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Player Picks

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Lay all 13 Hall of Fame No. 1 picks on the table, Manning is getting taken first every time. A record 5-time MVP, 2-time Offensive Player of the Year (henceforth abbreviated as OPOY), a 2-time Super Bowl champion (one with his original team), 7-time First Team All-Pro (plus three Second Teams), a 3-time passing leader, a 4-time touchdowns leader, a 14-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl MVP, Manning is to the NFL as Tim Duncan is to the NBA. What they didn't have in highlight-reel talent (though there was still plenty of that), they more than made up for in mind-numbing consistency over a decade and a half. A franchise player in every since of the word, Manning is in the Colts' and Broncos' halls of fame. 

Has any player revolutionized an entire side of the ball the way Taylor did? The only defensive player to ever win the AP NFL MVP, Taylor is one of three 3-time DPOYs. An 8-time First Team All-Pro, no player did more to impact the game while touching the ball less than LT.

Sanders led the NFL in rushing four times in his 10 seasons, in an era where running backs were still the focal point of the game. A 6-time First Team All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowler (in 10 seasons, remember) Sanders would have won more than one MVP and two OPOYs, and zero playoff games and one playoff game if he'd played for anyone other than the Lions. Then again, it was because he played for the Lions that Barry had to run for his life every play for 10 straight seasons.

He didn't show up until 1975, but Payton made the NFL's All-1970s Team and its All-1980s Team. In addition to winning a Super Bowl, an MVP, an OPOY, an NFL Man of the Year (the last three all in the same season), Payton was a 5-time First Team All Pro and set two unbreakable records: consecutive starts by a running back (170) and coolest nickname (Sweetness).

A cornerstone on consecutive Super Bowl winners that happened to be different teams (Sanders won Super Bowl XXIX with the 49ers and the following Super Bowl with the Cowboys), Prime Time is regarded as the best cornerback of all time and also led the NFL in kick return yardage in 1992. A DPOY in 1994, Sanders was a 6-time First Team All-Pro and an 8-time Pro Bowler. Behind his Prime Time persona, Sanders also revolutionized how the game was played off the field. 

Regarded as the greatest player of all-time by those that saw him play, Brown made an awfully compelling case: Brown led the NFL in rushing eight times; the next closest number is four. The first 3-time MVP, Brown was a Rookie of the Year, an 8-time First Team All-Pro, a 5-time rushing touchdowns leader... and if all that wasn't enough, he managed to lead the Browns to an NFL title. 

Standing at a mighty 6-foot-1, 237 pounds, Turner played center while also leading the NFL in interceptions in 1942. He started both ways for four NFL champions, and in one NFL title game Turner returned a pick-six of the legendary Sammy Baugh 96 yards for a touchdown. Turner was a 7-time First Team All-Pro in a career bisected by World War II. His No. 66 is retired by the Bears.

Possessing the toughness to lead the NFL in tackles and forced fumbles, Lott also displayed the range necessary to twice lead the NFL in interceptions. The star defender on four Super Bowl champions, Lott was an 8-time First Team All-Pro who made the NFL's All-1980s and All-1990s teams.

Next to Peyton Manning, Matthews is the ultimate "set it and forget it" draft pick in NFL history -- his 293 starts are the most for one team among any non-quarterback in league history. Matthews started his career blocking for Earl Campbell and finished blocking for Eddie George; along the way, he reached 14 Pro Bowls, was a 7-time First Team All-Pro, made the All-1990s Team, started at all five positions along the line, and stayed with the franchise from when they were the Houston Oilers to the Tennessee Titans.

Remember, this was considered a gamble at the time. Mahomes came from a system that produced more busts than successes and didn't win a lot in college. All he's done since: five AFC championships, three Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, an OPOY, two First Team All-Pros, a Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award, two passing touchdown championships, and one passing yards championship. And he's 29.

Credit to Butch Jones, whose push to move Watt from Central Michigan tight end to offensive tackle accidentally created the most decorated defensive lineman of all-time. After walking on at Wisconsin, Watt went on to win three DPOYs (tying him with Taylor and one other for the most in league history), five First Team All-Pros and the NFL Man of the Year in 2017. Watt twice led the NFL in sacks and also tied for the lead in forced fumbles. 

Part of a rare fraternity to make two All-Decade Teams, Sapp was a 4-time First Team All-Pro, the NFL's DPOY in 1999, and a Super Bowl champion in 2002. 

For my money, the best defensive tackle in football history. The third player to win three DPOYs, Donald was also the Defensive Rookie of the Year and an 8-time First Team All-Pro. Donald was a 10-time Pro Bowler and anchored the defense on a Super Bowl champion. 

The governor of Revis Island, the best cornerback of his era was named a 4-time First Team All-Pro and earned a spot on the All-2010s Team. The 7-time Pro Bowler is in the Jets' Ring of Honor and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. 

When's the next time a defensive tackle will win the NFL MVP? Page pulled that off in 1971, along with winning two DPOYs (one of eight players to do that) and made five First Team All-Pros and nine Pro Bowls. A member of the NFL 100 and the All-1970s Team, Page led the Vikings to an NFL championship in 1969.

In the argument for greatest football player ever, Rice stands above his peers for his super-human work ethic and dedication to his craft. A 3-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, 2-time OPOY, Rice was a First Team All-Pro every year from 1986 to '96 except for 1991, and was a Second Team All-Pro in 2002, at age 40. He led the NFL in receptions and touchdowns six times and in 1987 became the only wide receiver in league history to lead the NFL in scoring, having caught 22 touchdowns and rushing in a 23rd. He's a member of the NFL 75, the NFL 100, the All-1980s Team and the All-1990s Team.

Considering how much the game has changed since his time, one could argue -- as I am doing literally right now -- that Smith is the Ty Cobb of the NFL. His records of 4,409 career carries for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns will never be approached, let alone broken. (For proof: as of this writing Derrick Henry still has 2,054 carries, 6,932 yards and 58 touchdowns between he and and his fellow Floridian.) Along the way to 18,355 yards, Smith was a Rookie of the Year, a 3-time Super Bowl champion, an MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, an NFL scoring leader, a 4-time First Team All-Pro, an NFL 100 member, and a member of the All-1990s Team.

The Original Cooper DeJean as he was confusingly known at the time, Krause set, and still holds, the NFL record with 81 interceptions on his way to three First Team All-Pros, eight Pro Bowls, and one NFL title. He was named one of the 90 greatest Redskins and 50 greatest Vikings ever. 

A 7-time First Team All-Pro, McDaniel played in a dozen Pro Bowls and is a member of the NFL 100 and the All-1990s Team.

Gregg was a cornerstone on the NFL's first true dynasty, winning five NFL titles and three Super Bowls while making seven First Team All-Pros and the All-1960s Team, the NFL 75 and the NFL 100. 

