The 2017 NFL Draft will officially begin on Thursday. By Friday, we will know every player taken in the First Round. Some of them will go onto have an average career, some of them will be key players on their team, some of them will flop, and perhaps a few of them will be Hall of Fame caliber players. Every team drafts a player in the first round with the hopes that they will make their team better. Here is the one player that each team has taken since 1990 that proved to be there best.
NOTE-This is based solely on what this player did for that team, not their entire career, also Eli Manning is not eligible because the Giants did not technically draft him.
NOTE-This is based solely on what this player did for that team, not their entire career, also Eli Manning is not eligible because the Giants did not technically draft him.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, 2004, 3rd Pick
This one's a no-brainer. Fitzgerald is arguably the best player in franchise history and perhaps one of the top-five Wide Receivers of all time. Fitzgerald has been known for his big game performance. Putting the team on his back during the 2008 playoffs and bringing the lowly Arizona Cardinals just a matter of moments away from winning a world championship.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, 2008, 3rd Pick
You could have also slotted Julio Jones or maybe even Michael Vick here, but I feel as if the Falcons would not have even sniffed the Super Bowl had it not been before the reigning league MVP. Ryan has led the Falcons to the playoffs in five of his nine seasons including two trips to the NFC title game. Ryan has been everything and more then the Falcons expected him to be.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Ray Lewis, Linebacker, 1996, 26th Pick
The Ravens have done a pretty solid job drafting in the first round since 1996. They actually nailed the first round in 1996. Drafting two Hall of Famers. Taking tackle Jonathan Ogden earlier in the 1996. Lewis was the heart and soul of the Ravens as well as the entire city of Baltimore. Lewis led one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history, guiding the Ravens to the Super Bowl in 2000 while also being named Super Bowl MVP. Lewis also bookmarked his career in 2012 with another Super Bowl win.
BUFFALO BILLS
Eric Moulds, Wide Receiver, 1996. 24th Pick.
The Bills have not had very good luck at drafting in the first round. I almost put Nate Clements here, but I decided to go with Eric Moulds. People forget just how productive Eric Moulds was with run of the mill quarterbacks. Moulds had three years in Buffalo where he had over 1,300 yards receiving. Moulds was a three time Pro-Bowler, led the AFC in receiving yards in 1998 and was named to the Bills 50th Anniversary team. He wasn't a great player, but he was the Bills best first round selection since Bruce Smith in 1985.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Cam Newton, Quarterback, 2011, 1st Pick
I could have also slotted Julius Peppers here, but Newton is far and away the best Quarterback the Panthers have ever had and despite his down year last year, I think he will get the Panthers back to the Super Bowl at some point. Newton has become the leader of the team and the community in Charlotte who is only 27, which means he could have six or seven more prime years ahead of him. Newton exploded in 2015 accounting for 45 touchdowns, but he will be remembered for his disappointing Super Bowl performance, but he's still young and the face of the Panthers franchise.
CHICAGO BEARS
Brian Urlacher, Linebacker, 2000, 9th Pick
It's only fitting that the best player the Bears have drafted in a long time is a Linebacker. Urlacher was the key piece in one of the most dominant defenses I've ever seen. Urlacher was the mainstay for the Chicago defense for 13 seasons. Urlacher, the 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year also helped take the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006 despite the fact that Rex Grossman was their Quarterback.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, 2011, 4th Pick
Don't get me wrong, A.J Green is a really good player, but this more of a testament to how poorly the Bengals have drafted in the first round (more on that later), A.J. Green has been a dynamic weapon for the Bengals when healthy and is hands down the best wide-out in team history (sorry Chad Ochocinco and Carl Pickens). Green has gone over 1,000 yards five times in his six years in Cincinnati. Green finished with 964 yards in 2016 after only playing in 10 games due to injury. If Green averages just over 100 yards per game for the next 28 games, he would become the quickest to 10,000 yards receiving.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle, 2007, 3rd Pick
The Browns have had a lot of awful picks since 2000, but they have hit one home run in the first round. Joe Thomas has been the best Tackle in the game for almost a decade. The caveat is that he's been surrounded by a historically bad team, but that hasn't stopped Thomas. He's been named to the Pro Bowl each of his 10 seasons, been a seven time First Team All-Pro and has never missed a snap in his 10 year career. Thomas is bound to be in the Hall of Fame.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Emmitt Smith, Running Back, 1990, 17th Pick
This might have been one of the easiest selections for this list. Smith is the all-time leading rusher, a former league MVP and Super Bowl MVP. It's crazy to think that the Jets took Blair Thomas with the second pick over Emmitt Smith. Smith paired with Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin to form the best team of the 1990's. Smith only had two seasons in Dallas where he ran for less than 1,000 yards. His first and last seasons, which he ran for just under 1,000 yards in both of those.
DENVER BRONCOS
Von Miller, Linebacker, 2011, 2nd Pick
Three of the top four picks from the 2011 NFL Draft make this list. It's safe to say that this draft might have been one of the best ever. Von Miller reminds me a lot of Derrick Thomas. He basically single handedly won the Broncos the Super Bowl in 2015. Miller has been named to the Pro Bowl and had more than 10 sacks in five of his six seasons, The only season he didn't? 2013 when he missed six games due to a suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy.
DETROIT LIONS
Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, 2007, 2nd Pick
The Lions had a plethora of awful Wide Receiver selections in the early 2000's, but they made up for it by drafting Megatron with the second pick in 2007. Johnson will forever be remembered for his relatively short career (just nine seasons). But Johnson was the most threatening Wide Receiver of his time. Johnson holds the record for quickest to 10,000 yards (115 games), most receiving yards in a season (1,964 in 2012) and was a six time Pro-Bowler. Johnson went over 1,000 yards in seven of his nine seasons in Detroit.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, 2005, 24th Pick
Let me start out by stating the obvious. Aaron Rodgers should have not been taken 24th but the Packers are thrilled that he fell to them. Rodgers spent three years behind Brett Favre, but has since been one of, if not the best Quarterback in the league. Rodgers, a two-time NFL MVP (2010 & 2014) led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl 45 and was named the game's MVP and throws interceptions at a historically low rate. Why did 23 teams pass on him?
HOUSTON TEXANS
J.J Watt, Defensive End, 2011, 11th Pick
J.J Watt becomes the fourth player taken in the 2011 NFL Draft to make this list. Watt is a once in a generation type of player who dominates games when healthy. He's been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in three of his five seasons and has two seasons of more than 20 sacks, Watt's also on pace to become the second fastest player to reach 100 sacks trailing only Reggie White. Watt needs just 24 in 27 games to do so. Watt will undoubtedly retire as the best defensive player in Texans history.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Peyton Manning, Quarterback, 1998, 1st Pick
Another no-brainer. Just think, does Bill Polian make the Hall of Fame if he passes Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning? Hell no. Peyton turned the Colts from a laughingstock to a premier franchise. Manning retired as one of the top five signal-callers to ever play the game. He led the Colts to two Super Bowls, winning one. Manning was named league MVP four times while with the Colts, and is the NFL's all time leader in both passing yards and touchdowns. I think it's safe to say the Colts made the right choice in 1998.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Fred Taylor, Running Back, 1998, 9th Pick
This was one of the toughest one because the Jaguars are still relatively young and they play in a small market, which makes it tough for people to recognize some of the really good players they had in the late 1990's. Fred Taylor is one of the most underrated players in league history. If Terrell Davis is in the Hall of Fame, Fred Taylor should be too. Taylor played 11 seasons in Jacksonville, he ran for over 1,000 yards in seven of those seasons but for some reason Taylor was only named to one Pro Bowl (2007). Which doesn't make sense because that was statistically sixth best season of his career. Taylor has more rushing scores and yards than Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Larry Csonka.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Tony Gonzalez, Tight End, 1997, 13th Pick.
Derrick Thomas would have made this list had he been drafted in 1990 rather than 1989, but since he wasn't, the second greatest player in team history makes the list. Gonzalez, a basketball player at Cal was a fan favorite in Kansas City and at times was basically their entire offense. In his 12 years in Kansas City, Gonzalez was named to 10 Pro-Bowl and caught 76 touchdowns for 10,940 yards. Gonzalez currently holds Chiefs franchise records for catches, yards and touchdowns. He also currently sits sixth all-time in career touchdowns (111), and is tied with Antonio Gates for most by a Tight End.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Ladanian Tomlinson, Running Back, 2001, 5th Pick.
I almost slotted Junior Seau here, but how can you not include one of the best Running Backs in franchise history? LT helped put the Chargers back on the map in the mid 2000's. Tomlinson was named the 2006 NFL MVP following a season in which he broke the record for most touchdowns in a single season. A record that still stands. Tomlinson ran for over 12,000 yards and had 138 rushing touchdowns for the 'Bolts in his nine seasons in San Diego.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Orlando Pace, Offensive Tackle, 1997, 1st Pick.
Orlando Pace might just be the greatest Offensive Tackle of all-time. The Greatest Show on Turf may not have existed without Pace protecting Kurt Warner's blindside. Pace never missed a game from 1998 to 2005. During Pace's 12 year tenure with the Rams, he was a seven time Pro-Bowler and was named to the NFL's all-decade team in the 2000's.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Jake Long, Offensive Tackle. 2008, 1st Pick
The Dolphins haven't had many first rounders pan out. The 'Phins only having one first round pick from 1999 to 2004 certainly didn't make this list any easier either. Jake Long had the potential to be every bit as good of a player as Joe Thomas, but nagging injuries derailed his career, forcing him to recently retire. Long only played five seasons with Miami, four of which resulted him being named to the Pro Bowl.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Randy Moss, Wide Receiver, 1998, 17th Pick
I argued with myself over whether to give it to Randy Moss or Adrian Peterson, I even considered calling it a tie, but in the end gave the edge to Moss. Moss took the NFL by storm in 1998 pairing with Hall of Famer Cris Carter and a rejuvenated Randall Cunningham. Moss, might be best remembered for his record breaking 2007 season with the Patriots, but make no mistake Moss was a beast in Minnesota too. Corralling in 587 catches for 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns in the North Star State.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Ty Law, Cornerback, 1995, 23rd Pick
I argued between putting Law, Willie McGinest or Vince Wilfork on this list, but ultimately settled for Ty Law. Law played 10 seasons for the Patriotswhere he earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and amassed 36 Interceptions which is tied for the team record. Law recorded a league high nine interceptions in 1998 and might be best remembered by Patriots fans for his performances in big games. Law had a pick six in Super Bowl 36 against the Rams and picked off Peyton Manning three times in the 2003 AFC Championship Game
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Willie Roaf, Offensive Tackle, 1993, 8th Pick
I will always remember Willie Roaf for finishing his Hall of Fame career with the Chiefs as part of one of the best offensive lines this decade has seen, but prior to that Roaf toiled away in New Orleans for nine seasons where he earned seven Pro-Bowl appearance and became a three time NFL-All Pro while being named to the 1990's All-Decade Team.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Odell Beckham, Jr., Wide Receiver, 2014, 12th Pick
It might be too early to put OBJ on this list, but the Giants haven't really have any impressive first round picks that they've actually drafted and I think OBJ is the best receiver in the game right now. OBJ already has over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in just 43 career games. He has the potential to finish the game as perhaps the greatest to ever play.
