With The First Pick
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Spread Offense vs Pro Style Quarterbacks in the NFL Draft

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries the ball during the second half against the Troy Trojans at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries the ball during the second half against the Troy Trojans at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2005: Alex Smith vs Aaron Rodgers

The San Francisco 49ers missed out on Bay Area hero Aaron Rodgers staying home to play for the 49ers. Instead of picking the California star, they took Alex Smith from Utah at No. 1 overall. You can say all the 20-20 hindsight you want but the 49ers messed up.

Rodgers is a pro style quarterback with a huge arm, can run and does everything pro quarterbacks do. Smith could run but that’s the only thing he could do as well has Rodgers. He wasn’t so good throwing the ball down the field and he knew it so he didn’t take chances.

But the 49ers were misled by Smith’s 32 TDs and four INTs in his last year in college to Rodgers’ 24 and eight. Rodgers fell all the way to No. 24 overall, where the Green Bay Packers took him. After sitting behind Brett Favre for three years, Rodgers became the starter.

In 2010, Rodger led the Packers to a Super Bowl win and now, he’s the best in the NFL. Meanwhile, Smith took a very long time to develop as they didn’t run the Spread in the NFL then. A lot of teams changed the way they scout quarterbacks after that.

Next: Robert Griffin III vs Andrew Luck

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