2011 NFL Draft: Ranking the Best First-Round Picks of All Time, Nos. 1-32
Some players are diamonds in the rough, getting picked in the later rounds of the draft or not at all. This article will not be about them.
This article will chronicle the best first-round pick for each of the 32 slots in the first round—the players that lived up to the hype and then some. There are no busts in this draft—just Hall of Famers and All-Pros for everyone.
Only players with significant accomplishments for the team that drafted them will be considered. So too bad, John Elway—you're not on the list.
Note: Pick No. 32 only goes back to 2002, pick No. 31 only goes back to 1999 and picks No. 29 and No. 30 only go back to 1995, so those four slots have fewer players to choose from.
No. 32: Logan Mankins, G, Patriots
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Mankins was selected by New England in the 2005 draft. Since then, he has started every game of his five-year career, earning Pro Bowl honors twice. He was a key member of the 2007 16-0 Patriots team.
Runner-Up: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Giants (2006)
No. 31: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders
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Asomugha was picked up by Oakland in 2003. In his eight years in the NFL, he has gone to three Pro Bowls and was voted a first-team All-Pro in 2008. He also finished third in the NFL with eight interceptions in 2008.
Runner-Up: Todd Heap, TE, Ravens (2001)
No. 30: Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
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Drafted by Indianapolis in 2001, Wayne has been voted to the Pro Bowl in five of his 10 years in the league. He led the league in 2007 with 1510 yards and has posted 7 seasons of over 1000 yards.
Runners-Up: Heath Miller, TE, Steelers (2005) and Joseph Addai, RB, Colts (2006)
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No. 29: Nick Mangold, C, Jets
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Mangold was drafted by New York in 2006. He has been elected to three Pro Bowls in his five years in the NFL. He was also named a first-team All-Pro in 2009 and has started every game since he was drafted.
Runner-Up: Nick Barnett, LB, Packers (2003)
No. 28: Darrell Green, CB, Redskins
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Green, arguably the fastest man in NFL history, was picked up by Washington in 1983. In his two decades in the NFL, he started 258 games and went to seven Pro Bowls. His 54 career interceptions are tied for 19th all-time. Green is a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2008.
Runner-Up: Derrick Brooks, LB, Buccaneers (1995)
No. 27: Dan Marino, QB, Dolphins
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Marino, selected in the great QB draft of 1983, played in Miami for 17 seasons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times and won the 1984 MVP award.
He retired as the NFL's career leader in passing yards (61,361), passing touchdowns (420), completions (4,967) and attempts (8,358). Marino is a 2005 Hall of Fame inductee.
Runners-Up: Neal Anderson, RB, Bears (1986) and Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs (2003)
No. 26: Ray Lewis, MLB, Ravens
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Drafted in 1996 by Baltimore, Lewis has gone to 12 Pro Bowls in 15 seasons, missing only in his rookie year and two seasons in which he missed significant time with injuries. He has been named Defensive Player of the Year twice and Super Bowl MVP in 2000. He is nearing 1,500 tackles for his career.
Runners-Up: Alan Faneca, G, Steelers (1998) and Joe DeLamielleure, G, Bills (1973)
No. 25: Stanley Morgan, WR, Patriots
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Morgan was drafted by New England in 1977. He went to four Pro Bowls during his 14-year career and led the NFL in yards per reception three times. He had two seasons with more than 1,000 yards and 10 or more touchdowns.
Runner-Up: Jermaine Mayberry, G, Eagles (1996)
No. 24: Ed Reed, S, Ravens
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Reed was selected by Baltimore in 2002. He has since gone to seven Pro Bowls in nine seasons and was named the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year. His 54 career interceptions rank 19th all-time, and his 1,438 interception return yards rank second only to Rod Woodson.
Runners-Up: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers (2005) and Eric Moulds, WR, Bills (1996)
No. 23: Ozzie Newsome, TE, Browns
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The Wizard of Oz, as he was known, was drafted by Cleveland in 1978. He played in three Pro Bowls and posted two 1,000-yard seasons. He retired as the all-time leader in receiving yards among tight ends. He is also one of only seven TEs to post multiple 1,000-yard seasons.
Runners-Up: Ray Guy, P, Raiders (1973), Bruce Armstrong, T, Patriots (1987), Ty Law, CB, Patriots (1995) and Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints (2001)
No. 22: William Perry, DT, Bears
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The Fridge was drafted by Chicago in 1985. Most famous for his goal-line run in the Super Bowl, Perry was once the heaviest player in the NFL. He finished his career with nearly 30 sacks and over 500 tackles.
Runners-Up: Hanford Dixon, CB, Browns (1981) and Gill Byrd, CB, Chargers (1983)
No. 21: Randy Moss, WR, Vikings
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Moss, passed over by many teams because of character issues, was drafted by Minnesota in 1998. In his seven years as a Viking, he was over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs six times each. He's been to seven Pro Bowls and holds the record for receiving TDs in a single season. He's top five all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Runners-Up: Lynn Swann, WR, Steelers (1974), William Fuller, DE, Rams (1984) and Vince Wilfork, DT, Patriots (2004)
No. 20: Jack Youngblood, DE, Rams
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Youngblood was drafted by Los Angeles in 1971. He was voted to seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001. He played most of his career before sacks were recorded but averaged 10 per year over his last two seasons.
Runner-Up: Steve Atwater, S Broncos, (1989)
No. 19: Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts
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Harrison, picked by Indianapolis in 1996, is one of only five players in NFL history with 1,000 receptions for 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns. He teamed with Peyton Manning to record eight straight years of at least 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. He still holds the single-season record for receptions at 143.
Harrison is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro.
Runners-Up: Jack Tatum, FS, Raiders (1971), Randall McDaniel, G, Vikings (1988) and Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (2000)
No. 18: Art Monk, WR, Redskins
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Monk, drafted by Washington in 1980, retired in the top five all-time in receptions and receiving yards. In 1984, he became the first player to record a 100-catch season in the NFL.
He was selected to three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team. Monk recorded five 1,000-yard seasons on his way to a 2008 Hall of Fame induction.
Runner-Up: Will Smith, DE, Saints (2004)
No. 17: Emmitt Smith, RB, Cowboys
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Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, was drafted by Dallas in 1990. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams and won the 1993 NFL MVP award.
In addition to rushing yards, he tops the all-time list in rushing attempts and touchdowns. He led the NFL in yards four times and touchdowns three times.
Runners-Up: Gene Upshaw, G, Raiders (1967) and Steve Hutchinson, G, Seahawks (2001)
No. 16: Jerry Rice, WR, 49ers
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Rice, drafted by San Francisco in 1985, owns career record in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He was selected to 13 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams, tied for the most all-time, on his way to a 2010 Hall of Fame induction.
He led the NFL in yards and touchdowns six times each. He still holds the record for most receiving yards in a season and has the second-best single-season touchdown total.
Runner-Up: Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers 2003
No. 15: Alan Page, DT, Vikings
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Drafted by Minnesota in 1967, Page is one of only two defensive players to ever win the NFL MVP award. He went to nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams on his way to a 1988 Hall of Fame induction.
In 1970 he recovered seven fumbles, one of only 10 defensive players to do so. He played in all four of Minnesota's Super Bowl appearances.
Runners-Up: Dennis Smith, S, Broncos (1981) and Vaughan Johnson, LB, Saints (1984)
No. 14: Eddie George, RB, Oilers
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Drafted in 1996 by the then-Houston Oilers, George is one of only 25 players to rush for over 10,000 yards. He topped 1,000 yards in seven of his nine seasons, earning four Pro Bowl appearances, one All-Pro selection and Rookie of the Year honors. His 453 touches in 2000 are the third-most of any player in a single season.
Runners-Up: Jim Kelly, QB, Bills (1983), Ruben Brown, G, Bills (1995) and Jeremy Shockey, TE, Giants (2002)
No. 13: Bob Lilly, DT, Cowboys
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Lilly, drafted by Dallas in 1961, played in every game for the next 14 years. He was named to 11 Pro Bowl teams, seven All-Pro teams and the 1980 Hall of Fame class. He has 18 fumble recoveries and four touchdowns for his career.
Runners-Up: Franco Harris, RB, Steelers (1972), Kellen Winslow, TE, Chargers (1979) and Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs (1997)
No. 12: Warren Sapp, DT, Buccaneers
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Drafted by Tampa Bay in 1995, Sapp was selected to seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. He also won the 1999 Defensive Player of the Year Award. He retired with 96.5 sacks, second only to John Randle among defensive tackles. His 16.5 sacks in 2000 rank fourth all-time for a DT in one season.
Runner-Up: Herb Adderly, CB, Packers (1961)
No. 11: Leo Nomellini, DT, 49ers
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Nomellini, born in Italy, was drafted by San Francisco in 1950 and earned his way to 10 Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969. He played in every single game of his 14-year career.
Runners-Up: Frank Gifford, RB, Giants (1952), Paul Warfield, WR, Browns (1964), Michael Irvin, WR, Cowboys (1988) and Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (2004)
No. 10: Rod Woodson, CB, Steelers
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Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1987, Woodson started at cornerback and served as the primary kick returner and punt returner as well. He finished his career with 17 touchdowns, second only to Deion Sanders for non-offensive touchdowns.
Woodson went to 11 Pro Bowls, was named to six All-Pro teams and was awarded the 1993 Defensive POY award.
