Fansided

Every NFL team’s greatest draft class

By Russell S. Baxter

PITTSBURGH, PA. - DECEMBER 30, 1978: (L to R) Wide receivers John Stallworth #82 and Lynn Swann #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate Pittsburgh's victory after the AFC Divisional Playoff game on December 30, 1978 against the Denver Broncos at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Bill Amatucci Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA. - DECEMBER 30, 1978: (L to R) Wide receivers John Stallworth #82 and Lynn Swann #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate Pittsburgh's victory after the AFC Divisional Playoff game on December 30, 1978 against the Denver Broncos at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Bill Amatucci Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 28: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium January 28, 2001 in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens won the game 34-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 28: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium January 28, 2001 in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens won the game 34-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens: 1996

Notable Selections

1: T Jonathan Ogden

1b: LB Ray Lewis

2: CB DeRon Jenkins

5: WR Jermaine Lewis

6b: WR James Roe

Best Pick: LB Ray Lewis

How Did This Class Change The Franchise?

The original Cleveland Browns left that city relocated to Baltimore in 1996 and were dubbed the Ravens. The team’s first draft in its new locale was highlighted by a pair of first-round draft choices. And both of those players were vital cogs when the club reached Super Bowl in 2000.

Left tackle Jonathan Ogden and middle linebacker Ray Lewis are both enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the latter part of both of the franchise’s Super Bowl victories. And wide receiver Jermaine Lewis’ biggest impact came on special teams. He earned two Pro Bowl nods for that work and returned a kickoff for a score in Super Bowl XXXV.

Buffalo Bills: 1985

Notable Selections

1: DE Bruce Smith HOF      

1b: CB Derrick Burroughs

2: G Mark Traynowicz

2b: WR Chris Burkett

3: QB Frank Reich

3b: LB Hal Garner

4: WR Andre Reed

4b: T Dale Hellestrae

7: DB Ron Pitts

Best Pick: DE Bruce Smith

How Did This Class Change The Franchise?

It remains the only NFL franchise to make four straight Super Bowl appearances. But none of those trips resulted in victory. The foundation of those 1990s AFC title squads began in 1985. Defensive end Bruce Smith was the first overall pick in the draft. All told, 171.0 of his record 200.0 regular-season sacks came with the Bills.

Wide receiver Andre Reed (Kutztown, PA) is enshrined with Smith in Canton, Ohio, and put up big numbers during his days in Orchard Park. Wideout Chris Burkett was solid e with the Bills and super-sub Frank Reich orchestrated the biggest comeback in NFL history in the 1992 Wild Card Playoffs.

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