2025 NFL Draft: Re-visiting non-QB No. 1 picks, could Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter be next? Recent trends indicate that quarterbacks dominate the early selections in the NFL Draft. In fact, a quarterback has been chosen with the first overall pick in 18 of the past 24 drafts.
This year, the trend may persist with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward in the spotlight. However, standout two-way athlete Travis Hunter from Colorado and Penn State’s defensive powerhouse Abdul Carter are emerging as the top prospects in this year’s draft.
If the Tennessee Titans retain the No. 1 pick, they might select the best player available, which could lead to either Hunter or Carter making Nashville their new home. This would mark the first time since 2022 that a non-quarterback was selected first overall in the NFL Draft.
With this in mind, it’s worthwhile to examine the recent history of non-quarterbacks selected with the first pick. Below is a look at the last ten non-quarterbacks chosen with the No. 1 pick and their careers, presented chronologically.
Penn State RB Ki-Jana Carter — 1995 by Cincinnati Bengals
Carter was a formidable player for Penn State, leading the Big Ten in yards per carry during both 1993 and 1994. In his final college season, he amassed 1,539 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, which earned him the distinction of being the runner-up for the 1994 Heisman Trophy.
Sadly, injuries hindered Carter’s NFL career. Although he averaged 7.5 touchdowns per season in his first two years, he struggled to maintain a starting role due to knee and shoulder issues. Ultimately, he concluded his NFL journey with 1,144 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns at a rate of 3.6 yards per carry.
USC WR Keyshawn Johnson — 1996 by New York Jets
“Just give me the damn ball”—a phrase made famous by Johnson, who was one of the premier wide receivers of his time. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in a season four times and earned three Pro Bowl selections. Despite a brief four-year stint with the Jets, he ranks eighth in franchise history with 31 receiving touchdowns and 12th with 4,108 receiving yards.
Johnson later contributed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory in Super Bowl XXXVII and played for the Dallas Cowboys. Except for an injury-shortened 2003 season, he consistently recorded over 800 receiving yards each year, averaging 74 receptions, 961 yards, and six touchdowns over his 11-year career.
Ohio State OT Orlando Pace — 1997 by St. Louis Rams
Pace, a two-time All-American from Ohio State, became a cornerstone for the Rams. Serving as the team’s primary left tackle from 1997 to 2008, he earned three All-Pro honors and made seven Pro Bowl appearances. His final season was spent with the Chicago Bears in 2009, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Penn State DE Courtney Brown — 2000 by Cleveland Browns
Brown was a standout at Penn State, recognized as an All-American and the 1999 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, showcasing his skills with a memorable 25-yard pick-six. In the NFL, he was known for his ability to force and recover fumbles, tallying six sacks in 2003. Unfortunately, injuries limited his impact, as he played only 61 games over six seasons, finishing with 19 sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight recoveries.
North Carolina State DE Mario Williams — 2006 by Houston Texans
Williams, who registered 14.5 sacks in his final season at NC State, went on to have a successful 11-year career, primarily with the Texans and Bills. He consistently ranked among the top defensive ends, achieving double-digit sacks in five seasons and finishing with 97.5 sacks, 317 solo tackles, and 16 forced fumbles. Williams earned one All-Pro selection and four Pro Bowl nods during his career.
Michigan OT Jake Long — 2008 by Miami Dolphins
After a dismal 1-15 season in 2007, the Dolphins drafted Long to strengthen their offensive line. His presence helped Miami rebound to an 11-5 record and win the AFC East. A two-time All-American, Long served as the primary left tackle from 2008 to 2012 before injuries cut his career short. He played nine seasons in total, earning one All-Pro selection and four Pro Bowl honors.
Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher — 2013 by Kansas City Chiefs
Fisher was drafted by the Chiefs to provide stability on the offensive line, contributing to the team’s remarkable turnaround from a 2-14 record in 2012 to an 11-5 finish in 2013 under head coach Andy Reid. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and played a key role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory. Fisher concluded his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
South Carolina LB Jadeveon Clowney — 2014 by Houston Texans
Clowney’s career has been marred by injuries, but when healthy, he has been a dynamic force on the field. An All-American and Ted Hendricks Award winner at South Carolina, he has racked up 58.0 sacks, 108 tackles for loss, and 15 forced fumbles over 140 NFL games. Clowney earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Texans from 2016 to 2018 and continues to showcase his speed and agility.
Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett — 2017 by Cleveland Browns
Garrett has been a standout since being drafted by the Browns, earning four All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections over his eight-year career. He claimed the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Award and has logged double-digit sacks each season except for his rookie year. Garrett leads the franchise with 102.5 career sacks and is tied for second in forced fumbles with 20, positioning himself as one of the best defensive ends of his generation.
Georgia DE Travon Walker — 2022 by Jacksonville Jaguars
Walker, who had a solid career at Georgia, saw his stock rise dramatically leading up to the 2022 draft, resulting in the Jaguars selecting him. While his rookie season was less than stellar, Walker has since emerged as a formidable defensive end, averaging 10.3 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 57 combined tackles per season in 2023 and 2024. He also recorded two forced fumbles last season, showcasing his potential.
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