Best NFL Players Ever Drafted at Each Position

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 11:26 AM EDT Comment 43 comments

Check out NFL.com's Ultimate Draft of the all time best players ever drafted in the first round from positions 1-32 by clicking here. Note that the 24th and 26th positions are respectively held by current Baltimore Ravens, safety Ed Reed and MLB Ray Lewis. Also note the #1 selection and the team that drafted him!

Pretty good and thought provoking listing, with 'others under consideration' also listed.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

0 recs | Comment 43 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

interesting that the two best Indianapolis Colts

were passed over for Baltimore Colts picks.

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Should have come up with your "own" name

when you had a chance way back in ’84.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll never understand the Baltimore-Indy hate over the move

probably because the Colts came to Indy before I was even born.

and Peyton >> Elway Peyton is close to passing him in totals, kills Elway in all the rate stats and has as many Pro Bowls in 11 years as Elway had in 16 (and Peyton is up 4 to 0 in All Pro Selections).

Marvin vs Mackey is an actual fight, since they are different positions and eras. But I’ll advocate for Marvin on the basis of 4 more Pro Bowls with a tie in All Pros.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It wouldn’t be a bad memory if the Colt’s had left the name and colors in Baltimore (much like the former Browns did when they became the Ravens). Losing our tradition hurt the worst.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, I agree that Manning should have been the first pick. He’s a much better QB than Elway was, in my opinion. Elway was just a come back king… Of course, Manning has his come backs too. Anyway, sports-writers would rather pick a hall of famer over a current player. They are afraid of looking stupid, taking a risk… on top of that, they won’t compare modern players to hall of famers for some reason. It’s like sports writer blasphemy… hall of famers are very idolized.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Elway had some amazing drives, but no one has ever been a gun slinger like Peyton. He is not considered to be as great of a comeback king as Elway because Manning rarely ever has to come back to win a game. He usually just throws 4-5 touchdowns and its over.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's kind of shocking that a player considered an all time great

didn’t have a single season where he was named the best QB in the league.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, but Elway is WAY ahead of Manning

Try how many Super Bowls and how many wins there? Elway was able to beat you in so many ways, with his arm or his legs, while Manning is strictly a pocket passer. In their prime, I’d take Elway over Manning anyday. Elway is always mentioned among the best ever, but Manning, as good as he is, is not talked about with Unitas, Marino, Montana or Elway.

However, not understanding the issue between Baltimore and Indy means that you are just too young to know what really happened and being a fan, having your team ripped out from you in the middle of the night and overnight finding out you won’t have an NFL franchise anymore.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Elway is always mentioned among the best ever, but Manning, as good as he is, is not talked about with Unitas, Marino, Montana or Elway.

Only becuase Peyton is still active. I GUARANTEE you that once he’s retired he will be…and more than likely ahead of Marino, Montano and definitely Elway.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 14, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many superbowls did Elway have through the first 11 years of his career?

one less than Peyton has in his 11 to date

Peyton has a higher career win% (I can’t express how deeply I hate this stat though) .665 to .641

Peyton: 3 time league MVP, Elway 1

Elway would run a bit, but that’s probably why he fumbled 137 times compared to Peyton’s 52 (or in per season numbers 8.6 fumbles to 4.7) I’d happily take half the fumbles for a loss of 100-200 rushing yards.

I’m writing a whole post on it. I’ll link it when I’m done.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

posted, link

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/4/14/837679/nflcom-got-it-wrong-peyton-is-the

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Such different styles

For pure pocket passing, Peyton is just behind Unitas in my mind, although he even walks a bit like Johnny U. Elway was such a game changer in that he is well known for his last minute drives, while Manning and company just plain outscored everyone.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peyton is close to Johnny U

in 7 less years, one less Pro Bowl, one less All Pro and the same number of (AP) MVPs.

I won’t compare stats since that really was a different Era, as opposed to Peyton and Elway who ever overlapped for a year.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Different Era

and Johnny U is still rated by almost everyone above Manning, as he changed the game so much in his prime in Baltimore. However, Manning reminds so many of us who watch Unitas, of the similarities, which is a tribute to the guy whose statue stands proudly outside of the Ravens M&T Bank Stadium and is touched by fans for good luck upon entering on game day.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in a much bigger league

Peyton was being recognized as the best or close to it more often than Unitas. I agree with Peytonsthebest that active players aren’t compared to all time greats all that fairly, because stuff like

whose statue stands proudly outside of the Ravens M&T Bank Stadium and is touched by fans for good luck upon entering on game day.

seeps into the evaluation of retired players, which an active player, no matter how good, doesn’t have yet.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unitas is Peyton's favorite QB

behind Archie of course. I have watched both Unitas and Peyton and the similarities amaze me. Since Peyton doesn’t have Archie’s agility, who better to emulate than Unitas? It gives me goosebumps how much alike they play(ed).

Their dropbacks are identical.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 16, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

Please do not compare a real Colt with a fake Colt. Manning is more like Marino. Unitas raised the bar for the QB position.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 16, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, please.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 16, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting note I just found

Elway’s career QB rating is lower than Jeff George’s.

