List of Atlanta Falcons first-round draft picks
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
File:Michael Vick, November 2006 (728).jpg during the 2006 season.]]
The Atlanta Falcons, a professional American football team based in Atlanta, are part of the National Football Conference South Division. They joined the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team for the 1966 season and became the first NFL franchise in the Southeastern United States.{{cite book|last=Goodman|first=Michael E.|title=The History of the Atlanta Falcons|publisher=The Creative Company|date=2004|isbn=1-58341-287-5|pages=1968|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0MgGfj43YMkC|access-date=June 30, 2008|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120161235/https://books.google.com/books?id=0MgGfj43YMkC|url-status=live}} They first participated in the 1966 NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting, more commonly known as the NFL draft.{{cite news|last=Branch |first=John |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20000409/ai_n9969057/ |title=The 2000 Liars Club/ Draft makes Broncos coach cloak intentions |publisher=findarticles.com |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=April 9, 2000 |access-date=June 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023194213/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20000409/ai_n9969057 |archive-date=October 23, 2007 }} In the NFL Draft, each NFL franchise annually seeks to add new players to its roster. Teams are ranked in reverse order based on the previous season's record, with the worst record picking first, the second-worst picking second and so on. The two exceptions to this order are made for teams that appeared in the previous Super Bowl; the Super Bowl champion always picks 32nd, and the Super Bowl loser always picks 31st. Teams have the option of trading away their picks to other teams for different picks, players, cash, or a combination thereof. Thus, it is not uncommon for a team's actual draft pick to differ from their assigned draft pick, or for a team to have extra or no draft picks in any round due to these trades.{{cite web | url = http://football.about.com/od/miscinformation/a/detdraftorder.htm | last = Alder | first = James | title = NFL Draft Basics:Determining Order of Selection | work = football.about.com | access-date = June 29, 2008 | archive-date = January 10, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070110030031/http://football.about.com/od/miscinformation/a/detdraftorder.htm | url-status = dead }}
In their first draft, the Falcons had two picks in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Alumni/Timeline.aspx|title=Timeline 1960's|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222005059/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Alumni/Timeline.aspx |archive-date=December 22, 2007|work=Atlanta Falcons|access-date=July 11, 2008}} These selections were Tommy Nobis, a linebacker from Texas, and Randy Johnson, a quarterback from Texas A&I. The Falcons have selected number one overall four times: Tommy Nobis, Steve Bartkowski, Aundray Bruce, and Michael Vick. The team has also selected number two overall three times and number three overall two times. The Falcons have selected players from Florida State University four times, the most from any university. The team's most recent first-round selections were Jalon Walker, a linebacker from the University of Georgia, and James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher from the University of Tennessee.
Key
| class="wikitable"
|+Table key ! scope="row" style="background:#FFCCCC"|^ | Indicates the player was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. |
| scope="row" style="background:#DDFFDD"| *
|Selected number one overall |
|---|
| scope="row" |—
| The Falcons did not draft a player in the first round that year. |
| scope="row" |Year
| Each year links to an article about that particular NFL Draft. |
| scope="row" |Pick
| Indicates the number of the pick within the first round |
| scope="row" |Position
| Indicates the position of the player in the NFL |
| scope="row" |College
| The player's college football team |
Player selections
File:102007-SamBaker.jpg was selected by the Falcons in 2008.]]
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Atlanta Falcons first-round draft picks |
| scope="col" |Season
! scope="col" |Pick ! scope="col" |Player name ! scope="col" |Position ! scope="col" |College ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Notes |
|---|
| align="center" | 1966
| align="center" | {{nts|1}} | style="background-color: #DDFFDD;" | {{sortname|Tommy|Nobis}} * | Texas | |
| align="center" | 1966
| align="center" | {{nts|15}} | {{sortname|Randy|Johnson|Randy Johnson (quarterback)}} | |
| align="center" | 1967
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note01|a|a}} |
| align="center" | 1968
| align="center" | {{nts|3}} | bgcolor="#FFCCCC" | Claude Humphrey^ | |
| align="center" | 1969
| align="center" | {{nts|2}} | {{sortname|George|Kunz}} | |
| align="center" | 1970
| align="center" | {{nts|12}} | {{sortname|John|Small|John Small (American football)}} | |
| align="center" | 1971
| align="center" | {{nts|7}} | {{sortname|Joe|Profit}} | |
| align="center" | 1972
| align="center" | {{nts|15}} | {{sortname|Clarence|Ellis}} | Safety | |
| align="center" | 1973
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note02|b|b}} |
| align="center" | 1974
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note03|c|c}} |
| align="center" | 1975
| align="center" | {{nts|1}} | style="background-color: #DDFFDD;" | {{sortname|Steve|Bartkowski}} * | align="center" | {{ref label|Note04|d|d}} |
| align="center" | 1976
| align="center" | {{nts|9}} | {{sortname|Bubba|Bean}} | |
| align="center" | 1977
| align="center" | {{nts|6}} | {{sortname|Warren|Bryant|Warren Bryant (American football)}} | Kentucky | |
| align="center" | 1977
| align="center" | {{nts|20}} | {{sortname|Wilson|Faumuina}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note05|e|e}} |
| align="center" | 1978
| align="center" | {{nts|13}} | {{sortname|Mike|Kenn}} | Michigan | |
| align="center" | 1979
| align="center" | {{nts|17}} | {{sortname|Don|Smith|Don Smith (defensive lineman)}} | |
| align="center" | 1980
| align="center" | {{nts|7}} | {{sortname|Junior|Miller}} | Nebraska | |
| align="center" | 1981
| align="center" | {{nts|25}} | {{sortname|Bobby|Butler|Bobby Butler (American football)}} | |
| align="center" | 1982
| align="center" | {{nts|9}} | {{sortname|Gerald|Riggs}} | |
| align="center" | 1983
| align="center" | {{nts|16}} | {{sortname|Mike|Pitts}} | Alabama | |
| align="center" | 1984
| align="center" | {{nts|9}} | {{sortname|Rick|Bryan}} | Oklahoma | |
| align="center" | 1985
| align="center" | {{nts|2}} | {{sortname|Bill|Fralic}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note06|f|f}} |
| align="center" | 1986
| align="center" | {{nts|2}} | {{sortname|Tony|Casillas}} | Oklahoma | |
| align="center" | 1986
| align="center" | {{nts|17}} | {{sortname|Tim|Green}} | Syracuse |align="center" | {{ref label|Note07|g|g}} |
| align="center" | 1987
| align="center" | {{nts|12}} | {{sortname|Chris|Miller|Chris Miller (quarterback)}} | Oregon | |
| align="center" | 1988
| align="center" | {{nts|1}} | style="background-color: #DDFFDD;" | {{sortname|Aundray|Bruce}} * | Auburn | |
| align="center" | 1989
| align="center" | 5 | bgcolor="#FFCCCC" | Deion Sanders^ | CB | |
| align="center" | 1989
| align="center" | {{nts|27}} | {{sortname|Shawn|Collins}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note08|h|h}} |
| align="center" | 1990
| align="center" | {{nts|20}} | {{sortname|Steve|Broussard}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note09|i|i 1}}{{ref label|Note10|j|j}} |
| align="center" | 1991
| align="center" | {{nts|3}} | {{sortname|Bruce|Pickens}} | Nebraska | |
| align="center" | 1991
| align="center" | {{nts|13}} | {{sortname|Mike|Pritchard}} | Colorado | align="center" | {{ref label|Note09|i|2}} |
| align="center" | 1992
| align="center" | {{nts|8}} | {{sortname|Bob|Whitfield}} | Stanford | align="center" | {{ref label|Note11|k|k}} |
| align="center" | 1992
| align="center" | {{nts|19}} | {{sortname|Tony|Smith|Tony Smith (American football)}} | |
| align="center" | 1993
| align="center" | {{nts|9}} | {{sortname|Lincoln|Kennedy}} | |
| align="center" | 1994
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note12|l|l 1}} |
| align="center" | 1995
| align="center" | {{nts|26}} | {{sortname|Devin|Bush Sr.}} | Safety | align="center" | {{ref label|Note13|m|m}} |
| align="center" | 1996
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note12|l|2}} |
| align="center" | 1997
| align="center" | {{nts|11}} | {{sortname|Michael|Booker}} | Nebraska | align="center" | {{ref label|Note14|n|n}} |
| align="center" | 1998
| align="center" | {{nts|12}} | {{sortname|Keith|Brooking}} | |
| align="center" | 1999
| align="center" | {{nts|30}} | {{sortname|Patrick|Kerney}} | Virginia | |
| align="center" | 2000
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note15|o|o}} |
| align="center" | 2001
| align="center" | {{nts|1}} | style="background-color: #DDFFDD;" | {{sortname|Michael|Vick}} * | align="center" | {{ref label|Note16|p|p}} |
| align="center" | 2002
| align="center" | {{nts|18}} | {{sortname|T. J.|Duckett}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note17|q|q}} |
| align="center" | 2003
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note18|r|r}} |
| align="center" | 2004
| align="center" | {{nts|8}} | {{sortname|DeAngelo|Hall}} | |
| align="center" | 2004
| align="center" | {{nts|29}} | {{sortname|Michael|Jenkins|Michael Jenkins (wide receiver)}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note19|s|s}} |
| align="center" | 2005
| align="center" | {{nts|27}} | {{sortname|Roddy|White}} | UAB | |
| align="center" | 2006
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note20|t|t}} |
| align="center" | 2007
| align="center" | {{nts|8}} | {{sortname|Jamaal|Anderson}} | Arkansas | align="center" | {{ref label|Note21|u|u}} |
| align="center" | 2008
| align="center" | {{nts|3}} | {{sortname|Matt|Ryan|Matt Ryan (American football)}} | |
| align="center" | 2008
| align="center" | {{nts|21}} | {{sortname|Sam|Baker|Sam Baker (offensive tackle)}} | USC | align="center" | {{ref label|Note22|v|v}} |
| align="center" | 2009
| align="center" | {{nts|24}} | {{sortname|Peria|Jerry}} | Ole Miss | |
| align="center" | 2010
| align="center" | {{nts|19}} | {{sortname|Sean|Weatherspoon}} | Missouri | |
| align="center" | 2011
| align="center" | {{nts|6}} | {{sortname|Julio|Jones}} | Alabama | align="center" | {{ref label|Note23|w|w 1}} |
| align="center" | 2012
| align="center" |— | No pick | — | — | align="center" | {{ref label|Note23|w|2}} |
| align="center" | 2013
| align="center" | {{nts|22}} | {{sortname|Desmond|Trufant}} | align="center" | {{ref label|Note24|x|x}} |
| align="center" | 2014
| align="center" | {{nts|6}} | {{sortname|Jake|Matthews|Jake Matthews (American football)}} | align="center" | |
| align="center" | 2015
| align="center" | {{nts|8}} | {{sortname|Vic|Beasley}} | Clemson | align="center" | |
| align="center" | 2016
| align= "center" | {{nts|17}} | {{sortname|Keanu|Neal}} | Florida | align="center"| |
| align="center" | 2017
| align = "center" | {{nts|26}} | {{sortname|Takkarist|McKinley}} | UCLA | align="center"| {{ref label|Note25|y|y}} |
| align="center" | 2018
| align = "center" | {{nts|26}} | {{sortname|Calvin|Ridley}} | Alabama | align="center"| |
| align="center" | 2019
| align = "center" | {{nts|14}} | {{sortname|Chris|Lindstrom}} | align="center"| |
| align="center" | 2019
| align = "center" | {{nts|31}} | {{sortname|Kaleb|McGary}} | align="center"|{{ref label|Note26|z|z}} |
| align = "center" | 2020
| align = "center" | {{nts|16}} | {{sortname|A. J.|Terrell}} | Clemson | |
| align = "center" | 2021
| align = "center" | {{nts|4}} | {{sortname|Kyle|Pitts}} | Florida | |
| align = "center" | 2022
| align = "center" | {{nts|8}} | {{sortname|Drake|London}} | USC | |
| align = "center" | 2023
| align = "center" | {{nts|8}} |{{sortname|Bijan|Robinson}} | |
| align = "center" | 2024
| align = "center" | {{nts|8}} |{{sortname|Michael|Penix Jr}} | |
| align = "center" | 2025
| align = "center" | {{nts|15}} | {{sortname|Jalon|Walker}} | Georgia | |
| align = "center" | 2025
| align = "center" | {{nts|26}} | {{sortname|James|Pearce Jr.}} |
Footnotes
{{columns-start|num=2}}
- {{note label|Note01|a|a}} The Falcons traded the #3 overall pick of the 1967 draft to the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Bernie Casey, offensive tackle Jim Wilson, and defensive end Jim Norton.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Alumni/Trades.aspx|title=Trade History|work=Atlanta Falcons|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119114051/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Alumni/Trades.aspx |archive-date=January 19, 2008 |access-date=June 25, 2008}}
- {{note label|Note02|b|b}} The Falcons traded their #14 overall pick to the Houston Oilers for defensive tackle Mike Tilleman.
- {{note label|Note03|c|c}} The Falcons traded their #17 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings along with quarterback Bob Berry for quarterback Bob Lee and linebacker Lonnie Warwick.
- {{note label|Note04|d|d}} The Falcons traded their #3 overall pick along with offensive tackle George Kunz to Baltimore Colts for the Colts' first and sixth-round picks.
- {{note label|Note05|e|e}} The Falcons acquired this pick from the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/timeline/1970/the-1977-nfl-draft/ |title=Pro Football Draft History 1977 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site |access-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-date=July 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721173131/http://www.profootballhof.com/timeline/1970/the-1977-nfl-draft/ |url-status=live }}
- {{note label|Note06|f|f}} The Falcons traded their #4 overall pick along with a third-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for the #2 overall pick.
- {{note label|Note07|g|g}} The Falcons traded their 1985 second-round pick and 1986 second-round pick to the Washington Redskins for the Redskins' 1985 second-round pick and the #17 overall pick in 1986.
- {{note label|Note08|h|h}} The Falcons acquired this pick from the Cincinnati Bengals for the second, fourth, and tenth-round picks.
- {{note label|Note09|i|i 1}}{{note label|Note09|i|2}} The Falcons traded their #1 overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts for the Colts' fifth-round pick in 1990, #13 overall pick in 1991, wide receiver Andre Rison, and offensive tackle Chris Hinton.
- {{note label|Note10|j|j}} The Falcons acquired this pick from the Washington Redskins.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/draft/1990.aspx |title=Pro Football Draft History 1990 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site |access-date=July 1, 2008 |archive-date=September 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909133353/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/draft/1990.aspx |url-status=live }}
- {{note label|Note11|k|k}} The Falcons acquired this pick from the New England Patriots.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/draft/1992.aspx |title=Pro Football Draft History 1992 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site |access-date=July 1, 2008 |archive-date=April 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415211655/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/draft/1992.aspx |url-status=live }}
- {{note label|Note12|l|l 1}}{{note label|Note12|l|2}} The Falcons traded their #7 overall pick along with the third-round pick in 1994 and the #19 overall pick in 1996 to the Indianapolis Colts for quarterback Jeff George.
- {{note label|Note13|m|m}} The Falcons traded their #10 overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for the #26 pick and running back Eric Metcalf.
{{column}}
- {{note label|Note14|n|n}} The Falcons acquired this pick along with the second, third, and fourth-round picks from the Seattle Seahawks for the #11 overall pick along with the third-round pick.
- {{note label|Note15|o|o}} The Falcons traded their #5 overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens for the 1999 second-round pick.
- {{note label|Note16|p|p}} The Falcons traded their #5 overall pick along with wide receiver Tim Dwight, the 2002 second and 2001 third-round picks to the San Diego Chargers for the #1 overall pick.{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/2001/draft/news/2001/04/20/falcons_toppick_ap/|title=Birds flap to the top|date=April 20, 2001|agency=Associated Press|publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated|access-date=July 4, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020071742/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/2001/draft/news/2001/04/20/falcons_toppick_ap/|url-status=dead}}
- {{note label|Note17|q|q}} The Falcons traded their #17 overall pick to the Oakland Raiders for the #18 overall pick and the fifth-round pick.
- {{note label|Note18|r|r}} The Falcons traded their #23 overall pick to the Buffalo Bills for wide receiver Peerless Price.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/08/sports/pro-football-bills-trade-price-and-make-offer-to-the-bengals-spikes.html|title=Bills Trade Price and Make Offer to the Bengals' Spikes|last=Hack|first=Damon|date=March 8, 2003|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 4, 2008|archive-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127164953/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/08/sports/pro-football-bills-trade-price-and-make-offer-to-the-bengals-spikes.html|url-status=live}}
- {{note label|Note19|s|s}} The Falcons traded their second, third, and fourth-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts for the #29 overall and third-round picks.
