All true NFL fans must know the No. 1 overall draft pick from the year they were born. From Kyler Murray in 2019 to Jay Berwanger in 1936, here's the list.
The second consecutive Oklahoma Sooners quarterback selected first overall, Murray joined Arizona and former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 despite a 5-10-1 record as a starter, throwing for 3,722 yards and rushing for 544 yards.
After getting burned by the selection of Johnny Manziel in the 2014 draft, the Browns finally found their QB. Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma, passed for 3,725 yards and a rookie record 27 TDs for the Browns (7-8-1) in his rookie season before regressing in his sophomore campaign.
Despite playing only 11 games in his rookie season because of injuries, Garrett put up solid numbers (seven sacks, one forced fumble) and showed great promise as a disruptive pass rusher. The former Texas A&M star had a breakout season in 2018 with 13.5 sacks but was suspended for a large portion for 2019 due to an on-field altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Although Goff flopped in Super Bowl LIII against the Patriots (19-38, 228 yards), the former California star put up his best passing numbers during the 2018 regular season (364 for 561, 4,688 yards and 32 TDs). He's thrown for more than 14,000 yards with two Pro Bowl appearances through four seasons.
Winston, a star on the field at Florida State, had a great rookie season in Tampa Bay, throwing for 4,042 yards and 22 TDs. Since then his career has been on the skids, and the Bucs let him walk following the 2019 season in which he led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) but also interceptions (30).
A touted player out of South Carolina, Clowney struggled to stay healthy in his first two seasons, playing only 17 games. He was named to the Pro Bowl in three straight years from 2016-2018 before getting traded to Seattle in 2019.
The first overall pick out of Central Michigan in a thin draft, Fisher gradually improved over his first few seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
The Colts moved on from Peyton Manning to Luck in 2012, and the former Stanford star managed to go 53-33 as a starter during his six-year career. Luck had perhaps his best season in 2018, throwing for 4,593 yards and 39 TDs, but retired the following preseason due to another one of many career injuries.
Newton led Auburn to a national title in 2010 and nearly led Carolina to a Super Bowl win in 2015. He missed most of 2019 with a foot injury and was released after the season.
After spending his first five seasons with the Rams, the oft-injured Bradford has bounced around the league (Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals). In 2018, the former Oklahoma star was a disaster in Arizona, where he was benched in favor of rookie Josh Rosen and retired following the season.
A solid starter, Stafford hasn't developed into the star Detroit expected when he was drafted out of Georgia. He has been named to the Pro Bowl only once (2014) in 11 seasons in the league.
Long, a standout at Michigan, looked like a star tackle early in his career, making the Pro Bowl in four consecutive seasons, but injuries derailed his career. He retired in 2017.
Possibly the biggest NFL bust ever, the strong-armed Russell, a star at LSU, played only 31 games over three seasons for the Raiders. His record was 7-18 as a starter.
The Texans controversially selected Williams, a star at North Carolina State, instead of USC running back Reggie Bush. He made 97.5 sacks and four Pro Bowl appearances during his 11-year career. Williams last played in the league in 2016.
Drafted 23 spots ahead of Aaron Rodgers, the former Utah star has been a solid, if unspectacular, starter in the league. The Redskins QB suffered a gruesome leg injury against the Texans in November 2018, leaving his playing future in doubt.
Manning, a star at Mississippi, was selected first overall by San Diego but refused to play for the Chargers. He was traded to the New York Giants, where he helped lead the team to two Super Bowl wins. Manning retired following the 2019 season.
Palmer, a Heisman Trophy winner at Southern Cal, was a three-time Pro Bowler. Playing for the Bengals, Raiders and Cardinals, he passed for 46,247 yards.
The expansion Texans trusted Carr with the keys to their franchise, but the former Fresno State star crumbled without talent around him. Carr spent most of his career as a backup after five failed seasons as a starter in Houston.
While not the best quarterback ever, the former Virginia Tech standout was one of the most exciting. During his 13-year career, he rushed for 6,109 yards and passed for 22,464.
Brown, a Penn State star, turned out to be a historic NFL bust, playing only 61 games in six seasons. He had 19 sacks for his career.
Couch, a star at Kentucky, was the first draft pick for the expansion Browns. He failed to live up to expectations, mostly because of injuries, and played only 62 games over his five-year career.
Arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, the former Tennessee star was named to 14 Pro Bowls and earned five MVPs and two Super Bowl wins. He is third all time in passing yards in the NFL with 71,940.
Pace, a star at Ohio State, did a great job protecting Rams quarterbacks during their "Greatest Show on Turf" seasons. He was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1999-2005. Pace was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Johnson, a star at Southern Cal, was productive over 11 seasons, making three Pro Bowls and retiring with more than 10,571 receiving yards. He's now an NFL studio analyst for ESPN.
