How have the New York Jets fared with their first-round picks in the NFL Draft over the years? Much like the franchise itself, New York has been volatile in Round 1, particularly in the modern era. There’s still a desire for more consistency, and some of the Jets’ early selections in the 21st century provide the blueprint.

New York Jets First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History

The Jets’ draft history with first-round picks is oft-maligned. Across the franchise’s entire history, spanning back to 1961, New York has only selected three eventual Hall of Famers in Round 1. That’s the same number of Jets QB selections that have flamed out since 2009 (Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson).

Still, the Jets’ Hall of Fame selections help provide a blueprint for New York to follow on the broad scale. Joe Namath was famous for his clutch ability and cool demeanor in crucial moments. John Riggins was renowned for his tone-setting physicality. And Darrelle Revis, the team’s most recent HOF inductee, was dubbed “Revis Island” for his lockdown coverage on the boundary.

2023

• Will McDonald IV | Pick 15
  EDGE, Iowa State

2022

• Ahmad Gardner | Pick 4
  CB, Cincinnati
• Garrett Wilson | Pick 10
  WR, Ohio State
• Jermaine Johnson | Pick 26
  EDGE, Florida State

2021

• Zach Wilson | Pick 2
  QB, BYU
• Alijah Vera-Tucker | Pick 14
  OL, USC

2020

• Mekhi Becton | Pick 11
  OT, Louisville

2019

• Quinnen Williams | Pick 3
  DT, Alabama

2018

• Sam Darnold | Pick 3
  QB, USC

2017

• Jamal Adams | Pick 6
  S, LSU

2016

• Darron Lee | Pick 20
  OLB, Ohio State

2015

• Leonard Williams | Pick 6
  DE, USC

2014

• Calvin Pryor | Pick 18
  DB, Louisville

2013

• Dee Milliner | Pick 9
  DB, Alabama
• Sheldon Richardson | Pick 13
  DT, Missouri

2012

• Quinton Coples | Pick 16
  DE, North Carolina

2011

• Muhammad Wilkerson | Pick 30
  DT, Temple

2010

• Kyle Wilson | Pick 29
  DB, Boise State

2009

• Mark Sanchez | Pick 5
  QB, USC

2008

• Vernon Gholston | Pick 6
  DE, Ohio State
• Dustin Keller | Pick 30
  TE, Purdue

2007

• Darrelle Revis* | Pick 14
  DB, Pittsburgh

2006

• D’Brickashaw Ferguson | Pick 4
  OT, Virginia
• Nick Mangold | Pick 29
  C, Ohio State

2005

The Jets traded the 26th pick to the Oakland Raiders.

2004

• Jonathan Vilma | Pick 12
  LB, Miami (FL)

2003

• Dewayne Robertson | Pick 4
  DT, Kentucky

2002

• Bryan Thomas | Pick 22
  DE, UAB

2001

• Santana Moss | Pick 16
  WR, Miami (FL)

2000

• Shaun Ellis | Pick 12
  DE, Tennessee
• John Abraham | Pick 13
  DE, South Carolina
• Chad Pennington | Pick 18
  QB, Marshall
• Anthony Becht | Pick 27
  TE, West Virginia

1999

The Jets traded the 28th pick to the New England Patriots.

1998

The Jets traded the 18th pick to the New England Patriots.

1997

• James Farrior | Pick 8
  LB, Virginia

1996

• Keyshawn Johnson | Pick 1
  WR, USC

1995

• Kyle Brady | Pick 9
  TE, Penn State
• Hugh Douglas | Pick 16
  DE, Central State (OH)

1994

• Aaron Glenn | Pick 12
  DB, Texas A&M

1993

• Marvin Jones | Pick 4
  LB, Florida State

1992

• Johnny Mitchell | Pick 15
  TE, Nebraska

1991

The Jets used this draft pick for 1990 supplemental pick wide receiver Rob Moore.

1990

• Blair Thomas | Pick 2
  RB, Penn State

1989

• Jeff Lageman | Pick 14
  DE, Virginia

1988

• Dave Cadigan | Pick 8
  G, USC

1987

• Roger Vick | Pick 21
  RB, Texas A&M

1986

• Mike Haight | Pick 22
  G, Iowa

1985

• Al Toon | Pick 10
  WR, Wisconsin

1984

• Russell Carter | Pick 10
  DB, SMU
• Ron Faurot | Pick 15
  DE, Arkansas

1983

• Ken O’Brien | Pick 24
  QB, UC Davis

1982

• Bob Crable | Pick 23
  LB, Notre Dame

1981

• Freeman McNeil | Pick 3
  RB, UCLA

1980

• Lam Jones | Pick 2
  WR, Texas

1979

• Marty Lyons | Pick 14
  DE, Alabama

1978

• Chris Ward | Pick 4
  OT, Ohio State

1977

• Marvin Powell | Pick 4
  OT, USC

1976

• Richard Todd | Pick 6
  QB, Alabama

1975

The Jets traded their first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints.

1974

• Carl Barzilauskas | Pick 6
  DT, Indiana

1973

• Burgess Owens | Pick 13
  DB, Miami (FL)

1972

• Jerome Barkum | Pick 9
  TE, Jackson State
• Michael Taylor | Pick 20
  LB, Michigan

1971

• John Riggins* | Pick 6
  RB, Kansas

1970

• Steve Tannen | Pick 20
  DB, Florida

1969

• Dave Foley | Pick 26
  OT, Ohio State

1968

• Lee White | Pick 17
  RB, Weber St.

1967

• Paul Seiler | Pick 12
  C, Notre Dame

1966

• William Yearby | Pick 13
  DE, Michigan

1965

• Joe Namath* | Pick 1
  QB, Alabama

1965

• Tom Nowatzke | Pick 4
  FB, Indiana

1964

• Matt Snell | Pick 3
  RB, Ohio State

1963

• Jerry Stovall | Pick 3
  DB, LSU

1962

• Sandy Stephens | Pick 5
  QB, Minnesota

1961

• Tom Brown | Pick 2
  G, Minnesota

*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame