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The history of the NFL draft goes back to 1936, which gives us a ton of first overall picks to go over. Some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time were taken first, such as Peyton Manning and John Elway, but there have also been busts like JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch. In 2004, Eli Manning refused to play for the Chargers when drafted first overall, in part because of how the franchise handled notable bust Ryan Leaf, so he was traded to the Giants for Philip Rivers.
Aside from edge rushers Travon Walker, Myles Garrett, and Jadeveon Clowney, 13 of the past 14 top overall picks have been quarterbacks. Offensive tackle Eric Fisher was the other exception in 2013. In 2023, the Panthers traded multiple picks to the Bears to move up for Bryce Young, who has struggled initially. One of those picks conveyed to the Bears in 2024 as the first overall pick, which the ranchise used to take Caleb Williams.
2025: Cam Ward
Tennessee Titans
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (FL) | 23 | Post-Graduate | QB | 6'2 | 219 |
2024: Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 22 | Junior | QB | 6'1 | 227 |
2023: Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 21 | Junior | QB | 5'10 | 205 |
2022: Travon Walker
Jacksonville Jaguars
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 21 | Junior | DE | 6'5 | 222 |
2021: Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 21 | Junior | QB | 6'6 | 220 |
2020: Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 221 |
2019: Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 21 | Junior | QB | 5'10 | 207 |
2018: Baker Mayfield
Cleveland Browns
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'1 | 215 lbs |
2017: Myles Garrett
Cleveland Browns
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M | 22 | Junior | DE | 6'4 | 272 lbs |
2016: Jared Goff
Los Angeles Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 21 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 222 lbs |
2015: Jameis Winston
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State | 21 | Sophomore* | QB | 6'4 | 231 lbs |
2014: Jadeveon Clowney
Houston Texans
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 21 | Junior | DE | 6'5 | 270 lbs |
2013: Eric Fisher
Kansas City Chiefs
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan | 22 | Senior | OT | 6'7 | 315 lbs |
2012: Andrew Luck
Indianpolis Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 23 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 240 lbs |
2011: Cam Newton
Carolina Panthers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 22 | Junior | QB | 6'5 | 245 lbs |
2010: Sam Bradford
St. Louis Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 23 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 224 lbs |
2009: Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 21 | Junior | QB | 6'3 | 220 lbs |
2008: Jake Long
Miami Dolphins
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 23 | Senior | OT | 6'7 | 322 lbs |
2007: JaMarcus Russell
Oakland Raiders
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 22 | Junior | QB | 6'6 | 260 lbs |
2006: Mario Williams
Houston Texans
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC State | 21 | Junior | DE | 6'7 | 300 lbs |
2005: Alex Smith
San Francisco 49ers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 21 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 213 lbs |
2004: Eli Manning
San Diego Chargers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'5 | 218 lbs |
2003: Carson Palmer
Cincinnati Bengals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 24 | Senior | QB | 6'5 | 235 lbs |
2002: David Carr
Houston Texans
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno State | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 212 lbs |
2001: Michael Vick
Atlanta Falcons
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 21 | Sophomore* | QB | 6'0 | 215 lbs |
2000: Courtney Brown
Cleveland Browns
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 22 | Senior | DE | 6'5 | 285 lbs |
1999: Tim Couch
Cleveland Browns
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 22 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 222 lbs |
1998: Peyton Manning
Indianapolis Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'5 | 230 lbs |
1997: Orlando Pace
St. Louis Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 22 | Junior | OT | 6'7 | 324 lbs |
1996: Keyshawn Johnson
New York Jets
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 23 | Senior | WR | 6'4 | 212 lbs |
