List of Detroit Lions first-round draft picks

[21] The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings; the teams with the worst win–loss records receive the earliest picks.

Teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs select after non-qualifiers, and their order depends on how far they advanced, using their regular season record as a tie-breaker.

The system was abolished prior to the 1959 NFL draft, as all twelve teams in the league at the time had received a bonus choice.

[14][27] The Lions have held the first overall pick four times and selected Frank Sinkwich in 1943, Leon Hart in 1950, Billy Sims in 1980, and Matthew Stafford in 2009.

[31][32] The Lions also used three first-round picks in the 1960s to select players–Pete Beathard, John Hadl, and Johnny Robinson–who chose to sign with the NFL's pre-merger direct competitor, the American Football League (AFL) instead.

Barry Sanders sitting at a table.
Running back Barry Sanders was drafted third overall in 1989 . He spent his whole 10-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a 10-time All-Pro , 10-time Pro Bowler , two-time Offensive Player of the Year , and the 1997 MVP . [ 1 ] A first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer , Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards in every season he played and led the league in rushing yards four times. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] He was also selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team . [ 5 ]
Matthew Stafford throwing a pass in a Detroit Lions uniform.
Matthew Stafford was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL draft . [ 6 ] He spent 13 seasons with the team, during which he time he set various NFL records, including being the fastest to 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 passing yards, [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] being the first player to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season, [ 8 ] most fourth quarterback comebacks in a season, [ 8 ] [ 10 ] and the most game winning drives in a season. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] He was also the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year Award . [ 6 ]
Calvin Johnson on an NFL field in a Detroit Lions jersey and helmet.
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall in the 2007 NFL draft . [ 35 ] He spent his entire nine-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a four-time All-Pro , six-time Pro Bowler , and set the single-season record for most receiving yards in a season. [ 36 ] After retiring, Johnson was selected to the 2010s All-Decade Team and became a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer . [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 36 ]
Alex Karras in a jersey and on his hands and toes, as if about to rush a passer.
Defensive tackle Alex Karras was drafted with the 10th overall pick of the 1958 NFL draft and played 11 seasons for the Lions. During his time with the team he was a nine-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler . A member of the 1960s All-Decade Team , he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ]