Barring a last-minute trade, every team will enter the NFL draft with its 1st-round pick
The upcoming NFL draft is poised to make history this year. For the first time in the common draft era that began in 1967, every team is expected to enter the draft with its original first-round pick. This is a significant departure from recent years, where teams were more inclined to trade or swap their first-round selections. In fact, over the past five drafts, an average of more than seven teams did not have their original first-round picks on draft day. However, this year, it seems like all teams will stay put with their initial selections.
While the static picks may not hold through the entire first round, as teams are likely to make moves up or down the board, the consensus is that Cam Ward will be the first overall pick. The odds of Ward going to the Tennessee Titans with the first pick are over 99%, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. If this prediction holds true, it will mark the seventh time in the last eight years that a quarterback has been selected as the top pick in the draft.
Historically, quarterbacks have been a popular choice for the first overall selection, with signal-callers being taken first in 20 of the previous 27 drafts. However, there have been periods where quarterbacks were not as prevalent at the top of the draft. For example, from 1991-1997, only Drew Bledsoe was chosen first overall, and from 1972-1982, there was only one quarterback selected with the No. 1 pick.
As teams gear up for the draft, one team with an interesting streak to consider is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have not drafted a quarterback in the first round since selecting Archie Manning in 1971. With uncertainty surrounding Derek Carr’s status, the Saints could break that streak this year.
In terms of draft history, the Tennessee Titans are set to pick first for the first time since 1978 when they selected Earl Campbell. This marks the seventh time that the top pick has gone to an AFC South team since 2002. The AFC South will be the first division in that span where every team has made the No. 1 pick.
Overall, the NFL draft is always full of surprises and unpredictable outcomes. As teams prepare to make their selections, the anticipation and excitement among fans continue to grow. Stay tuned for what promises to be an eventful and historic draft night.
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