Getting taken at number 1 in the AFL draft comes with its pros and cons. It serves as an honour to be recognised as the best player in your draft class, but that also comes with extra pressure to perform at a high level on a consistent basis.
These players listed below were able to channel that duress and either become wildly successful players in the AFL or lay an obvious platform or things to come.
With only a month to go until the draft, the buzz surrounding the consensus first cab off the rank in Jason Horne-Francis is almost at its crescendo.
RELATED: "I can make an impact straight away': Horne-Francis speaks on looming Roos selection
Should the hype prove to be real, you can expect the South Australian's name to be up in lights on lists like this within the very near future.
Here's the top 10 number 1 draft picks since 2000:
3. Sam Walsh
Walsh has exceeded the high expectations since Carlton drafted him in the 2018 draft, and has become the Blues' best player in just his third-season.
Averaging 25.6 disposals across his 61 game career so far, Walsh has had one of the most impressive first 50-games of any career in the AFL and still has room to take his game to another level.
The Geelong Falcon's highlights include an All-Australian selection, a best-and-fairest and Rising Star win.
As Walsh is only just getting started, he has the potential to reach number 1 on this list.
