Detroit Lions: 5 best NFL Draft picks of all time
1968-77. Charlie Sanders. 4. player. 50. . TE
Not many people really understand just how good Charlie Sanders was in a Detroit Lions uniform, but he’s in the Hall of Fame for a reason. The all-time great tight end was drafted in the third round by Detroit in the 1968 NFL Draft, proving to be one of the best value picks in franchise history as well — if not the best.
The North Carolina-native didn’t exactly have the greatest final season at Minnesota as he caught just 21 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, but the potential was evident.
Detroit took him in the third round and that didn’t disappoint as he is ranked seventh in Lions history in terms of receiving touchdowns with 31. He also has 336 catches for 4,817 yards during his 10-year career with Detroit.
The Lions have tried to go tight end in the early rounds in recent years with Brandon Pettigrew and Eric Ebron, but it’s safe to say that it’ll take some time for anyone to catch up to Sanders in terms of impact on an organization.
During his career, he was named a Pro Bowler seven times, a first-team All-Pro twice and a second-team All-Pro once. He’s also considered one of the best tight ends to play during the 1970s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Next: 3. Chris Spielman