Moss's role was to take the ball deep and take the top off the defense, and he did that better than anyone in NFL history. Moss led the NFL in touchdown grabs five times while becoming a 4-team First Team All-Pro, a Rookie of the Year, a Comeback Player of the Year, an NFL 100 member, an All-200s Team member, and a Vikings hall of famer and a member of the Patriots' All-Dynasty Team, even though he never won a ring in New England. 

Stautner won the NFL's Best Lineman Award in 1957 and was a 4-time First Team All-Pro en route to winning two Super Bowls. He's a member of the All-1950s Team and has his No. 70 retired in Pittsburgh.

The original Monster of the Midway, George is credited with, essentially, creating the middle linebacker position and the 4-3 defense in which it is built around. Along the way, he made eight All-Pro First Teams, had his No. 61 retired by Chicago, made the All-1950s Team, and won an NFL title.

In an era where quarterback play took over the sport, Rodgers's mastery of the position stood above his peers. He holds NFL records for career passer rating, career TD-INT ratio, single-season passer rating, and single-season interception percentage. Along the way he was a Super Bowl MVP, a 4-time First Team All-Pro, a 4-time passer rating leader, a 10-time passing touchdown leader, an All-2010s Team member, and the unofficial record holder of most ludicrous highlight reel in NFL history. 

25th is the highest selection to never produce a Hall of Famer, though perhaps Hightower changes that someday. The man in the middle of three Super Bowl champions, Hightower was a 2-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Patriots' All-Dynasty Team.

Picks 26–50

The best linebacker of his generation, Lewis owns the NFL records for solo tackles (1,568), combined tackles (2,059), and single-season tackles (156). Along the way, he won two Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, two DPOYs, made 13 Pro Bowls, was a 7-time First Team All-Pro, the All-2000s Team, and the NFL 100.

Like Moss, Marino dropped well below his talent level due to vague character concerns, then immediately put out the career his talent implied. No quarterback led the league in completions more than Marino (six times), and no quarterback was better at sack avoidance than him. Combined with a generational arm, he won an MVP, an OPOY, a Comeback Player of the Year, a Man of the Year, and retired as the NFL's all-time passing leader.

An absolute freak athlete, Brooks forced 24 fumbles, defended 84 passes, swiped 25 interceptions and scored seven touchdowns across his 14-year career -- in addition to racking up 1,713 tackles. Along the way he won a DPOY, was a 5-time First Team All-Pro, led the NFL in solo tackles three times, played in 11 Pro Bowls, made the All-2000s Team and the NFL 100. A Florida man through and through, he made the All-Century Team after starring at Pensacola's Washington High School, has his No. 10 honored by Florida State, has his No. 55 retired by the Bucs after playing all 14 seasons in Tampa, then spent seven years as president of the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm.

Taken in the third round by the expansion Vikings, Tarkenton became one of two Vikings to win the MVP (Alan Page was the other), while leading the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1975. Tarkenton completed a career triple crown, at different points leading the league in touchdowns, passing yards and completion percentage. A 9-time Pro Bowler, Tarkenton's No. 10 is retired by the Vikings.

Like his brother, T.J. started his college career on offense and had to be told to move to the side of the ball where he would ultimately dominate. Watt led the Big Ten in sacks by his fourth game as an outside 'backer, and would go on to become a DPOY and a 4-time First Team All-Pro. Watt is the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks three times, and his 22.5-sack season of 2021 is tied for a single-season league record.

A second-round pick, don't pity the teams who passed on Culp, pity the team who drafted him. The Broncos decided Culp was too small to play defensive line, tried him at guard, didn't like him there, then traded him to the rival Chiefs for a fourth-rounder. The too-small Culp went on to play 14 seasons, win a DPOY and a Super Bowl, appear in six Pro Bowls, and make the Hall of Fame.

The fifth quarterback taken in 2018, in seven seasons Jackson has not only out-shined the rest of the Class of 2018, he's out-accomplished the NFL's all-time passing leader, also taken 32nd (Drew Brees). The NFL's single-season and career record-holder for rushing yards by a quarterback, Jackson also led the NFL in passer rating in 2024 and in touchdowns in 2019. He's one of 11 multiple MVP winners and has more First Team All-Pros (three) than Mahomes and Josh Allen combined (two). 

Favre threw four passes as a Falcon -- none were completions, two were intercepted, and one was a pick-six. As a Packer, Jet and Viking, he became the NFL's all-time passing leader (since broken) and set the league record with 321 consecutive starts. One of six players with three or more MVPs, Favre was a Super Bowl champion, led the NFL in passing touchdowns four times, played in 11 Pro Bowls, made three First Team All-Pros and the All-1990s Team.

For a while there, the face of the NFL was Ham's toothless glare on that iconic 1984 Sports Illustrated cover. Ham patrolled the middle of the Steel Curtain for 11 seasons, winning four Super Bowls while becoming a 6-time First Team All-Pro and an All-1970s Team member.

Somehow not a Hall of Famer, Alstott amassed 5,088 rushing yards, 2,284 receiving yards and 71 touchdowns while primarily blocking for others. He was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, a 6-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion.

Jack Ham before Jack Ham, Nitschke was the man in the middle for the modern NFL's first dynasty. He won five NFL titles and two Super Bowls while being named First Team All-Pro twice and the All-1960s Team.

The forward pass has taken over professional football of late, but Marino, Manning and Mahomes have yet to top Van Brocklin's 554-yard effort against the New York Giants in 1951. Van Brocklin's college career was delayed by World War II, but he'd go on to make nine Pro Bowls, lead the NFL in passing yards, and take two teams to NFL titles. Van Brocklin's career met perhaps the strangest note in NFL history, too: in 1960 he was the league's MVP and quarterbacked the Eagles to an NFL title, but quit the team after he believed the team had broken its promise to name him head coach to replace the retiring Buck Shaw, so by Jan. 18, 1961, Van Brocklin was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

A devout Christian, between the lines Singletary was the most intense player of his time. That intensity drove him to 10 Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl title, seven First Team All-Pros, two DPOYs, and the All-1980s Team. 

I promise we're done lionizing the Lombardi Packers now, y'all. In addition to being (holds breath) a 5-time NFL champion and a 2-time Super Bowl winner, Kramer was a 5-time First Team All-Pro, an All-1960s Teamer, and a member of the NFL 50.

It would help if Strahan apologized for the phony single-season sack record, since equaled by T.J. Watt. Even setting aside his 22nd* sack of the 2001 season, Strahan was a DPOY, a 4-time First Team All-Pro, an All-2000s Team member, has his No. 92 retired by the G-Men, and went out by beating the 19-0 Patriots in his final game. 

