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NFL Draft: Best first-round draft pick in each slot in history

By Brad Weiss

IRVING, UNITED STATES: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys rushes as Atlanta Falcons defenders pursue during the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas 20 September. Smith rushed for two touchdowns and passed Tony Dorsett to become the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher in the Cowboys 24-7 win. AFP PHOTO Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images)
IRVING, UNITED STATES: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys rushes as Atlanta Falcons defenders pursue during the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas 20 September. Smith rushed for two touchdowns and passed Tony Dorsett to become the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher in the Cowboys 24-7 win. AFP PHOTO Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 18, 2016: Hall of Fame fullback Jim Brown poses with his wife Monique during the unveiling of his statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium prior to game the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on September 18, 2016 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore won 25-20. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 18, 2016: Hall of Fame fullback Jim Brown poses with his wife Monique during the unveiling of his statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium prior to game the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on September 18, 2016 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore won 25-20. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

1957- Syracuse. Jim Brown. 6. player. 53. . RB

After starring at Syracuse as not only an incredible running back, but also a star in basketball, track, and lacrosse, Jim Brown was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 6 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. An instant star at the NFL level, Brown led the Browns to their last NFL championship back in 1964, before retiring a year later at the young age of only 29 years old.

However, his career goes way beyond just a championship and retiring early, as he became the best running back the game has ever seen. A Pro Bowl player in every season he was in the NFL, Brown led the NFL in rushing yards on eight occasions, while leading the league in rushing touchdowns five times.

A three-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player award winner, Brown was named to the NFL’s First-Team All-Pro squad eight times in nine seasons, while also winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1957. When he retired in 1966, Brown owned the NFL’s all-time rushing title, a mark that was not broken until Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton did it in 1984.

Many believe that Brown is the greatest football player in history, and it would be hard to argue with anybody there. In fact he may be the greatest athlete in history, as he revolutionized the way the game was played, became an incredible ambassador, and is by far the best No. 6 overall pick in the NFL’s long draft history.

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