The BEST Green Bay Packers First-Round Draft Picks of the Last 50 Years

Dave Robinson, LB—1963—Selected 13th overall

6'3", 245 lbs.

Out of Penn State University, Dave Robinson was an All-American two-way player for the Nittany Lions at tight end and defensive end. Robinson was a superb athlete, and could probably play almost any position on the field.

Drafted by Vince Lombardi with the intention to convert him into a linebacker, Robinson was the understudy for Dan Currie his first year. He earned the starting spot the next season and was a fixture there for the Packers for the next nine seasons.

Robinson was a key player for the Packers' defense during their three straight NFL championships. He intercepted 12 passes during those seasons and finished with 27 interceptions during his 12-year NFL career. Robinson was a new breed of linebacker in the NFL: tall, fast, intelligent, and skilled.

Robinson wanted so much to finish his career with the Packers. But unfortunately, Dan Devine had other ideas. In 1973, after 10 years with the Packers, he decided he wanted younger players and traded Robinson to George Allen's Washington Redskins. Robinson played two years for the Redskins and then retired from the NFL.

Dave Robinson was a three-time Pro Bowler, the MVP of the 1967 Pro Bowl and was named to the NFL All-Decade team of the 1960s. In addition, Dave Robinson is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.

John Brockington, RB—1971—Selected ninth overall

6'1", 225 lbs.

Out of Ohio State University, John Brockington had just set the OSU single-season rushing yardage record as a senior. The Packers made him their first selection in the draft but probably never could have expected the instant production they got out of Brockington.

Brockington crashed onto the NFL season his rookie year, gaining more than 1,000 yards and making the Pro Bowl. Amazingly, he repeated those feats his next two seasons as well, becoming the first player in NFL History to rush for more than 1,000 yards in his first three NFL seasons.

Brockington represented a new type of running back, with the strength to run through and over defenders, instead of around them. Together with MacArthur Lane, the Packers' running game was of the bruising variety in the early 70s.

Unfortunately, all of that contact started to wear down Brockington. During his fourth season he reached 800 rushing yards and was used more as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 43 passes.

That was his last productive season for the Packers and after playing in only one game in 1977, his seventh with the Packers, he was released. He joined the Kansas City Chiefs for one year, but hardly played.  He retired from the NFL after that season.

Although he didn't have a long career, Brockington was a star from day one with the Packers. If his career had been longer, he might have been in the discussion for greatest Packer first-round pick of all time. As it is, he's still near the top of the list. Brockington is a member of the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.

Sterling Sharpe, WR—1988—Selected seventh overall

6'0", 207 lbs.

Out of the University of South Carolina, Sterling Sharpe graduated with a double major and a retired jersey already in hand.

As a holder of numerous receiving records for the Gamecocks, the school decided not to wait and retired his jersey after his senior year. Sharpe was the school record-holder for career receptions (169), receiving yards (2,497), and receiving touchdowns (17).

Sharpe was an immediate starter as the first round pick for the Packers.  During his rookie season he caught 55 passes, the most ever for a Green Bay Packer rookie. In his second year, Sharpe caught 90 passes and was on his way to an amazing career.

In 1992, Sharpe's fifth season in the NFL, a new quarterback with a big arm and a funny name—Favre—emerged for the Green Bay Packers. That season was one of the greatest ever recorded by a receiver.

Sharpe broke the NFL single season reception record with 107 and led the league in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Only seven players in NFL history have accomplished this: Don Hutson (5 times!), Elroy Hirsch, Pete Pihos, Raymond Berry, Jerry Rice, and Steve Smith.

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