All 32 franchises have had their moments when it comes to the NFL draft. A look at each team’s greatest class dating back to the start of the common draft.
This piece covers what is referred to as the Common Draft Era. The first NFL draft took place back in 1936. But from 1960-66, both the National Football League and American Football League conducted their own drafts. In many instances, a player was drafted by a team in each league.
When the NFL and AFL opted to merge on the field, they began drafting as one in 1967.
So here is the best class by each of the 32 franchises dating back to that year. There will be mentions of the draft prior to that not to overlook something historical. Now what constitutes a great draft class? It’s a look at the contributions from a group from top to bottom.
Arizona Cardinals: 2004
Notable Selections
1: WR Larry Fitzgerald
2: LB Karlos Dansby
3: DT Darnell Dockett
4: C Alex Stepanovich
5: DE Antonio Smith
6: C Nick Leckey
Best Pick: WR Larry Fitzgerald
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
This class would prove to be very productive and was the foundation of the team’s lone Super Bowl appearance in 2008. And four of the Cardinals’ seven selections in 2008 started vs. the Steelers in Tampa. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice has more career receptions and receiving yards than Larry Fitzgerald.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby spent eight of his 14 NFL seasons with Arizona and finished with 25 takeaways and 33 sacks with the Cards. Defensive linemen Darnell Dockett and Antonio Smith were solid performers for the club. And the former totaled three sacks of Ben Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XLIII.
Atlanta Falcons: 2015
Notable Selections
1: OLB Vic Beasley
2: CB Jalen Collins
3: RB Tevin Coleman
4: WR Justin Hardy
5: DT Grady Jarrett
Best Pick: DT Grady Jarrett
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The 2015 season marked the debut campaign for head coach Dan Quinn. And the team added some vital pieces earlier that year in the form of defenders Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett. The latter remains on the roster and has earned a pair of Pro Bowl invites. The fifth-round pick has amassed 26.5 QB traps. And in Super Bowl LI vs. the Patriots, Garrett corralled Tom Brady three times.
Vic Beasley led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in his second season and certainly played a part in the team reaching Super Bowl LI vs. New England. Unsung Tevin Coleman teamed with Devonta Foreman to give Atlanta a 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
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.
Carolina Panthers: 2007
Notable Selections
1: LB Jon Beason
2b: C Ryan Kalil
3: DE Charles Johnson
5: TE Dante Rosario
Best Pick: C Ryan Kalil
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars first took the field in 1995. The former set an expansion record by winning seven games in its first season. The club reached Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and returned with NFL MVP Cam Newton 12 years later.
Center Ryan Kalil and defensive end Charles Johnson were still part of the team that went to Super Bowl 50. The former spent 12 seasons with the franchise and earned five Pro Bowl nods and was named All-Pro twice. Johnson spent 11 years with the club and totaled 67.5 sacks. Three-time Pro Bowler Jon Beason totaled 120-plus stops in each of his first four seasons with Carolina.
Chicago Bears: 1983
Notable Selections
1: T Jimbo Covert
1b: WR Willie Gault
2: CB Mike Richardson
3: S Dave Duerson
4: G Tom Thayer
4b: TE Pat Dunsmore
8: DE Richard Dent
8b: G Mark Bortz
Best Pick: DE Richard Dent
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
A reminder that this is the greatest draft class for each franchise dating back to the Common Era. So the first-round duo of 1965 linebacker Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers is noteworthy but not the choice.
The Super Bowl XX champion Bears were one of the most dominant teams in league annals. And with Pro Football Hall of Famers such as tackle Jimbo Covert and eighth-round steal Richard Dent, the team dominated in both trenches. Willie Gault put the big-play into the Chicago offense. And four-time Pro Bowl safety Dave Duerson picked off 18 passes and totaled 16.0 sacks in seven years with the club.
Cincinnati Bengals: 2001
Notable Selections
Best Pick: WR Chad Johnson
1: DE Justin Smith
2: WR Chad Johnson
4: RB Rudi Johnson
7: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The team has yet to win an NFL title but has now made three trips to the Super Bowl. Under head coach Marvin Lewis, the franchise made seven postseason appearances in 11 seasons from 2005-15 (albeit without a playoff win). Justin Smith, Rudi Johnson and the duo of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were all part of that ‘05 team that lost to the Steelers in the wild card round.
