Who is the oldest rookie in NFL history?

Otis Douglas is the oldest rookie in NFL history, with the former Philadelphia Eagles QB making his NFL debut at 35. Douglas played for the Eagles for four seasons (1946–1949). In 1946, Douglas became the oldest NFL rookie ever at 35, a record that remains today.

At 35, Otis Douglas is not just the oldest rookie in NFL history but one of the oldest rookies across all American professional sports. Although initially brought on as a temporary player, Douglas became a critical starter for the Eagles, playing in 32 games, and was a significant part of the 1948 and 1949 NFL Championship-winning Eagles' teams.

Douglas' also served as head coach and had a losing record of 17-34-4 in the college level. He also worked as an assistant coach of Baltimore Colts, who are now known as the Indianapolis Colts.

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10 oldest rookies in NFL history

Below is the list of top 10 oldest rookies in the NFL history.

Otis Douglas, QB – Rookie Age: 35
Dieter Brock, QB – Rookie Age: 34
Sav Rocca, P – Rookie Age: 32
Ben Graham, P – Rookie Age: 31
Chris Weinke, QB – Rookie Age: 29
Brandon Weeden, QB – Rookie Age: 28
Sam Mills, LB – Rookie Age: 27
Kurt Warner, QB – Rookie Age: 27
Mike Anderson, RB – Rookie Age: 27
Jordan Atkins, TE – Rookie Age: 26

Day 1 and Day 2 NFL 2023 Draft order

Day 1 of the NFL Draft is dedicated to prospects selected in the first draft round. These players are granted their special day, while Day 2 sees second and third-round picks get selected. Here is the Draft Order in anticipation of the big days.

Round 1

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago)

2. Houston Texans

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. Indianapolis Colts

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

6. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams)

7. Las Vegas Raiders

8. Atlanta Falcons

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans)

11. Tennessee Titans

12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)

13. New York Jets

14. New England Patriots

15. Green Bay Packers

16. Washington Commanders

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

18. Detroit Lions

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20. Seattle Seahawks

21. Los Angeles Chargers

22. Baltimore Ravens

23. Minnesota Vikings

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

25. New York Giants

26. Dallas Cowboys

27. Buffalo Bills

28. Cincinnati Bengals

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco through Miami and Denver)

30. Philadelphia Eagles

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Round 2

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago)

33. Houston Texans

34. Arizona Cardinals

35. Indianapolis Colts

36. Los Angeles Rams

37. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

38. Las Vegas Raiders

39. Carolina Panthers

40. New Orleans Saints

41. Tennessee Titans

42. New York Jets (from Cleveland)

43. New York Jets

44. Atlanta Falcons

45. Green Bay Packers

46. New England Patriots

47. Washington Commanders

48. Detroit Lions

49. Pittsburgh Steelers

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

51. Miami Dolphins

52. Seattle Seahawks

53. Chicago Bears (from Baltimore)

54. Los Angeles Chargers

55. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota)

56. Jacksonville Jaguars

57. New York Giants

58. Dallas Cowboys

59. Buffalo Bills

60. Cincinnati Bengals

61. Chicago Bears (from Carolina through San Francisco)

62. Philadelphia Eagles

63. Kansas City Chiefs

Round 3

64. Chicago Bears

65. Houston Texans

66. Arizona Cardinals

67. Denver Broncos (from Indianapolis)

68. Denver Broncos

69. Los Angeles Rams

70. Las Vegas Raiders

71. New Orleans Saints

72. Tennessee Titans

73. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)

74. Cleveland Browns (from New York Jets)

75. Atlanta Falcons

76. New England (from Carolina)

77. Los Angeles Rams (from Miami through New England)

78. Green Bay Packers

79. Indianapolis Colts (from Washington)

80. Pittsburgh Steelers

81. Detroit Lions

82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

83. Seattle Seahawks

84. Miami Dolphins

85. Los Angeles Chargers

86. Baltimore Ravens

87. Minnesota Vikings

88. Jacksonville Jaguars

89. New York Giants

90. Dallas Cowboys

91. Buffalo Bills

92. Cincinnati Bengals

93. Carolina Panthers (from San Francisco)

94. Philadelphia Eagles

95. Kansas City Chiefs

96. Arizona Cardinals

97. Washington Commanders

98. Cleveland Browns

99. San Francisco 49ers

100. Las Vegas Raiders (from Kansas City through NY Giants)

101. San Francisco 49ers

102. San Francisco 49ers

About the author

Nick Uzochukwu Igbokwe is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda. He loves the thrill and excitement that comes with the complex plays on the Gridiron. American football is an acquired taste, and he has been hooked on the game since discovering it in 2017 during his University days.

Furthermore, Nick has interviewed agents, medical personnel, and close family members of NFL stars, who have reached out to him after reading his stories.

Know More

Philadelphia Eagles Fans! Check out the latest Eagles Schedule and dive into the Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Tejas Rathi