, whom Colin Kaepernick had supplanted as San Francisco's starter. Smith turned his career around under Jim Harbaugh, leading the 49ers to the 2011 NFC title game, but after a concussion stalled a statistically superior 2012 showing, Kaepernick proved too good to bench. Moving on from Matt Cassel after four seasons, the Chiefs went from 2-14 in 2012 to 11-5 in Reid's debut. Smith did not present a high ceiling but catalyzed a quick Chiefs improvement, producing four playoff berths in five years.

Palmer checks in again with his more memorable trade. After eight seasons in Cincinnati, the 2003 top pick expressed frustration with the organization -- largely due to an unwillingness to do enough to improve the team. This led to Palmer staging a retirement in an effort to be traded. Not known to give into player demands, the Bengals held firm, drafting Andy Dalton and letting Palmer languish. Raiders starter Jason Campbell suffering an injury changed the plan. Owner/de facto GM Al Davis died October 8, 2011; Campbell went down Oct. 16. A makeshift decision-making group traded first- and second-round picks for Palmer. Those turned into longtime Bengals Dre Kirkpatrick and Giovani Bernard.

A draft-day trade, but this famous swap differs due to the deal being made after the Chargers and Giants made the picks. Famously following John Elway in making a power play to avoid playing for a struggling organization, Manning maneuvered his way to the Giants. The Chargers drafted him but reached a deal to trade the second Manning No. 1 pick to the Giants that day. New York drafted Philip Rivers (the Chargers' preference, whereas the Giants' top non-Manning choice was Ben Roethlisberger) in good faith, leading to a completed deal. The Giants traded Rivers, a 2004 third-round pick and 2005 first- and fifth-rounders for Manning, who played 16 seasons and won two Super Bowls.

Not quite on the Antonio Brown-Terrell Owens level, Johnson did establish his high-maintenance wide receiver credentials. Clashing with Jon Gruden to the point the Bucs suspended him during the 2003 season, Johnson did not resurface with the team after the November ban. The Bucs let Johnson seek a trade in 2004, and a reunion with Bill Parcells commenced. The Cowboys sent Joey Galloway, who had once cost two first-round picks to acquire, to the Bucs straight up for Johnson. As it went for Cowboys WR moves in the 2000s, they ended up on the worse end here. Galloway produced three 1,000-yard seasons in five Bucs years; Johnson was 0-for-2 there in Dallas, being released in 2006.

Bledsoe signed a 10-year Patriots extension in 2001; showing how little the team-friendly contracts of that era meant, New England traded him within the AFC East a year later. The rare intra-divisional swap came about after a crushing Week 2 hit, which ultimately led to Bledsoe losing his starting job. It took years for Tom Brady to become a dominant passer, but he galvanized the early Patriot teams, and Super Bowl XXXVI made it clear Bledsoe had no Foxborough future. Bill Belichick sent the 1993 top pick to the Bills for a first-round pick (No. 14 overall). Bledsoe spent three years in Buffalo, beginning a truly terrible Bills uniform period, before being released. 

Bill Parcells stepped down as a head coach for a third time in 2000, leading to Bill Belichick's infamous Jets resignation. The 2000 Jets offseason also brought a separation from their No. 1 wide receiver. Johnson, chosen first overall in 1996, wanted a raise after back-to-back Pro Bowl years. The Jets had Johnson on his rookie contract through 2001 and did not wish to renegotiate, leading to a trade that brought back two first-rounders. The Bucs paid up, which ended up giving the Jets a record four first-round picks in 2000. Paid by the Bucs, Johnson made one Pro Bowl in four seasons and was on their Super Bowl XXXVII-winning team. Though, the trade did not quite meet Tampa Bay's expectations.

The 1994 No. 1 pick, a defensive tackle, signed an offer sheet as a franchise-tagged player in 1998. Teams do not extend offer sheets to tagged players anymore, due to the punitive consequences of doing so. The CBA at the time did not require two first-round picks to change hands, instead sending the Bengals first- and third-rounders from Washington. Wilkinson spent five seasons in Washington, replacing disgruntled franchise-tagged DT Sean Gilbert, who sat out the 1997 season in protest of the tag. Wilkinson was later traded from the Dolphins to the Broncos in 2007, but he failed to report to Denver, nullifying the deal.

Two Colts-Falcons trades involved George. The first involved more assets changing hands, with the Colts obtaining the No. 1 overall pick from the Falcons in a deal that cost them Andre Rison, Pro Bowl tackle Chris Hinton and picks. The 1990 No. 1 pick underwhelmed in Indianapolis, but a new Atlanta regime circled back. The Falcons sent the Colts two first-rounders and a third for George. The second first-rounder, a 1996 pick, converted to a first if George played 75% of the Falcons' snaps and the team won nine games in 1995 (they won exactly nine). With that '96 choice, the Colts drafted Marvin Harrison. George piloted Atlanta to one playoff berth, but a sideline dispute with HC June Jones in 1996 keyed an in-season release.

Two years after a 1-15 season, the Patriots finished 2-14. Bill Parcells began an overhaul upon arrival in 1993, using Fryar as a way to recoup assets. The Pats traded their top wide receiver within the division, equipping Dan Marino with new blood after the Marks Brothers' South Florida stay was ending. With Mark Clayton leaving in free agency and Mark Duper retiring, Fryar teamed with free agent signee Mark Ingram in Miami. The 30-year-old wideout, 1984's No. 1 pick, produced back-to-back 1,000-yard years as a Dolphin, the first coming after a Marino Achilles tear. Remaining productive into his mid-30s, Fryar lasted three seasons in Miami before leaving for Philadelphia. 

Although John Riggins led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (14) in 1984, he was 36 by '85. In an effort to refuel its prized ground attack, Washington sent New Orleans a first-round pick for Rogers, whom the Saints chose first overall in 1981. Rogers went one spot ahead of Lawrence Taylor and, despite playing for a bad Saints team, led the NFL in rushing as a rookie. The Saints still had Earl Campbell, in his final season, but at 27, Rogers had more of his prime left. After a 1,000-yard 1985 season, Rogers led the NFL with 18 rushing TDs behind "the Hogs" to power Washington to the NFC championship game. Rogers finished his career after Super Bowl XXII with Washington.

The first-round pick obtained for Rogers helped the Saints recoup the one they sent to the Oilers for Campbell. The No. 1 pick in 1978, Campbell created his Hall of Fame resume in Houston. The Oilers coach during Campbell's peak years, Bum Phillips, was calling the shots in New Orleans by 1984. Phillips reunited with Campbell, but the fearsome ball carrier was in clear decline with his second team. The former MVP totaled just 833 rushing yards in 24 Saints games, being outplayed by Rogers in 1984 before the Saints separated with their previous starter the following offseason.

The Colts did call Elway's bluff, but a seminal disagreement led to the QB ultimately getting his wish to not play for then-Baltimore HC Frank Kush. Colts GM Ernie Accorsi did not completely buy Elway's threat of committing to be a Yankees farmhand, refusing pre-draft trade offers to take the Stanford super-prospect at 1. Owner Robert Irsay, however, went around his GM by trading Elway to the Broncos days after the draft. Denver acquired Elway by trading the player it took at No. 4 (tackle Chris Hinton), along with backup QB Mark Herrmann and its 1984 first-round pick. A small price to pay for one of the greatest ever, as Elway played 16 seasons and steered the Broncos to five Super Bowls.

Chosen first in 1979, Cousineau was not pleased with the Bills' offer. The Ohio State prospect spurned Buffalo for a Canadian Football League deal ($150,000 per year) and became a free agent three years later. This unusual route ended up paying off for the linebacker, as a Cleveland native ended up with his hometown team at a high rate. The Browns won the Cousineau sweepstakes by offering around $500,000 per season, which at the time made him one of the NFL's highest-paid players. With free agency not yet a reality, the Browns sent the Bills first-, third- and fifth-round picks for Cousineau's rights. He played four seasons in Cleveland, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 1984.

Chosen first in 1977, one spot ahead of Tony Dorsett, Bell did not enjoy the luxuries the 1976 Heisman winner did. Drafted by a winless team, Bell reunited with ex-USC head coach John McKay. Bell played five seasons with the Bucs, helping them to the NFC title game in 1979, but was traded to the Chargers (for a fourth-round pick). Tragically, injuries stemming from what turned out to be a fatal illness had caught up with the former college superstar by then. Bell played only four games as a Charger, being sidelined by muscular diseases that ended up causing cardiac arrest. Bell, who learned of the illnesses as a Charger, died in 1984 at just 29. 

The years before Bill Walsh's arrival proved the low point for the 49ers, who made two of the era's worst trades under GM Joe Thomas. An injury-plagued 1977 season saw the beginning of a decline, but the 49ers send the Bills five draft choices (a first-rounder, two seconds, a third and a fourth) for the Bay Area native, who was entering his age-31 season. The first-rounder became No. 1 overall, thanks to San Francisco finishing 2-14 in 1978. In two 49ers seasons, Simpson did not reach 1,000 rushing yards altogether. The 1969 No. 1 pick retired after the 1979 slate. 

Before the enigmatic Matuszak could prove a fit with the Raiders, Washington became a stopover. The Chiefs traded the 1973 top pick to Washington for two late-round choices in August 1976, ending a two-year Kansas City stay. Matuszak's pattern of strange behavior prompted the Chiefs to move on from the massive defensive line talent, but team No. 3 for the 6-foot-8 defender did not like what it received. George Allen's team cut Matuszak less than two weeks later; he never played a game for Washington. This led the Raiders, well known for reclamation projects and misfit toys in this era, to take a flier. Matuszak won two Super Bowls in Oakland.

A worse 49ers trade transpired two years before the Simpson deal. Not delivering on his No. 1 overall status in 1971, Plunkett still carried tremendous trade value for the Patriots. The Stanford alum fetched three first-round picks and a second. It took 46 years before the next veteran QB drew a three-first-rounder offer (Deshaun Watson). Plunkett struggled in two seasons back in the Bay Area, leading the 49ers to release him in 1978. San Francisco had four head coaches in three seasons from 1976-78, and while New England did not start a dynasty like Dallas did post-Herschel Walker, Plunkett did re-emerge as a two-time Super Bowl winner post-Ken Stabler with the Raiders. 

Retroactive sack data credits Patulski with 21.5 sacks during his four Bills seasons. A Notre Dame prospect who grew up in the Syracuse area, Patulski ended up with his regional team when the Bills chose him first overall in 1972. The defensive end became an instant starter in Buffalo, reaching seven sacks in 1973 and helping the Bills to the playoffs a year later. The Bills nevertheless traded the middling performer to the Cardinals for a second-round pick. Knee and back trouble plagued Patulski, who missed the entire 1976 season but played all 14 St. Louis games in 1977. A 1978 Bears signing did not lead to any game action.

The 1974 trade deadline remains an underrated day in NFL history. QBs John Hadl, Craig Morton and Norm Snead were dealt. Hadl went for five picks in the first three rounds and the choice the Cowboys obtained for Morton becoming Hall of Famer Randy White. The Chiefs and Oilers also exchanged D-linemen, as Matuszak relocated to Kansas City in a deal for future Hall of Fame DT Curley Culp. Matuszak, later famous for his role in "The Goonies," went No. 1 overall in 1973. Both he and Culp had agreed to deals with the fledgling World Football League, but both D-linemen stayed in the NFL. Matuszak played two seasons with the Chiefs. 

Smith joined Matuszak in eventually venturing to Hollywood, becoming best known as a mainstay in the Police Academy franchise. In 1967, however, Smith was a prized prospect out of Michigan State. The Colts drafted the standout defensive end, and he became a linchpin on strong Baltimore defenses. Twice an All-Pro, Smith saw his career change when he sustained a freak knee injury in a 1972 preseason game. Smith ran into a first-down marker, which had been anchored by sharp metal points at this time, and missed the season. The Raiders sent the Colts tight end Raymond Chester for Smith, who started two seasons for playoff-bound Oakland teams but was never the same post-injury.