NFL Draft: Which positions produce the most first-rounders?

With the NFL Draft starting on April 28, it’s always fun to look back in recent history to see trends. In our NFL Draft series we’ll look at a few different aspects of the first round starting with positional need today. Since 2011, it’s no surprise that the following positions have been targeted the most by NFL teams.

MORE NFL DRAFT: What conferences produce the most first-rounders?

The rundown: It should come as no surprise that the offensive tackle position tops this list. A team without a healthy quarterback has little chance to win in the NFL, so finding adequate protection for the signal-caller is a priority. The 2013 NFL Draft was the perfect example of this, with three of the top four picks going to offensive tackles: Eric Fisher at No. 1, Luke Joeckel at No. 2 and Lane Johnson at No. 4. However, being a high pick doesn’t necessarily translate into success as Fisher, Greg Robinson, who was No. 2 in 2014 and Matt Kalil, who was No. 4 in 2012, have all had their fair share of struggles.

Farrell’s Take: Offensive linemen don’t get as much attention as the skill positions, but every NFL team wants to protect their biggest investment at quarterback. This year Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley appear to be the big two with a drop off after that but Taylor Decker and Jack Conklin should also land in round one and a couple others could as well. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see five tackles go in round one and it’s clear that teams are willing to reach based on at athleticism as evidenced by D.J. Humphries last year. The best tackle taken since 2011? Has to be Tyron Smith by the Cowboys.

The rundown: While having the offensive tackle position at the top of this list was expected, having wide receiver in the second spot may come as a surprise. But as the NFL has turned in a pass-heavy league, the necessity to find elite receivers has become more of priority. The Class of 2011 is the most memorable recent wide receiver group with A.J. Green going at No. 4 and Julio Jones going at No. 6. Other recent top selections that have already proved themselves include Mike Evans at No. 7 in 2014, Odell Beckham at No. 12 in 2014 and Sammy Watkins at No. 4 in 2014, while Justin Blackmon at No. 5 in 2012 has failed to live up to expectations.

Farrell’s Take: Many are now saying that waiting until round two is the best strategy for landing a wide receiver, similar to the movement at running back a few years ago. Why? Because there are some serious busts since 2011 like Jonathan Baldwin, Blackmon, AJ Jenkins and Cordarrelle Patterson. But I disagree completely. This year’s draft isn’t loaded at the top at wide receiver but I still see guys like Laquon Treadwell, Will Fuller, Corey Coleman, Josh Doctson and maybe Michael Thomas possibly landing in round one. The best first round wide out pick since 2011? DeAndre Hopkins at No. 27 in 2013 by the Texans.

The rundown: With the NFL turning into a pass happy league, the need for top cornerbacks has also been magnified. The most notable recent selection at the position has been Patrick Peterson at No. 5 in 2011, who quickly emerged as an elite overall playmaker. Also of note is Marcus Peters, who was selected at No. 18 in 2015 and went home with the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Other top picks in recent years have not had the same level of success, such as Dee Milliner, who was selected No. 9 in 2013, and also Morris Claiborne, who was selected No. 6 in 2012.

Farrell’s Take: Cornerbacks are taken so high for a few reasons. The NFL has become a passing league so you need a lockdown guy and, as a result of that need, teams overpay for free agents so you might as well get them early in the draft and hope they pan out. Jalen Ramsey, Vernon Hargreaves III, Eli Apple, William Jackson III, Artie Burns and Mackensie Alexander could all land in the first round. The best first round corner pick since 2011? Patrick Peterson by the Cardinals in 2011 at No. 5, but Marcus Peters at No. 18 last year could challenge that. The worst? The Cowboys picking Morris Claiborne at No. 6 in 2012.

The rundown: Tied with the cornerback position at No. 4 are the linebackers, which are also a hot commodity in a league where getting pressure on the quarterback in a 3-4 defense is essential. There are three very good examples of this in recent years, with Von Miller, who was selected at No. 2 in 2011, Aldon Smith, who was selected at No. 7 in 2011 and Khalil Mack, who was selected at No. 5 in 2014, all becoming elite playmakers and pass rushers at their position. If you’re looking at a more prototypical linebacker, then look no further than Luke Kuechly, who was selected at No. 9 in 2012. One obvious disappointment has been Barkevious Mingo, who was selected No. 6 in 2013, but has seen his playing time reduced as his production has slipped.

Farrell’s Take: This might surprise some people because few linebackers go in the top 10 each year but clearly they are taken in the 11-30 range quite often. This year there are a few hybrid guys that are coveted like Leonard Floyd but the big-name linebackers are pure inside or outside guys like Reggie Ragland, Myles Jack and Darron Lee. Jaylon Smith would have been a sure first rounder as well without his horrific injury. The best pure linebacker pick since 2011 is Kuechly at No. 9 by the Panthers clearly while Mingo is the rare bad one as most of the linebackers have panned out or haven’t had a chance to prove themselves yet.

The rundown: Just as linebackers are important to attack the quarterback, so are defensive ends. Surprisingly however, while 18 defensive ends have been selected in the first round since 2011, only three have been picked in the top 10. Headlining the group is Jadeveon Clowney, who was selected No. 1 in 2014. While he has struggled with injuries during his two seasons in the NFL, it is also safe to say that he has been a disappointment. Also disappointing has been Dion Jordan, who was selected No. 3 in 2013. On the other end of the spectrum is Ezekiel Ansah, who took some time to develop, but blossomed in 2015 after being selected at No. 5 in 2013. Finally, no conversation about defensive ends can be complete without bringing up J.J. Watt, who was selected No. 11 in 2011 and has established himself as a dominant playmaker.

Farrell’s Take: This number is surprisingly low to me as rush ends are such a hot commodity in the NFL. This year it’s a good draft year at the top of the draft for edge guys like Joey Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Shaq Lawson and then a strong drop after that with Emmanuel Ogbah, Kevin Dodd and Noah Spence. Dion Jordan would have be the worst pick since 2011 at the position while Watt is clearly the best.