Was 1975 The Best NFL Draft Ever For Defensive Tackles?

During my Crazy Canton Cuts series, I have come across several outstanding drafts to review.

Whether its coming across a Hall of Fame player drafted early or late in drafts, it is fun to see.

1975 caught my eye especially for defensive lineman.

Rams and Chargers fans may remember this year as being one of the best overall drafts in their teams histories.

The Chargers and Rams both found seven starters each.

San Diego drafted five starters on defense alone.

Here is a review of how excellent a draft that was for linemen especially.

San Diego Chargers :

All they did was draft two multiple Pro Bowl Defensive Tackles in Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Louie Kelcher.

Then they drafted Hall of Fame Defensive End Fred Dean.

They also drafted cornerback Mike Williams and safety Mike Fuller. They even added offensive tackle Billy Shields and running back Rickey Young.

Young would later be traded to Minnesota for NFL Great guard Ed White, a Crazy Canton Cuts profilee, and once caught 88 passes for the Vikings.

That was an NFL record for running backs for many years. He got 74 the next year, and had 408 for his career.

After dominating for the Bolts, Johnson, Kelcher, and Dean would go on to help the 49ers win a Super Bowl together.

Johnson holds the Chargers’ season record for sacks with 17.5 in 1980.

Los Angeles Rams:

The got guard Dennis Harrah, a Crazy Canton Cut profilee, and tackle Doug France for their offensive line. Both were multiple Pro Bowlers.

They also got two serviceable defensive linemen in DT Mike Fanning and DE Leroy Jones.

They drafted Pro Bowl QB Pat Haden, and Pro Bowl cornerbacks Monte Jackson and Rod Perry as well.

Dallas Cowboys :

You COULD say : they drafted Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White. Leaving it at the Manster would work.

Yet, they drafted 3 starting linebackers in Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, Mike Hegman, and Bob Bruenig as well.

They also drafted 2 multiple Pro Bowlers for the offensive line in guard Herbert Scott, and offensive tackle Pat Donovan. They even added special teams gunner Scott Laidlaw, who helped at running back too.

San Francisco 49ers :

They drafted two starting defensive tackles in Jimmy Webb and Cleveland Elam. Elam lasted just 4 years in the NFL, but made 2 Pro Bowls in his injury riddled career.

Ed White said Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly was the best player he ever faced, but said Elam was just as good when healthy.

Remember, White faced Hall of Famers Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Fred Dean, as well as Gary Johnson and Louie Kelcher, in practice every day for years. This is high praise for a man who knows greatness first hand.

Webb also battled injuries in his 6 NFL seasons, but was solid. Another guy drafted that year was wide receiver Freddie Soloman, but by Miami. 49er fans surely remember him.


Cleveland Elam

Denver Broncos :

The Broncs got two key members of their famous Orange Crush defense that year. cornerback Louis Wright, a Crazy Canton Cut profilee, and defensive tackle Rubin Carter.

They also drafted wide receiver Rick Upchurch, a great punt returner, and safety Steve Foley. They could have drafted linebacker Robert Brazile too, yet another Crazy Canton Cut profilee, but they had traded that pick to the Houston Oilers.

Detroit Lions:

They drafted multiple Pro Bowl defensive tackle Doug English. They also added running back Horace King, and wide receiver Leonard Thompson.

There were some good defensive ends drafted too that year. Here is a few.


Chicago Bears :

Not only did they get defensive end Mike Hartenstine, but they drafted a few running backs you may have heard of. Hall of Famer Walter Payton and Roland Harper.

They added strong safety Doug Plank, quarterback Bob Avellini, and guard Revie Sorey too.

Hartenstine laid one of the most brutal hits I ever witnessed on a quarterback. It was on Ron Jaworski.

Of course, it knocked Jaworski out of the game. Jaws was back the next week though to set the record for consecutive starts by a quarterback eventually.

If this hit took place today, the NFL might have banned Hartenstine for life.

Ahhhh, when MEN played FOOTBALL!

WISH I could show you, but the No Fun League took the clip off of youtube.

The New York Giants drafted George Martin. He scored five touchdowns in his 14 year career with the Big Blue as a defensive end. Many know what a great player George was, but I'd like to mention what a great man he is.

George walked across the ENTIRE United States for a 9/11 charity. He raised money and awareness, but most importantly, he raised the spirits of many!

Bless you George Martin!!

In summary, you see a few Hall of Famers in Randy White and Fred Dean. Two guys are on the Canton fringe in Gary Johnson and Doug English. Carter and Kelcher were fantastic as well. Elam was one of the best in his short time, and guys like Webb and Fanning were very solid.

What do you think?

If you know of a better class of DT's in one draft : tell me.