With The First Pick
Fansided

2020 NFL Draft: Joe Burrow will carry hopes of entire Bengals fanbase

By Jeremy Meek

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers, Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers and Grant Delpit #7 of the LSU Tigers celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers 42-25 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers, Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers and Grant Delpit #7 of the LSU Tigers celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers 42-25 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Cincinnati Bengals during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Cincinnati Bengals during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Bengals used the number one pick 17 years ago to draft a quarterback that changed the direction of the franchise

The Cincinnati Bengals have been here before. In 2002, they were awful and finished with a 2-14 record, earning themselves the first overall pick. They needed a quarterback and were in the perfect position to get the one they wanted. Sound familiar?

More from With the First Pick

Going into his senior season in 2002, Carson Palmer wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire. The previous year, he completed just 58% of his passes and has nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns. It was in his final year that he took off. He completed 63% of his passes for 33 touchdowns and 10 picks, leading USC to an 11-2 record and an Orange Bowl win. He won the Heisman trophy (also familiar) and a few months later was the number one overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals.

After sitting for his rookie season, Palmer took the starting job and showed why he was the top pick. In his third year, his second as starter, he took the Bengals to the playoffs. It was their first trip to the postseason in nearly 15 years. Even though they didn’t advance, Palmer was a hero to the city of Cincinnati.

Home/Cincinnati Bengals