NFL Draft History: The Top 10 No. 1 Overall Picks

April 19, 2026

Quincy Milton ranks the top 10 No. 1 overall draft picks in NFL history, from Peyton Manning to Lee Roy Selmon.

Possessing the first pick in the NFL Draft is both a fantastic and unfortunate place to be. Generally speaking, having the No. 1 overall pick means that the team was awful the season before. However, the No. 1 pick provides a lot of options. Trade the pick for a haul, or potentially draft the next superstar. Of course, the pick comes with a lot of expectations, as missing this selection can prove to be quite detrimental.

Not every No. 1 selection is created equal. In the modern NFL. Quarterbacks are often selected No. 1. In the days of old, it was not uncommon to see a running back go with this pick. Edge rushers are also commonly selected at the top of the draft. Additionally, some drafts are much weaker than others. As such, having the No. 1 selection in a given draft may not be as advantageous as the year before or after.

With the NFL Draft swiftly approaching, let's take a look at some history. Since the NFL/AFL merger in 1967, 58 players have been selected No. 1 overall. Let's dive into the top 10 No. 1 overall picks of all time.

10. Lee Roy Selmon, Edge - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lee Roy Selmon, "The Gentle Giant," was one of the pioneers of the modern sack. As a member of the inaugural Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the 1970s, Selmon recorded 78.5 sacks and 28.5 forced fumbles in nine seasons. A back injury forced Selmon out of the league early, but think about what he could have accomplished had he stayed healthy.

Unfortunately, Selmon passed away in 2011 after suffering a massive stroke. However, his legacy as one of Tampa Bay's greats lives on. He is absolutely one of the best No. 1 overall picks in NFL Draft history.

9. Orlando Pace, OT- St. Louis Rams

Orlando Pace anchored a great offensive line as part of "The Greatest Show on Turf." During the Rams' run in the early 2000s, Pace was a three-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. He was a man among boys at his position.

Pace's excellent play has earned him a place in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames. He is more than deserving, given his contribution to the game.

8. Troy Aikman, QB - Dallas Cowboys

Troy Aikman was not a world beater in the statistics department. He only threw 165 touchdown passes in his entire career, all while tossing 141 interceptions. However, Aikman was the unquestioned leader of a Dallas Cowboys team that enjoyed serious success in the early 1990s.

Aikman is a three-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP, and he made six straight Pro Bowls in the 1990s. Aikman was fortunate to have Emmitt Smith toting the rock out of the backfield, but that does not minimize Aikman's own impact.

7. Terry Bradshaw, QB - Pittsburgh Steelers

While Terry Bradshaw's statistics are not eye-popping, he was a product of his time. Bradshaw was absolutely one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the 1970s. He was the ultimate winner, leading the Steelers to four of the team's six total Super Bowl titles.

Bradshaw was the MVP in two of those Super Bowls, and he added a league MVP award in 1978. No doubt selecting Bradshaw at No. 1 transformed the Steelers' fortunes for the better.

6. Earl Campbell, RB - Houston Oilers

Earl Campbell was a man among boys during his time in the NFL. His career began with three years of unbelievable success, including three straight OPOY awards and an MVP. Campbell's star burned bright and fast, but in just eight NFL seasons, he racked up 9,407 rushing yards and 74 rushing touchdowns.

Despite a couple of runs to the AFC Championship Game, Campbell was never able to taste the Super Bowl stage. Campbell will go down in history as a huge bruiser with famous quads that were seemingly the size of a bus.

5. Matthew Stafford, QB - Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford has enjoyed a great second chapter to his career with the Rams, but he was drafted by the Lions back in 2009. Stafford spent 12 seasons playing his heart out for the Lions with very little team success. His statistics were always gaudy, but they never translated to much more than individual accolades.

Peyton Manning was the real deal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2BkiKoPny3

— NFL (@NFL) June 18, 2024

With the Rams, Stafford has solidified himself as a Hall of Famer. He has a Super Bowl title, and following the 2025 season, Stafford won his first MVP award. He could continue to add to his history book in what might be his final season in 2026.

4. Bruce Smith, Edge - Buffalo Bills

This list would not be complete without the all-time sack leader on it. Smith was as dominant as he was reliable. Over a 19-year career, Smith played in all 16 games 11 times. He only played in fewer than 14 games in three other seasons, including a lockout season. As a result, Smith recorded double-digit sacks in a whopping 13 of 19 seasons.

Smith was a key cog in the Bills' historic four-year Super Bowl run in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, Buffalo could never get over the hump and win the big game, but those four years were some of Smith's best in the league. Smith will forever live in infamy in Buffalo.

3. O.J. Simpson, RB - Buffalo Bills

At the time of his retirement, O.J. Simpson was considered one of the two best running backs of all time, alongside Jim Brown. In the 1970s, "The Juice," as he was known, was everything to the Bills. He was the first 2,000-yard rusher in league history, doing so in a 14-game season. That season still sets the mark for most rushing yards per game in a single season.

Despite all his accolades, Simpson's later life was marred by legal turmoil. Still, Simpson was a very impactful and popular public figure during his playing days. He left a legacy on the game that is undeniable.

2. John Elway, QB - Denver Broncos

John Elway was consistently one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his time as a pro. He patiently waited until his final two seasons in the league to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Otherwise, Elway was a one-time MVP, multi-time All-Pro, and he finished his career with passing statistics that ranked among the best at the time.

Elway also enjoyed a solid career as an executive. He was instrumental in signing Peyton Manning for the second chapter of Manning's career in Denver. The move netted the Broncos another Super Bowl title with Manning and four years of sustained success.

1. Peyton Manning, QB - Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is the unquestioned greatest No. 1 overall pick of all time. The guy was an absolute stud in his prime, and a true on-field offensive coordinator. Manning set quite a few records during his career, and his battles with Tom Brady in the playoffs were legendary.

Peyton Manning was the real deal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2BkiKoPny3

— NFL (@NFL) June 18, 2024

While Manning may not have racked up the same number of Lombardi Trophies as Brady, he took home a haul of other hardware. Manning was a five-time NFL MVP, two-time OPOY, and he was the MVP of one of his two Super Bowl wins. He went two for four in the big game. Had he gone four for four, Manning would potentially push Brady for the GOAT conversation, given all of his other accolades.

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