1995: Ki-Jana Carter
Cincinnati Bengals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 22 | Junior | RB | 5'10 | 226 lbs |
1994: Dan Wilkinson
Cincinnati Bengals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 21 | Junior | DT | 6'4 | 340 lbs |
1993: Drew Bledsoe
New England Patriots
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State | 21 | Junior | QB | 6'5 | 238 lbs |
1992: Steve Emtman
Indianapolis Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 22 | Junior | DE | 6'4 | 293 lbs |
1991: Russell Maryland
Dallas Cowboys
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 22 | Senior | DT | 6'1 | 308 lbs |
1990: Jeff George
Indianapolis Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 22 | Junior | QB | 6'4 | 218 lbs |
1989: Troy Aikman
Dallas Cowboys
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'4 | 221 lbs |
1988: Aundray Bruce
Atlanta Falcons
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 22 | Senior | OLB | 6'5 | 270 lbs |
1987: Vinny Testaverde
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'5 | 235 lbs |
1986: Bo Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 23 | Senior | RB | 6'1 | 227 lbs |
1985: Bruce Smith
Buffalo Bills
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 22 | Junior | DE | 6'4 | 280 lbs |
1984: Irving Fryar
New England Patriots
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 22 | Junior | WR | 6'0 | 200 lbs |
1983: John Elway
Baltimore Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 215 lbs |
1982: Kenneth Sims
New England Patriots
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 22 | Senior | DE | 6'5 | 271 lbs |
1981: George Rogers
New Orleans Saints
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 22 | Junior | RB | 6'2 | 228 lbs |
1980: Billy Sims
Detroit Lions
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 24 | Senior | RB | 6'0 | 212 lbs |
1979: Tom Cousineau
Buffalo Bills
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 22 | Junior | LB | 6'3 | 225 lbs |
1978: Earl Campbell
Houston Oilers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 23 | Senior | RB | 5'11 | 232 lbs |
1977: Ricky Bell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'2 | 220 lbs |
1976: Lee Roy Selmon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 22 | Senior | DE | 6'3 | 256 lbs |
1975: Steve Bartkowski
Atlanta Falcons
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'4 | 213 lbs |
1974: Ed Jones
Dallas Cowboys
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23 | Senior | DE | 6'9 | 271 lbs |
1973: John Matuszak
Houston Oilers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | 22 | Senior | DE | 6'8 | 280 lbs |
1972: Walt Patulski
Buffalo Bills
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 22 | Junior | DE | 6'6 | 259 lbs |
1971: Jim Plunkett
New England Patriots
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 220 lbs |
1970: Terry Bradshaw
Pittsburgh Steelers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 220 lbs |
1969: O.J. Simpson
Buffalo Bills
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'1 | 210 lbs |
1968: Ron Yary
Minnesota Vikings
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | 22 | Junior | OT | 6'5 | 255 lbs |
1967: Bubba Smith
Baltimore Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 23 | Junior | DE | 6'7 | 265 lbs |
1966: Tommy Nobis
Atlanta Falcons
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 22 | Senior | LB | 6'2 | 240 lbs |
1965: Tucker Frederickson
New York Giants
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'2 | 220 lbs |
1964: Dave Parks
Sna Francisco 49ers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | 22 | Senior | WR | 6'2 | 207 lbs |
1963: Terry Baker
Los Angeles Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 200 lbs |
1962: Ernie Davis
Washington Redskins
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'2 | 212 lbs |
1961: Tommy Mason
Minnesota Vikings
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'1 | 196 lbs |
1960: Billy Cannon
Los Angeles Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 22 | Senior | HB | 6'1 | 207 lbs |
1959: Randy Duncan
Green Bay Packers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'0 | 185 lbs |
1958: King Hill
Chicago Cardinals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'3 | 212 lbs |
1957: Paul Hornung
Green Bay Packers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 22 | Senior | RB | 6'2 | 215 lbs |
1956: Gary Glick
Pittsburgh Steelers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State | 25 | Senior | S | 6'2 | 195 lbs |
1955: George Shaw
Baltimore Colts
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'1 | 183 lbs |
1954: Bobby Garrett
Cleveland Browns
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'1 | 198 lbs |
1953: Harry Babcock
San Francisco 49ers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 22 | Senior | WR | 6'2 | 193 lbs |
1952: Bill Wade
Los Angeles Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 22 | Senior | QB | 6'2 | 202 lbs |
1951: Kyle Rote
New York Giants
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMU | 23 | Senior | RB/WR | 6'0 | 199 lbs |
1950: Leon Hart
Detroit Lions
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 22 | Senior | FB | 6'5 | 257 lbs |
1949: Chuck Bednarik
Philadelphia Eagles
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 24 | Senior | LB | 6'3 | 233 lbs |
1948: Harry Gilmer
Washington Redskins
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 22 | Senior | QB/HB/DB | 6'0 | 169 lbs |
1947: Bob Fenimore
Chicago Bears
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State | 22 | Senior | HB | 6'1 | 190 lbs |
1946: Frank Dancewicz
Boston Yanks
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 22 | Senior | QB | 5'10 | 187 lbs |
1945: Charley Trippi
Chicago Cardinals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'0 | 186 lbs |
1944: Angelo Bartelli
Boston Yanks
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 23 | Senior | QB | 6'1 | 190 lbs |
1943: Frank Sinkwich
Detroit Lions
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 22 | Senior | HB | 5'11 | 190 lbs |
1942: Bill Dudley
Pittsburgh Steelers
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 22 | Senior | HB | 6'1 | 197 lbs |
1941: Tom Harmon
Chicago Bears
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 22 | Senior | HB | 5'10 | 182 lbs |
1940: George Cafego
Chicago Cardinals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 24 | Senior | QB | 5'10 | 169 lbs |
1939: Ki Aldrich
Chicago Cardinals
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 23 | Senior | C/LB | 6'0 | 207 lbs |
1938: Corbett Davis
Cleveland Rams
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 23 | Senior | FB | 5'11 | 212 lbs |
1937: Sam Francis
Philadelphia Eagles
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 23 | Senior | HB | 6'0 | 207 lbs |
1936: Jay Berwanger
Philadelphia Eagles
| School | Age | Year | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 22 | Senior | HB | 6'1 | 195 lbs |
Biggest Busts
We have a long history of first overall picks in the NFL, which stretches back longer than most other sports. This leaves plenty of room for busts, and boy have we seen them. JaMarcus Russell seems to be the poster boy for draft busts over the last 20 years, as Oakland selected him first overall back in 2007. The Raiders have historically had some bad draft picks, but this was the worst. The greatest story that came out with this pick was that the Raiders gave him a blank DVD that they said was filled with plays and ideas for him to watch. Russell returned saying he was on board with everything he’d watched. He was out of the league by the time he was 25, and threw 23 interceptions in 25 career starts.
After a decorative college career, Tim Couch went number one in the 1999 draft to the Cleveland Browns. This started a reign of quarterback failures for Cleveland. Couch struggled with arm injuries, but only played five seasons in the NFL and never surpassed 20 passing touchdowns in a season. In 1979 the Buffalo Bills drafted Tom Cousineau, who decided to play in Canada instead. This was a brutal blow for Buffalo, but it did transition into the pick for Jim Kelly. Steve Emtman was a monster in college, playing defensive end at Washington. The Colts drafted him first overall in 1992, but he was injured each season he played. He retired before the age of 28, and only had eight sacks.
Best First Overall Picks
Peyton Manning is going to be the first name mentioned, and was the best to deliver out of the first overall spot. He had a long tenure in Indianapolis, leading them to a a Super Bowl and multiple winning seasons. He would go onto win another Super Bowl in Denver and is a future Hall of Famer. Bruce Smith went first overall in 1985. Smith ended up in the Hall of Fame and went down as one of the best defensive ends in history. He had 200 sacks and won the Defensive Player of the Year twice. There were a few hall of fame quarterbacks to go first overall. John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, but he refused to play for Baltimore and ended up being traded to the Denver Broncos. Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