NEW YORK JETS
Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, 2007, 14th Pick
I know the Darrelle Revis experiment did not end the way Jets fans would have liked it to, but Revis was the best shutdown corner in the game during his prime leading to the creation of "Revis Island". In eight seasons, Revis was named to five Pro-Bowls and hauled in 25 interceptions.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Charles Woodson, Cornerback, 1998, 4th Pick
The Raiders have been notorious for drafting poorly in the first round. I contemplated putting Khalil Mack here, but I think it's just a wee bit too early. While Charles Woodson had the best years of his career in Green Bay, he did haul in 27 Interceptions in 10 seasons with the silver and black including nine after the age of 37.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, 1999, 2nd Pick
Eagles fans might not like the idea of Donovan McNabb being their best first round draft pick, but the numbers don't lie. McNabb took the Eagles to five NFC Championship games as long as one Super Bowl. McNabb made six trips to the Pro Bowl during his 11 seasons in the city of Brotherly Love. He holds the Eagles passing records in both yards and touchdowns.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, 2004, 11th Pick.
I wanted to put Troy Polamalu here, but I couldn't convince myself to not put Ben Roethlisberger in this spot. Roethlisberger has led the Steelers to three Super Bowls in his 13 seasons there, collecting two rings, including leading them on a legendary game-winning drive in Super Bowl 43. Despite battling, through multiple injuries and a four game suspension Roethlisberger has only missed 18 starts in his 13 seasons. He holds the team passing records in both yards and touchdowns. Roethlisberger has thrown for over 48,000 yards and 300 Touchdowns. Both of which are Hall of Fame caliber numbers.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Bryant Young, Defensive Tackle, 1994, 7th Pick
Bryant Young was a vastly underrated Defensive Linemen for the 49ers. Young spent his entire 14 year career with the 49ers, something that's pretty rare in today's game. Young was a rookie on the 49ers squad that won Super Bowl 29, Young amassed 89.5 sacks (third in team history). Young earned four trips during to the Pro Bowl during his time in San Francisco.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Walter Jones, Offensive Tackle, 1997, 6th Pick
In case you haven't noticed, there's a lot of Offensive Linemen on this list. That's because they are more valuable than we give them credit for. Walter Jones spent his entire 13 year career with the Seahawks protecting Matt Hasselbeck's blindside and paving the way for Shaun Alexander's MVP season in 2005. Jones played in nine Pro-Bowls, but perhaps the most remarkable stat Jones had was his incredible display of discipline. Jones was only called for nine holding penalties, and only gave up 23 sacks in his career.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Derrick Brooks, Linebacker, 1995, 28th Pick
I nearly put their other first round pick from 1995, Warren Sapp on this list, but Sapp left for bigger money after the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2002. Derrick Brooks played his entire 13 year career in Tampa Bay. The 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was the heart and soul of one of those most dominant defenses in NFL history. Brooks made 11 Pro Bowls during his career in Tampa Bay and hauled in 25 picks in his career, including a touchdown in Super Bowl 37.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Steve McNair, Quarterback, 1995, 3rd Pick
Steve McNair helped pave the way for Quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Michael Vick. McNair did something that seemed impossible, leading the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999 and just six yards away from potentially winning it all. McNair played 11 seasons in Tennessee during which he led them to the playoffs four times, threw for over 27,000 yards and 156 touchdowns. McNair was also named the NFL's Co-MVP along with Peyton Manning in 2003.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Sean Taylor, Safety, 2004, 5th Pick
Fun fact-The Redskins only had a first round pick three times from 1970 to 1990. Two of which they used to pick Hall of Famers Darrell Green and Art Monk (the other was Mark May). Sean Taylor is on this list because of his potential. Taylor was on pace to become one of the all-time greats before his tragic death in 2007. Taylor only played three and a half years for the Redskins but during that time he quickly became known as a hard-hitting, ball hawk forcing five fumbles and amassing 12 picks, including five in just nine games prior to his death in 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment