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Who's been drafted 28th overall since 2006: A less-than-stellar group?
TL;DR
The Houston Texans hold the 28th overall pick in the upcoming draft, with discussions about potentially trading back into Round 2. Historically, players drafted 28th overall since 2006 have largely underperformed or become depth pieces.
Key points
- Houston Texans own the 28th overall pick in the draft
- Texans have discussed moving back into Round 2
- Players drafted 28th since 2006 have largely underperformed
- Most 28th picks have become depth pieces
- Texans traded their 2024 pick for Will Anderson Jr.
As of Thursday night, the Houston Texans own the 28th overall pick, but given general manager Nick Caserio, conversations about moving back into Round 2 have already begun.
For the third straight year, the Texans will pick in the back half of the 20s. Now the only question is, will they stay there for the first time since the winning started with C.J. Stroud? Houston traded away the pick initially in 2024 to land Will Anderson Jr. at pick No. 3 in 2023. Then last season, the Texans shifted out of Day 1 to allow the New York Giants to move up and select on Day 2.
Throughout the past two decades, teams haven't had the most amount of success with pick No. 28. Most players have either underperformed or been transformed into nothing more than depth pieces on different teams.
Here's every player drafted 28th overall since 2006
Sep 14, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) looks to tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
2020-2025
- 2020 - Baltimore Ravens: LB Patrick Queen
- 2021 - New Orelans Saints: DE Payton Turner
- 2022 - Green Bay Packers: DE Devonte Wyatt
- 2023 - Cincinnati Bengals: DE Myles Murphy
- 2024 - Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xaiver Worthy
- 2025 - Detroit Lions: DL Tyleik Williams
Outside of Queen, no one has become a staple of their franchise. Turner is a backup on the Lions, while Worthy, Wyatt and Murphy have been role players for their respective franchises. Williams had a promising rookie season, but he's only one year into the deal and still isn't a full-time starter.
Queen might have taken a step back last season, but he's a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. He might not become the next Ray Lewis, but the pick was warranted in 2020 by the Ravens for a consensus top 20 linebacker who had two elite seasons.
Jan 4, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) rushes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The New Orleans Saints won the game 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
2010-2019
- 2010: Miami Dolphins: DL Jared Odrick
- 2011: New Orleans Saints: RB Mark Ingram
- 2012: Green Bay Packers: LB Nick Perry
- 2013: Denver Broncos: DL Sylvester Williams
- 2014: Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin
- 2015: Detroit Lions: OG Laken Tomlinson
- 2016: San Francisco 49ers: OG Josh Garnett
- 2017: Dallas Cowboys: DE Taco Charlton
- 2018: Pittsburgh Steelers: DB Terrell Edmunds
- 2019: Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jerry Tillery
Two players ended up suiting up for Houston before their careers ended. In 2021, Ingram, who earned Pro Bowl honors with the Saints, played for the Texans before eventually being traded back to New Orleans to close out his career. Tomlinson, who bounced around from San Francisco to New York and Baltimore, started seven games for the Texans before being waived in early November.
Outside of those two, Edmunds had a decent career with the Steelers as a strong safety, but for the most part is better served as a backup.
Sep 8, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2006-2009
- 2006: Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Mercedes Lewis
- 2007: San Francisco 49ers: OT Joe Staley
- 2008: Seattle Sehawks - DE Lawrence Jackson
- 2009: Buffalo Bills - OL Eric Wood
They really don't make them like they used to, do they? Wood and Staley ended up playing for over a decade, helping their franchises return to some form of stability in rebuilds. Staley ended up becoming a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro on the 49ers' offensive line for 13 years. Wood, a former All-American at Louisville, earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 before calling it quits in 2017. Meanwhile, Lewis, a standout for UCLA, just finished his 20th season with the Denver Broncos, proving that age is simply nothing more than a number.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans NFL Draft: Every player selected 28th overall since 2006
Q&A
What teams have had the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft since 2006?
Various teams have held the 28th overall pick since 2006, but specific teams are not detailed in the provided content.
Who are notable players drafted 28th overall in recent years?
The article does not specify individual players drafted 28th overall, only mentioning that many have underperformed.
What is the significance of the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft?
Historically, the 28th overall pick has not yielded significant success, with many players becoming depth pieces.
Why are the Houston Texans considering trading their 28th pick?
The Texans are exploring trading back into Round 2 as part of their strategy under general manager Nick Caserio.