Chad Johnson is the club’s all-time reception leader (751) and Houshmandzadeh totaled 507 catches with the club. Smith racked up a solid 43.5 sacks with the Bengals but didn’t earn Pro Bowl recognition until he joined the 49ers in 2008.
Cleveland Browns: 1990
Notable Selections
2: RB Leroy Hoard
3: DE Anthony Pleasant
4: S Harlon Barnett
5: DE Rob Burnett
6: CB Randy Hilliard
7: TE Scott Galbraith
Best Pick: DE Rob Burnett
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
It’s one of four NFL franchises that have yet to play on Super Sunday. But that doesn’t mean that the Browns don’t have a successful history. And as has been well documented, the current franchise in Ohio is not the original team that joined the NFL in 1950.
Running back Leroy Hoard spent his first six NFL seasons in Cleveland and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1994. Reliable defensive end Anthony Pleasant and Rob Burnett wound up winning Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and Ravens, respectively. Both performers would wind up following the franchise to Baltimore in 1996, where Burnett spent six more seasons.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 21: Linebacker Tom Jackson #57 of the Denver Broncos looks on from the field during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium on October 21, 1984 in Orchard Park, New York. The Broncos defeated the Bills 37-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys: 1991
Notable Selections
1: DT Russell Maryland
1b: WR Alvin Harper
2: LB Dixon Edwards
3: LB Godfrey Myles
3c: T Erik Williams
5: LB Darrick Brownlow
7: DE Leon Lett
12: CB Larry Brown
Best Pick: T Erik Williams
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
You can’t do much better than Jimmy Johnson and the Cowboys did in 1991 as this class paved the way for three Super Bowl titles in four years. Russell Maryland was the first overall pick that year and anchored the middle of the defensive front. Alvin Harper was the perfect complement to Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.
Tackle Erik Williams was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, while two-time Pro Bowler Leon Lett was a force on the defensive front. And who would have ever guessed that Dallas would wind up with a Super Bowl MVP (XXX) with the selection of cornerback Larry Brown in the 12th round?
Denver Broncos: 1973
Notable Selections
1: RB Otis Armstrong
2: DE Barney Chavous
3: G Paul Howard
4: LB Tom Jackson
7b: DT John Grant
9: S Lyle Blackwood
15: DB Calvin Jones
Best Pick: OLB Tom Jackson
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
From 1960-72, the Denver Broncos failed to produce a winning record in any of those 13 seasons. In 1973, they added some talented pieces that would propel the franchise into a different era. Running back Otis Armstrong won a NFL rushing title in 1974.
Three-time Pro Bowler Tom Jackson brought playmaking ability to a defense that added Randy Gradishar in 1974. The Broncos would make their first Super Bowl appearance in 1977 as the “Orange Crush” defense opened a lot of eyes. Like Jackson, guard Paul Howard played 14 seasons for the club. Unsung Barney Chavous racked up 75.0 sacks in 13 years with the team.
Detroit Lions: 1988
Notable Selections
1: S Bennie Blades
2: LB Chris Spielman
2b: TE Pat Carter
4: DB William White
5: G Eric Andolsek
Best Pick: LB Chris Spielman
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
It’s not as if the team doesn’t have its share of Hall of Famers. From middle linebacker Chuck Schmidt to running back Barry Sanders, cornerback Lem Barney and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
In 1988, the team used the third overall pick the grab University of Miami safety Bennie Blades and orchestrated a trade that eventually enabled them to grab relentless middle linebacker Chris Spielman. William White spent six seasons in the Motor City, picked off 13 passes and was part of the 1991 club that reached the NFC title game. And guard Eric Andolsek was a 16-game starter for the Lions his final three seasons in the league.
Green Bay Packers: 1990
Notable Selections
1: DE Tony Bennett
1b: RB Darrell Thompson
2: S LeRoy Butler
3: LB Bobby Houston
4: TE Jackie Harris
5: WR Charles Wilson
6: LB Bryce Paup
7: DE Lester Archambeau
Best Pick: S LeRoy Butler
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The franchise was still a couple years away from obtaining future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. But the foundation for those teams that made 6 consecutive playoff appearances from 1993-98 began to be set foot in 1990.
Safety LeRoy Butler will make the leap into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Defensive end Tony Bennett was solid and racked up 36.0 sacks and nine forced fumbles in four seasons with the club. First-round running back Darrell Thompson was a bit of a disappointment, tight end Jackie Harris and Pro Bowl linebacker Bryce Paup enjoyed strong careers.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 18: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Houston Texans: 2006
Notable Selections
1: DE Mario Williams
2: LB DeMeco Ryans
3b: T Eric Winston
4: TE Owen Daniels
7: WR David Anderson
Best Pick: DE Mario Williams
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
While the team is struggling these days, it’s a franchise that over a nine-year span from 2011-19 won six AFC South titles. And that stretch of success began with some assistance from the 2006 NFL draft class. First overall pick Mario Williams final year with the club was 2011 and he lasted only five games. But he racked up 53.0 sacks and two Pro Bowl invitations in six seasons with the club.
Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans and tight end Owen Daniels were each named to the Pro Bowl twice while with the Texans. Reliable right tackle Eric Winston started every game during his final five years with the franchise (2007-11).
Indianapolis Colts: 2018
Notable Selections
1: G Quenton Nelson
2: LB Darius Leonard
2b: G Braden Smith
2c: DE Kemoko Turay
2d: DE Tyquan Lewis
4: RB Nyheim Hines
5b: RB Jordan Wilkins
7: LB Matthew Adams
7b: LB Zaire Franklin
Best Pick: LB Darius Leonard
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
This is easily the most recent of the 32 draft classes on this list. What a haul by general manager Chris Ballard in his second year with the Colts. He used the sixth overall pick to get University of Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, who changed the mindset of the offensive line. And Ballard surprised some by selecting South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard with the 36th overall pick.
Both players are three-time All-Pros. Leonard was the first of four second-round picks as the team opted for guard Braden Smith, now a reliable right tackle. And running back Nyhiem Hines has proven to be a jack-of-all-trades.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1996
Notable Selections
1: LB Kevin Hardy
2: DE Tony Brackens
3: CB Aaron Beasley
4: WR Reggie Barlow
5: T Jimmy Herndon
6b: WR Chris Doering
Best Pick: DE Tony Brackens
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
It’s a franchise that was born in 1995 and then wound up in the playoffs the next four seasons – reaching the AFC title game in 1996 and in ’99 (with the NFL’s best record that season). And that first postseason appearance came with the aid of a solid rookie class in which linebacker Kevin Hardy, end Tony Brackens and cornerback Aaron Beasley all made solid contributions.
Hardy was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 199 and in six years with the Jaguars rolled up 28.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 11 takeaways. Brackens is the franchise’s all-time sack leader (55.0) and forced 27 fumbles in his eight seasons with the organization.
Kansas City Chiefs: 1996
Notable Selections
1: FS Jerome Woods
2: SS Reggie Tongue
3: DT John Browning
4: LB Donnie Edwards
5: WR Joe Horn
7: C Ben Lynch
7b: C Jeff Smith
Best Pick: LB Donnie Edwards
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Marty Schottenheimer is too often noted for what he didn’t do. Although none of his teams reached the Super Bowl, they made their share playoff appearances. In 1996, while he was still in Kansas City, the club landed a pair of quality safeties in Jerome Woods and Reggie Tongue.
The former played for nine seasons with the club and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2003. Tongue was a physical performer who could do a little bit of everything in terms of defending the pass or getting after the quarterback. But the real bargain here was play-making linebacker Donnie Edwards, who totaled 20 takeaways in eight seasons with Kansas City.
Las Vegas Raiders: 1968
Notable Selections
1: WR Eldridge Dickey
2: QB Ken Stabler
3: T Art Shell
4: RB Charlie Smith
7b: S George Atkinson
11: RB Marv Hubbard
Best Pick: T Art Shell
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The Silver and Black were coming off a Super Bowl appearance and looked to fortify their roster. In 1968, they opted for collegiate quarterback Eldridge Dickey, who was selected as a wide receiver (see Michael Lee of the Washington Post). The second and third rounds netted a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers in quarterback Ken Stabler and massive tackle Art Shell.