In a career that was paused by World War II, Pihos was drafted by the Eagles two seasons before he joined them. After a lackluster 1952 season, the Eagles suspected the 29-year-old was washed up and asked him to take a pay cut. He refused, then led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 1953. He led the league in yards in each of his final three seasons, while winning two NFL titles and making six First Team All-Pros and the All-1940s Team.

A strong argument for the best tight end of all-time, Gronkowski holds the single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end (18), a year in which he led the entire NFL in touchdown grabs. He also grabbed four First Team All-Pro nods, five Pro Bowl trips, four Super Bowl rings, and a spot on the All-2010s Team and the NFL 100.

The Eagles' 1960 QB room has a case to be the most talented of all time, when a rookie Jurgensen backed up the league's MVP in Van Brocklin. After Van Brocklin's retirement, Jurgensen led the NFL in passing as a second-year player in 1961, then four more times throughout his career. Jurgensen led the league in passing five times, tied for second in NFL history. An All-1960s Team member, Jurgensen is in the Eagles' hall of fame and his No. 9 is retired by the Commanders.

A "set it and forget it" draft pick, Dawson was the First Team All-Pro center for six straight seasons from 1993-98. He's on the All-1990s Team and snaps the ball to Terry Bradshaw on the Steelers' All-Time Team.

A 4-time First Team All-Pro, Casper played in five Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with the Raiders.

The toughest call on this list, Allen is a 6-time First Team All-Pro and a member of two all-decade teams and the NFL 100 who narrowly edged out Jack Ham, also a 6-time First Team All-Pro and a member of two all-decade teams and the NFL 100, drafted by the Steelers in 1974. 

Another 6-time First Team All-Pro, Wagner has played in 10 Pro Bowls, led the NFL in combined tackles three times, made the All-2010s Team, and was a key cog in one of the most memorable defenses in NFL history -- the Super Bowl-champion Legion of Boom 2013 Seahawks.

Stephenson played only nine seasons, but those nine seasons put him on the All-Pro First Team four times, into the Pro Bowl five times, on the All-1980s Team and the NFL 100.

The only OPOY from 1984 through 2001 not in the Hall of Fame, Craig was a 3-time Super Bowl champion, a 4-time Pro Bowler, an All-1980s Team member who led the NFL in receptions, as a running back, on a team with Jerry Rice.

Lanier was a Super Bowl champion, an 8-time All-Pro, a 6-time Pro Bowler, an NFL Man of the Year, and a member of the NFL 75 and NFL 100.

Picks 51–75

Jackson retired as the NFL's all-time forced fumbles leader, and led the league in that category four times. A 7-time Pro Bowler, he's in the Saints' hall of fame and won a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

Stabler won the MVP in 1974 but arguably had a better year in 1976, when he led the NFL in completions, yards and passer rating, won the Bert Bell Award and Super Bowl XI. 

Blount led the NFL in interceptions, a year in which he won DPOY and the second of four Super Bowls. He was a 2-time First Team All-Pro, the All-1980s Team, the NFL 75 and the NFL 100.

Jones was a 2-time First Team All-Pro, a 7-time Pro Bowler, and an NFL champion in 1963.

A 4-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time First Team All-Pro, Whitworth went out on top, winning a Super Bowl as the NFL's Man of the Year in 2021.

Umenyiora tied an NFL record in 2010 with 10 forced fumbles, while also winning two Super Bowls, earning a First Team All-Pro nod in 2005, and reaching two Pro Bowls.

The greatest return specialist in NFL history, Hester led the league in kickoff and punt returns twice (separate seasons, each time), was a 3-time First Time All-Pro, a 3-time Special Teams Player of the Year, owns the NFL record with 20 return touchdowns, and made the All-2000s and All-2010s team.

The Browns cut LeBeau in training camp; the Lions turned him into a 3-time First Team All-Pro.

Williams didn't even play college football until his junior year at Southern. A year later he was an All-SWAC player and an NFL draft pick. One career later, he was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler, and an All-1990s Teamer.

Sharper was basically a punt returner playing safety. He returned nine picks for 376 yards, an NFL record, and three touchdowns in 2009 for the Super Bowl champion Saints, and holds the NFL record for most seasons leading the league in interception return yards. In total, the 2-time First Team All-Pro and All-200s Teamer returned 63 interceptions for 1,412 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Apparently, the late second round is the time to draft a defensive back. The enforcer on some ferocious Eagles defenses, Dawkins was a 4-time First Team All-Pro, a 9-time Pro Bowler and joined Sharper on the All-2000s Team.

Before he was known as Grant's dad, Tony Hill was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, a Super Bowl champion, and a member of the Cowboys 50th Anniversary Team.

Before he was known as Taylor Swift's boyfriend, Kelce was making an argument as the best pass-catching tight end in NFL history. Kelce's 174 catches for 2,039 yards and 20 touchdowns are all NFL postseason records for a tight end, his 1,416 yards in 2020 were a regular-season record for a tight end, and his seven 1,000-yard seasons are the most for a tight end. Once a college quarterback, Kelce is now a 4-time First Team All-Pro, a 3-time Super Bowl champion, and seems like a lock to join the small fraternity of players on two All-Decade teams.

One of seven players to lead the NFL in passing four times or more, Fouts was the OPOY in 1982, a 2-time First Team All-Pro and a 9-time Pro Bowler. 

Gore never led the NFL in rushing, yet his 16,000 yards are the third-most in NFL history because he kept showing up. His 241 games are the most by a running back in NFL history. He also played in five Pro Bowls and earned a spot on the All-2010s Team.

Barber's 215 consecutive starts are an NFL record for a cornerback, and his 28 sacks are also a cornerback record. Barber also shared the NFL lead for interceptions in 2001. He was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, a Super Bowl champion, and an All-2010s Team honoree.

In 1981, Anderson was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and MVP. The following year, he set a single-season completion percentage record that stood for more than 25 years. Along the way, he was a 4-time Pro Bowler, a 4-time passer rating champion, and led the Bengals to their first AFC championship.

A 2-time First Team All-Pro and a 7-time Pro Bowler.

Christiansen retired as the most accomplished defensive back in NFL history, with six First Team All-Pros, five Pro Bowls, and three NFL championships. Christiansen led the NFL in interceptions two times and made the All-1950s Team and the NFL 100. 

Warner is a 4-time First Team All-Pro (three consecutive as of this writing) and seems a lock to make the All-2020s Team.

Saimes was a great player, just not for the team who drafted him. He was drafted by the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs and traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he went on to win two AFL titles, make three First Team All-AFLs, and earn a spot on the AFL All-Time Team.

