On Friday, Mike Sando of ESPN.com put up his rankings of the top five NFL Drafts of all time. Read it here.
ESPN ranks top NFL Drafts since 1967
It’s a fairly in-depth bit of work from Sando, and perfect food for thought leading into this year’s draft.
After the jump we have his top five, some thoughts and a couple of classes that probably should have been ranked higher.
1. 1983:
- Thoughts: This was an obvious selection as the top choice. This draft is much more than quarterbacks only. Matthews and Green are among the best players ever at their position. Dent, Craig and Mecklenburg were top players of the time and leaders of their teams.
2. 1996
- Top players: Jonathan Ogden (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Marvin Harrison (Colts), Brian Dawkins (Eagles), Terrell Owens (49ers), Zach Thomas (Dolphins), La'Roi Glover (Raiders), Mike Alstott (Buccaneers), Eddie George (Oilers), Jon Runyan (Oilers), Keyshawn Johnson (Jets), Tedy Bruschi (Patriots), Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers).
- Thoughts: I might not have had this one No. 2, but it’s hard to deny Ogden and Lewis helping this year’s rating.
3. 1981
- Top players: Lawrence Taylor (Giants), Ronnie Lott (49ers), Mike Singletary (Bears), Russ Grimm (Redskins), Howie Long (Raiders), Rickey Jackson (Saints), Kenny Easley (Seahawks), Dexter Manley (Redskins), James Brooks (Chargers), Cris Collinsworth (Bengals), Dennis Smith (Broncos), Freeman McNeil (Jets)
- Thoughts: This would have been my No. 2. The defensive talent is staggering. People consider the defensive talent in this year’s draft as being excellent. Judge it against the 1981 class and you might think again.
4. 1969
- Thoughts: Considering I’m not 30, it’s hard to have a lot of opinion on this one, so we’ll trust Sando’s reasoning.
5. 1985
- Top players: Jerry Rice (49ers), Bruce Smith (Bills), Chris Doleman (Vikings), Andre Reed (Bills), Lomas Brown (Lions), Steve Tasker (Oilers), Ray Childress (Oilers), Kevin Greene (Rams), Jay Novacek (Cardinals), Bill Fralic (Falcons), Jerry Gray (Rams), Randall Cunningham (Eagles), Al Toon (Jets), Jim Lachey (Chargers), Mark Bavaro (Giants), Herschel Walker (Cowboys), Duane Bickett (Colts)
- Thoughts: There are two Hall of Fame players and two others (Doleman and Reed) who could get there. Still, there are some better ones out there, I think.
So those are Sando’s top five. I think you can make an argument for these two:
1989
- Top players: Deion Sanders (Falcons), Derrick Thomas (Chiefs), Troy Aikman (Cowboys), Barry Sanders (Lions), Steve Atwater (Broncos), Eric Metcalf (Browns), Andre Rison (Colts), Carnell Lake (Steelers), Trace Armstrong (Bears), Broderick Thomas (Buccaneers), Steve Wisniewski (Cowboys), Dave Meggett (Giants)
- Thoughts: That is four Hall of Fame players at the top and solid depth. This draft can also be strongly considered for the secondary players who were revolutionaries. Atwater was the most-feared safeties in the league for awhile. Metcalf is considered the precursor to Marshall Faulk – a running back who can do it all. Rison revolutionized the diva wide receiver, for good for bad.
2001
- Top players: Steve Hutchinson (Seahawks), Richard Seymour (Patriots), Drew Brees (Chargers), LaDanian Tomlinson (Chargers), Adrian Wilson (Cardinals), Casey Hampton (Steelers), Reggie Wayne (Colts), Todd Heap (Ravens), Chad Johnson (Bengals), Steve Smith (Panthers), Kris Jenkins (Panthers), Shaun Rogers (Lions), Kyle Vanden Bosch (Cardinals), Marcus Stroud (Jaguars), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Bengals), Michael Vick (Falcons), Aaron Schobel (Bills)
- Thoughts: Brees, Hutchinson, Seymour, Tomlinson and maybe Wilson are Hall of Fame players. Wayne and Johnson (Ochocinco) could still get there. For what it’s worth, Vick brought a whole new audience and style to the NFL.
You can also consider these drafts:
1974
- Top players: Jack Lambert (Steelers), Mike Webster (Steelers), Lynn Swann (Steelers), John Stallworth (Steelers), Dave Casper (Raiders), Randy Gradishar (Broncos), Ed Jones (Cowboys), Donnie Shell (Steelers), Billy Johnson (Oilers)
2004
- Top players: Eli Manning (Giants), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Vince Wilfork (Patriots), Jared Allen (Chiefs), Tony Romo (Undrafted), Bob Sanders (Colts), Steven Jackson (Rams), Matt Schaub (Falcons), Karlos Dansby (Cardinals), Chris Snee (Giants), Sean Taylor (Redskins)
See More:
