[Giants]

Every NFL team retains their own 1st round pick in the NFL draft. When was the last time that happened?

I’m guessing it had to be prior to 1961 when the league began to expand by adding Dallas and Minnesota. Logic suggests the fewer the number of teams, the less chance there is of a Round One trade.  

How about 1959 or 1960?

Really good guess. The last time every team had their own first round pick was 1970, the date of the AFL/NFL merger.

Separate question without a definitive answer, but I'd like your opinion: Who was the best ever first overall pick of the NFL draft? Here's the list:
List of first overall NFL draft picks - Wikipedia

I think it's John Elway. Nine Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2x Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP, played in five Super Bowls. Lots of other great #1 overall selections (Earl Campbell, the Mannings, Chuck Bednarik, Ron Yary, Bradshaw, Bruce Smith, Aikman, Russell Maryland). And Stanford had three other #1 overall picks (Bobby Garrett, Plunkett, Luck). For me, it's Elway.

The best ever?  In my opinion, Terry Bradshaw.  He was the catalyst for turning a moribund franchise into one the most iconic brands in the game.

[Giants]

Every NFL team retains their own 1st round pick in the NFL draft. When was the last time that happened?

I’m guessing it had to be prior to 1961 when the league began to expand by adding Dallas and Minnesota. Logic suggests the fewer the number of teams, the less chance there is of a Round One trade.  

How about 1959 or 1960?

Really good guess. The last time every team had their own first round pick was 1970, the date of the AFL/NFL merger.

Separate question without a definitive answer, but I'd like your opinion: Who was the best ever first overall pick of the NFL draft? Here's the list:
List of first overall NFL draft picks - Wikipedia

I think it's John Elway. Nine Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2x Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP, played in five Super Bowls. Lots of other great #1 overall selections (Earl Campbell, the Mannings, Chuck Bednarik, Ron Yary, Bradshaw, Bruce Smith, Aikman, Russell Maryland). And Stanford had three other #1 overall picks (Bobby Garrett, Plunkett, Luck). For me, it's Elway.

The best ever?  In my opinion, Terry Bradshaw.  He was the catalyst for turning a moribund franchise into one the most iconic brands in the game.