Selecting only the 5 best No. 1 NFL Draft Picks of all time is no easy task. Since 1936, when the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jay Berwanger, a running back out of the University of Chicago, there have been 89 No. 1 NFL Draft picks. With the 2025 NFL Draft set to start in less on April 24th in Green Bay, WI, the Tennessee Titans are already on the clock. All signs point to Miami QB Cam Ward going first this year. In preparation for his selection, we’ve collected the 5 best No. 1 NFL Draft Picks based on pro performance, individual accolades, and intangibles.
1. Peyton Manning, QB
One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and you’d be hard-pressed to argue anyone else deserves the top spot. A two-time Super Bowl Champion, Peyton Manning was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft. He went on to rack up just as many individual awards as any quarterback in the modern era. The two-time Super Bowl champion won NFL MVP honors 5 times and had a career regular season record of 186-79.
2. John Elway, QB
John Elway was originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983. He quickly refused to play for them, orchestrating a trade to the Denver Broncos. Elway would spend his entire career with the Broncos, ending a 16-year run with 2 straight Super Bowls. As a player, his athleticism at quarterback was an early indication of where the position was headed in the 21st century. Elway continued his work in Denver, transitioning to President of the Broncos after retirement.
3. O.J. Simpson, HB
The first pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, Simpson held out until eventually signing the largest contract in professional sports until that time. He went on to have the best single-season running back performance of all time in 1973, rushing for 2,003 yards and 12 TDs in only 14 games. “The Juice”, would also become one of the few running backs to win the NFL MVP award that season. The 6-time pro bowler retired as the 2nd all-time leader in rushing yards in 1979.
4. Orlando Pace, OT
Selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 1997 NFL Draft, Orlando Pace would go on to 7 Pro Bowls. He is considered one of the greatest left tackles of all time and a key member of the Rams’ 1999 “Greatest Show on Turf”. Pace blocked for the NFL MVP in 3 straight seasons, and his passing offenses never gained under 3,000 yards. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2016 and is a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team.
5. Bruce Smith, DE
The most prolific defensive end of all time, Bruce Smith, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1985 NFL draft. He is the NFL’s all-time career leader in sacks, stacking up 200 throughout his illustrious 19-year career. Smith made the Pro Bowl 11 times, to go along with 8 first-team all-pro selections and 2 NFL DPOY awards. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, he is also one of the few players to be a member of two NFL all-decade teams.
Final Thoughts
It remains to be seen whether 2025’s No. 1 pick will have the same impact as the players on this list. In a decade or two, will we add Caleb Williams or Travon Walker to this list? Only time will tell.