One of the biggest NFL draft busts of all time, the former Penn State star suffered a torn knee ligament in his first preseason game and didn't play in his rookie season. Carter played seven seasons in the NFL, rushing for 1,144 yards during his career.
Wilkinson, a star at Ohio State, was productive over 13 NFL seasons, finishing with 54.5 sacks. He played only four seasons in Cincinnati and finished his career with the Dolphins in 2006.
Bledsoe, a star at Washington State, had a productive 14-year NFL career, making four Pro Bowls. He's remembered fondly by Patriots fans mostly for getting injured in 2001, allowing Tom Brady to take over the team and lead it to the Super Bowl XXXVI title.
A star at Washington, Emtman was plagued by injuries in the NFL. He played only six seasons in the league, amassing eight sacks.
Maryland, a star at Miami, played his first five seasons in Dallas, winning three Super Bowls, before going to Oakland. He had 24.5 career sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 1993.
Given George's incredible talent, he was considered a disappointment over 12 NFL seasons. The former Purdue star passed for 27,602 yards over his career, leading the league with Oakland in 1997, but never made a Pro Bowl.
Aikman, a star at UCLA, led the Cowboys dynasty during the 1990s, winning three Super Bowls and one Super Bowl MVP. He made six Pro Bowls and retired after a 12-year NFL career with nearly 33,000 yards passing. Aikman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and now serves as an NFL analyst for FOX.
A standout at Auburn, Bruce had a solid career between the Falcons and Raiders over 11 seasons. He finished his career with 32 sacks and four interceptions.
A star at Miami, Testaverde played for seven teams in his 21 seasons in the league. A two-time Pro Bowler, he passed for 46,233 yards and 275 TDs.
Jackson, a Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn, refused to play for the Buccaneers. One of the most gifted athletes of all time, he played baseball for one year before getting drafted by the Raiders in 1987. He played only four seasons for the Raiders before suffering a career-ending hip injury. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry in the NFL.
The top defensive player on the Bills teams that lost four Super Bowls, Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. He had 200 career sacks. The former Virginia Tech star made 11 Pro Bowls over his 19-year career.
A star at Nebraska, Fryar had a long and productive career for four teams over 17 seasons. He made five Pro Bowls and had more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season five times.
Elway never played for the Colts — he was traded to the Broncos after refusing to play for Baltimore. He became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, making nine Pro Bowls and winning two Super Bowls before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Playing eight seasons in New England, the former Texas star had 17 career sacks.
Rogers, a Heisman Trophy winner at South Carolina, had an incredible rookie season, rushing for 1,674 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to the Rookie of the Year Award. He made the Pro Bowl during his first two seasons and rushed for over 1,000 yards four times in his seven-year career.
The 1978 Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma played only five NFL seasons, but he was highly productive. He won the 1980 Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. Sims had 5,106 rushing yards for his career.
Cousineau, a star at Ohio State, was drafted by the Bills but decided to sign with the CFL Montreal Alouettes, who offered more money. He played in the NFL for six seasons, with the Browns and Niners.
Campbell had a spectacular NFL career, rushing for 9,407 yards over eight seasons. He led the league in rushing yards in each of his first three seasons. His accomplishments include the 1977 Heisman Trophy while at Texas, five Pro Bowls, 1978 Rookie of the Year, 1979 NFL MVP and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Bell, a star at Southern Cal, played only six NFL seasons. He peaked in 1979, rushing for 1,263 yards with the Buccaneers.
Drafted out of Oklahoma, Selmon spent his entire nine-year career with the Bucs, making six Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Drafted out of Cal, Bartkowski threw for more than 24,000 yards during his 12-year NFL career, mostly with the Falcons. He made the Pro Bowl twice.
A standout at Tennessee State, Ed "Too Tall" Jones had two stints with the Cowboys. His NFL career was briefly interrupted by a stint in boxing. A three-time Pro Bowler, he played until 1989.
A star at University of Tampa, Matuszak won two Super Bowls with the Raiders during his nine-year NFL career, where he played for most of his career.
Drafted out of Notre Dame, Patulski played only five NFL seasons. He was considered a draft bust, retiring after a knee injury.
The 1971 Heisman Trophy winner out of Stanford eventually found great NFL success, but it wasn't with the Patriots. Plunkett won two Super Bowls with the Raiders. He passed for more than 25,882 yards over his 16-year career.
Bradshaw's storied career with the Steelers included three Pro Bowls, four Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs and the 1978 NFL MVP. The former Louisiana Tech star was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Simpson, a Heisman Trophy winner at Southern Cal, rushed for 11,326 yards in the NFL, including his 2,003-yard season in 1973. He made six Pro Bowls and won the 1973 MVP before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Of course, Simpson may be best known for being charged and found innocent of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Drafted out of Southern Cal, Yary played 15 NFL seasons for the Vikings, making seven Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Smith, a star at Michigan State, played nine NFL seasons, making two Pro Bowls, and was a part of the Colts' Super Bowl V team.
Drafted out of Texas, Nobis played 11 seasons with the Falcons and was a stalwart for the Atlanta defense, making five Pro Bowls.
Frederickson, a two-way player at Auburn, made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, rushing for 659 yards and five touchdowns. He never made it back, but he did play six NFL seasons.
Parks, who played at Texas Tech, made the Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 1965.
Baker played only three seasons in the NFL, throwing just 21 passes after winning the 1962 Heisman Trophy at Oregon State.
In 1961, the Syracuse star was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Sadly, he was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after being drafted and died in 1963 at age 23.
Drafted out of Tulane, Mason had a solid career in the NFL, playing 11 seasons and rushing for 4,203 yards. He made three Pro Bowls with the Vikings.
Cannon won a Heisman Trophy with LSU in 1959 and spent most of his career in the AFL. He was a two-time AFL All-Star and the league's rushing leader in 1961 with the Houston Oilers.
Duncan, who starred at Iowa, went to the CFL instead of playing for the Packers. He finished his career with the Dallas Texans of the AFL.
Hill, a star at Rice, passed for 5,553 yards during his 12-year career, mostly with Philadelphia as a backup quarterback.
One of the most celebrated football players of all time, Hornung won three NFL championships and one Super Bowl with the Packers during a nine-year career. The former Notre Dame star and 1961 NFL MVP was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Glick, who played at Colorado State, played seven NFL seasons, finishing with 14 career interceptions.
Shaw, a star at Oregon, passed for 5,829 yards over his eight-year career but played sparingly after his rookie season.
Garrett, who played at Stanford, was traded to the Packers after being drafted. He played only one season due to a stuttering problem that made it difficult for him to call plays.
Babcock, out of the University of Georgia, played only three NFL seasons for the 49ers, with only 16 catches for 181 yards.
Wade had a successful 13-year NFL career after leaving Vanderbilt, throwing for 18,530 yards in the NFL. He also made two Pro Bowls.
Rote, a star at SMU, had a solid 11-year career, making four Pro Bowls with the Giants. He had 4,797 receiving yards and 48 receiving touchdowns over his career.
The 1949 Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, Hart played eight NFL seasons and made the 1951 Pro Bowl.
Still one of the best Eagles of all time, Bednarik went from Penn to the Philadelphia Eagles and played 14 seasons. He made eight Pro Bowls, won two NFL championships and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Gilmer, a standout at Alabama, had an eight-year career in the NFL, making two Pro Bowls with the Redskins. He finished his career with 3,786 passing yards.
Fenimore, a member of the 1945 national champion Oklahoma A&M team (now Oklahoma State), played only one season in the NFL due to injuries, rushing for 189 yards.
Dancewicz played only three seasons in the NFL after a successful college career at Notre Dame.
Trippi, drafted out of Georgia, had a nine-year career with the Cardinals, rushing for 3,506 yards. He made the Pro Bowl in 1952 and 1953 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
The 1943 Heisman Trophy winner for Notre Dame, Bertelli played only three NFL seasons due to knee surgery.
Sinkwich played four NFL seasons, rushing for 1,090 yards. His career year came with Detroit in 1944, rushing for 563 yards and six touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy with Georgia in 1942.
Dudley, a star at Virginia, played nine NFL seasons for Pittsburgh, Detroit and Washington. He had 3,057 career rushing yards, won the 1946 NFL MVP, appeared in two NFL All-Star Games and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
The 1940 Heisman Trophy winner out of Michigan played only two NFL seasons, in 1946-47. He played in the American Football League shortly after being drafted and signed a two-year contract with the Rams after returning from WWII. He became a prominent sports announcer after his retirement.
Drafted out of Tennessee, Cafego played four NFL seasons in a career that was disrupted by WWII. He had a long coaching career after his playing days.
A two-way player out of TCU, Aldrich appeared in two NFL All-Star Games and became an NFL champion in 1942. He played seven NFL seasons, serving in the Navy during WWII in between.
A fullback out of Indiana, Davis played four seasons for the Rams before enlisting in the service.
Francis played only four seasons in the NFL after his college career at Nebraska, rushing for 873 yards and five touchdowns.
A halfback at the University of Chicago who won the 1935 Heisman Trophy, Berwanger never played in the NFL. He was traded by the Eagles to the Bears, who were coached and owned by George Halas. Player and owner failed to reach a contract agreement, and Berwanger never played a down in the league.
Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!