Camila Sosa
Today is the 2022 NFL Draft, and, in order to commemorate the occasion, we bring you the latest part of our ranking of the top picks made in the history of the draft through each position that makes up the first round of the draft. From the eighth pick to the first overall pick, this section of the draft is defined for the best prospects of each class, and from here have come huge players as well as huge failures, but who managed to transcend beyond an average player, have made history in American football.
In case you missed them, here are the previous editions of the ranking:
Without further ado, we finally present the best picks in NFL Draft history from the eighth to the first position.
8.- Ronnie Lott, S/CB – San Francisco 49ers (1981)
One of the most important members of the 49ers of the 80’s, a dynasty with which he won the Super Bowl four times. His arrival to the franchise was of great impact from the beginning of his career: since his beginning in 1981, the 49ers went from being the second worst defense in the league to the second best instantly and directly to winning Super Bowl XVI. In addition to that, he earned 10 Pro-Bowl selections, six All-Pro selections, and two interception leaders (1986, 1991).
7.- Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings (2007)
The same cause that limited his rise up the 2007 draft order was what ended up limiting his long-term career: injuries (and probably, his behavior as well). Peterson has probably been the most dominant running back in the entire NFL in the modern era, winning an MVP award, the Offensive Player of the Year and the Comeback of the Year, all during 2012, in addition to leading the league in rushing three times, and winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2007.
Seven Pro-Bowls and four All-Pro’s don’t make justice to how dominant he was on the field despite his multiple absences due to injuries and suspensions.
6.- Jim Brown, RB/FB – Cleveland Browns (1957)
Speaking of dominant running backs, no one has ever been as dominant in the history of the NFL as Jim Brown was during his era: for nine seasons, he led the league in rushing through eight times and is the only one so far to average more than 100 rushing yards per game in his entire career. It just doesn’t make sense.
Brown was selected to nine Pro-Bowls, eight All-Pro, was named league MVP three times and Rookie of the Year during his debut in 1957. He would go on to win only one Super Bowl in his career, which he spent in complete form with the Cleveland Browns.
5.- Deion Sanders, CB – Atlanta Falcons (1989)
Beyond his great NFL career, Sanders was a multifaceted athlete: being a professional American football and MLB player at the same time, and so far the only player in history to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. Clearly, we already know we are dealing with another level of talent.
Sanders accumulated eight Pro-Bowl selections, six All-Pro selections, and was also selected as Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 with the San Francisco 49ers, winning the Super Bowl XXIX with them, and the Super Bowl XXX with the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders is simply one of those athletes that are truly unique: his dominance in the NFL and the ability he had to run a competent major leagues career at the same time are things you just don’t see these days.
4.- Walter Payton, RB – Chicago Bears (1975)
Probably the greatest player in the history of the Chicago Bears during the 70’s and 80’s. There was no question who was the greatest running back of all times: Payton himself indeed. What’s more, he was not only excellent within his position, he recorded 492 receptions and eight touchdown passes (the second-highest mark in history for non-quarterbacks). Throughout his 12-year career, all with Chicago, he accumulated nine Pro-Bowls, five All-Pro, one MVP and Offensive Player of the Year award (1977) and one Super Bowl victory (XX).
3.- Larry Fitzgerald, WR – Arizona Cardinals (2004)
In fierce competition with Dick Butkus and Barry Sanders, Fitzgerald is simply the display of consistency and loyalty that any team would want from any NFL draft prospect. His 17 seasons were with the Cardinals, where he became one of the best receivers in the history of both the modern era and all of American soccer for his unfailing performance.
He is second all-time in receiving yards (17,492), receptions (1432) and sixth in receiving TDs (906), in addition to his 11 Pro-Bowl selections, one All-Pro and one Walter Payton Award in 2016.
2.- Lawrence Taylor, LB – New York Giants (1981)
Despite leading one of the most turbulent off-field lives of any player who has ever been in the NFL, Taylor’s talent was otherworldly, and he is considered by many to be the greatest defensive player in the history of American football because of it. Among his most notable accomplishments, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award in his rookie campaign (1981) and was only the second defensive player to win an MVP award (1986) since Alan Page. Since then, no one else has achieved such stellar accomplishments.
Lawrence racked up 10 Pro-Bowl selections, eight All-Pro selections, the 1986 MVP, three Defensive Player of the Year awards (tied for the most with J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald), and two Super Bowls (XXI, XXV), in addition to making his mark with his defensive style of play that changed his team’s entire system for the better.
1.- Peyton Manning, QB – Indianapolis Colts (1998)
What else can be said about Peyton Manning that is not already known? He is probably only behind Tom Brady and Joe Montana, he is the best quarterback in NFL history, and so far he has been the best selection at his position of all time. Any team would hope that selecting a quarterback at this position would always result in a career like Manning’s, and not even his brother’s (Eli Manning) ended up being like that (although it was very solid).
He has a record of 539 TDs, 6,125 pass completions, 71,940 cumulative yards, he was two-time Super Bowl champion with different teams, he has five MVP awards, 14 Pro-Bowl selections, seven-time All-Pro, and two-time Offensive Player of the Year. There is nothing better at this point in the Draft than what Peyton Manning accomplished in the NFL.