Running backs Charlie Smith and hard-charging Marv Hubbard did their share while physical safety George Atkinson was a tone setter in the secondary. The Raiders were a steady contenders throughout the 1970s and finally won in at all in Super Bowl XI.
Los Angeles Chargers: 1975
Notable Selections
1: DT Gary Johnson
1b: CB Mike Williams
2: DT Louie Kelcher
2b: DE Fred Dean
3: S Mike Fuller
6b: T Billy Shields
7: RB Rickey Young
Best Pick: DE Fred Dean
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Don Coryell was three years away from taking over in San Diego. But the foundation was set in 1975 for a team that would make four straight playoff appearances from 1979-82. Those clubs never reached the Super Bowl.
But for a few seasons played excellent defense, led by a defensive front with Gary “Big Hands” Johnson, Louie Kelcher and future Hall of Famer Fred Dean. Cornerback Mike Williams picked off 24 passes in eight seasons with the club. Mike Fuller stood out on defense and special teams, versatile Rickey Young was a threat as a runner and pass-catcher. And unsung Billy Shields was a reliable left tackle.
Los Angeles Rams: 1975
Notable Selections
1: DT Mike Fanning
1b: G Dennis Harrah
1c: T Doug France
2: CB Monte Jackson
2b: DE Leroy Jones
4: CB Rod Perry
7: QB Pat Haden
Best Pick: G Dennis Harrah
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The Los Angeles Rams won seven straight NFC West titles from 1973-79. Those teams were always solid on both the offensive and defensive lines. Mike Fanning was an unsung warrior for the club and totaled 35.5 sacks in eight seasons with the franchise.
Guard Dennis Harrah and tackle Doug France both made their presence felt for the team, as did two-time Pro Bowl cornerbacks Monte Jackson and Rod Perry. And seventh-round pick Pat Haden was the team’s primary starting quarterback for five of his six seasons. But the USC product was injured during the 1979 season and missed the team’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Miami Dolphins: 1983
Notable Selections
1: QB Dan Marino
2: NT Mike Charles
6: P Reggie Roby
8: WR Mark Clayton
9: LB Mark Brown
12: WR Anthony Carter
Best Pick: QB Dan Marino
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Don Shula’s team was coming off a Super Bowl appearance during the strike-shortened season of 1982. University of Pittsburgh star Dan Marino lasted until the 27th pick in the first round in ’83 and would go on to make history in his second season on the way to a Hall of Fame career.
The Dolphins would also select two more performers who came up big for the franchise. Superior punter Reggie Roby earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition in his 10 seasons with Miami. And eighth-round steal Mark Clayton teamed with Marino for many years and they would become one of the top touchdown tandems in NFL annals.
Minnesota Vikings: 1967
Notable Selections
1: RB Clint Jones
1b: WR Gene Washington
1c: DT Alan Page
2: WR Bob Grim
7: CB Bobby Bryant
8: TE John Beasley
Best Pick: DT Alan Page
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The Purple Gang, who first took the field in 1961, had yet to reach the Super Bowl. They got pretty good production for several years from Clint Jones and Gene Washington. But the Vikings really hit the jackpot with the addition of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Alan Page, who earned NFL MVP honors in 1971 and was part of four Super Bowl squads.
Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause totaled 53 of his NFL record 81 interceptions with Minnesota but 1967 seventh-round pick Bobby Bryant spent 13 seasons with the franchise, picked off 51 passes, totaled 14 fumble recoveries and earned a pair of Pro Bowl invitations.
New England Patriots: 1995
Notable Selections
1: CB Ty Law
2: LB Ted Johnson
3: RB Curtis Martin
3b: CB Jimmy Hitchcock
4: C Dave Wohlabaugh
Best Pick: CB Ty Law
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Bill Parcells would become the head coach of the New England Patriots in 1993 and in 1996 took them to Super Bowl XXXI. A year before that, he had one of his best drafts and many of those players were still around in 2001 when the Patriots’ dynasty began. Cornerback Ty Law is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The ball hawk earned three Super Bowl rings with New England.
