NFL Draft History: The Best First-Round Pick In Each Draft Since 2000

April 23, 2026

Quincy Milton III gives the best first-round pick in each draft since 2000. From Tyler Warren to Brian Urlacher, who was the best first-round pick in each draft of the 2000s?

The first round of the NFL Draft is always exciting. With the draft having become such a spectacle, it is difficult not to believe that every player selected on Day 1 will become a star. However, while franchise fortunes can be turned around for the better, they can also get much worse with whiffs on selections.

Still, a lot of the high-end talent around the league was drafted in the first round. Day 1 selections are given a lot of leeway and attention for development because of the massive investment franchises are making into those players. Additionally, many Day 1 selections are the most NFL-ready in the draft, thus their status as Round 1 picks.

With the 2026 NFL Draft here, let's look back at some of the best first-round selections over the last couple of decades. While some drafts are better than others, there are always a couple of players who stand out in Round 1.

2000: Brian Urlacher, LB - Chicago Bears

The 2000 NFL Draft included quite a bit of Round 1 talent, including running back Shaun Alexander and quarterback Chad Pennington. However, the first round's lone Hall of Famer, Brian Urlacher, takes the cake.

Urlacher was a dominant force for a formidable Bears defense in the mid-2000s. Despite his greatness, Chicago was never able to capture a title with Urlacher in the fold.

2001: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB - San Diego Chargers

2001 featured Hall of Famers Steve Hutchinson and Richard Seymour, who were selected in the first round. However, LaDainian Tomlinson's impact on the game from the running back position cannot be overstated.

LaDainian Tomlinson stiff arms + goal line leaps 🔥 @LT_21

📺: #LACvsLV -- Thursday 8pm ET on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/vkLafTG8Nb pic.twitter.com/NRZf78GEqa

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) December 15, 2020

Tomlinson racked up a whopping 18,456 combined rushing and receiving yards during his career. He also scored 162 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns. The guy was simply unstoppable as a constant record setter and one-time MVP winner.

2002: Ed Reed, S - Baltimore Ravens

Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers are both more than deserving of a potential spot on this list, but Ed Reed was a cut above the rest at the safety position.

Ed Reed is a legend for his special teams play alone. @TwentyER @Ravens pic.twitter.com/LJmCSOsrqI

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) May 26, 2020

Reed was a one-time Super Bowl champion, one-time DPOY, and his 64 career interceptions are good for seventh all-time. Reed's interceptions are even more impressive given the fact that he played in an era when interception rates by quarterbacks dropped drastically.

2003: Troy Polamalu, S - Pittsburgh Steelers

This was a true toss-up between Troy Polamalu, Terrell Suggs, and Andre Johnson, but Polamalu was absolutely dominant during his prime. As an anchor of the second iteration of the "Steel Curtain," Polamalu was known as a hard-hitter who struck fear into opposing wide receivers coming across the middle of the field.

Polamalu is a well-deserving Hall of Famer. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and one-time DPOY. He will forever live in infamy in Pittsburgh.

2004: Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Pittsburgh Steelers

The 2004 NFL Draft featured the selections of quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, and Eli Manning. However, never forget that the first round also included Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, and the late safety Sean Taylor. Selecting Roethlisberger here was no easy feat.

Roethlisberger gets the nod for the best in his class because of his greatness, leading the Steelers to two titles in the 2000s. Roethlisberger is also No. 7 all-time in passing yards and No. 9 in touchdowns. He will forever be known as the big, tough quarterback no one could seemingly bring down in the pocket. A true stud.

2005: Aaron Rodgers, QB - Green Bay Packers

The 2005 NFL Draft class was solid overall, but Rodgers is the easy selection as the best first-round pick. Rodgers is a four-time MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Super Bowl MVP in addition to a smattering of other accolades. Not to mention the guy has proved to be the best at not throwing interceptions.

While it is unclear if Rodgers will play another season, he is already No. 4 all-time in passing touchdowns and No. 5 in yards. His stats speak for themselves. Rodgers will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer one day.

2006: Mario Williams, Edge - Houston Texans

2006 did not feature the strongest crop of players entering the league, but the No. 1 overall selection in Mario Williams turned out to be the best pick in Round 1.

Williams was a solid player for both the Texans and the Bills throughout his career. He consistently hovered at or above double-digit sack numbers during his career.

2007: Calvin Johnson, WR - Detroit Lions

2007 was the year to grab a difference-making player in the first round of the NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Joe Thomas could very well have been the selection here, but Calvin Johnson accomplished feats on the field that we had never seen before at his position. Both players are in the Hall of Fame.

