The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events in sports. Every year, teams hope to find the next generation of stars that will lead them to a championship. But what makes a draft class truly great? Is it the number of superstars it produces? The impact on the teams that drafted them? Or something else entirely?
While there is no definitive answer, there are a few draft classes that stand out as contenders for the title of "Best Ever". Let's take a look at some of the most notable:
1983 NFL Draft
This draft is often considered the gold standard. It featured a remarkable eight players who were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
- Eric Dickerson (Running Back): Led the NFL in rushing four times and was a six-time Pro Bowler.
- Jim Kelly (Quarterback): Led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
- John Elway (Quarterback): Won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.
- Dan Marino (Quarterback): Holds the NFL record for most passing yards in a single season and was a nine-time Pro Bowler.
- Kenny Easley (Safety): Won Defensive Player of the Year in 1981 and was a four-time Pro Bowler.
- Bruce Matthews (Offensive Tackle): Played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for 19 seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
- Tony Mandarich (Offensive Tackle): A top prospect who struggled in the NFL due to injuries.
- Willis McGahee (Running Back): A three-time Pro Bowler with the Miami Dolphins.
The 1983 draft also produced other notable players, like Pro Bowlers Reggie White and Kevin Greene.
1990 NFL Draft
This draft was a powerhouse in terms of producing stars. Here are some of the most notable names:
- Barry Sanders (Running Back): A legendary running back who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Deion Sanders (Cornerback): A dominant defensive back and eight-time Pro Bowler who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Derrick Thomas (Linebacker): A fearsome pass rusher who holds the NFL record for sacks in a single game.
- Emmitt Smith (Running Back): The NFL's all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion.
- Warren Sapp (Defensive Tackle): A dominant defensive tackle who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Junior Seau (Linebacker): A fearsome linebacker and a twelve-time Pro Bowler.
This draft class was a mix of talent and impact, making it one of the most impressive ever.
2004 NFL Draft
This draft class is often considered the "quarterback class" due to the number of successful quarterbacks it produced:
- Eli Manning (Quarterback): Won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
- Ben Roethlisberger (Quarterback): Won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Philip Rivers (Quarterback): An eight-time Pro Bowler with the San Diego Chargers.
- Matt Schaub (Quarterback): A six-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans.
- J.P. Losman (Quarterback): Played seven seasons in the NFL with three different teams.
While the 2004 draft lacked the sheer number of Hall of Famers that other drafts produced, it's hard to argue against the impact of these quarterbacks.
The Debate Continues
Ultimately, the best draft class ever is a matter of opinion. There are many other draft classes that could be considered, such as the 1970 draft, the 1995 draft, and the 2011 draft. Each of these classes has its own unique blend of talent and impact.
The beauty of the NFL Draft is that it constantly produces new stars, making the debate over the "best ever" a fun and exciting one. There is no doubt that the future holds many more incredible draft classes to come.