An Eagle at three different point in his career, Trotter was a First Team All-Pro in 2000, a 4-time Pro Bowler, and is in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Taylor led the NFL in forced fumbles on his way to a DPOY, and in 2007 he was the NFL's Man of the Year. A 3-time First Team All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler and an All-2000s Teamer, Taylor holds the NFL record with six scoop-and-scores.

Short stature pushed Wilson to the seventh round, but it didn't stop him from making the All-1960s and All-1970s Team. A 6-time First Team All-Pro and a member of the NFL 75 and NFL 100, Wilson pioneered the safety blitz and also swiped 52 interceptions in his 13-year career.

Also discounted because of his size, Wilson led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls (winning one), made 10 Pro Bowls, and led the NFL in passer rating and touchdowns at different points in his career. 

Picks 76–100

It's tough to stand out as a wide receiver on a team with Jerry Rice, but Taylor found his niche as one of the best returners of the 1980s. A 2-time Pro Bowler, Taylor earned a spot on the All-1980s Team and three Super Bowl rings.

An 8-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, Bethea recorded 105 sacks and his No. 65 is retired by the Titans.

Drafted by the Bears at age 19, Fortmann only played for the Bears because owner George Halas agreed to front the cost for him to attend medical school. In 86 career games, Fortmann became a 6-time First Team All-Pro, made the All-1930s Team and the NFL 100, and helped the Bears win three NFL titles. In 1943, Fortmann spent his week as a practicing surgeon at Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital, flew to Chicago on weekends, helped the Bears win a title as a First Team All-Pro, then retired.

Okay, I lied about being done idolizing the Lombardi Packers, who I think got their PA announcer and three of their top four hot dog salesmen into Canton. Ringo made seven straight First Team All-Pros from 1957-63, the All-1960s Team, 10 Pro Bowls, and won two NFL titles. He remained in the league as a coach until 1988.

Shell was the backbone of all three Raiders Super Bowl winners, earning two First Team All-Pros, eight Pro Bowl nods, and spots on the All-1970s Team and the NFL 100.

The NFL record for most interceptions in a game is four; Norton did it twice. Norton was a 5-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1960.

A national champion at Notre Dame, Montana slipped to the third round, where he set an NFL record with three Super Bowl MVPs while winning four rings in addition to two MVPs, an OPOY, and a Comeback Player of the Year. Montana led the NFL in completion percentage five times, passer rating twice, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler, an SI Sportsman of the Year, and a 2-time AP Athlete of the Year.

A 3-time Super Bowl champion, McCaffrey was a Second Team All-Pro and a member of the Broncos' 50th Anniversary Team.

Mitchell led the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns at different points from 1962-64, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro, a 4-time Pro Bowler. His No. 49 is retired by the Commanders, where he eventually became a 3-time Super Bowl champion as an executive, and he's also in the Browns Hall of Fame.

A 2-time NFL champion, Schmidt was an 8-time First Team All-Pro, a 10-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the All-1950s Team and the NFL 100.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Andersen injured himself on the opening kickoff of his first NFL game. Things improved from there. He retired as the greatest kicker in NFL history, winning two Golden Toe Awards as the best kicker while making the All-Pro First Team four times and the Pro Bowl seven times. He was also represented on the All-1980s and All-1990s Team.

Talk about your all-time role players: Johnson carved out a role on Roger Staubach's Cowboys teams as the best backup wide receiver in the NFL. Playing behind Hall of Famer Drew Pearson and Tony Hill, Johnson became the second player in NFL history to score a touchdown in back-to-back Super Bowls. A top punt returner of his day, Johnson's "California Quake" inspired the NFL to ban planned end zone celebrations for a time. 

"Bullett" Bob Hayes won gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, running a 9.9 100-meter dash and a leg on a 39.06 4x100 relay (both world records at the time.) He then lent his talents to football, where he led the NFL in touchdown catches twice, made two All-Pro First Teams, and won a Super Bowl.

Clearly, the late 80s is the spot to take FCS wide receivers. Owens led the NFL in touchdown grabs three times, was a 5-time First Team All-Pro, made the All-2000s Team, and personally drove Bill Parcells out of coaching during his time as a Cowboy. TO also caught nine passes for 122 yards in Super Bowl XXXIX as an Eagle while playing on a fractured fibula and a severely sprained ankle.

The upstart Houston Texans had never enjoyed a winning season when the club traded for Schaub in 2007; he led them to Wild Card wins in 2011-12 while also making two Pro Bowls and leading the NFL in passing in 2009.

A 2-time Pro Bowler, Westbrook was a First Team All-Pro in 2007 and is an Eagles Hall of Famer.

One of the best blocking wide receivers in NFL history, Ward also caught an even 1,000 career passes and made four Pro Bowls. A Steelers Hall of Famer, he was a 2-time Super Bowl champion and the MVP of Super Bowl XL.

Joiner lasted 18 seasons in the days long before designer cleats, charter flights and sleep pods. He caught an even 750 career passes, a First Team All-Pro nod and three Pro Bowl invites. Joiner's No. 18 is retired by the Chargers.

A College Football Hall of Famer, Everett made the All-Rookie Team and a Pro Bowl, and also won two rings as a Cowboy.

One of the top return men of his day, Upchurch earned a spot on the All-1970s and All-1980s Teams. The Broncos Hall of Famer was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and a 4-time Pro Bowler.

Haley was only taken 96th because he was timed a 4.8 in the 40. A 49ers scout later timed him at 4.55, and the club got a 3-time Pro Bowler who started on two Super Bowl winners. The club later traded him to the Cowboys due to his temper, where he won three more rings, made another All-Pro team and made two more Pro Bowls. The 49ers and Cowboys both put him in their halls of fame.

Hilgenberg is a Saints Hall of Famer who played 10 seasons for the club and made one Pro Bowl.

Branch led the NFL in touchdown grabs twice, made three All-Pro First Teams, and won three Super Bowls.

Drafted by the Dolphins, Theismann joined the Toronto Argonauts out of Notre Dame and didn't become a Washington Redskin until 1974. There, he won an NFL Man of the Year, an MVP, an OPOY, and a Super Bowl.

Two was the number for Bavaro: a 2-time First Team All-Pro, he played in two Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls. He's only in the Giants' ring of honor once, though. 

Picks 101–125

A 4-time First Team All-Pro, Rudnay anchored the middle of the Chief's offensive line for 14 seasons, snapping the team to a Super Bowl VI victory.

Steelers head coach Walt Kessling cut Unitas, a ninth-round draft pick, deeming him not smart enough to play quarterback in the NFL. Unitas worked construction in Pittsburgh while keeping his skills up playing semi-pro ball before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Three MVPs, five First Team All-Pros, four NFL passing titles, three NFL championships and one Super Bowl later, Unitas retired as the best quarterback in football history.

