These former Orange standouts were high picks in the annual NFL Draft, and the newest version of the draft comes about this week.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, as the first round begins on Thursday night. While the current version of the Syracuse Orange are unlikely to see one of their players get selected in Round 1 of this year's event, Syracuse has had a strong history of offensive players getting selected with early picks.
Here are some of the offensive players who heard their names called early.
Honorable Mention - Walt Patulski (No. 1 overall, 1972)
Patulski only gets the honorable mention nod because he was a Syracuse native, but he did not actually play for the Orange. Born in Fulton, N.Y., Patulski played at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse before playing college football at Notre Dame.
After an All-American career in South Bend, Ind., Patulski was The No. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1972 NFL Draft.
Patulski's career ended in 1977 after suffering a back injury.
A defensive end, he suited up in 70 career games, recovering three fumbles and registering 21.5 sacks.
Ernie Davis (No. 1, 1962)
A running back, Davis helped lead Syracuse to the school's lone national championship in 1959. In 1961, Davis became the school's first -- and only -- Heisman Trophy winner.
In three seasons, he played in 29 games, carrying the ball 360 times for 2,386 yards. He had 20 career touchdowns on the ground and added four more in the passing game.
Davis was selected by Washington but was immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns.
Donovan McNabb (No. 2, 1999)
Arguably the greatest quarterback in program, McNabb led Syracuse to two consecutive Big East Conference championships during his four years in Central New York. McNabb was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
McNabb's walk to the podium is one of the most famous moments in NFL Draft history. Philadelphia fans in attendance were hoping to see their team select Heisman Trophy winning running back Ricky Williams, and after McNabb's name was announced, fans began booing.
The 49-year-old was a six-time Pro Bowler who helped the Eagles get to the Super Bowl in the 2004 season.
Jim Brown and Floyd Little (No. 6, 1957 and '67)
Brown and Little had many similarities despite a decade difference between their playing careers. Both running backs were selected No. 6 overall in their respective draft classes. Brown was picked by the Cleveland Browns while Little was picked by the Denver Broncos.
Both Brown and Little wore No. 44 at Syracuse, both eventually became Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, and both are honored with statues outside the football's practice complex.
Brown spent three years with the Orange, playing in 24 games and amassing 2,091 yards rushing. He had 19 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in his career. His 14 touchdowns in 1956 led his conference.
Roger Davis (No. 7, 1960)
Davis would go to play seven season in the NFL, including the 1963 NFL season when he won a championship as a member of the Chicago Bears.
The 6'3' guard is still one of only two guards ever selected in the first round of the draft by the Bears. In 2013, Kyle Long joined Davis as the only other player to meet that criteria in franchise history.
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