Three Decades Later, Keyshawn Johnson Remains the Last Wide Receiver the NFL Drafted No. 1
It's been 30 years since the New York Jets made one of the boldest moves in draft history, and nobody has replicated it since. On the morning of the 1996 NFL draft, the Jets sent a front office official to a Manhattan hotel for a last-minute negotiation with USC star Keyshawn Johnson and his agent Jerome Stanley. The clock was ticking. The draft was set to kick off at noon at Madison Square Garden, just a few blocks away.
When Johnson Told the Jets Not to Draft Him
Here's where it gets wild. Johnson was literally standing on a stool in his hotel room, modeling a custom-made beige suit for his personal tailor, when the Jets' Pat Kirwan and Stanley started haggling over contract terms. This was 15 years before the NFL's rookie wage scale existed, so big money was on the table. Johnson thought the offer was too low. He didn't mince words either. Through his agent, he told the Jets: "Don't draft me!" followed by some choice expletives. The Jets drafted him anyway with the No. 1 pick. And somehow, that decision still echoes today.
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How did a wide receiver ever land the top pick? It took a historically terrible quarterback draft class, for starters. There was no temptation to go QB. The Jets wanted a charismatic superstar to change the identity of the organization, someone who could bring swagger and playmaking ability. Johnson was exactly that: one of the most recognizable names in college football, a spotlight-loving athlete from Los Angeles. As Johnson reflected to ESPN, the Jets were "looking for somebody to change the identity of the organization, bringing a snap, crackle, pop, a pizzazz. But also playmaking ability."
The salary of the highest-paid receiver has skyrocketed more than 600% since 1996, yet the quarterback still dominates the No. 1 conversation. Johnson stands alone as the last wide receiver to ever go first overall. In 30 years, nobody else has matched that bold move.
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