Running back Curtis Martin is also enshrined in Canton and ranks sixth in NFL history in rushing yards, although most of that came with the Jets. Productive linebacker Ted Johnson also won three Super Bowl titles in 10 seasons with the club.
New Orleans Saints: 2006
Notable Selections
1: RB Reggie Bush
2: S Roman Harper
4: T Jahri Evans
5: LB Rob Ninkovich
7: G Zach Strief
7b: WR Marques Colston
Best Pick: WR Marques Colston
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The hiring of head coach Sean Payton, the signing of quarterback Drew Brees and an impressive draft paved the way for an eventual Super Bowl title in 2009. Reggie Bush’s play-making ability on offense and special teams was vital. Two-time Pro Bowler Roman Harper totaled only 10 takeaways with the club but came up with 15 forced fumbles and 17 sacks.
Offensive linemen Zach Strief and Jahri Evans were reliable stalwarts up front, the latter a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. Marques Colston was the 252nd overall pick and is the Saints’ all-time leader in catches (711), receiving yards (9,759) and total TDs (72).
New York Giants: 1983
Notable Selections
1: FS Terry Kinard
2: DE Leonard Marshall
3: TE Jamie Williams
3b: T Karl Nelson
7: CB Perry Williams
8: LB Andy Headen
9: PK Ali Haji-Sheikh
12c: RB John Tuggle
Best Pick: DE Leonard Marshall
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Big Blue had a new head coach in 1983 in Bill Parcells. But it was Hall of Fame general manager George Young that shopped for the groceries those days. And the team came up with quite a Hall and numerous pieces for a team that made five playoff appearances from 1984-90. Safety Terry Kinard had 33 takeaways during his days with the club and was a Pro Bowler in 1988.
Hard-hitting defensive end Leonard Marshall racked up 79.5 sacks in 10 seasons with the Giants and added seven more in the playoffs. And running back John Tuggle was the last player taken in the 1983 draft (335th overall) but he was far from irrelevant.
New York Jets: 1977
Notable Selections
1: T Marvin Powell
2: WR Wesley Walker
4: RB Scott Dierking
6: DT Joe Klecko
7b: P Bob Grupp
7c: RB Kevin Long
8: G Dan Alexander
9: QB Matt Robinson
Best Pick: DL Joe Klecko
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The franchise owns the longest current playoff drought in the league. But there was a time that the Jets were a pretty steady football team, making four postseason appearances in the 1980s and reaching the AFC title game during the strike-shortened campaign of ’82.
This class netted three players who would earn at least one Pro Bowl invitation and one All-Pro accolade for the Green and White. Tackle Marvin Powell was a steady force while blazing wide receiver Wesley Walker caught 71 TD passes and averaged 19.0 yards per catch. Joe Klecko earned Pro Bowl nods at three different positions on the defensive line.
Philadelphia Eagles: 1986
Notable Selections
1: RB Keith Byars
2: RB Anthony Toney
4: T Matt Darwin
8: LB Seth Joyner
9: DE Clyde Simmons
10: RB Junior Tautalatasi
12: G Reggie Singletary
Best Pick: OLB Seth Joyner
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Buddy Ryan was the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears in 1985 and a year later was the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach. He brought his aggressive style to the City of Brotherly Love. Running back Keith Byars personified versatility while Anthony Toney and Junior Tautalatasi helped as well.
Offensive lineman Reggie Singletary was a 12th-round steal and made 31 regular-season starts for the Birds in five seasons. And linebacker Seth Joyner and end Clyde Simmons were vital parts of the last NFL defensive unit (1991) that allowed the fewest total, rushing and passing yards in the same season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1974
Notable Selections
1: WR Lynn Swann
2: LB Jack Lambert
4: WR John Stallworth
4b: DB Jimmy Allen
5: C Mike Webster
6: DT Jim Wolf
6b: T Rich Druschel
9b: DT Charles Davis
Best Pick: LB Jack Lambert
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The team grabbed four players in the first five rounds that would be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wide receiver Lynn Swann made his share of big plays, especially in the postseason. Kent State linebacker Jack Lambert transformed an emerging defense from talented to fearsome.
Alabama A&M wideout John Stallworth was also huge in the playoffs and teamed with Swann to give Terry Bradshaw a deadly duo. Center Mike Webster was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro. The quartet (and undrafted safety Donnie Shell) enhanced a team that would win four Super Bowl titles in a six-year span.
San Francisco 49ers: 1986
Notable Selections
Best Pick: DE/OLB Charles Haley
2: DE Larry Roberts
3: FB Tom Rathman
3b: CB Tim McKyer
3c: WR John Taylor
4: DE Charles Haley
4b: T Steve Wallace
4c: DE Kevin Fagan
6: CB Don Griffin
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
If you weren’t impressed by the Steelers’ 1974 draft, Bill Walsh and the 49ers fortified their roster in 1986 without selecting a player in the first round. They wound up with a slew of starters artists and pivotal performers who were big parts of the team’s back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1988 and ’89.
Defensive linemen Larry Roberts and Kevin Fagan were key pieces up front while fullback Tom Rathman and tackle Steve Wallace brought a little more power to the running game. John Taylor was the perfect complement to the legendary Jerry Rice. And Hall of Fame defender Charles Haley terrorized opposing quarterbacks.
Seattle Seahawks: 2012
Notable Selections
1: DE Bruce Irvin
2: LB Bobby Wagner
3: QB Russell Wilson
4: RB Robert Turbin
6: CB Jeremy Lane
7: G J.R. Sweezy
Best Pick: QB Russell Wilson
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
The Seattle Seahawks were a powerhouse for most of the decade of the 2010s and won a Super Bowl in 2013. It was a team early on led by its defense and eventually carried by quarterback Russell Wilson. The nine-time Pro Bowler was dealt to the Denver Broncos this offseason but is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and TD tosses.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams. But the eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest. And tough Robert Turbin was a key part of Seattle’s ground attack his first three years.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1995
Notable Selections
1: DT Warren Sapp
1b: LB Derrick Brooks
2: DB Melvin Johnson
4: CB Jerry Wilson
Best Pick: OLB Derrick Brooks
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
There was stretch in the mid-1990s in which the Buccaneers selected two players in the first round for three consecutive years. It began in 1995 on the team when the team opted for a pair of star performers who played their college football in the Sunshine State.
And both defensive tackle Warren Sapp (Miami, Fla.) and linebacker Derek Brooks (Florida State) wound up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and were big parts of the team’s Super Bowl XXXVII victory over the then-Oakland Raiders. All told, Sapp and Brooks combined for 18 Pro Bowl invitations (11 by Brooks) and earned All-Pro honors nine times (5 by Brooks).
Tennessee Titans: 1987
Notable Selections
1: RB Alonzo Highsmith
1b: WR Haywood Jeffires
3: QB Cody Carlson
5: RB Spencer Tillman
6: LB Al Smith
6b: Toby Caston
10: WR Curtis Duncan
11: G John Davis
Best Pick: WR Haywood Jeffires
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
It’s an original AFL franchise that has still only made one Super Bowl appearance (1999) and that came under the club’s current name and home. But when the Tennessee Titans were still the Houston Oilers back in 1987, they came away with a solid draft class.
It included a pair of wide receivers (Haywood Jeffires and Curtis Duncan) who made big impacts in the “Run and Shoot” offense commandeered by Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon. However, keep in mind that this very talented team would make seven consecutive playoff appearance from 1987-93 but never reached the AFC title game.
Washington Commanders: 1981
Notable Selections
1: G Mark May
3: G Russ Grimm
5: DE Dexter Manley
8: WR Charlie Brown
9: DT Darryl Grant
12: TE Clint Didier
Best Pick: G Russ Grimm
How Did This Class Change The Franchise?
Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs first season with the franchise came in 1981. That year, the club came up with a draft bonanza – getting contributions from a lot of different rounds. These players were pivotal performer in some or all four of the franchise’s Super Sunday appearances over 10 years from 1982-91.
Pro Football Hall of Fame guard Russ Grimm – who did play in all four Super Bowls over that stretch – was a key member of “The Hogs.” Defensive end Dexter Manley was a fearsome pass-rusher, two-time wide receiver Charlie Brown was an underrated performer and 12th-round pick Clint Didier was quite the steal.