In just nine seasons, Johnson amassed 11,619 receiving yards and 83 receiving touchdowns. His gaudy stats were all on terrible teams in Detroit as he and quarterback Matthew Stafford did all they could to will the Lions to a limited amount of victories. Johnson's early retirement was a disappointment. He could have become the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game.

2008: Matt Ryan, QB - Atlanta Falcons

The 2008 NFL Draft does not yet feature any Hall of Famers, but there were some quality picks in this draft. Matt Ryan and his MVP award in 2016 trump the rest of the first-rounders in his class.

Ryan is No. 9 in career passing yards and No. 10 in passing touchdowns. He also led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, where Atlanta infamously blew a 28-3 halftime lead to the New England Patriots. Ryan may have never captured a title, but he still enjoyed a storied career.

2009: Matthew Stafford, QB - Detroit Lions

The 2009 NFL Draft class was relatively deep overall, but it was the No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Stafford, who stood above the rest. Stafford has enjoyed quite a career in both Detroit and Los Angeles. He has put up ridiculous stats throughout his career, and he finally captured a Super Bowl title in 2021.

More Matthew Stafford coming 🔜

More highlights on https://t.co/ugyQZr9YBj 🎥 pic.twitter.com/ep06dUri8V

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 19, 2025

Stafford's first MVP Award came just this past season in 2025. His legacy as an all-time great quarterback is cemented. Before his Rams days, Stafford was already a likely future Hall of Famer. As such, this second chapter of his career in Los Angeles has been that much more of a joy to watch.

2010: Trent Williams, OT - Washington Redskins

The 2010 NFL Draft was full of difference-making Day 1 defensive players. However, Trent Williams reigns supreme as a tackle who has been dominant his entire career, even to this day.

Williams spent the first portion of his career in Washington before heading west to San Francisco in 2020. His presence in San Francisco has transformed this offensive line. Every quarterback the 49ers have trotted out in recent years has benefited greatly from Williams' dominance. He is a multi-time All-Pro with his latest nod coming this past season at age 37.

2011: J.J. Watt, Edge - Houston Texans

The 2011 NFL Draft was a true era-defining class. Cornerback Richard Sherman and edge-rusher Justin Houston were not even selected in the first round. However, Round 1 itself was full of future Pro Bowlers.

This selection could have realistically gone to No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton or wide receiver Julio Jones. However, J.J. Watt's dominance in the 2010s was too difficult to ignore. This was a three-time DPOY, with multiple 20.5-sack seasons. Sadly, injuries plagued Watt over the second half of his career, but he was a true game-breaker in his prime.

2012: Luke Kuechly, LB - Carolina Panthers

2012 was another fantastic draft class, setting in motion a new era of quarterbacks. Quarterback Andrew Luck would have been the selection here if not for an early retirement. Although Luke Kuechly's career was only one year longer than Luck's, he is already a Hall of Famer because his impact on the game was so large.

Kuechly was consistently near the top of the league in total tackles. He was also very durable, playing in fewer than 15 games just twice in his eight-year career. Kuechly was a one-time DPOY and an absolute force in the middle of the field.

2013: DeAndre Hopkins, WR - Houston Texans

2013 was a weaker draft class overall. The Chiefs selected offensive tackle Eric Fisher at the top of the draft in one of the least exciting moves in NFL Draft history. Still, there were solid players to be found in 2013.

DeAndre Hopkins was a game-wrecker in his prime. Despite being surrounded by poor quarterback play throughout the first half of his career, Hopkins is No. 18 in career receiving yards. He was known for spectacular catches that would often appear on "SportsCenter's" top 10. We will see if we get one more year of Hopkins in 2026.

2014: Aaron Donald, DT - St. Louis Rams

The first round in 2014 featured a plethora of talent, but there is one very easy selection for this list. Aaron Donald will go down as perhaps the best defensive tackle in NFL history. The guy saw consistent triple teams and still managed to live around double-digit sacks every year.

He's back-to-back DPOY for a reason 💪@AaronDonald97's top 10 plays of 2018! pic.twitter.com/ObXivMOgWz

— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2019

Donald is a three-time DPOY and one-time Super Bowl champion. He was also a first-team All-Pro in a whopping eight of his 10 seasons. Donald is an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes.

2015: Leonard Williams, DT - New York Jets

Several players from the class of 2015 were deserving of a spot on this list, but Leonard Williams' longevity gives him the edge here. Williams is still dominating as he enters his 12th season in the league. He has also written a great second chapter to his career in Seattle.

While Williams may not have all the same flashy accolades as some of his first-round classmates, his impact on every down is unparalleled. The Seahawks would not have enjoyed their success over the last few years without the impact of Williams. He has shown no signs of slowing down, either.

2016: Jalen Ramsey, CB - Jacksonville Jaguars

The nod here could have gone to defensive lineman DeForest Buckner or quarterback Jared Goff, but Ramsey's status as a true shutdown cornerback gives him the edge.

Ramsey's peak in the late-2010s was impressive with multiple first-team All-Pro nods and a Super Bowl championship. Even into his early 30s, Ramsey continues to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Teams simply do not want to throw his way.

2017: Patrick Mahomes, QB - Kansas City Chiefs

The 2017 NFL Draft class was stacked, but Patrick Mahomes takes the cake as not only the best first-rounder but simply the best player in this class. Mahomes is already considered to be the most talented quarterback to ever play. If he adds a little more hardware to his trophy case, he will go down as the GOAT.

Throwback to our greatest draft pick of all time. pic.twitter.com/AeIlPrhc6q

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 17, 2026

Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time league MVP, one-time OPOY, and the list goes on. He is already No. 22 all-time in passing touchdowns and No. 33 in passing yards. With a lot of career left, who knows what Mahomes can accomplish?

2018: Josh Allen, QB - Buffalo Bills

The 2018 first-round quarterbacks have been proving their worth over the last few seasons. However, Josh Allen reigns above all of them. Allen's list of accolades is strong. The only thing he is missing is a coveted Super Bowl title.

In a vacuum, Allen may be the most impactful player in the league. His combination of size and strength makes him a formidable runner, and he has nearly perfected his passing skills in recent seasons. He just happens to play in an era when his conference is loaded with quarterback talent.

2019: Nick Bosa, Edge - San Francisco 49ers

The class of 2019 was full of excellent defensive linemen in Round 1. However, Nick Bosa's impact is unrivaled. Bosa is a one-time DPOY, and he was the DROY in 2019. He has accumulated 64.5 sacks in seven seasons despite losing two seasons due to injury.

At his peak in the early 2020s, Bosa literally could not be stopped. If he returns healthy in 2026, that trend should continue.

2020: Justin Jefferson, WR - Minnesota Vikings

While Justin Jefferson's college teammate, quarterback Joe Burrow, could have made this list, Jefferson's start to his career is unlike any we have ever seen at his position.

JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Until a down 2025 season, Jefferson's career average of reception yards per game was the highest in NFL history. He has already recorded 8,480 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns. What makes Jefferson so special is that he is not a physically imposing wide receiver. He simply has fantastic hands and savvy that make him nearly unstoppable.

2021: Penei Sewell, OT - Detroit Lions

Let's give the offensive line some love with the selection of Penei Sewell. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is deserving of this nod, but Sewell has almost single-handedly turned around the Lions' offensive line fortunes.

Sewell is a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. He is nearly impossible to beat on the edge, and he is the linchpin of the Lions offensive line. This team would simply not be enjoying its recent success without the excellent play of Sewell. This is especially true with the recent retirements along the rest of the offensive line.

2022: Derek Stingley Jr., CB - Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr. got off to a slow start in Year 1, but he has been an absolute force to be reckoned with since then. Stingley is coming off two straight All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons. Additionally, he has recorded 14 interceptions over the last three seasons.

Stingley has been instrumental in the Texans' recent defensive success under head coach DeMeco Ryans. He anchors a secondary that has been nearly impossible to throw on over the last two seasons.

2023: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR - Seattle Seahawks

There was no simple selection from the 2023 NFL Draft class. This class was loaded with talent, especially first-round talent. However, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and his recent OPOY Award make him difficult to ignore for this list.

SMITH TO JSN AGAIN! THIS TIME FOR SIX! pic.twitter.com/ciXD042RFX

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

Smith-Njigba got off to a very slow start as a rookie in 2023. However, he has been a dominant force since then. Despite measuring in at just 6 feet and 197 lbs, Smith-Njigba is as tough as they come and quite difficult to cover. It is widely believed that the Seahawks would not have reached the Super Bowl this season without Smith-Njigba leading the way offensively.

2024: Drake Maye, QB - New England Patriots

The 2024 NFL Draft class already features a handful of Pro Bowlers. While it is too early to define the careers of these players, Drake Maye stands tall among the rest.

Maye has already reached a Super Bowl and finished second in MVP voting. He was also an All-Pro in 2025. The sky is the limit for Maye, who seems to just be getting started.

2025: Tyler Warren, TE - Indianapolis Colts

While this could very well change in a few short years, Tyler Warren currently ranks at the top of his class. Warren made a serious impact as a rookie at a position that does not often experience early success. His 817 receiving yards and 76 receptions were among the best at the tight end position across the league.

Warren's efforts in 2025 made him a Pro Bowler. Improving from here should net him plenty of All-Pro selections in the future.

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