2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the 10 Best Detroit Lions Draft Picks of All Time

There may not be a harder job in the world than being a Detroit Lions fan.

Detroit fans have seen their team go through some bad times over the years, and it seems like right when this organization gives us some hope, they just seem to fall right back down.

But over the past 80-plus years of the Detroit Lions' existence, there has been some standout players despite the consistent poor records. We have seen guys like Barry Sanders, Herman Moore and Bill Sims get drafted by Detroit and go on to record-setting careers with the Lions.

But where do these guys rank amongst the best Lions draft picks?

Let's break this down and take you through the 10 best Detroit Lions draft picks of all time.

10. Alex Karras, DT, 1958

Alex Karras was the No. 10 overall pick in the 1958 NFL draft out of Iowa.

While playing for Detroit from 1958-1970, Karras was a four-time Pro Bowl player who played with some serious attitude.

During Karras' time wearing a Lions uniform, Detroit posted six winning seasons, including a playoff appearance in 1970. During that year, the Lions defense allowed less than 15 points-per-game, which ranked second in the NFL.

Karras anchored a defensive line that was consistently known as being one of the best in the league in the 1960s.

9. Billy Sims, RB, 1980

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SAN FRANCISCO - 1983: Running back Billy Sims #20 of the Detroit Lions gets tackled during a game against the San Francisco 49ers in a 1983 NFL season game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Getty Images)

Billy Sims was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1980 draft out of Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy award.

When Sims arrived in Detroit, he made an immediate impact in the Lions' backfield. In fact, he was elected to the Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons (1980, 81, and 82). He led Detroit to the playoffs in 1982 and 83, but the Lions lost both of those games in the first round.

Unfortunately, Sims career came to a sudden end in the 1984 season when he suffered a career ending knee injury. Go figure, right Detroit fans?

In his five seasons with the Lions, Sims totaled over 5,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards. Who knows how good he could have been, had he stayed healthy?

8. Jack Christiansen, S, 1951

Jack Christiansen might come in here at No. 8 as far as all-time draft choices go, but when it comes to draft steals in Lions' franchise history, he would probably top the charts at No. 1.

The former defensive back standout was selected by Detroit in the sixth round of the 1951 NFL Draft. He was the No. 69 overall pick out of Colorado State University.

Christian was arguably the best defensive back in Detroit's franchise history. In 1952 and 53, he helped lead the Lions to an NFL championship, while grabbing a league-best 12 interceptions in 1953.

In 1857, he also led the NFL in interceptions, with 10, and helped lead Detroit to another championship. He ended his career in Detroit with 46 interceptions, which ranks fourth on the Lions' all-time list.

While Christiansen was outstanding as a defensive back, he also excelled in the return game. As a punt returner, he had 85 returns for 1,084 yards, and his 12.8 average is a Detroit record and ranks third all-time in NFL history.

Christiansen was a five-time Pro Bowl selection in Detroit and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

7. Lomas Brown, OT, 1985

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6 Dec 1992: Left tackle Lomas Brown of the Detroit Lions sets to pass block during the Lions 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lomas Brown was the No. 6 overall pick for Detroit in the 1985 draft out of the University of Florida.

Brown played for the Lions for 11 seasons from 1985-1995. During his time in Detroit, Brown developed into one of the premier offensive tackles in all of football, paving the way for Hall of Fame running back, Barry Sanders.

During his time in Detroit, Brown started nearly every game he played for the Lions, totaling 164 in his Lions career.

He was a seven-time Pro Bowl player, and is still considered to be one of the best blocking offensive tackles to have ever played the game.

6. Charlie Sanders, TE, 1968

Charlie Sanders was another guy who could be considered one of the top draft-day steals in Detroit Lions history. The legendary Lions' tight end was drafted in the third round, No. 74 overall out of the University of Minnesota.

During his time in Detroit, Sanders developed into the top tight end in Lions' franchise history. He finished his 10-year career in Detroit with 336 receptions . He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times (1968–1971 and 1974–1976), and was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team.

Charlie Sanders holds his place in the NFL Hall of Fame, and in 2008, he was chosen as a member of the Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary All Time Team.

5. Chris Spielman, LB, 1988

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8 Oct 1995: Linebacker Chris Spielman of the Detroit Lions jogs off the field during the Lions 38-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Michigan. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT

After completing a standout college career at Ohio State, Chris Spielman was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round, No. 29 overall in the 1988 NFL Draft.

Spielman played eight seasons with the Lions and was part of the teams resurgence in the mid 1990's. His outstanding play from the linebacker position helped lead Detroit to four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles, and a berth in the 1992 NFC Championship Game.

Spielman currently ranks as Detroit’s all-time leader in career tackles with 1,138.

In fact, Spielman led Detroit in tackles every season he wore the Honolulu blue and gray.

4. Robert Porcher, DE, 1992

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DETROIT- DECEMBER 29: Defensive end Robert Porcher #91 of the Detroit Lions celebrates during the NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 29, 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings defeated the Lions 38-36. (Photo by Tom Pidgeo

Robert Porcher was selected by the Lions with the No. 26 overall pick in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft.

During his 12 years with the Lions, Porcher put together arguably the greatest playing career of any defensive end to put on a Detroit uniform.

The three-time Pro Bowler put together six seasons with 10+ sacks from 1996-2001. In fact, he stands alone as the Lions' all-time sacks leader, totaling 95.5 sacks in his NFL career.

Porcher and Spielman were part of a Lions defense that will always be remembered by Detroit football fans.

3. Herman Moore, WR, 1991

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6 Dec 1998: Wide receiver Herman Moore #84 of the Detroit Lions in action during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Lions 37-22.

There isn't a receiver that was more valuable during his time in a Lions uniform as Herman Moore was in the 1990's.

Moore was selected in the first round as the No. 10 overall pick by the Lions out of Virginia in 1991.

The standout wide receiver played in 145 games during 11 seasons in Detroit and solidified his name throughout Lions' record books. He currently holds the Lions' career receiving marks in receptions (670), yards (9,174) and touchdown catches (62).

During his time in Detroit, Moore set a then-NFL record with 123 receptions in one season. The four-time Pro Bowl player was a member of six playoff teams in the 1990s (1991, 1993-95, 1997 and 1999). He was also a member of two teams that won the NFC Central division.

Its fair to say that Moore played a huge role in Detroit's success and was part of the "good ol' days" in the 1990's.

2. Joe Schmidt, LB, 1953

This is really taking it back to the old school, but back in 1953, the Detroit Lions drafted Joe Schmidt, who is one of the biggest draft day surprises in the history of the NFL.

Detroit selected Schmidt in the seventh round, No. 85 overall in 1953 out of the University of Pittsburgh.

Schmidt helped lead Detroit to it's second straight NFL title as a rookie. By 1956, Schmidt was named a team captain, and then in 1957, he was named the top defensive player in the NFL.

When it was all said-and-done at the end of his 12 year playing career, Schmidt was voted as a 10-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker and 10-time All-NFL player. He won the league MVP award in 1960, unanimously voted as the top player in the NFL.

In 1999, Schmidt was ranked No. 65 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

1. Barry Sanders, RB, 1989

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6 Dec 1998: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Lions 37-22. Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport

Not only is Barry Sanders the best draft pick in Detroit Lions history, but he is in the conversation for the best players to ever play the game of football.

Sanders came to Detroit in the 1989 draft when he was selected as the No. 3 overall player out of Oklahoma State.

Sanders was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1989, and then it was all up-hill from there for this Hall of Fame running back.

In Sanders' career, he was named to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his seasons in the NFL. He was the Offensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 97, NFL MVP in 1997, and was named to the 1990s NFL All-Decade team.

Barry Sanders closed out his career, ranking third all-time in rushing yards with 15,269, a mark that he certainly could have broke had he not retired at an early age. He also ranks fourth all-time in rushing attempts, and eighth in rushing touchdowns, with 99.

He was the greatest Detroit Lions player to ever play the game, and should keep that title for years to come.