NFL teams with the most, fewest No. 1 overall Draft picks

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh, where the Las Vegas Raiders will make the first pick.

It’s just the second time in franchise history the Raiders have owned the No. 1 overall selection.

Here’s a look at the NFL teams that have had the most and fewest No. 1 picks in the Super Bowl era (since 1967).

Colts (6)

April 18, 1998; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Peyton Manning of Tennessee appeared on April 18, 1998 after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Manning was joined by his parents Archie and Olivia. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY NETWORK

(Baltimore, Indianapolis): 1967, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1998, 2012

Best pick: Peyton Manning (1998)

It’s difficult to believe this actually came down to Manning or, ahem, Ryan Leaf as the choice at No. 1 in 1998. And, yes, the Colts did draft John Elway No. 1 overall in 1983, but he demanded a trade and was dealt to Denver without ever playing a down for Baltimore.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5)

Nov 4, 1979; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Lee Roy Selmon (63) on the field against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

1976, 1977, 1986, 1987, 2015

Best pick: Lee Roy Selmon (1976)

As the first-ever pick in Tampa Bay’s history, Selmon became a three-time first-team All-Pro and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He remains the team’s all-time sack leader, and in 1979, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Bills, Bengals, Browns, Patriots (4)

Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith pressured former teammate and New York Jets quarterback Frank Reich throughout the game in 1996. Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Buffalo Bills: 1969, 1972, 1979, 1985

Cincinnati Bengals: 1994, 1995, 2003, 2020

Cleveland Browns: 1999, 2000, 2017, 2018

New England Patriots: 1971, 1982, 1984, 1993

Best pick: Bruce Smith, Bills (1985)

This is where it starts getting tricky: Picking only one best pick from these four teams. Could have gone with O.J. Simpson (Bills 1969). Kidding, but just sayin’. Or Myles Garrett (Browns 2017), who’s closing in fast on my pick: Bruce Smith. Buffalo’s bad, bad man (Not O.J. bad, just sayin’) is the NFL’s all-time sack leader (200), was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and is a Hall of Famer (2009).

MORE: 5 Bold predictions for 2026 NFL Draft

Falcons, Cowboys, Texans, Rams, Oilers/Titans (3)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (8) prepares to throw against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 30-13. James D. Smith-Imagn Images

As much as I wanted to select Earl Campbell, I had to go with Troy Aikman. You could also make the case for Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace (No. pick 1997), but the Cowboys Hall of Fame QB (2006) led Dallas to three Super Bowl titles in four years (1993, 1994, 1996). Hard to beat that.

Atlanta Falcons: 1975, 1988, 2001

Dallas Cowboys: 1974, 1989, 1991

Houston Texans: 2002, 2006, 2014

Rams (St. Louis, Los Angeles): 1997, 2010, 2016

Tennessee Titans: 1973, 1978 (as the Houston Oilers), 2025

Best pick: Troy Aikman, Cowboys (1989)

Panthers, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders (2)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces quarterback Matthew Stafford (Georgia) as the number one overall pick to the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. James Lang-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers: 2011, 2023

Detroit Lions: 1980, 2009

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2021, 2022

Las Vegas Raiders: 2007 (as the Oakland Raiders), 2026

Best pick: Matthew Stafford, Lions (2009)

Stafford was stellar in Detroit, but Lions fans sure wish he had led them to a Super Bowl title, instead of MVP-ing the Rams to the top of the NFL world in 2015.

Cardinals, Bears, Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Vikings, Saints, Jets, Steelers, 49ers (1)

Sep 1977; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll talks with quarterback Terry Bradshaw (12) on the sidelines during the 1977 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals: 2019

Chicago Bears: 2024

Kansas City Chiefs: 2013

Los Angeles Chargers: 2004 (as the San Diego Chargers)

Miami Dolphins: 2008

Minnesota Vikings: 1968

New Orleans Saints: 1981

New York Jets: 1996

Pittsburgh Steelers: 1970

San Francisco 49ers: 2005

Best pick: Terry Bradshaw, Steelers (1970)

Even if you think Bradshaw is, in the words of Charles Barkley, “turrible” as an NFL analyst, he was a terrific QB. The Hall of Famer guided the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) during Pittsburgh’s incredible run in the 1970s under coach Chuck Noll.

Ravens, Broncos, Seahawks (0)

A bit of a surprise, no? It’s a testament to their consistency of winning year after year that these three franchises have never made the No. 1 pick. Instead, they have 61 total postseason appearances collectively and have accounted for seven Lombardi Trophies.

Other NFL franchises with No. 1 draft picks prior to 1967

Green Bay Packer halfback Paul Hornung is airborne after a hit by Detroit Lion defender Bruce Maher during their game on Nov. 8, 1964 at New City Stadium in Green Bay. The Packers won 30-7 S. Niels Lauritzen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Commanders

Best pick: Paul Hornung, Packers (1957)

Hornung was nicknamed “The Golden Boy,” but he was tough as bronze. Legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung “the greatest player I ever coached”. Heavy praise for the bruising running back.

Conclusion

Well, there’s little doubt that the Raiders are going to take Fernando Mendoza with the first pick on Thursday.

They can only hope the promising Heisman Trophy winner doesn’t become the next JaMarcus Russell, inarguably the worst No. 1 overall draft pick in NFL history.