Best 1st-Rounders Ever …Thursday Cup O’Chiefs
Here’s our premise for today:
Who were the best first-round draft choices in the NFL since the merger in 1970?
Our picks are based on their position in the round. It’s not whether they were taken in the first round, but where they were selected. In other words, who was the best 12th pick taken in the first round of the NFL Draft from 1970 to 2005? Who was the most productive player taken with the 25th pick?
We are going to leave out last year’s draft since those players haven’t gotten the chance to prove themselves worthy of all-time status yet. But that leaves 39 other drafts, with very familiar names and others who do not come as quickly to mind.
Obviously, this is very subjective, which is why I’ve included honorable mention selections at almost every slot. Also remember that picks No. 27 through 32 have not always been in the first round. It was 1976 that picks No. 27 and 28 joined the first round, with No. 29 and No. 30 coming in 1995, No. 31 in 1999 and No. 32 in the 2002 Draft. There were various exceptions along the way, like the ‘95 draft when new teams in Jacksonville and Carolina received a pair of first round selections.
So here we go, the best first-round picks, spot by spot:
| # | Player | Year | Team | On the Pick |
| 1 | Terry Bradshaw | 1970 | Pittsburgh |
So many possible picks at No. 1, but Bradshaw is the choice because of his four Super Bowl titles with the Steelers. He was the catalyst behind the last two championships in Pittsburgh with the passing game. Honorable mention: John Elway (‘83/Baltimore); Troy Aikman (‘89/Dallas), Peyton Manning (‘98/Indianapolis.) |
| 2 | Lawrence Taylor | 1981 | NY Giants |
Tough to pick against Eric Dickerson (‘83/Rams), but L.T. was the defensive player of his generation and set a new standard on that side of the football for production. HM: Dickerson, Randy White (‘75/Dallas), Tony Dorsett (‘77/Dallas), Marshall Faulk (‘94/Indianapolis.) |
| 3 | Anthony Munoz | 1980 | Cincinnati |
One of the best blockers in the history of the game, Munoz was a block of granite at left tackle over his 185-game career. He had to be, to beat out Barry Sanders (‘89/Detroit) for this honor. HM: Sanders, Carl Banks (‘84/Giants.) |
| 4 | Walter Payton | 1975 | Chicago |
A lot of great fourths, including Derrick Thomas (‘89/Chiefs), but Payton was the most complete RB in NFL history; there wasn’t one aspect of the game he did not handle well. HM: Thomas, John Hannah (‘73/New England), Dan Hampton (‘79/Chicago), Edgerrin James (‘99/Indy.) |
| 5 | Deion Sanders | 1989 | Atlanta |
Tough choices at No. 5 between Sanders, CB Michael Haynes (‘76/New England) and LB Junior Seau (‘90/San Diego.) Sanders got the nod for his ability to help teams win championships. HM: Haynes, Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson (‘01/San Diego.) |
| 6 | Richard Seymour | 2001 | New England |
Seymour was the heart of those championship defenses with the Patriots. He was solid at both tackle and end. HM: John Riggins (‘71/NY Jets), Jams Lofton (‘78/Green Bay), Tim Brown (‘88/Oakland), Torry Holt (‘99/St.Louis.) |
| 7 | Champ Bailey | 1999 | Washington |
Bailey is one of the league’s best defensive players over the last 20 years, although he lacks a championship. Plus, the seventh spot has not been strong over the last 30 years. HM: Phil Simms (‘79/NY Giants), Troy Vincent (‘92/Miami), Adrian Peterson (‘07/Minnesota.) |
| 8 | Ronnie Lott | 1981 | San Francisco |
Drafted as a cornerback out of Southern Cal, Lott eventually moved to safety and became a Hall of Famer on the team of the 1980s. HM: Ottis Anderson (‘79/St. Louis), Willie Roaf (‘93/New Orleans.) |
| 9 | Bruce Matthews | 1983 | Houston |
Matthews played 296 games, working at center, guard and tackle over the years for the Oilers and Titans in a Hall of Fame career. HM: Brian Urlacher (‘00/Chicago.) |
| 10 | Marcus Allen | 1982 | Oakland |
There have been a lot of outstanding 10s over the years, including Rod Woodson (‘87/Pittsburgh), but Allen was a complete running back, and he was clutch. HM: Woodson, Jerome Bettis (‘93/Rams.) |
| 11 | Michael Irvin | 1988 | Dallas |
Irvin was the emotional leader of the Dallas teams that ruled the first half of the 1990s. He was also a clutch receiver. HM: Keith Van Horne (‘81/Chicago), Wilber Marshall (‘84 Chicago), Dwight Freeney (‘02/Indianapolis.) |
| 12 | Clay Matthews | 1978 | Cleveland |
Although he didn’t play as many games as his brother, Matthews was part of 278 games over his career with the Browns, with numerous Pro Bowl trips. HM: Warren Sapp (‘95/Tampa Bay), Shawne Merriman (‘05/San Diego.) |
| 13 | Franco Harris | 1972 | Pittsburgh |
Harris’ Immaculate Reception changed the fortunes of a long-time losing franchise and helped the Steelers win four championships in six years. HM: Kellen Winslow (‘79/San Diego), Tony Gonzalez (‘97/Kansas City.) |
| 14 | Jim Kelly | 1983 | Buffalo |
Kelly started in the USFL, but once he joined the Bills, they became the strongest team in the AFC, with four trips to the Super Bowl. HM: Randy Gradishar (‘74/Denver), Eddie George (‘96/Houston.) |
| 15 | Isaac Curtis | 1973 | Cincinnati |
Over a 12-year career with the Bengals, Curtis was a big-play target catching 53 TD passes among his 416 receptions. HM: Dennis Smith (‘81/Denver), Wayne Gandy (‘94/LA Rams.) |
| 16 | Jerry Rice | 1985 | San Francisco |
Quite possibly one of the best value choices in the first round ever. Rice played 20 years, 303 games with 1,549 catches and 197 TDs, plus multiple Super Bowl rings. HM: Russ Francis (‘75/New England), Troy Polamalu (‘03/Pittsburgh.) |
| 17 | Emmitt Smith | 1990 | Dallas |
Quite possibly one of the best value choices in the first round ever. Over his 15-year career he had 18,355 rushing yards and 175 touchdowns, plus multiple Super Bowl rings. HM: Doug Williams (‘78/Tampa Bay) |
| 18 | Art Monk | 1980 | Washington |
One of the most productive receivers in NFL history, with multiple Super Bowl rings. HM: None. |
| 19 | Marvin Harrison | 1996 | Indianapolis |
Despite his lack of stature and size, Harrison was one of the NFL’s most consistent and productive receivers as Peyton Manning’s favorite target. HM: Shaun Alexander (‘00/Seattle.) |
| 20 | Jack Youngblood | 1971 | Los Angeles Rams |
Hall of Famer who played over 200 games for the Rams and helped them to Super Bowl XIV despite playing on a broken leg. HM: Will Wolford (‘86.Buffalo), Steve Atwater (‘89/Denver.) |
| 21 | Lynn Swann | 1974 | Pittsburgh |
While his career was short with just 115 games, Swann was one of the best clutch receivers in recent NFL history; that’s why he’s in the Hall of Fame. HM: Jerry Robinson (‘79/Philadelphia), John Alt (‘84/Chiefs.) |
| 22 | Andre Rison | 1986 | Indianapolis |
By the time he came to the Chiefs, Rison was at the end of his troubled career. But over 12 seasons, he caught 84 TD passes, including 15 in one season. HM: Hanford Dixon (‘81/Cleveland), William Perry (‘85/Chicago.) |
| 23 | Ray Guy | 1973 | Oakland |
Many consider Guy the greatest punter in the history of the game; he comes up for Hall of Fame consideration on a regular basis. HM: Ozzie Newsome (‘78/Cleveland), Ty Law (‘95/New England). |
| 24 | Ed Reed | 2002 | Baltimore |
One of the most prolific safeties in the last 10 seasons; his big plays have been a key part to the Ravens defensive success. HM: Ray Chester (‘70/Oakland), James Brooks (‘81/San Diego), Chris Johnson (‘08/Tennessee.) |
| 25 | Ted Washington | 1991 | San Francisco |
Washington will play this season for the Browns, his 17th in the league, with 231 games played. Over time, the 25th spot has been pretty weak in production. HM: Stanley Morgan (‘77/New England.) |
| 26 | Ray Lewis | 1996 | Baltimore |
Lewis was the heart of the Ravens team that won a championship behind its defense. HM: Joe DeLamillure (‘73/Buffalo), Alan Faneca (‘98/Pittsburgh.) |
| 27 | Dan Marino | 1983 | Miami |
Rumors about his off-field life dropped Marino in the ‘83 Draft, but Don Shula was smart enough to know greatness. He ranks as one of the greatest value picks in first-round history. HM: DeAngelo Williams (‘06/Carolina) |
| 28 | Darrell Green | 1983 | Washington |