Personally I don’t like QB Rating all that much and Elway comes out on top in the superior and more complete ANY/A, but still, wow.

by shake n bake on Apr 14, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BFD

QB ratings usually don’t impress me. Now you’re searching for ways to convince me and others that Manning is Elway’s superior. Won’t happen.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's in a name?...

No one really cares all that much about the name and the colors, it’s the history that hurts. When I was a child and ran into Johnny Unitas in the airport, he didn’t ask me how the Indy Colts did that afternoon, he asked me how the Ravens did.

by bmf12116 on Apr 14, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see so many people associated with Baltimore in this list

Reed, Ray, Ozzie, Mackey. Solid list. And screw Deon. I dont think he should have been there.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. I don’t like Deon any more than you do. He pioneered the whole superstar Madonna attitude, but he’s still the best cornerback to ever play the game.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gary Baxter

End of discussion

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He may have been the best CB to ever play if he would have actually tackled.

by archon095 on Apr 14, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

That’s like saying Joe Montana or Johnny Unitas would have been the best only if they had rushed for more yardage. Corners are paid to cover… good tackling is a bonus.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good tackling is a bonus but he wouldnt do it at all

by archon095 on Apr 15, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deon the best CB ever?

Maybe the flashiest but even though he was a good cover corner, he wasn’t anywhere near the greatest ever, but knew what to do with the ball.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m interested… Who was (or is) a better CB than Deon? I’m not a huge Deon fan. I just like to be objective, and I’m open to reason.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pacman Jones

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rod Woodson

What about the Redskins CB, Darrell Green? A bunch of old time guys, including Herb Adderly among others. Deon was flashy and great once he got the interception, and had a decent ability to make things happen on punt returns, but nowhere near the best ever.

Give me some other names, guys.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Darrell Green.

Aneeus Williams or whatever his name was on the Cardinals? What about that guy, the night train. Forgot his name, but I remember watching something and it said he had 17 interceptions in a season I think it was. Way back in the day.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your Talking about Dick "Night Train" Lane

Holds the nfl record for most int’s in a season with 14 and tied for most in a single game with 4.

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Apr 14, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was 14

Yea he was a beast

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deon was "half" a CB

cover man-yes; tackler- uh…nope!

best ever? NFW!

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 15, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lane was an animal. He may have been better than Deon, but I would still argue that Sanders was on equal ground with Lane. Lane has more picks in a single season, but Deon won back to back Superbowls… with different teams. I don’t think any player has ever done that.

I have been doing a little research. The only CB that I think would give Deon a run for his money was Mel Blount. Of course, he had a much different playing style. Blount was extremely physical. I still don’t think there was any corner better than Deon at pure coverage. Remember that Deon was the only CB that could cover Jerry Rice.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 15, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Deon won Super Bowls with different teams

but football is a team game and he was just a hired hand that jumped on the bandwagon of the hot team for the irde. That’s why he played w/ Ray and Ed as he thought (and so did I) that the Ravens were on their way to another Super Bowl. The best CB ever has to be judged on the entire package, that is covering and tackling. Deon ws just great at one facet of the game, while the others mentioned, yes especially Mel Blount, were great at both.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 15, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Deon ws just great at one facet of the game

C’mon Rexx… Deion in his prime could influence a game in so many ways… As a corner he was clearly a cover guy and not a big hitter, but he did it better then anyone. Let’s not forget that he was unbelievable with the ball in his hand, be it on an interception return, a kick or punt return, or at WR. He might not be the best CB to ever play but I think he is arguably the best football player to ever play at CB.

by DT711 on Apr 15, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps the best all around athlete - yes

but the question is and remains, was he the best CONERBACK ever, ….and my answer firmly remains – NFW!

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 15, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously, we have a difference of opinion… I was considering the best cover corner ever, and I still think that Deon is the best. As I said before:

Corners are paid to cover… good tackling is a bonus.

Obviously, I would agree that there are many average corners that can defend the run better than Deon, but he’s still the best coverage guy in my book. That was my only point.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 15, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gary Baxter

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 15, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Donny Brady

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 16, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best Ever- ...the Definitive Statement

We are talking about two types of DB’s: the more physical style i.e. Mel Blount, Rod Woodson (both Steelers, interestingly enough) and the pure “cover” type: Darrell Green, Neon Deon. Do not know enough about “Night Train” to categorize him, although he might have been the closest to a hybrid of the two.

I think I would have to go with Neon Deon, because he was threat to go the other way for a pick-6 every time the ball was thrown in his half of the field. Even if it was more reputation preceding him than him actually doing it, teams had the perception that he could every time. He could change the entire course of the game in the blink of an eye -very few can say that. I do not think any other CB brought that kind of threat to the table. Offenses had to game plan around or away from him every time he stepped on the field. Darrell green might have been the best pure cover ever, but he was not quite the threat to go other way that Deon was (mostly because even though DG was consistently the fastest guy on the field at any given time, he had hands like tennis racquets).

Early in Neon’s career, when he was returning kicks for the Falcons, when he was back there ready to receive a kick, the entire Falcons bench would get up and stand on the sideline to watch him -he was thought of to be that much of a threat.

by vlad755 on Apr 21, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs