The history of first-round NFL Draft picks from North Carolina

Posted Apr 26, 2024
North Carolina has a track record of producing talented football players who are good enough to make it to the NFL. 54 players from the Tar Heel state have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. This is our list of all of them. UNC: 2013 — Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 overall, Arizona Cardinals), 2014 — Eric Ebron (No. 10 overall, Detroit Lions). (High School OT)

Related: Football, Tar Heels in the NFL

UNC played without star defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude against ETSU. When will he return?
UNC star defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude recorded a sack after leaving the Tar Heels’ season opener against TCU with a hand injury. Two weeks...
Sun Sep 13, 2026

What Bill Belichick, UNC Football did during weather delay vs. ETSU
Billy Edwards Jr. figured his day was done, but UNC's starting quarterback couldn’t sit still during a weather delay in an eventual 35-3 win vs...
Sun Sep 13, 2026

Video: Carolina Insider - UNC vs. ETSU Postgame Reactions
Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell and Adam Lucas break down North Carolina's 35-3 home-opening victory of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers on Saturday...
Sun Sep 13, 2026

UNC vs. ETSU snap counts and ratings: Jelani Thurman, Jaylen Harvey stand out
No player finished with a higher offensive grade than tight end Jelani Thurman, who posted a 94.2 rating over 34 snaps, the best mark on...
Sun Sep 13, 2026