NFL Draft: Best all-time pick for each team

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Atlanta Falcons, CB/KR Deion Sanders-1st Round (No. 5)-1989

“Prime Time” went from Tallahassee to Atlanta early in the1989 draft, and Sanders made an immediate impact with five interceptions and a punt return touchdown as a rookie. Sanders was a big fish in a small pond while with the Falcons, while also playing baseball, earning three Pro Bowl selections and scoring 10 touchdowns over his five seasons with the team. As could be expected Sanders put his versatility on full display, scoring via interception, kickoff return, punt return and reception as a Falcon.

But the Falcons were not competing for championships, and they ultimately could not compete financially when the San Francisco 49ers signed Sanders in 1994. Sanders’ lone season with the 49ers was one of his best, with six interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) on his way to being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and winning a Super Bowl.

Jerry Jones coaxed Sanders to Dallas with a big contract in 1995, and he got his second straight Super Bowl ring that season.

At his peak, Sanders simply defined the term “shutdown corner.” Opposing teams regularly avoided throwing to his man, their No. 1 wide receiver in most cases, so as not to risk an imprecise throw and a big play going back the other way.

His most successful seasons, from a team perspective, obviously did not come with the Falcons. But Sanders became a star in Atlanta, with the talent to back up his ego and brash self expression, so that easily makes him the best draft pick in Falcons’ history.