Every player drafted 26th overall in the last 20 years
Every player drafted 26th overall in the last 20 years A look back at the last 20 players selected 26th overall in the NFL draft and how their careers unfolded.
Every pick in the NFL draft carries its own history, and the 26th overall selection is no different. While it may not carry the star power of a top-10 pick, No. 26 has produced its share of difference-makers, role players, and a few forgettable names.
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to pick at No. 26 overall in the 2025 NFL draft, we're looking back at the last 20 players selected with that selection. Of those 20 players, five of them made the Pro Bowl at least once, four were All-Pros and one of them won a Super Bowl.
2024: Graham Barton, C
College: Duke
Seasons as a starter: 1
2023: Mazi Smith, DT
College: Michigan
Seasons as a starter: 1
2022: Jermaine Johnson, DE
College: Florida State
Seasons as a starter: 1
Pro Bowls: 1
2021: Greg Newsome II, CB
College: Northwestern
Seasons as a starter: 3
2020: Jordan Love, QB
College: Utah State
Seasons as a starter: 2
2019: Montez Sweat, DE
College: Mississippi State
Seasons as a starter: 5
Pro Bowls: 1
2018: Calvin Ridley, WR
College: Alabama
Seasons as a starter: 4
All-Pros: 1
2017: Takk McKinley, DE
College: UCLA
Seasons as a starter: 2
2016: Paxton Lynch, QB
College: Memphis
Seasons as a starter: 0
2015: Breshad Perriman, WR
College: UCF
Seasons as a starter: 1
2014: Marcus Smith, DE
College: Louisville
Seasons as a starter: 0
2013: Datone Jones, DT
College: UCLA
Seasons as a starter: 0
2012: Whitney Mercilus, LB
College: Illinois
Seasons as a starter: 8
All-Pros: 1
2011: Jon Baldwin, WR
College: Pittsburgh
Seasons as a starter: 1
2010: Dan Williams, DT
College: Tennessee
Seasons as a starter: 6
2009: Clay Matthews, LB
College: USC
Seasons as a starter: 10
Super Bowls: 1
Pro Bowls: 6
All-Pros: 2
2008: Duane Brown, OT
College: Virginia Tech
Seasons as a starter: 15
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pros: 3
2007: Anthony Spencer, LB
College: Purdue
Seasons as a starter: 4
Pro Bowls: 1
2006: John McCargo, DT
College: NC State
Seasons as a starter: 0
2005: Chris Spencer, OL
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