Quarterback is arguably the most important position in sports. Nothing illustrates that theory more than the NFL draft.
Since the league's inaugural draft in 1936, no position has racked up more No. 1 picks than quarterback. In fact, a signal-caller has been selected first overall in 22 of the 29 NFL drafts from 1998 to 2026.
Defensive end, the position whose primary task is to disrupt the opposing team's quarterback, was taken at No. 1 in five of the other seven drafts in that span. Offensive tackle, the quarterback's primary protector, was selected with the top overall pick in the remaining two drafts during that stretch.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders made Indiana's Fernando Mendoza the 38th QB all-time to be chosen No. 1.
Here is a look at the No. 1 picks in NFL draft history by position:
Quarterback, 38
1944, 1946, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Running back, 20
1936, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1951, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1969, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1995
Defensive end, 13
1967, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2022
Offensive tackle, 4
1968, 1997, 2008, 2013
Wide receiver, 3
1964, 1984, 1996
Linebacker, 3
1966, 1979, 1988
Fullback, 2
1937, 1938
Offensive end, 2
1950, 1953
Defensive tackle, 2
1991, 1994
Center, 1
1939
Running back/wide receiver, 1
1948
Center/linebacker, 1
1949
Defensive back, 1
1956
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