The 2007 NFL Draft: A historic mix of legendary talent and massive busts

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Held at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, the 2007 NFL draft was a marathon event. It featured the longest first round in history and produced a class so talented that some analysts called it the greatest in twenty-five years, yet it also delivered some of the league's most notorious failures.

The 2007 draft, the 72nd annual meeting of NFL franchises, was a landmark event presided over by new Commissioner Roger Goodell. It took place on April 28 and April 29, 2007, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The event was a massive broadcast undertaking, televised for 28 consecutive years on ESPN and ESPN2, with the NFL Network providing its second year of coverage.

The draft was characterized by extreme highs and lows. The first round set a record for length, lasting six hours and eight minutes. After being taken first overall by the Oakland Raiders, JaMarcus Russell became widely regarded as a major draft failure, exiting the NFL after just three seasons. Even the runner-up, Brady Quinn, saw a largely unsuccessful career, exiting the league after seven seasons.

Conversely, the 2007 class is celebrated for its immense depth. In 2012, Bleacher Report named it the greatest draft class of the previous 25 years due to its volume of reliable starters. The class included future Hall of Famers like Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis, Marshawn Lynch, and Marshal Yanda. Furthermore, players like Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, and Adrian Peterson are widely considered among the greatest to ever play their respective positions.

The draft included 255 total selections: 223 regular selections and 32 compensatory selections. While the class produced legendary talent, the longevity of its players is striking. As of 2026, only one player from the entire 2007 class, Falcons placekicker Nick Folk, remains active in the NFL.

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