Every Duke First-Round Pick in NFL Draft History

McAfee did everything for the Blue Devils in 1939 to earn himself a top-five selection, the following offseason, leading the team in almost everything except tackling and passing. McAfee was a World War II veteran and a three-time NFL Champion after being traded to the Chicago Bears, going on to become a Pro and College Football Hall of Famer.

1942 — No. 4 Overall to the Chicago Cardinals: Steve Lach, Wingback

Steve Lach was a First Team All-American and two-time first-team All-Southern Conference wingback for the Blue Devils, earning himself a top-five selection in the 1942 NFL Draft. His NFL career lasted only three combined seasons, but he was already one of the greatest Duke players ever, earning a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1980.

1965 — No. 14 overall to the Baltimore Colts: Mike Curtis, linebacker

Curtis is one of the greatest players in Duke history and became a legend with the Baltimore Colts by winning an NFL Championship in 1968. The CFB Hall of Famer was a two-time first-team All-ACC defender who was a feared linebacker for many years in Baltimore.

1967 — No. 18 Overall to the Cleveland Browns, Bob Matheson, Linebacker

Matheson was a First Team All-American and All-ACC linebacker for the Blue Devils before being drafted by the Browns in 1967. He would later join the Miami Dolphins, where he became a key piece of the organization's success, including the Dolphins' only undefeated season in NFL history at 16-0.

1987 — No. 5 Overall to the Cleveland Browns: Mike Junkin, Linebacker

While Junkin never had a successful NFL career, he was an incredible linebacker for Duke. From 1983-1986, Junkin was an All-ACC defender and one of the all-time tackle leaders in program history, finishing his career with 512 career tackles.

2015 — No. 28 Overall to the Detroit Lions: Laken Tomlinson, Guard

Tomlinson is a physical, massive human in the trenches, and he was the same way for the Blue Devils during his years with the program. Since being drafted by the Lions, Tomlinson has enjoyed a 10-plus-year career in the NFL and is currently a free agent.

2019 – No. 6 Overall to the New York Giants: Daniel Jones, Quarterback

Jones is one of the best players in recent Duke memory, especially in the 21st century. His arm talent, mobility, and impressive accuracy led him to be a top-10 selection in 2019, the first Blue Devil to be taken that high since 1987 with Junkin. Jones had an up-and-down career with the Giants, but has since found a home with the Indianapolis Colts after a career season was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon last year.

2024 — No. 26 Overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, Center

Barton was a standout offensive lineman for the Blue Devils from 2022 to 2023, where he earned multiple All-ACC honors and was a Second Team All-American in 2023. His inside-out skill set led him to be a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2024, where he became the team's starting center from the jump and has yet to miss a game at this point in his career.