Runners-Up: Marcus Allen, RB, Raiders (1982) and Willie Anderson, T, Bengals (1996)
No. 9: Bruce Matthews, G, Oilers
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Matthews, who played all five offensive line positions during his career, was drafted by the then-Houston Oilers in 1983. He started 292 games, second only to Brett Favre, and went to an NFL-record 14 Pro Bowls on his way to a 2007 Hall of Fame induction. He missed only 12 starts in his 19-year career.
Runners-Up: Lenny Moore, RB, Colts (1956) and Brian Urlacher, MLB, Bears (2000)
No. 8: Ronnie Lott, S, 49ers
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Lott, drafted by San Francisco in 1981, led the NFL in defensive touchdowns as a rookie. The 10-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro also led the league in interceptions twice during his career. He is one of only 75 players to record 10 or more INTs in one season. He hoisted four Lombardi Trophies on his way to a 2000 Hall of Fame induction.
No. 7: Sterling Sharpe, WR, Packers
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Drafted by Green Bay in 1988, Sharpe was named to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams before his career was cut short by a neck injury. He led the league in receptions three times, yards once and touchdowns twice during his seven-year career. His 18 TDs in 1994 trail only Jerry Rice and Randy Moss in a single season all-time.
Runners Up: Bulldog Turner, C/LB, Bears ()1940, Chuck Howley, LB, Bears (1958), Champ Bailey, CB, Redskins (1999) and Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings (2007)
No. 6: Jim Brown, RB, Browns
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Drafted by Cleveland in 1957, Brown only played nine years. In those nine years he went to nine Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro teams and led the league in rushing eight times.
In 1963, he rushed for more yards than any other two players combined. He also retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, won three MVP awards and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Runners-Up: Sammy Baugh, QB, Redskins (1937), Carl Eller, DE, Vikings (1964) and Tim Brown, WR, Raiders (1988)
No. 5: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers
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Drafted by San Diego in 2001 as part of the Michael Vick trade, Tomlinson has been selected to five Pro Bowls and was named the 2006 MVP. His 28 rushing TDs that season still stand as an NFL record.
In his first eight seasons, he went over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs every year. He led the NFL in rushing yards twice and touchdowns three times.
Runners-Up: Steve Van Buren, RB, Eagles (1944), Mike Ditka, TE, Bears (1961), Deion Sanders, CB, Falcons (1989) and Junior Seau, OLB, Chargers (1990)
No. 4: Walter Payton, RB, Bears
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Drafted by Chicago in 1975, Payton was chosen to nine Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. He also won the 1977 MVP award and retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher on his way to a 1993 Hall of Fame induction. He is one of only four players to average 130 yards per game for a season.
The NFL named the man of the year award for Payton after his death in 1999.
Runners-Up: Gale Sayers, RB, Bears (1965), Joe Greene, DT, Steelers (1969), John Hannah, G, Patriots (1973), Reggie White, DE, Eagles (1984), Derrick Thomas, OLB, Chiefs (1989), Jonathan Ogden, T, Ravens (1996) and Charles Woodson, CB, Raiders (1998)
No. 3: Barry Sanders, RB, Lions
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Sanders, drafted by the Lions in 1989, topped 1,000 yards every year of his decade-long career. He went to 10 Pro Bowls, earned six All-Pro selections and won the 1997 MVP award.
He led the league in rushing four times and is one of only six running backs to record a 2,000-yard season. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Runners-Up: Merlin Olsen, DT, Rams (1962), Dick Butkus, MLB, Bears (1965), Anthony Munoz, T, Bengals (1980), Andre Johnson, WR, Texans (2003) and Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals (2004)
No. 2: Lawrence Taylor, OLB, Giants
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Taylor was drafted by New York in 1981 and was named Rookie of the Year. He is one of only seven players to record 20 or more sacks in a season and joins Alan Page as the only defensive players ever to win the MVP award.
He earned 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro choices and a 1999 Hall of Fame induction.
Runners-Up: Sid Luckman, QB, Bears (1939), Randy White, DT, Cowboys (1975), Eric Dickerson, RB, Rams (1983) and Tony Boselli, T, Jaguars (1995)
No. 1: Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
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Manning, drafted by Indianapolis in 1998, in the only player in NFL history to win four MVP awards. In his 13 seasons, he has gone to 11 Pro Bowls and been named to five All-Pro teams.
He has thrown for 4,000 yards an NFL-record 11 times and trails only Brett Favre in seasons with 30 or more touchdowns. He has led the league in yards twice and TDs three times.
Runners-Up: Chuck Bednarik, C/LB, Eagles (1949), Joe Namath, QB, Jets (1965), Ron Yary, T, Vikings (1968), O.J. Simpson, RB, Bills (1969), Terry Bradshaw, QB, Steelers (1970), Earl Campbell, RB, Oilers (1978), Bruce Smith, DE, Bills (1985), Troy Aikman, QB, Cowboys (1989) and Orlando Pace, T, Rams (1997)
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