The 2025 NFL Draft starts on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the 32 first-round picks. AL.com is counting down to the event by highlighting the best choice – overall, from the SEC and of players from Alabama high schools and colleges -- made with each of the first 32 picks in the 89 NFL drafts.
Best No. 11 pick: Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004
The 11th selection in the NFL Draft has launched nine players on the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame – and counting.
The No. 11 Hall of Famers have been:
- Minnesota defensive tackle Leo Nomellini, picked by the San Francisco 49ers in 1950
- Southern Cal halfback Frank Gifford, picked by the New York Giants in 1952
- Tennessee defensive end Doug Atkins, picked by the Cleveland Browns in 1953
- Ohio State wide receiver Paul Warfield, picked by the Cleveland Browns in 1964
- Florida State wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, picked by the Oakland Raiders in 1965
- Miami (Fla.) wide receiver Michael Irvin, picked by the Dallas Cowboys in 1988
- Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney, picked by the Indianapolis Colts in 2002
- Troy outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, picked by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005
- Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis, picked by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007
But the best No. 11 pick isn’t eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet. Chosen from Miami (Ohio) in 2004 by Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger was the Steelers’ No. 1 quarterback for 18 seasons.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl victories, and the Steelers never had a losing season during the quarterback’s career.
Roethlisberger ranks fifth in passing yards and eighth in touchdown passes in NFL history. He will become eligible for consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2027.
The 11th selection in last year’s draft was Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu by the New York Jets.
Best No. 11 pick from the SEC: Tennessee defensive end Doug Atkins by the Cleveland Browns in 1953
No. 11 has been the spot for all-star defensive players from the SEC. Bill Stanfill, Wilbur Marshall, Patrick Willis and Minkah Fitzpatrick have been Pro Bowlers and All-Pros. Willis has reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But Atkins preceded any of them.
Atkins played 17 seasons in the NFL, but his best ones didn’t come with the Browns. He earned eight Pro Bowl invitations in a nine-season span with the Chicago Bears.
Atkins played on an NFL championship team with the Browns in 1954 and another one with the Bears in 1963, when he earned All-Pro recognition.
Atkins joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame with its Class of 1982.
The most recent of the 12 SEC players chosen at No. 11 is Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams in 2019 by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Best No. 11 pick with Alabama football roots: Troy defensive end DeMarcus Ware by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005
An Auburn High School alumnus who played mainly outside linebacker in the NFL, Ware piled up 138.5 sacks in 12 seasons and led the league in that stat with 20 in 2008 and 15.5 in 2010.
Ware received nine Pro Bowl invitations and earned first-team All-Pro recognition four times on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2023.
In the 2015 season, Ware helped the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50.
The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 11 pick in the NFL Draft on April 24.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.