The Draft plays a big role in paving the path of NFL teams each year. The players they pick determine not only their playoff runs but also the team’s reputation.
While building a roster through the draft, some roles get a lot of attention, while others don’t get much notice. Here is the order of value placed on each position in the draft.
Where Do Teams Spend Their Top Picks in the NFL Draft?
Every year, NFL teams use their first-round draft picks to grab the players they believe will make the biggest impact. We looked at 318 first-round picks from the last 10 years, from 2015 to 2024.
We sorted them by the positions players ended up playing in the pros, not necessarily what they played in college. This is especially important for offensive linemen and some defensive players who switch roles.
Here’s the list of all roles, from most valued to least valued:
1) Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks are the top priority. Teams picked 35 quarterbacks in the first round. That includes 26 in the top 10 and 19 in the top five. A quarterback went first overall eight times.
Teams want a “franchise QB” to lead them, but it’s risky.
Those eight top picks, like Jared Goff, have only made 12 Pro Bowls combined. Goff has four. The rest haven’t fared as well. After the top 10, teams rarely draft quarterbacks, though late picks like Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love have shown value.
2) Edge Rushers
Next are edge rushers. Teams love players who sack quarterbacks. They drafted 50 edge rushers, more than any other position. Sixteen were top-10 picks and 12 cracked the top five.
Myles Garrett and Travon Walker went first overall. Players in this role often land huge contracts. Finding great ones outside the first round is tough.
Players like Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson are rare.
3) Wide Receivers
Teams picked 45 wide receivers, including 13 in the top 10. Only four made the top five, such as Amari Cooper and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Receivers don’t often go extremely high, but teams draft a lot of them. Seven went in the first round last year. Sometimes, they come in waves — four in a row in 2023.
With contracts hitting $40 million a year, this position is a big deal.
4) Cornerbacks
Cornerbacks accounted for 41 first-round picks. Ten were top 10, six in the top five. The highest drafted were third overall, including Jeff Okudah and Derek Stingley Jr.
Some, like Jalen Ramsey and Sauce Gardner, became stars. Others, like Okudah, moved around. Cornerback salaries are rising, but still trail those of wide receivers.
5) Offensive Tackles
Teams drafted 43 offensive tackles. Fourteen were top 10, but only two were top five. The best ones, like Tristan Wirfs and Laremy Tunsil, often come a bit later, around pick 13.
Eight tackles went in the first round in 2024. Teams want reliable starters on rookie deals.
6) Defensive Tackles
Defensive tackles earned 29 first-round picks. Six were top 10, only one was top five.
Teams used to chase the next Aaron Donald — from 2015 to 2019, they picked 20.
But from 2020 to 2024, only nine were selected. The Eagles found success with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, but overall, the position’s draft value is declining.
7) Running Backs
Running backs are far down the list. Just 14 first-round picks, with six in the top 10 and three in the top five. Saquon Barkley went second overall.
Between 2019 and 2022, no backs went higher than 24th. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023 offered hope, but the days of top-five running backs seem to be over.
8) Inside Linebackers
Inside linebackers received 19 first-round picks. Four were top 10, just one in the top five. They’re known as the “quarterbacks of the defense,” but teams don’t draft them high or offer big second contracts.
None were selected in the first round last year. Even stars like Roquan Smith didn’t get re-signed by their original teams.
9) Offensive Guards
Offensive guards got 14 first-round picks. Two were top 10, one in the top five. Quenton Nelson stands out, but most guards get little attention in the draft.
No true guards went in the first round last year. It’s a position that often gets overlooked.
10) Tight Ends
Tight ends are rare in the first round, with just nine picks. Two were top 10, one in the top five — Kyle Pitts.
Success is hard to find.
Pitts has 10 touchdowns in four seasons. Others, like T.J. Hockenson, were traded early. New prospects like Brock Bowers might change the narrative, but tight ends aren’t a draft priority.
11) Safeties
Safeties got 13 first-round selections. Just one was top 10, none were top five. Kyle Hamilton looks promising, but others, like Jamal Adams, didn’t stick with their original teams.
No safeties went in the first round last year.
12) Centers: The Least Valued
Centers are the least prioritized position. Only six first-round picks. None went in the top 10 or top five. The highest selected was Ryan Kelly at 18th overall.
Recent picks like Tyler Linderbaum look strong, but teams usually wait until the late first or later to draft centers.
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