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NFL Draft: Best first-round draft pick in each slot in history

By Brad Weiss

IRVING, UNITED STATES: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys rushes as Atlanta Falcons defenders pursue during the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas 20 September. Smith rushed for two touchdowns and passed Tony Dorsett to become the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher in the Cowboys 24-7 win. AFP PHOTO Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images)
IRVING, UNITED STATES: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys rushes as Atlanta Falcons defenders pursue during the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas 20 September. Smith rushed for two touchdowns and passed Tony Dorsett to become the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher in the Cowboys 24-7 win. AFP PHOTO Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The NFL Draft has been around since 1936, and over course of history, it has changed quite a bit. Here are the best first-round picks in each slot.

This post is updated as of 3/20/2023.

With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, and eyes set on the summer, it is always fun to take a look back at the history of the NFL Draft. Since it’s creation back in 1936,  the draft has brought many surprises, and steals, and we dive into the history of the first round here.

Here is the best player picked at each slot in the first round since the draft began.

. Quarterback. 1998- Tennessee. Peyton Manning. 1. player. 46

Few quarterbacks in the history of the NFL have meant more to a franchise than Peyton Manning did to the Indianapolis Colts. The first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Manning would turn a perennial losing franchise into a perennial playoff contender, winning some serious hardware along the way.

While Manning struggled with the interceptions as a rookie, there is no doubt that the Colts made the right move by throwing him in under center. The Sheriff led his Colts to a dismal 3-13 season in his first year in Indy, but that would be the end of his losing with the team, as he rebounded to lead them to a 13-3 season the following year.

After winning eight division titles, two AFC Championships, and one Super Bowl with the Colts, Manning was released by the team after having neck surgery in 2011. Still, he won four NFL Most Valuable Player Awards, was a Pro Bowler nearly every season, and his 539 touchdown passes are still an NFL record.

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