The very first No. 1 overall pick in NFL Draft history was Jay Berwanger , a halfback from the University of Chicago, selected in the inaugural 1936 NFL Draft.

Quick Scoop

  • The NFL Draft began in 1936 , and Jay Berwanger was the first player ever chosen with the top pick.
  • He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles , who then traded his rights to the Chicago Bears.
  • Berwanger was also the first winner of what became known as the Heisman Trophy , making him a historic figure both in college and pro football lore.

In other words, when people ask “who was the first pick in the NFL Draft,” they’re talking about Jay Berwanger going No. 1 in 1936.

TL;DR: Jay Berwanger, HB, University of Chicago, was the first No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in 1936.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.