Obviously, the first round of the NFL Draft has loads of talent. But which first-round picks are the best of the best? We worked to answer that question … sorta.
As the countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft has moved from weeks to days, we decided to determine which player was the best selection at every first-round pick since 2000. The premise was relatively simple, but some draft picks (looking at you, pick No. 11) were loaded with Hall of Fame talent, while others (pick No. 23) were actually a bit tougher to figure out due to a lack of accomplished careers of players drafted at that pick number.
Going through this exercise, some teams stand out as strong drafters, too. The Pittsburgh Steelers make a handful of appearances on this list. The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots also proved you can find talent toward the end of the first round.
So, which players were the best selected at each pick number in the first round? Let’s dive in.
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (selected by Detroit Lions in 2009)
Matthew Stafford has won a Super Bowl and has an MVP now. That, and his career numbers — 423 touchdown passes and counting — should put him at the top among the quarterbacks taken at No. 1. You can make a strong case for edge rusher Myles Garrett (2017), who has seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pro nods in nine seasons. He’s already at 125.5 sacks and just set an NFL record with 23, but it’s also the first time he’s led the league, just as 2025 was the first year Stafford led the league in passing yards or touchdowns. Stafford has been a great passer in the playoffs as well, with 25 touchdowns against seven interceptions, while Garrett has one sack in three career playoff games. You can go either way, but we’ll take Stafford for a larger body of work and more playoff impact.
2. Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina (selected by Carolina Panthers in 2002)
As you might expect, there are many compelling options here. Receiver Calvin Johnson (2007) had an amazing career, but only played nine years. Fellow Lions draft pick and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (2010) had five Pro Bowls in his first seven seasons but none in the final six. We narrowed to two players, and a strong case can be made for both. Edge rusher Von Miller (2011) had 4.5 sacks in two Super Bowl wins, has 138.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl eight times in his first nine seasons. But he hasn’t had a double-digit sack season or a Pro Bowl since 2019. So we chose Julius Peppers, an exceptional player who had 10 seasons with 10-plus sacks to finish with 159.5, as well as an incredible 51 forced fumbles and six defensive touchdowns. He lost his only Super Bowl, but had a sack and an interception in the game.
3. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pitt (selected by Arizona Cardinals in 2004)
Here we were, worried this list would be overstacked with quarterbacks at every spot, and if anything, the opposite is true. So Matt Ryan (2008) is in the top 10 all-time in passing yards and touchdowns, but that doesn’t trump Larry Fitzgerald, who was so good for so long he’s second all-time behind Jerry Rice in both receptions (1,431) and receiving yards (17,492), with 121 touchdown catches as well. His 11 Pro Bowls are one more than tackle Joe Thomas (2007) and he’s our pick at No. 3.
4. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma (selected by Washington in 2010)
You feel bad for Philip Rivers, who ranks sixth all-time in passing touchdowns (425) and eighth in passing yards (63,984), but there are very few people with 12 Pro Bowl selections, like Trent Williams. Williams has also spent more than a decade among the best — if not the best — tackles in the game. He’s over 200 starts and still going, another that lost in his only Super Bowl, but we must respect the longevity and sustained run he’s had at a crucial position.
5. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU (selected by San Diego Chargers in 2001)
None of the picks this high will be easy. You have young elite players like Ja’Marr Chase (2021), three more guys with at least eight Pro Bowls in edge Khalil Mack (2014) and corners Jalen Ramsey (2016) and Patrick Peterson (2011). But we’ll go with LaDanian Tomlinson, who is second all-time in rushing touchdowns (145) and rushed for 13,684 yards while mixing in 624 receptions. Never made a Super Bowl, kinda quiet in his biggest playoff games, but as entire bodies of work go, he’ll get our pick at No. 5.
6. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (selected by Atlanta Falcons in 2011)
There may be a time when Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (2020) owns this spot, but he’s not there yet — not without a playoff win. You can make a case for Colts guard Quenton Nelson (2018), who’s made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his years in the league. But for now, we’re going with Julio Jones, who had six straight seasons with at least 1,394 receiving yards, making the Pro Bowl all six years. His touchdown total (66) isn’t what it should be. He lost his only Super Bowl, but he gets the nod in a close call.
7. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma (selected by Minnesota Vikings in 2007)
We hear you, Bills fans: Josh Allen is really deserving here as well, with an MVP already on his résumé. But Adrian Peterson ranks in the top five all-time in rushing yards (14,918) and touchdowns (120), with a 2,000-yard season under his belt. He had seven Pro Bowls by the time he was 30, then awkwardly bounced around way too much. Do you remember him with the Saints? Cardinals? Washington? Lions? Titans? Seahawks? Shoutout to receiver Mike Evans (2014), who would be deserving at other spots.
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8. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (chosen by Carolina Panthers in 2017)
One other energetic participant makes the listing, and with good motive. Christian McCaffrey has had 4 seasons the place he is performed eight video games or fewer as a consequence of harm, and he nonetheless has 98 complete touchdowns and practically a decade as top-of-the-line dual-threat backs within the NFL. He had 1,000 yards dashing and receiving in the identical season in 2019, and he is had two different 100-catch seasons as effectively. What’s wild is that former Cowboys security Roy Williams (2002) really has extra Professional Bowl nods than McCaffrey.
9. Brian Urlacher, LB, New Mexico, 2000 (chosen by Chicago Bears in 2000)
This can be a legit, hard-to-answer debate: Did Brian Urlacher or fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly (2012) have the higher profession? Urlacher performed 4 extra years, had yet another Professional Bowl (8) and one fewer first-team All-Professional (4). Urlacher has extra sacks and interceptions, and two extra defensive touchdowns. Each made a single Tremendous Bowl and misplaced. We went with Urlacher, although deal with Tyron Smith (2011) additionally deserves consideration.
10. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech (chosen by Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 2017)
Perhaps the best one of many lot. Patrick Mahomes is a two-time MVP who led the Chiefs to 5 Tremendous Bowls in six years, profitable three of them. He has 267 landing passes and he is nonetheless solely 30, and whereas he is seemed mortal sufficient to not even make the Professional Bowl the final two seasons, as soon as he is wholesome once more, he is the quarterback everybody else is chasing. We should always point out edge rusher Terrell Suggs (2003) and his 139 sacks, but it surely’s a distant second right here.
Patrick Mahomes is one among 5 quarterbacks to have began and received a minimum of three Tremendous Bowls. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)
11. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin (chosen by Houston Texans in 2011)
How good was the No. 11 spot? Three Corridor of Famers in a six-year span, with edge rusher Dwight Freeney (2002), edge rusher DeMarcus Ware (2005) and linebacker Patrick Willis (2007). Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (2004) may be a part of them subsequent yr. However J.J. Watt is a three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months — 114.5 sacks, 195 tackles for loss in a profession that had him restricted to eight video games or fewer in 4 seasons. That is the candy spot of the draft — when you can commerce up or all the way down to 11, not a foul concept.
12. Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State (chosen by Dallas Cowboys in 2021)
One other no-brainer, as Micah Parsons has 65 sacks in his 5 years within the league, making the Professional Bowl yearly and first-team All-Professional in three of these. We’ll give a shoutout to defensive tackles Fletcher Cox (2012) and Haloti Ngata (2006) for six and 5 Professional Bowls, respectively, however Parsons continues to be including to his totals in a giant manner.
13. Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt (chosen by Los Angeles Rams in 2014)
The choices at 13 embody nice offensive tackles like Tristan Wirfs (2020) and Laremy Tunsil (2016), however no one has an opportunity when up in opposition to Aaron Donald, a Professional Bowler in all 10 of his NFL seasons and a first-team All-Professional in eight of these. He is a three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months who completed with 111 sacks and 24 pressured fumbles. He additionally had 3.5 sacks within the 2021 postseason, two within the Tremendous Bowl, in main the Rams to a Tremendous Bowl.
14. Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt (chosen by New York Jets in 2007)
Darrelle Revis was the premier nook within the NFL for a superb stretch there, incomes first-team All-Professional honors three years in a row from 2009-11, a part of a run that had seven Professional Bowls in eight years. Even after a serious knee harm, he helped the Patriots win a Tremendous Bowl in 2014 and completed with 29 profession interceptions. After we give corners “Island” nicknames, that began with Revis, a simple alternative over longtime Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (2005).
15. Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, USF (chosen by New York Giants in 2010)
Jason Pierre-Paul continues to be attempting to play within the league after 15 years and 94.5 profession sacks — he helped two groups win Tremendous Bowls 9 years aside, first with the Giants, then the Bucs. Solely three Professional Bowls, however will get the nod right here over linebacker Derrick Johnson (2005) and guard Mike Pouncey (2011), who practically joined his brother on the listing.
16. Troy Polamalu, S, USC (chosen by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003)
Neck-and-neck name between Troy Polamalu and guard Zack Martin (2004). Martin had extra Professional Bowls and first-team All-Professional nods, however we’ll select Troy Polamalu, who nonetheless had eight Professional Bowls and 4 All-Execs, and helped Pittsburgh to 2 Tremendous Bowl wins. He completed with 32 interceptions and 5 defensive touchdowns. Both of those gamers may make it at different spots within the high 20, although.
17. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma (chosen by Dallas Cowboys in 2020)
Good group to select from right here. Guard Steve Hutchinson (2001) had seven Professional Bowls, security Derwin James now has six, however we’ll go along with CeeDee Lamb, who has 5 Professional Bowls in his six years within the league. After barely lacking as a rookie, he is topped 1,000 yards in every of the final 5 seasons, and he led the NFL with 135 catches in 2023. He took a step again final yr with George Pickens’ emergence, however stays one of many league’s highest-paid receivers, getting $34 million a yr.
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18. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida (chosen by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010)
Onerous to beat 9 Professional Bowls in 10 NFL seasons. You’ll be able to recognize Joe Flacco’s longevity, however Maurkice Pouncey had a dominant run in Pittsburgh, regardless of mainly dropping two full seasons to harm. In your entire 2010 draft, solely Trent Williams (12) has extra profession Professional Bowl honors than Pouncey.
19. Shaun Alexander, RB, Alabama (chosen by Seattle Seahawks in 2000)
Tempting to go along with defensive deal with Jeffery Simmons (2019), who already has 4 Professional Bowls, however we’ll throw again to Shaun Alexander, who had 5 straight 1,000-yard seasons, culminating with a monster 2005: a league-high 1,half of one mile and in some way 27 dashing touchdowns. Defensive finish Jared Verse (2024) may find yourself being the long-term reply right here as effectively.
20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (chosen by Seattle Seahawks in 2023)
We’ll upset folks right here with all types of recency bias, however Jaxon Smith-Nigba is coming off a tremendous season — main the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and serving to the Seahawks to a Tremendous Bowl championship. We completely get that nook Aqib Talib (2008) had 5 Professional Bowls and 35 interceptions, and that defensive finish Tamba Hali (2006) additionally had 5 Professional Bowls and 89.5 sacks. We’re simply trusting that 5 years from now, JSN may have these sorts of profession accolades and we’re simply forward of issues.
21. Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami (Fla.) (chosen by New England Patriots in 2004)
Our first New England star to make the listing, Vince Wilfork, is that uncommon non-Brady participant to get a hoop within the Patriots’ early Tremendous Bowls and their later run as effectively. He performed in 19 playoff video games for New England, getting 5 Professional Bowls between 2007-12. The opposite choice at 21 is middle Alex Mack (2009), who earned seven Professional Bowl nods with 196 profession begins, however did not have the identical postseason presence.
22. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU (chosen by Minnesota Vikings in 2020)
A simple name, although Justin Jefferson’s solely six years into his NFL profession. He is topped 1,000 receiving yards in all six seasons, with a mixed 42 touchdowns and 4 Professional Bowl nods. The subsequent-best is receiver Demaryius Thomas, who had 63 landing catches in his 10 NFL seasons. That is going to be a extra compelling case for Jefferson yearly for some time. Wonderful to assume he was the fifth receiver taken in 2020.
Justin Jefferson received Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 2022. (Photograph by Stephen Maturen/Getty Photographs)
23. Willis McGahee, RB, Miami (Fla.) (chosen by Buffalo Payments in 2003)
Now, decide No. 23 — a quantity synonymous with greatness — has nowhere near the expertise of 24, with no gamers getting greater than two Professional Bowls of their careers. We may go along with somebody like deal with Bryan Bulaga (2010), however we’ll go along with Willis McGahee, who had 4 1,000-yard seasons and two Professional Bowl nods, bouncing round to 4 NFL groups in his 10-year NFL profession. It is nearer than you assume between McGahee and Deuce McAllister (2001).
24. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Cal (chosen by Inexperienced Bay Packers in 2005)
This one’s a bit ridiculous for the second half of the primary spherical. Sorry to Corridor of Fame security Ed Reed and eight-time Professional Bowler Cameron Jordan, you guys aren’t going to beat out Rodgers, who has 527 profession touchdowns in opposition to simply 123 interceptions, a Corridor of Fame ratio. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and he is nonetheless going — we expect — at age 42, attempting so as to add to his 66,274 profession passing yards.
25. Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama (chosen by New England Patriots in 2012)
The postseason success makes it simpler for gamers picked by the Patriots to seize spots on this listing. Dont’a Hightower solely had two Professional Bowls in his profession, however he had three sacks in 4 Tremendous Bowls, serving to New England to a few championships. His splash performs aren’t gaudy — one profession interception, two pressured fumbles, 27 sacks — however he will get the nod over one other Tremendous Bowl hero, receiver Santonio Holmes (2006).
26. Clay Matthews, edge rusher, USC (chosen by Inexperienced Bay Packers in 2009)
Cannot ask for higher NFL bloodlines, and Clay Matthews made the Professional Bowl six instances in his first seven seasons — 91.5 sacks and 150 profession begins, with three defensive touchdowns as effectively. The underrated decide right here is deal with Duane Brown (2008), who made 5 Professional Bowls and completed with 218 begins, most with the Texans.
27. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson (chosen by Houston Texans in 2013)
He is bounced round to a few groups within the final two seasons, however DeAndre Hopkins was a star in his Texans heyday, with 5 Professional Bowls in six years, three with a minimum of 11 touchdowns. If it is not Hopkins at 27, it is seemingly one other receiver, Roddy White (2005), who had 63 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Falcons.
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28. Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan (drafted by San Francisco 49ers in 2007)
There is a candy spot for offensive line worth late within the first spherical, and Joe Staley had a run of six Professional Bowls in seven seasons from 2011-17, retiring with 181 profession begins, all for San Francisco. He performed for six completely different head coaches with the 49ers, from the peak of Jim Harbaugh’s success to a two-win season to the start of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure there.
29. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State (chosen by New York Jets in 2006)
Nick Mangold, who handed away in October, made the Professional Bowl seven instances in eight years from 2007-15, serving to the Jets to a pair of AFC Championship Video games. A mannequin of sturdiness, he missed two video games complete in his first eight NFL seasons. The shut name was for security Harrison Smith, one other twenty ninth decide who has 39 profession interceptions, an enormous quantity for as we speak’s NFL.
30. T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin (chosen by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017)
It is onerous to beat out receiver Reggie Wayne, however T.J. Watt has made the Professional Bowl in every of the final eight seasons and already has 115 profession sacks, main the league 3 times. His 36 pressured fumbles are an especially good quantity, and even 9 interceptions are nice for his place. His 22.5-sack season in 2021 has been the gold commonplace, incomes him AP Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors and one among his 4 first-team All-Professional honors.
31. Cameron Heyward, DT, Ohio State (chosen by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011)
It is simpler to reward longevity when it is 15 seasons and counting with the identical workforce. Cam Heyward made seven Professional Bowls in an eight-year span from 2017-24 and has totaled 92 sacks in Pittsburgh. He is sufficiently old to have performed in a playoff win for the Steelers — the next-closest 31 might be middle Travis Frederick (2013) or tight finish Greg Olsen (2007).
32. Drew Brees, QB, Purdue (chosen by San Diego Chargers in 2001)
You understand it is robust when a two-time MVP cannot get the nod, however Lamar Jackson continues to be chasing Drew Brees, who ranks second all-time behind Tom Brady in profession passing touchdowns (571!) and passing yards (80,358). Brees led the league in passing yards seven instances, led in landing passes 4 instances, and received a Tremendous Bowl in 2009. Jackson would have a whole lot of spots with what he is completed in simply his first eight seasons, however he does not get 32. We also needs to observe that Brees really wasn’t a first-round decide when the Chargers drafted him in 2001, as there have been nonetheless solely 31 groups on the time.