- {{note label|Note20|t|t}} The Falcons traded their #15 overall pick to the Denver Broncos for the #29 overall, third-round and a 2007 fourth-round picks. The Falcons then traded the #29 overall pick to the New York Jets for defensive end John Abraham.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2378875|title=Falcons send pick to Denver to get Abraham from Jets|last=Pasquarelli|first=Len|date=March 23, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026211358/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2378875|url-status=live}}
- {{note label|Note21|u|u}} The Falcons traded their #10 overall pick and quarterback Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans for the #8 overall, second-round, and 2008 second-round picks.{{cite web | last = Pasquarelli | first = Len | title = Falcons agree to deal backup QB Schaub to Houston | work = ESPN.com | date = March 22, 2007 | url = http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2807051 | access-date = September 14, 2016 | archive-date = September 22, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160922102941/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2807051 | url-status = live }}
- {{note label|Note22|v|v}} The Falcons traded two second-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Washington Redskins for the #21 overall pick along with the third and fifth-round picks.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/04/26/ST2008042602716.html|title=A Show of Hands for Redskins|author=Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora|date=April 27, 2008|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=June 28, 2008|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105120422/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/04/26/ST2008042602716.html|url-status=live}}
- {{note label|Note23|w|w 1}}{{note label|Note23|w|2}} The Falcons traded their #27 overall pick along with second-round, fourth-round and a 2012 first-round and fourth-round picks to the Cleveland Browns for the #6 overall pick .{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/04/cleveland_browns_fall_21_spots.html|title=Cleveland Browns select Baylor defensive lineman Phil Taylor after busy night of draft trading|publisher=The Plain Dealer|date=April 28, 2011|access-date=May 2, 2011|archive-date=May 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502064028/http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/04/cleveland_browns_fall_21_spots.html|url-status=live}}
- {{note label|Note24|x|x}} The Falcons traded their #30 overall pick along with third- (92nd), and sixth- (198th) round selections to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for St. Louis 2013 #22nd overall pick along with a 7th-round selection.
- {{note label|Note25|y|y}} The Falcons traded their #31 overall pick along with third- (95th), and seventh- (249th) round selections to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Seattle's 2017 #26th overall pick.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-trade-up-to-26-to-select-takkarist-mckinley-0ap3000000803574 |title=Falcons trade up to #26 |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=April 27, 2017 |publisher=NFL |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428095136/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000803574/article/falcons-trade-up-to-26-to-select-takkarist-mckinley |url-status=live }}
- {{note label|Note26|z|z}} The Falcons traded picks #45(second round) and #79 (third round) to the Los Ángeles Rams. In exchange, the Falcons got the Rams' #31 and #203 (sixth round) Picks{{Cite web|url=https://nfltraderumors.co/trade-details-falcons-trade-up-to-select-ot-kaleb-mcgary|title=Trade Details: Falcons trade up to select OT Kaleb McGary|last=Comeaux|first=Jonathan|date=April 25, 2019|publisher=NFL Trade Rumors|access-date=April 25, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426201927/https://nfltraderumors.co/trade-details-falcons-trade-up-to-select-ot-kaleb-mcgary/|url-status=live}}
{{columns-end}}
References
;General
- {{cite web | work=Atlanta Falcons | publisher=atlantafalcons.com | url=http://cdn.atlantafalcons.com/docs/History.pdf | pages=344–350 | title=Falcons Draft History | access-date=May 2, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511142409/http://cdn.atlantafalcons.com/docs/History.pdf | archive-date=May 11, 2011 | url-status=dead }}
- {{cite web | work=National Football League | url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=0200&type=roundbyteam | title=NFL Draft History: First Round by Team: Atlanta Falcons | access-date=June 30, 2008 | archive-date=January 8, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108115111/http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=0200&type=roundbyteam | url-status=live }}
;Specific
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Atlanta Falcons}}
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{{List of NFL team first-round draft picks}}
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