Two of the first five picks in the 2018 NFL Draft — Baker Mayfield and Bradley Chubb — were former three-star recruits, while all of the first five picks in the 2019 NFL Draft were former four- or five-star recruits. Nonetheless, the average recruiting star rating was lower in 2019 than in 2018.
After the Tennessee Titans selected former five-star recruit Jeffery Simmons with the 19th pick, seven of the next eight selections were not former four- or five-star recruits, a run that included Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard, a zero-star recruit with zero FBS offers.
Last year's 32 first-round picks had an average star rating of 3.73:
Stars
Number of Players
5
7
4
9
3
13
2
1
0
2
This year's 32 first-round picks had an average star rating of 3.59:
