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Where Top Players Went in the NFL Draft
Jimmy Boyd wants to take you on a stroll down memory lane with a look
back at NFL Draft history to see what year some of the all-time greats
were drafted and with what pick they were selected. With no further ado,
here is Jimmy's look back at the rich history of the NFL Draft.
QB Brett Favre – Atlanta Falcons (1991) 2nd round, 33rd overall pick
(Southern Miss)
Brett Favre certainly made his mark on the NFL like few players have
before him, but would he have made the same impact had he squatted under
center for the Falcons, the team that originally drafted him, all these
years. You never know, but Brett Favre being associated with anything
but the Packers just doesn't seem right.
RB Walter Payton – Chicago Bears (1975) 1st round, 4th overall pick
(Jackson State)
Perhaps the best running back to ever step on the football field came
from a school that most of us have never heard of. Bears' scouts did
their homework and 10 years later it would finally pay off as the Bears
won their first and only Super Bowl title.
WR Jerry Rice – San Francisco 49ers (1985) 1st round, 16th overall pick
(Mississippi Valley State)
The greatest receiver to ever play the game was yet another guy which
came out of a very reclusive school. No player before or after him has
made the position look like an art form. Rice had an unmatched set of
hands and ran precision routes. It never hurts to have a Hall of Fame QB
to throw you the ball either.
QB Joe Montana – San Francisco 49ers (1979) 3rd round, 82nd overall pick
(Notre Dame)
Some experts consider Joe Montana the greatest draft pick of all time as
no QB in the history of the game has been as clutch a player and as
proven of a winner. Let Mr. Montana be an example to all weak-armed QBs
everywhere.
DT "Mean" Joe Green – Pittsburgh Steelers (1969) 1st round, 4th overall
pick (North Texas)
There was little doubt that "Mean" Joe Greene was going to be a force in
the NFL. Throughout the early part of the 1970's, he was arguably the
best defensive lineman in the NFL. Now, he is considered one of the best
defensive lineman to ever play the game.
DB Darrell Green – Washington Red Skins (1983) 1st round, 28th overall
pick (Texas A&M Kingsville)
The Red Skins discovered a gem from a little known division II program
in Darrell Green. He is highly regarded as one of the best defensive
backs in football and also one of its fastest players.
OG Jerry Kramer – Green Bay Packers (1958) 4th round (Idaho)
Kramer was a 5-time All-Pro for the Packers in 11 NFL seasons. He was an
integral part of a Packers team which won five NFL titles and the first
two Super Bowls. Kramer also served as the Packers' kicker several
seasons.
RB Emmit Smith – Dallas Cowboys (1990) 1st round, 17th overall pick
(Florida)
Smith is the back that broke Walter Payton's rushing record. More so
than speed or power, Smith used intelligence and durability to become
one of the game's best backs.
QB Dan Marino – Miami Dolphins (1983) 1st round, 27th overall pick
(Pitt)
Some would still consider Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino the best ever at
his position, but the fact that he was never able to win Super Bowl
hangs over his head in terms of this discussion. He shouldn't have worn
unlucky 13 on his jersey.
While many of the great NFL players of all-time were taken in the first
round, as you can see above, there have been some fantastic sleepers
that have slipped into the late rounds. Make sure you check out Jimmy
Boyd's draft sleepers article to
see some of the greats that initially flew under the radar.
March 24th, 2008
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