Nicknamed "Gluefingers," Lavelli helped Paul Brown win four All-America Football Conference and three NFL championships, while becoming a 3-time First Team All-Pro. Oddly, he was drafted by the Rams after he'd already led the AAFC in catches and receiving yards in 1946. Either way, catching a football was nothing compared to Lavelli's first profession: participating in the US military's invasion of Western Europe.

Nicknamed "Mad Dog," White was a mainstay on the Steel Curtain, present for all four Super Bowl wins while making a Second Team All-Pro, two Pro Bowls, and the Steelers' All-Time team.

Carson played in nine Pro Bowls, was a 4-time Second Team All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion.

Now the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, Crosby was only offered by Eastern Michigan despite playing at a 5A school in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. So far he's been a 4-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time Second Team All-Pro.

Taken second in the AFL draft by the San Diego Chargers, Sweeney became a 2-time First Team All-AFL player, a 3-time Pro Bowler, and a Chargers Hall of Famer. In 2009, the Professional Football Researchers Association elected Sweeney to the Hall of Very Good.

A broken leg in his senior year of high school pushed Evans to Division II Bloomsburg, where he took an academic, not athletic, scholarship. A 4-time First Team All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler, Evans made the Saints' 50th Anniversary Team and the All-2010s Team.

The Giants had Maynard for a season but released him in his second training camp. He spent 1959 in the CFL before catching on with the Jets, pun intended. Gang Green retired his No. 13 after 13 seasons in which Maynard caught 633 balls for 11,834 yards and 88 touchdowns -- good enough to put him on the AFL All-Time Team. 

Jim Brown's replacement, Kelly led the NFL in rushing twice and in rushing touchdowns three times. A 4-time First Team All-Pro and an All-1960s Teamer, Kelly helped the Browns win the 1964 NFL title and led the league in scoring in 1968. 

Alderman started only one game in his one season as a Lion, but that one start was enough for the Vikings to take him first in the expansion draft the following year. He went on to be a First Team All-Pro, a 6-time Pro Bowler, an NFL champion and a member of the Vikings' 25th Anniversary Team.

In just four seasons, St. Brown has already been a 2-time First Team All-Pro and a 3-time Pro Bowler.

With his long blonde hair making him look like Football Hulk Hogan, Greene was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and a 5-time Pro Bowler. Greene led the NFL in sacks twice and made the All-1990s Team.

Drafted by the Cowboys in 1985, Walker won the USFL MVP for the New Jersey Generals in '85 before joining the Cowboys in '86. He'd go on to be a 2-time Second Team All-Pro and a 2-time Pro Bowler. 

Forget about Cy Young's 511 wins: the most unbreakable record in professional sports is Larry Centers's 827 career receptions as a fullback. A 14-year pro, Centers was a First Team All-Pro in 1996, a 3-time Pro Bowler, and went out a Super Bowl champion with the Patriots.

The undisputed owner of a very rare title in sports: Best QB in Patriots History Other Than Tom Brady. Grogan took the Pats to their only pre-Brady Super Bowl, led the NFL in touchdowns in 1979, and was on the club's 35th Anniversary Team and is in its Hall of Fame.

Drafted by the Oilers, Largent was acquired by the Seahawks after his rookie training camp because his college offensive coordinator happened to be Seattle's QBs and WRs coach. He'd go on to make seven Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro, the All-1980s Team and the NFL 100 while leading the NFL in receiving yards twice.

The All-2010s Team kicker, Gostkowski led the NFL in scoring five times made two All-Pro First Teams and three Pro Bowls while kicking for three Super Bowl winners.

The NFL record holder with 26 seasons played, Blanda didn't hit his stride until his second decade as a pro, when he joined the upstart AFL's Houston Oilers. He was a 3-time AFL champion and an AFL MVP. Blanda was the AP Male Athlete of the Year in 1970, holds the NFL record with 943 extra points made and shares the single-game record with seven touchdown passes.

An All-2010s Team defensive tackle, Atkins was a 2-time First Team All-Pro and an 8-time Pro Bowler. 

A 3-time First Team All-Pro, 3-time Pro Bowler and 3-time Super Bowl champion. Carter's daughter Michelle won a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics in shot put.

Nickerson set an NFL record with 213 combined tackles in 1993. A 5-time Pro Bowler, Nickerson made the All-Pro First Team in '93 and 1997.

Standing 5-foot-7, LaBaron paused his football career to be a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, earning a Bronze Star in Korea. Then, in 1952, he was the NFL's Rookie of the Year. He spent 1954 with the Calgary Stampeders, then returned to Washington in '55, made Pro Bowls in three of his next four years, then retired. The Dallas Cowboys pulled him out of retirement to be their inaugural starting quarterback, and he made the Pro Bowl again in 1962.

An All-1990s Teamer, Coates was a 2-time First Team All-Pro as a Patriot and a Super Bowl champion as a Raven. He's now in the Patriots Hall of Fame. 

If not the best center in NFL history, Webster is the most accomplished: four Super Bowl rings, nine Pro Bowls, six All-Pro First Teams, a spot on the All-1970s and All-1980s teams, as well as the NFL 75 and NFL 100.

Picks 126–150

No defensive player had a better nose for the end zone than Allen: he shares the NFL record with four safeties. The NFL's sack leader in 2007 and 2011, Allen was a 4-time First Team All-Pro and a 5-time Pro Bowler.

Turner averaged 32.7 yards per kickoff return in 1970, good enough to get him in that season's Pro Bowl.

Davis was a 2-time Pro Bowler who accumulated nearly 23,000 punt yards and 130 field goals made in his 11-year career. 

The Vietnam War pushed the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner into the 10th round of the 1964 NFL draft. "Captain America" was worth the wait. Reporting for duty in 1969, Staubach led the NFL in passer rating four times and the Cowboys to two Super Bowl rings, winning MVP once. An All-1970s Teamer, the 1978 NFL Man of the Year was also a member of the NFL 100. 

What a 1-2 punch the Chargers had with Sproles and LaDanian Tomlinson. The 5-foot-6 rolling ball of butcher knives was a member of the Chargers' 50th Anniversary Team, but enjoyed his best years after leaving San Diego in 2010. He set the NFL's single-season all-purpose yardage record as a Saint in 2011 and won a Super Bowl as an Eagle in 2017. Along the way, he played in three Pro Bowls and made the All-2010s Team. 

Drafted as a Packer, Brooks played his way into the Saints Hall of Fame after five years as their starting quarterback. He was a Pro Bowler in 2002.

Meggett played for three teams over his 10 seasons, and for Bill Parcells with all three teams, playing for the Tuna as a Giant, Patriot, and Jet. He led the NFL in punt return yardage twice, made two Pro Bowls, and was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 225, Chancellor looked and played like a linebacker from his safety position. As the enforcer in the Legion of Boom, Chancellor was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, a 4-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion.

Williams played in half a dozen Pro Bowls in 13 seasons as a Bill, and was a Second Team All-Pro in 2010.

Speedie indeed, he set the AAFC record with 1,146 receiving yards in 1947. A 3-time First Team All-Pro, Speedie was an All-1940s Team member who won four AAFC titles and one NFL crown.

A Second Team All-Pro in 1968 and a Pro Bowler in 1969, Nelsen is in the Browns' hall of fame.

A First Team All-Pro and a 2-time Pro Bowler, McClain is best remembered by the masses for shutting down Texas Stadium with a 139-yard performance in a 33-24 Ravens win over the Cowboys. Or maybe that's just me.

Mathis led the NFL in forced fumbles three times, made five Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl. A 14-year Colts player and a current assistant coach, he's in the club's hall of fame.

Mhyra was drafted to play linebacker and guard, but is best remembered for kicking an overtime-forcing field goal in the 1958 NFL Championship, regarded as the time as the best in league history.

A special teams, uh, specialist, Bannister was a First Team All-Pro in 2003. 

Drafted by the Colts, Addison signed with the AFL's Boston Patriots, where he became a 4-time AFL All-Star and served as the first president of the AFL players union.

Not in the Hall of Fame only because of anti-punter bias -- seriously -- Lechler was a 6-time First Team All-Pro, and a member of the All-2000s Team, the All-2010s Team, and the NFL 100. Lechler, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and Adam Vinatieri (retired in 2019) are the only NFL 100 members not in Canton.

For a time Norman was considered the best corner in the game. That time was largely 2015, when he was a First Team All-Pro.

Klecko led the NFL in sacks in 1981, garnering him a DPOY and a First Team All-Pro. His No. 73 is now retired by the Jets.

A member of the Chargers and Patriots' 50th anniversary teams, Harrison won two Super Bowls as a Patriot but garnered First Team All-Pro nods as a member of both teams.

Kittle never caught more than 22 passes as a Hawkeye -- anymore would've incurred a fine, per state law -- but as a Niner he's a 6-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time First Team All-Pro with 538 catches to date.

Azzumah collected 10 interceptions and four touchdowns as a cornerback and return specialist, as well as a Second Team All-Pro nod in 2003.

A First Team All-Pro in 1943, Farman also won an NFL title and garnered a Pro Bowl nod in 1942.

No anti-punter bias here: four 149th picks have appeared in the Pro Bowl, but Dickson is the only First Team All-Pro.

A 3-time First Team All-Pro and a 5-time Pro Bowler, Bates accumulated more than 9,000 career return yards and a spot on the All-1990s Team.

Picks 151–175

Still an active player, Van Ginkel is coming off a Second Team All-Pro nod in 2024.

Kassulke played 10 seasons, winning an NFL title, playing a Pro Bowl, and making the Vikings' 25th Anniversary Team.

The Human Joystick led the NFL in kick return yards in 2004, made the All-Pro First Team in 2003, two Pro Bowls, and the All-2000s Team as a return man. He's also in the Chiefs Hall of Fame.

A unanimous All-American and the 2-time Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, it took until the fifth round of the '96 draft before the Dolphins realized Thomas could play. He made the All-Rookie Team, was a 5-time First Team All-Pro, a 7-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in combined tackles twice, and made the All-2000s Team. Sometimes, this league makes the draft look harder than it is.

Sinclair led the NFL in sacks and forced fumbles in 1998, but somehow only made the All-Pro Second Team. He played in three Pro Bowls in 11 years as a Seahawk and made the club's 35th Anniversary Team.

Newman played both ways at Duke and won an ACC championship as a wrestler. At the pro level, he made four All-Pro teams, four Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, and is in the Dolphins hall of fame.

In 15 seasons, DeMarco was a First Team All-Pro, a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, and played in three Pro Bowls.

A starter on three Super Bowl champions, Novacek was a First Team All-Pro, a Second Team All-Pro, and a 3-time Pro Bowler.

An SEC player of the year, Scott took a detour to the CFL before joining the NFL, where he was a 2-time First Team All-Pro, a 5-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time Super Bowl champion and a Super Bowl MVP. Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Scott is in the College Football and Dolphins Hall of Fame.

A Second Team All-Pro and a 3-time Pro Bowler, Wycheck was the quarterback of the Music City Miracle. That play, plus the three Pro Bowls, but him in the Titans/Oilers Hall of Fame. 

Carmichael led the NFL in receptions and yards in 1973, played in four Pro Bowls, was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, won an NFL Man of the Year, and made the All-1970s Team. He later worked for the team as director of player and community relations for 20 years. Not a bad return on a seventh-round investment.

Graham signed with the AFL's San Diego Chargers, taken with a No. 104 selection, and became a 4-time AFL All-Star in six seasons with the club.

Parish snagged 47 interceptions and scored 13 touchdowns in his 13-year career, which put him on the All-Pro First Team three times and in eight Pro Bowls. He also made the Bengals' 40th and 50th Anniversary teams.

Nick was an All-Rookie Teamer in 2008, a Super Bowl champion in 2009, a Second Team All-Pro in 2010, and a First Team All-Pro in 2011. He's now a Saints Hall of Famer.

Hill was drafted 165th out of West Alabama because he plead guilty of domestic assault and battery by strangulation of his girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time. As a Chief and a Dolphin, he's been a 5-time First Team All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.

Weinmeister, a native of Canada, was drafted by the defunct Brooklyn Tigers in '45, did not turn pro until becoming a New York Yankee in 1948, and spent four years in the NFL as a New York Giant. He was a First Team All-Pro all four seasons.

A 16-year pro, Roby was a 2-time First Team All-Pro and an All-1980s Teamer.

Lamonica was drafted earlier by the NFL's Packers than he was the AFL's Buffalo Bills but the presence of Bart Starr, who'd just led the Pack to two straight NFL titles, pushed him to Buffalo. It was the right call. Lamonica was one of the best players in the AFL's short history: two MVPs, three AFL titles, two AFL passing titles, and an AFL Championship MVP. He later made two Pro Bowls as a Raider, and if the Pro Football Hall of Fame was serious about living up to its name, Lamonica would be part of it.

In 1966, the Giants set NFL records by allowing 72 points in a game and 35.8 points per game; Lockhart made the Pro Bowl. Nicknamed "Spider," Lockhart made the Pro Bowl once more and collected 57 combined fumbles/interceptions in 11 seasons.

Nelms spent his first three seasons in Canada before joining the Redskins in 1980. In five seasons with the club, he made four All-Pro teams, the All-1980s Team, and won a Super Bowl. 

The Bills cut Anderson in training camp, leading to a 13-year, All-Decade Team run in Pittsburgh, where he also made the Steelers' all-time team. He'd go on to play until 2004, making the All-1990s Team, four Pro Bowls, and two All-Pro First Teams.

Alexander was a Pro Bowler in 2016.

Lett started for three Super Bowl champions, made two Pro Bowls, and authored the two of the biggest blunders in NFL history. 

Drafted by the Eagles, Van Dyke was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro for the Steelers.

Walker played 14 seasons in the league and made three straight Pro Bowls as a Titan from 2015-17.

Picks 176–200

Haden spent 1975 playing for the World Football League's Southern California Sun and studying at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He joined the Rams in '76, where he played six seasons and made a Pro Bowl.

Nacua was an All-Rookie Teamer and a Second Team All-Pro as a rookie.

Box played five seasons for the Lions, winning two NFL titles and making two Pro Bowls.

A Saints Hall of Famer, Martin grabbed 553 career passes and a Pro Bowl invite in 1988.

Now a Bronco, Hufanga was a First Team All-Pro in 2022.

Davis spent two years as a Brown before joining the Packers, where he was a 5-time NFL champion, a 5-time First Team All-Pro, a 5-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time Super Bowl champion and joined the All-1960s Team.

Drafted as a tight end, Wright found a home at right tackle when he stoned Hall of Famer Deacon Jones in his first start. He'd go on to make six Pro Bowls, two All-Pro First Teams, win two Super Bowls, and join the All-1970s Team.

In a move that says everything about the Iron Bowl and the state of the Buccaneers at the time, Jackson visited the Bucs on a visit he was led to believe by owner Hugh Culverhouse, a Bama grad, was cleared by the NCAA and the SEC. Turns out, it wasn't. The SEC ruled Jackson ineligible for his senior baseball season at Auburn, but the Bucs drafted Jackson No. 1 anyway in '86. Jackson played for the Kansas City Royals instead. 

Raiders owner drafted Jackson the following year, then made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league while also not requiring him to report until the Royals' season was over. A devastating hip injury cut Jackson's career short after four seasons, but he still rushed for 2,782 yards in 38 games and made a Pro Bowl. 

The Cowboys used the 184th pick on Shaw in '61, the Bills used the ninth. In nine seasons as a Bill, he was a 7-time All-AFL player and a 2-time AFL champion.

Peerman played nine seasons in the league as a special teams player, making a Pro Bowl in 2015. 

In the conversation for the best defensive end of all-time, Jones was a 2-time DPOY, led the NFL in sacks five times, was a 5-time First Team All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler, an All-1960s Team member and included in the NFL 75 and the NFL 100. His No. 75 is now retired by the Rams. 

Hasselbeck lasted 18 seasons, making three Pro Bowls and the Seahawks' 35th Anniversary Team.

Lee led the NFL in punting yards three times, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and a 3-time Pro Bowler.

Banks was a First Team All-Pro, a Second Team All-Pro and a 4-time Pro Bowler in a decade as a Niner.

A running back who caught the ball nearly 200 times, Burkhead played 10 seasons and won a Super Bowl as a Patriot. 

Not the surprise MVP of Super Bowl XXX, this Larry Brown was an OPOY and MVP in 1972, a 4-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time First Team All-Pro and a Commanders Hall of Famer.

A 4-time First Team All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler and a member of the All-1990s Team, Sharpe won three rings in a 4-season span with the Broncos and Ravens. 

Berger punted in a Super Bowl and two Pro Bowls. He was a First Team All-Pro in 2004 and a Second Team All-Pro in '99.

Mitchell has played in two Super Bowls as a 49er and a Chief.

Brown at different points pulled off a triple crown in leading the NFL in catches, yards and touchdowns on his way to four First Team All-Pros, seven Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl ring, an All-2010s Team nod, and crazy-ing his way out of the league.

Davis played like a No. 1 pick from the jump, making the All-Rookie Team in 1995 and winning the first of two OPOYs in 1996. He'd go on to win an MVP, two Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, two rushing touchdowns championships, and a spot on the All-1990s Team.

A 15-year vet, Frerotte owns a Pro Bowl bid and the funniest injury in NFL history. 

There are football players and then there are football players. How many post-1960 NFL players posted a 100-catch season and ranked second on their team in interceptions? Brown did both. A 3-time Super Bowl champion and a Pro Bowler, Brown is rightly in the Patriots Hall of Fame.

On top of everything else, Brady is the ultimate curve-buster in NFL draft history. Some numbers: seven rings, five Super Bowl MVPs, five passing touchdown championships, 15 Pro Bowls, 251 regular-season wins, 35 playoff wins, 89,214 regular-season passing yards, 13,400 playoff passing-yards. And a 2019 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Best Cannon. 

Tom Brady before Tom Brady, Starr was an MVP, a 5-time NFL champion, a 2-time Super Bowl MVP, and an All-1960s Teamer who led the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage four times.

Picks 201–225

A lynchpin of the Dirty Birds Falcons, Anderson was a First Team All-Pro on a Falcons club that reached their first Super Bowl.

Hill played 10 seasons for the Cardinals, Raiders, Dolphins and Broncos.

When's the next time a D-end will win a Super Bowl MVP? That was the case in Super Bowl XX, one of Dent's two rings. He led the NFL in sacks and forced fumbles in 1985, the season he won his SB MVP, which earned him a First Team All-Pro nod and one of his four Pro Bowl trips.

Twice an NFL champion, Donovan was a 4-time First Team All-Pro, a 5-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the All-1950s Team.

Gash was as a 2-time Second Team All-Pro in his two seasons as a Bill and won a Super Bowl as a Raven.

Gogan was a 3-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, and a 2-time Super Bowl champion.

A 5-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Giants Hall of Fame, Armstead was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro and made the All-Rookie Team.

As a Packer, Joyner lost a Super Bowl to the Broncos. He joined the Broncos a year later and got his ring, then called it a career. Before that, he was a 2-time Second Team All-Pro, a 3-time Pro Bowler, and is now a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame.

Washington drafted Kapp in the 18th round, then never contacted him. Kapp signed with the Calgary Stampeders, where he won a Grey Cup, a 2-time CFL All-Star, and was named the West Division's player of the year. He later joined the Vikings, winning an NFL title and making a Pro Bowl in 1969.

Walters played three seasons in Cincinnati and found a home in Philly, where he was a 2-time Pro Bowler and an Eagles Hall of Famer.

Tyree was primarily a special teams player -- he made a Pro Bowl and was a First Team All-Pro -- who made the single most important catch in NFL history, then never caught another pass.

Lin "Not the Quarterback" Dawson tore his ACL on the first play of Super Bowl XX, which experts say singlehandedly caused the Patriots' 55-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. He missed the '86 season but played through 1990 and made the Patriots' All-1980s Team.

A 4-time Pro Bowler, Driver was a favored target of Aaron Rodgers, winning Super Bowl XLV and making the Packers Hall of Fame.

A member of the Oilers (Titans) and Redskins (Commanders) Hall of Fame, Houston made the All-Pro Second Team 10 times and the All-Pro First Team twice, as well as the All-1970s Team, the NFL 75 and the NFL 100. He was the first defensive player in NFL history to score five touchdowns in a season.

Finnegan played a decade at cornerback, making the All-Pro First Team in 2008.

In five seasons as a pro, Allegretti has won three Super Bowls, played in four Super Bowls, and five conference championship games.

Drafted as a Bronco, Blackwood caught on with the Bengals, where he played the first three of his 14 seasons. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions as a Colt in 1977. As a Dolphin, Blackwood played alongside his brother, Glenn, where they called themselves the "Bruise Brothers."

The center of some of the best offensive lines in NFL history, Nalen was a 5-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time First Team All-Pro, and a 2-time Super Bowl champion. Nalen made the Broncos 50th Anniversary Team and was named the NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003.

Named one of the 100 greatest Bears of all time, Bortz was a First Team All-Pro in 1990 and a Super Bowl champion in 1985.

A 7-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time Super Bowl champion, Russell was a First Team All-Pro in 1975 and made the Second Team thrice. He's now in the Steelers' hall of fame.

Clay registered more than 500 tackles for the Lions, Patriots and Saints. He's on the Patriots' All-1990s Team.

Green played until 2008, throwing for more than 28,000 yards and 162 touchdowns while making two Pro Bowls. 

Clayton led the NFL in touchdown catches twice and played in five Pro Bowls.

The greatest American football player ever born in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Sloevens, Grgich was a 3-time AAFC All-Pro and played in the 1950 Pro Bowl.

If you're a punter, it's a good sign for your professional prospects if your contemporaries nickname you "Thunderfoot." Wilson led the NFL in punting yards twice, was a 3-time Pro Bowler, and made the AFL All-Time Team and the NFL's All-1970s Team.

Picks 226–250

Do you know how good you have to be to make seven Pro Bowls and become a 5-time First Team All-Pro while playing primarily on special teams and never touching the ball? You have to be as good as Steve Tasker.

Johnson played 17 seasons, made two Pro Bowls, and was QB1 on a Super Bowl champion.

A 2-time NFL champion, Robustelli was a 6-time First Team All-Pro and a 4-time Second Team All-Pro. Somehow, he "only" made seven Pro Bowls.

Ferguson lasted 13 seasons in the league and tallied more than 500 tackles as a Jet, Cowboy and Dolphin.

Den Herder is believed to have led the NFL in sacks before sacks became an official statistic. Called "one of the most dependable players I've ever coached by Don Shula," Den Herder won two Super Bowls in 12 seasons as a Dolphin.

Schellenbacher led the AAFC and the NFL in interceptions in different seasons, was a First Team All-Pro in 1951 and played in two Pro Bowls.

Perry was a multi-time NFL leader in catches, yards and touchdowns and pulled off a triple crown in 1959, a year in which he also won a second straight NFL title. He was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and made the All-1950s Team, the NFL 75 and the NFL 100.

Simmons led the NFL in sacks and forced fumbles in different seasons, was a 2-time First Team All-Pro, played 15 NFL seasons and is in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

Gachkar played seven seasons for the Cowboys, Jaguars and Panthers. 

Franklin enjoyed his best season yet in 2024, leading the NFL in combined tackles while earning a Second Team All-Pro nod.

Griffith was cut by the Colts and picked up by the Bills, then the Chargers, and finally saw the field as a Ram in 1993. He played well enough there to be drafted by the Panthers in the 1995 expansion draft, and later won two Super Bowls blocking for Terrell Davis in Denver. He caught a key 23-yard fourth quarter pass in Denver's win over Green Bay, scored two touchdowns in their win over Atlanta, and earned the nickname "The Human Plow" blocking for Davis. 

Hansen played 16 seasons, led the NFL in punting twice, and punted in the 1984 Pro Bowl.

A 2-time All-Pro and a 6-time Pro Bowler, Greenwood won four Super Bowls and made the All-1970s Team but is somehow not in the Hall of Fame.

Before he coached the rival Steelers to four Super Bowls, Noll won two NFL titles with the Browns.

Stephens-Howling made the All-Rookie Team in 2009 and led the NFL in kick return yards in 2010. 

Allen was a Second Team All-Pro in 1996, a year he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns -- which means he found the end zone more often than Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Terrell Davis, Thurman Thomas, Curtis Martin and Marshall Faulk.

Kiesel played in a Pro Bowl and three Super Bowls (winning two) in 13 years as a Steeler.

A 3-time NFL champion, a 6-time First Team All-Pro, and an 8-time Pro Bowler, Creekmur is on the Lions All-Time Team.

Still an active player, Brown played in the 2019 Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl as a Patriot.

Hanburger was a 5-time First Team All-Pro and a 9-time Pro Bowler. 

Leno played in 10 seasons and a Pro Bowl.

Pound for pound the best draft pick in Jaguars history, Cooke was a Second Team All-Pro in 2024.

A Pro Bowler as a rookie, Mike-Mayer kicked for 16 seasons in the NFL, USFL and the Arena Football League.

For a pass-catcher looking to leave a legacy in the league, nothing beats being on the receiving end of The Catch. Plucking that Joe Montana heave out of the sky positioned Clark to win the first of two Super Bowl rings and propelled him to lead the NFL in catches while making First Team All-Pro in 1982.

Drafted by the Browns as an offensive lineman, Fraser found a home as the top punter of the mid-1960s AFL as a Denver Bronco. 

Taken with the 321st pick in 1953, by my count Brown is the lowest-drafted player to ever make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a record that will stand until: A) the NFL expands to 45 teams, or B) the veterans committee puts Billy "White Shoes" Johnson (selected 365th in 1974) in the Hall. Brown was a 6-time First Team All-Pro, a 9-time Pro Bowler, and made the All-1950s Team, the NFL 75 and the NFL 100.

An All-Rookie Teamer in 2022, Purdy led the NFL in passer rating in 2023 and the 49ers to an NFC title. He's one of three Mr. Irrelevants to make a Pro Bowl, and the first since 1961.

Warner's life, literally, was a movie. Cut by the Packers in 1994, Warner spent 1995-97 as an Iowa Barnstormer, and was NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP by 1999. He led the NFL in passing yards, completion percentage, passer rating and touchdowns (the latter three multiple times), was a 2-time MVP and arguably was the MVP of a Super Bowl he lost with the Arizona Cardinals.