Keyshawn Johnson: The Last Wide Receiver Drafted No. 1 Overall

30 years later, Johnson remains an outlier as the only wide receiver selected with the top pick in the NFL Draft since the common draft era began in 1967.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:24am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the 1996 NFL Draft selection of Keyshawn Johnson, with sharp geometric planes and overlapping perspectives representing the changing landscape of the league's top draft picks.Keyshawn Johnson's historic selection as the last wide receiver drafted No. 1 overall exposed the NFL's evolving draft priorities, where quarterbacks and pass rushers have become the clear focus at the top.NYC Today

In 1996, the New York Jets made the unconventional decision to select wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Johnson's selection marked the last time a wide receiver has gone first overall, as quarterbacks and pass rushers have dominated the top picks in the decades since. The story explores the factors that led to Johnson's historic selection, his eventful tenure with the Jets, and why it's unlikely we'll see another wide receiver taken No. 1 anytime soon.

Why it matters

Keyshawn Johnson's selection as the last wide receiver drafted No. 1 overall highlights the changing landscape of the NFL Draft, where quarterbacks and pass rushers have become the clear priorities for teams with the top pick. This story provides insight into the decision-making process behind Johnson's historic selection and the evolving value of the wide receiver position in the modern NFL.

The details

The Jets were coming off a 3-win season in 1995 and were looking to add a star player to help turn the franchise around. With no top quarterback prospects in the 1996 draft, the Jets focused on Johnson, a charismatic and talented wide receiver from USC. Despite Johnson's initial reluctance to be drafted by the Jets, the team ultimately selected him first overall, believing he could bring the "snap, crackle, pop" and "pizzazz" they were seeking. Johnson's tenure in New York was eventful, marked by a contentious contract dispute and a bitter trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000, but he produced at a high level on the field, recording the second-most receiving yards in a four-year span in Jets history.

  • The 1996 NFL Draft took place on April 20, 1996 in New York City.
  • Keyshawn Johnson was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 1 overall pick.
  • Johnson's rookie season with the Jets was in 1996, when the team went 1-15.
  • Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999 as a member of the Jets.
  • Johnson was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2000.

The players

Keyshawn Johnson

A star wide receiver from the University of Southern California who was selected first overall by the New York Jets in the 1996 NFL Draft, becoming the last wide receiver to be chosen with the top pick in the common draft era.

Rich Kotite

The head coach of the New York Jets in 1996, Kotite's second season with the team.

Neil O'Donnell

The veteran quarterback signed by the Jets in free agency in 1996 to be their starting QB.

Bill Parcells

The Hall of Fame head coach who took over the Jets in 1997 and led the team to within one game of the Super Bowl in the 1998 season.

Woody Johnson

The owner of the New York Jets, who purchased the team in 2000 amid a turbulent offseason that saw Bill Belichick leave and Keyshawn Johnson traded.

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What they’re saying

“I think [ the Jets ] were looking for somebody to change the identity of the organization, bringing a snap, crackle, pop -- a pizzazz. But also playmaking ability.”

— Keyshawn Johnson

“It's not a surprise to me just because of what the draft has become. It's quarterback over pass rusher, and maybe an occasional left tackle -- the three most important positions in football.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN draft analyst

“Now they're a dime a dozen, and I don't think you feel near the stress to have to take one at the very top of the draft.”

— Phil Savage, Former Cleveland Browns GM, current LA Rams consultant

“If it doesn't happen next year, I don't know if it will ever happen again.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN draft analyst

“Key wanted to be the top guy. No matter what.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst

What’s next

The upcoming 2027 NFL Draft will be closely watched to see if Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, one of the highest-rated wide receiver prospects in recent memory, can break the 30-year drought and become the third wide receiver selected first overall.

The takeaway

Keyshawn Johnson's selection as the last wide receiver drafted No. 1 overall highlights the changing priorities of NFL teams at the top of the draft, where quarterbacks and pass rushers have become the clear focus. While the wide receiver position has evolved and become more valuable, the data shows it is increasingly difficult for a pass catcher to be chosen ahead of the premier positions on offense and defense. Johnson's historic selection serves as a reminder of how the league's draft landscape has shifted over the past three decades.