Which NFL Team Has Drafted the Most Heisman Trophy Winners?

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Sam Bradford is the most recent Heisman draft pick of the Rams organization.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Chase Kiddy @chaseakiddy Apr 30, 2024, 1:55 PM

The Detroit Lions have drafted 10 Heisman Trophy winners, which is more than any other franchise in the history of professional football.

So Detroit clearly has a historical preference for Heisman winners. That said, the Lions havenโ€™t selected a Heisman winner in the draft since Andre Ware in 1990.ย 

Many of Detroitโ€™s Heisman picks didnโ€™t work out well. Several of the selections were made in the early days of professional football, where a career as a professional athlete was neither glamorous nor lucrative.

Heisman winners Larry Kelley and Clint Frank were selected by the Lions in back-to-back years, 1937 and 1938. Both Kelley and Frank opted to pursue careers away from football.

Heisman Winners in the NFL

NFL FranchiseHeisman DrafteesMost Recent Selection
Lions10Andre Ware (1990)
Rams9Sam Bradford (2010)
Commanders6Jayden Daniels (2024)
Oilers/Texans6Derrick Henry (2016)
Bears4Rashaan Salaam (1995)
Eagles4Devonta Smith (2021)
Raiders4Charles Woodson (1998)
Saints4Reggie Bush (2006)
Bengals3Joe Burrow (2020)
Browns3Baker Mayfield (2017)
Buccaneers3Jameis Winston (2015)
Cowboys3Herschel Walker (1985)
Packers3Ty Detmer (1992)
Cardinals2Kyler Murray (2019)
Colts2Alan Ameche (1955)
Panthers2Cam Newton (2011)
Patriots 2Jim Plunkett (1971)
Steelers2Johnny Lattner (1954)
49ers1Steve Spurrier (1967)
Broncos1Tim Tebow (2010)
Chargers1Johnny Rodgers (1973)
Falcons1Pat Sullivan (1972)
Ravens1Troy Smith (2007)
Vikings1Gino Torretta (1993)

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About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.