This week, the nation's elite college football players are nervously waiting to find out if and where they will be drafted during the NFL's 81st annual draft, which gets underway Thursday. The draft will include 253 picks over seven rounds. Quarterbacks Carson Wentz of North Dakota State and Jared Goff of California are expected to be the two top picks in this year's draft.
Many No. 1 picks never reach the lofty expectations that come along with being chosen first among the best of the best. In fact, of the richest NFL players of all time, only two were No. 1 draft picks. The other five include Brett Favre (pick 33 in 1991), Tom Brady (pick 199 in 2000), John Madden (pick 244 in 1958), Roger Staubach (pick 129 in 1964) and Jerry Richardson (pick 154 in 1958).
The NFL's very first No. 1 draft pick, John Jacob "Jay" Berwanger, never even played in the NFL after the Philadelphia Eagles declined to meet his reported salary demands of $1,000 per game.
But many No. 1 picks have fulfilled the expectations that accompany being chosen first. In addition to commanding higher salaries (which are growing every year), these players often also attract endorsement deals and speaking engagements that further fatten their wallets.
Consider last year's top pick, Jameis Winston. He garnered a rookie contract worth more than $22 million, including a signing bonus of more than $14 million. These numbers automatically land him near the top of the list of the wealthiest No. 1 NFL draft picks.
If this year's No. 1 pick came to you for financial advice, what advice would you give him?
Following are the top 25 No. 1 NFL draft picks ranked by their net worth as estimated by celebritynetworth.com.
25. Vinny Testaverde
Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Miami (Florida)
NFL Draft Year: 1987
Drafted by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Years Played: 21
Pro Bowl Selections: 2
(Photo: Henry Hoegen/Wikimedia Commons)
24. Bruce Smith
Estimated Net Worth: $12 million
Position: Defensive End
College: Virginia Tech
NFL Draft Year: 1985
Drafted by: Buffalo Bills
Years Played: 18
Pro Bowl Selections: 11
(Photo: Michele Moore/Wikimedia Commons)
23. Jadeveon Clowney
Estimated Net Worth: $13 million
Position: Defensive End
College: South Carolina
NFL Draft Year: 2014
Drafted by: Houston Texans
Years Played: 2
Pro Bowl Selections: 0
(Photo: Ian McCormick/Wikimedia Commons)
22. (tie) Matthew Stafford
Estimated Net Worth: $15 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Georgia
NFL Draft Year: 2009
Drafted by: Detroit Lions
Years Played: 7
Pro Bowl Selections: 1
(Photo: Mike Morbeck/Wikimedia Commons)
22. (tie) Alex Smith
Estimated Net Worth: $15 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Utah
NFL Draft Year: 2005
Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
Years Played: 11
Pro Bowl Selections: 2
(Photo: John Martinez Pavliga/Wikimedia Commons)
22. (tie) Terry Bradshaw
Estimated Net Worth: $15 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Louisiana Tech
NFL Draft Year: 1970
Drafted by: Pittsburgh Steelers
Years Played: 14
Pro Bowl Selections: 3
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
19. (tie) Bo Jackson
Estimated Net Worth: $16 million
Position: Running Back
College: Auburn
NFL Draft Year: 1986
Drafted by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Years Played: 4
Pro Bowl Selections: 1
(Photo: By James C. Dillard/Wikimedia Commons)
19. (tie) Michael Vick
Estimated Net Worth: $16 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Virginia Tech
NFL Draft Year: 2001
Drafted by: Atlanta Falcons
Years Played: 15
Pro Bowl Selections: 4
(Photo: Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons)
17. David Carr
Estimated Net Worth: $19 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Fresno State
NFL Draft Year: 2002
Drafted by: Houston Texans
Years Played: 11
Pro Bowl Selections: 0
(Photo: BrokenSphere/Wikimedia Commons)
16. Andrew Luck
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Position: Quarterback
College: Stanford
NFL Draft Year: 2012
Drafted by: Indianapolis Colts
Years Played: 4
Pro Bowl Selections: 3
(Photo: Jeffrey Beall/Wikimedia Commons)
15. Keyshawn Johnson
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Position: Wide receiver
College: Southern California
NFL Draft Year: 1996
Drafted by: New York Jets
Years Played: 11
Pro Bowl Selections: 4
(Photo: Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons)
14. (tie) Troy Aikman
Estimated Net Worth: $25 million
Position: Quarterback
College: UCLA
NFL Draft Year: 1989
Drafted by: Dallas Cowboys
Years Played: 12
Pro Bowl Selections: 6
(Photo: Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons)
