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All the No 1 Overall Picks in NFL Draft History

· Mar 01 - 7 minutes read

Being the NFL first overall pick in the draft is an honor that only 88 players have shared. While some have been able to churn out some of the most promising careers in the pros, including 14 earning Hall of Fame honors, some others have fallen as flat on their faces as flat can be.

Yes, JaMarcus Russell (2007), I’m talking about you. I’ll be damned if there’s ever a day where I don’t remember you as the biggest flop to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

All the No 1 Overall Picks in NFL Draft History — Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway/Timothy A CLARY / AFP

Even if we’re weeks away from the event, I can already hear Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing who the Chicago Bears, owners of this year’s No. 1 draft pick, will select.

For now, let’s look back at all the prior first-overall picks in the history of the draft.

Here’s a look at some NFL Draft Odds to consider!

3 Best No.1 Picks Of All Time

1. QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (1997)

I think many can agree on the fact that besides being one of America’s favorite athletes/TV commercial stars, former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is the best No. 1 pick in the history of the NFL draft.

Not only is Manning one of the greatest passers of all time, the probability of him making NFL betting lines fanatics a fat wad of cash back in the day was pretty high.

With two Super Bowl titles to his name with the Colts and Denver Broncos, as well as five regular-season MVP awards – a record that stands to this day – as well as an immense number of accolades to his name, Manning will always be the best first pick in draft history.

Peyton Manning 1997 senior season:

-3819 Pass YDS
-36 TD
-SEC Champions (11-2)
-Consensus 1st Team All-American
-Davey O’Brien Award winner
-Johnny Unitas Award winner
-Heisman Runner-Up
-1st overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft https://t.co/fysUhG6NKh pic.twitter.com/YMFWSEWIWh

— 🅿️ (@PKnowsBall) February 26, 2024

2. QB John Elway, Denver Broncos (1983)

Former Broncos legend John Elway’s career was destined for absolute greatness ever since the moment he decided to refuse going to the Baltimore Colts, who picked him first overall in the 1983 draft . Elway held out until getting traded to another team – in this case Denver.

What would follow would be five trips to the Super Bowl, including two wins in his last years in the NFL. Combined with one of the best overall careers for a passer in league history, Elway has a case as one of the best No.1 NFL picks ever.

Happy 7⃣0⃣th Birthday to no. 1⃣7⃣ Steve DeBerg! DeBerg was an NFL QB for a remarkable 17 seasons—his first in 1978 and—his last in 1998. From 1981–1983, he was a Denver Bronco, always ready to relieve Craig Morton and rookie @johnelway, if necessary, often coming away with wins. pic.twitter.com/UeROpddtVS

— Mile High Moments (@MileHighMoments) January 20, 2024

Take A Look At These Other 2 NFL Special Articles

3. DE Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills (1985)

We could sit down and argue for a lifetime about who was the best defensive player drafted No. 1 overall. My nod goes to the NFL’s sack behemoth, Bruce Smith, who was the top pick in a class that included San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice at No. 16.

Even back in 1985, NFL news outlets featured a chorus of critics bashing Buffalo’s decision to draft Smith, who went on to amass 200 career sacks, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight First-Team All Pro nods and 11 Pro Bowl selections in 15 seasons. That should be enough proof that Smith was the best pick Buffalo could have selected.

“And with the 1st pick of the 1985 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…..Bruce Smith” #badthingshappenman #bruuuuuce #35yearsagotoday #GoBills pic.twitter.com/nnX1cVhEnm

— Stephanie Ferguson (@StephieKonicki) May 1, 2020

Explore the excitement of NFL draft betting odds and Vegas odds NFL draft – your winning play awaits!

Full List Of No.1 Picks Of All Time

2023: QB Bryce Young, Alabama, Carolina Panthers
2022: DE Travon Walker, Georgia, Jacksonville Jaguars
2021: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, Jaguars
2020: QB Joe Burrow, LSU, Cincinnati Bengals
2019: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, Arizona Cardinals
2018: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, Cleveland Browns
2017: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, Browns
2016: QB Jared Goff, Cal, Los Angeles Rams
2015: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014: DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, Houston Texans
2013: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan, Kansas City Chiefs
2012: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford, Indianapolis Colts
2011: QB Cam Newton, Auburn, Panthers
2010: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, St Louis Rams
2009: QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia, Detroit Lions
2008: OT Jake Long, Michigan, Miami Dolphins
2007: QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU, Oakland Raiders
2006: DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State, Texans
2005: QB Alex Smith, Utah, San Francisco 49ers
2004: QB Eli Manning, Ole Miss, San Diego Chargers
2003: QB Carson Palmer, USC, Bengals
2002: QB David Carr, Fresno State, Texans
2001: QB Michael Vick, Virginia Tech, Atlanta Falcons
2000: DE Courtney Brown, Penn State, Browns
1999: QB Tim Couch, Kentucky, Browns
1998: QB Peyton Manning, Tennessee, Colts
1997: OT Orlando Pace, Ohio State, Rams
1996: WR Keyshawn Johnson, USC, New York Jets
1995: HB Ki-Jana Carter, Penn State, Bengals
1994: DT Dan Wilkinson, Ohio State, Bengals
1993: QB Drew Bledsoe, Washington State, New England Patriots
1992: DE Steve Emtman, Washington, Colts
1991: DT Russell Maryland, Miami (FL), Dallas Cowboys
1990: QB Jeff George, Illinois, Colts
1989: QB Troy Aikman, UCLA, Cowboys
1988: LB Aundray Bruce, Auburn, Falcons
1987: QB Vinny Testaverde, Miami (FL), Buccaneers
1986: HB Bo Jackson, Auburn, Buccaneers
1985: DE Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech, Buffalo Bills
1984: WR Irving Fryar, Nebraska, Patriots
1983: QB John Elway, Stanford, Colts
1982: DE Kenneth Sims, Texas, Patriots
1981: HB George Rogers, South Carolina, New Orleans Saints
1980: HB Billy Sims, Oklahoma, Lions
1979: LB Tom Cousineau, Ohio State, Bills
1978: HB Earl Campbell, Texas, Houston Oilers
1977: HB Ricky Bell, USC, Buccaneers
1976: DE Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma, Buccaneers
1975: QB Steve Bartkowski, Cal, Falcons
1974: DE Ed Jones, Tennessee State, Cowboys
1973: DE John Matuszak, Tampa, Oilers
1972: DE Walt Patulski, Notre Dame, Bills
1971: QB Jim Plunkett, Stanford, Patriots
1970: QB Terry Bradshaw, Louisiana Tech, Pittsburgh Steelers
1969: HB O.J. Simpson, USC, Bills
1968: OT Ron Yary, USC, Minnesota Vikings
1967: DE Bubba Smith, Michigan State, Colts
1966: LB Tommy Nobis, Texas, Falcons
1965: HB Tucker Frederickson, Auburn, New York Giants
1964: WR Dave Parks, Texas Tech, 49ers
1963: QB Terry Baker, Oregon State, Rams
1962: HB Ernie Davis, Syracuse, Washington Redskins
1961: HB Tommy Mason, Tulane, Vikings
1960: HB Billy Cannon, LSU, Rams
1959: QB Randy Duncan, Iowa, Green Bay Packers
1958: QB King Hill, Rice, Chicago Cardinals
1957: HB Paul Hornung, Notre Dame, Packers
1956: DB Gary Glick, Colorado A&M, Steelers
1955: QB George Shaw, Oregon, Colts
1954: QB Bobby Garrett, Stanford, Browns
1953: OE Harry Babcock, Georgia, 49ers
1952: QB Bill Wade, Vanderbilt, Rams
1951: HB Kyle Rote, SMU, Giants
1950: OE Leon Hart, Notre Dame, Lions
1949: C/LB Chuck Bednarik, Penn, Eagles
1948: HB/WR Harry Gilmer, Alabama, Washington
1947: HB Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M, Chicago Bears
1946: QB Frank Dancewicz, Notre Dame, Yanks
1945: HB Charley Trippi, Georgia, Cardinals
1944: QB Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame, Boston Yanks
1943: HB Frank Sinkwich, Georgia, Lions
1942: HB Bill Dudley, Virginia, Steelers
1941: HB Tom Harmon, Michigan, Bears
1940: HB George Cafego, Tennessee, Cardinals
1939: C Ki Aldrich, TCU, Cardinals
1938: FB Corbett Davis, Indiana, Rams
1937: FB Sam Francis, Nebraska, Eagles
1936: HB Jay Berwanger, Chicago, Eagles

Questions Of The Day

Which Team Holds The No.1 Pick In The 2024 NFL Draft?

For the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears hold the No.1 overall pick, with USC Caleb Williams slated as the favorite to be picked first according to our odds at BetUS Sportsbook.