March Madness is over and the NBA and NHL playoffs have yet to begin, giving many of us a chance to brush up on the NFL draft, which is only three weeks away. While we’ll continue to break down the 2016 draft here, we’d like to take a moment to share some fun draft facts.
- Quarterbacks have been picked first overall a record 33 times, including 13 times in the last 18 drafts. During that span (1998-2015), three defensive ends (Courtney Brown, Mario Williams and Jadeveon Clowney) and two offensive tackles (Jake Long and Eric Fisher) have been taken with the top pick.
- A total of 19 running backs have gone first overall, but none since 1995. Ki-Jana Carter, who was taken first by Cincinnati that year, is the only back to off the board first in the last 29 years.
- Only two receivers (Irving Fryar and Keyshawn Johnson) and only one tight end (Billy Cannon) have been top picks.
- In addition to Fisher and Long, three offensive linemen have gone first overall. But Orlando Pace is the only other one from the modern era (post-1970 merger).
- A total of 14 defensive linemen have gone first overall, but only two (Russell Maryland and Buck Buchanan) were interior linemen.
- Four linebackers have been picked first overall, but none since 1988 (Aundray Bruce).
- The only time a defensive back has gone first overall, the Steelers took Gary Glick in 1956. Although that could change if somebody takes Jalen Ramsey later this month.
- Since the 1970 merger, 32 top picks have been offensive players. Only 14 have been defensive players. But in the last 21 years that ratio is 18-to-3. Prior to that it was a much more balanced 14-to-11.
- The Baltimore Ravens have never held the No. 1 overall pick but the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts have had a record seven top picks. Other teams that have never picked first: Jacksonville and Seattle.
