NFL Draft History: 5 best NFL players ever drafted 25th Overall

In less than a week’s time, the long-awaited 2022 NFL Draft will take place. The Buffalo Bills will be making their selection from the 25th spot on April 28, and many fans have optimism that the player they select will eventually wind up among football’s best. While first round picks are always exciting, there is always the chance that they do not work out.

It is worth noting that no players selected at 25th overall have ever been inducted into the Hall of Fame since the 1970 draft, the first one after the AFL and NFL merged. However, being that 25th overall is a first round selection, there are bound to be players who found success at the pro level.

Before delving into who those players are, it is worth briefly discussing the recent history of the 25th overall pick. The last ten players selected in that position are Travis Ettienne (2021), Brandon Aiyuk (2020), Marquise Brown (2019), Hayden Hurst (2018), Jabrill Peppers (2017), Artie Burns (2016), Shaq Thompson (2015), Jason Verrett (2014), Xavier Rhodes (2013), and Dont’a Hightower (2012). Out of those ten players, it can be argued that four of them have found success at the NFL level.

There have been other notable names throughout NFL history who have been picked 25th overall. Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes was the 25th pick in 2006 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, College Football and Florida Gators legend Tim Tebow went in the same slot in 2010 to the Denver Broncos, and Vontae Davis, a name that a large portion of Buffalo Bills’ fans resent, was picked 25th in 2009 by the Miami Dolphins.

Now, with a little context of the history behind the 25th overall selection, it is time to take a look at the five best players to ever be selected at that spot.