Over his 20-season career, Green played in 295 games, with 54 interceptions for the Redskins and several titles. HM: Derrick Brooks (‘95/Tampa Bay.) |
| 29 | Nick Barnett | 2003 | Green Bay |
There have been 14 players taken in the first round at this position and it’s a pool of mediocrity and busts. Barnett became a starter as a rookie in the middle of a sometimes under-rated Packers defense. HM: None. |
| 30 | Reggie Wayne | 2001 | Indianapolis |
Wayne has become one of the most productive and prolific receivers in the league, even though he plays second fiddle to Marvin Harrison. HM: Patrick Kerney (‘99/Atlanta), Keith Bulluck (‘00/Tennessee) |
| 31 | Al Wilson | 1999 | Denver |
He’s been at the heart of the Denver defense for the last nine years and a frequent visitor to the Pro Bowl. HM: Todd Heap (‘01/Baltimore), |
| 32 | Logan Mankins | 2005 | New England |
Became a starter for the Patriots in his first season with the team. Of the six 32nd picks taken in the first round, Mankins has been the most productive. HM: None. |
On Friday, we will do the same thing with the worst first round selections in the last 40 years.
PERSONNEL UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY
- BRONCOS – RFA TE Tony Scheffler signed tender offer; acquired 2nd-round selections in 2010 and 2011 NFL Drafts in a trade with the Dolphins.
- COLTS – RFAs S Melvin Bullitt and DT Daniel Muir signed tender offers.
- DOLPHINS – acquired WR Brandon Marshall in a trade from the Broncos; Marshall signed a 4-year $47 million contract extension with $24 million in guaranteed payments.
- GIANTS – RFA WR Sinorice Moss signed tender offer.
- LIONS – TE Casey FitzSimmons retired because of the effect from concussions.
- PATRIOTS – signed Australian P David King.
- RAIDERS – RFA LB Kirk Morrison signed tender offer; signed K Swayze Waters.
- RAVENS – RFA OLB Antwan Barnes signed tender offer.
- REDSKINS – signed DE Greg Peterson (Jaguars); RFA DT Anthony Montgomery and OT Stephon Heyer signed tender offers.
Interesting choice–Terry Bradshaw as best #1 pick. He was the catalyst for the Steelers, as is often the case when a franchise QB arrives.
What is puzzling was the widespread disenchantment with him in Pittsburgh following the end of his career. Apparently it is only recently that that rift has begun to heal, but what caused it in the first place?
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Pretty cool Bob.
Cheers!
Tracy,
Believe it or not…Bradshaw suffers from anxiety attacks, and was for a long time afraid to appear in public. I think the whole “disenchantment” started when he didn’t attend Art Rooney’s funeral, due to his “condition”…which he now controls with medication.
Being a Steeler “man”, Bob could probably write a good story on this very subject (hint, hint…slow news time coming up post-draft, Bob).
I love Bradshaw. One of my favorite all-time players, a good man, and always entertaining to listen to.
I love it. I love how Bradshaw is a straight shooter and I love how he doesnt like big Ben it’s hilarious.
Quite possibly one of the best value blogs in the first round ever, Bob! I counted at least three best value picks in there but when you have guys with talent like Jerry Rice at 16, Emmitt Smith at 17 and Dan Marino picked at 27, I guess you get away with saying that!
“RAIDERS – RFA LB Kirk Morrison signed tender offer”
This may signal a pending transaction for this guy (below 3rd round possibly). Also, Sheffler from the Donkeys may be on the move. Has anyone heard any more rumblings about DJ having status to be on the trading block or is he gonna be in Red & Gold this season?
SG,
since DJ signed his offer, and I dont think he has much trade value…at all, hes on the roster now and I think he will be at the end of the season as well
No one wants him. He is an average player at best. Its why he fell so far to us in the draft he was never a steal he just has motivational issue’s. My theory the guy just doesn’t love football all that much but is very gifted.
Miami gets Scheffler and Marshal? Wow Chiefs could have used either