Pick By Pick, A Countdown of the NFL’s Greatest Draft Picks: Pick #38

This group literally is a bunch of winners, there’s eight NFL Championships among them, and one pre-Super Bowl AFL Championship winner. There’s three different guys that started at tackle for the Steelers in a Super Bowl. Another player on the list is still tied for first in career safeties in spite of retiring after the 1985 season.. One other anomaly with this list: our of the ten players on this list played for the Steelers! There still wasn’t a shortage of good players picked 38^th overall, check out who didn’t make the cut:

Cardinals DE David Galloway (1982), Bengals RB Harold Green (1990), Houston Oilers CB Darryll Lewis (1991), Panthers DE Mike Rucker (1999), Bears RB Anthony Thomas (2001), Raiders CB Stanford Routt (2005), Seahawks TE John Carlson (2008), Bengals LB Rey Maualuga (2009), Jaguars DE Andre Branch (2012), Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2014)

Active players: Chargers/Saints LB Manti Te’o, Redskins/Packers LB Preston Smith, Dolphins CB Xavien Howard, Chargers G Forrest Lamp, Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones II, Bills T/G Cody Ford

10. Pittsburgh Steelers-Gordon Gravelle, T, BYU, 1972

He played eight years, spending five seasons with the Steelers (1972-1976), three with the Giants (1977-1979), and part of 1979 with the Rams. He started 68 of 96 games played in his career, starting at right tackle for the Steelers in 1974 & 1975,and then at left tackle for the Giants in 1977 & 1978. He was with the Steelers for two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl IX & X. He was also with the Rams for Super Bowl XIV, but they lost to his former team, the Steelers.

9. Oakland Raiders-Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State, 2007

Another eight year veteran, his career was split between the Raiders (2007-2010), and the Seahawks (2011-2014). His career was off to a nice start with the Raiders, he had 226 catches for 2,712 yards & 12 touchdowns in four years, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2010. He signed with the Seahawks in free agency, but was underutilized, with only 38 catches for 396 yards and three touchdowns in 2012, his best season as a Seahawk. He played in only three games in 2014 due to injury, bringing his four year totals with the Seahawks to 102 catches for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns. In his career, he started 106 of 110 games played, and had 328 catches for 3,804 yards and 20 touchdowns, and won Super Bowl XLVIII with the 2013 Seahawks.

8. Cleveland Browns-T.J. Ward, FS, Oregon, 2010

He also played eight years, with his first four years spent in Cleveland (2010-2013), the next three in Denver (2014-2016), and 2017 with the Buccaneers. He was named to the Pro Bowl in his last year in Cleveland, which led to him signing with the Broncos, and earning his second Pro Bowl selection. He started when the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, but was a surprise cut before the 2017 season, and spent 2017 with the Buccaneers. In eight seasons he has started 100 of 107 regular season games played, and has made 607 tackles (458 solo), eight interceptions for 211 yards and a touchdown, 44 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries returned 53 yards (one returned 51 yards for a touchdown), 29 tackles for losses, and 19 QB hits.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers-Marvel Smith, T, Arizona State, 2000

He spent his entire nine year career (2000-2008) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started 108 of 111 games played, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004. He started at LT when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, and was with the team for their Super Bowl XLIII win, but was out with an injury, and limited to five games in 2008. He had signed with the 49ers before the 2009 season, but wound up retiring instead.

6. Detroit Lions-Doug English, DT/NT, Texas, 1975

He spent his entire 11 year career with the Lions (1975-1985). He became a full time starter in 1977, and was named to the first of four Pro Bowls (1978, 1981-1983) in 1978. He missed the entire 1980 with a neck injury, but was back to his old self in 1981 with a career high three fumble recoveries. He had 4.5 sacks in the strike shortened 1982 season, followed by a career high 13 sacks and a record tying two safeties in 1983. Even after 100 seasons, he is still one of only 18 players to ever record two safeties in one season, and one of only three players (Raiders Hall of Fame LB Ted Hendricks & Vikings DE Jared Allen are the only other two) to record four safeties in their career. His career numbers would probably look a lot more impressive if the league hadn’t waited until 1982 to recognize sacks as an official statistic. He had 25 sacks in his last four seasons, and a total of 59 during his entire career, and started 114 of the 131 games he played.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers-Levon Kirkland, LB, Clemson, 1992

He spent much of his NFL career with the Steelers (1992-2000), followed by one year each with the Seahawks (2001), and Eagles (2002). He was selected to the Pro Bowl and was a two time All-Pro in 1996 & 1997. He had 10 tackles and a sack in Super Bowl XXX, but the Steelers lost 27-17 to the Cowboys. He was the Pittsburgh Steelers team MVP in 1998 & 1999, NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year in 1997, and was named to the NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team. In 11 seasons he started 155 of 176 games played, he had 1,026 tackles (667 solo), 24 tackles for losses, 19.5 sacks, 11 interceptions for 51 yards, 20 passes defensed, 16 forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries for 24 yards and a touchdown.

4. Dallas Cowboys- Flozell Adams, G/T, Michigan State, 1998

He spent the majority of his career in Dallas, spending 12 years with the Cowboys (1998-2009), and one year (2010) with the Steelers. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times (2003, 2004, 2006-2008), only four Cowboys offensive linemen have been selected to more Pro Bowls. He played in Super Bowl XLV with the Steelers, but the team lost to the Packers. In his 13 year he started 194 of the 198 games he played, starting all 16 games 11 times.

3. Cincinnati Bengals-Boomer Esiason, QB, Maryland, 1984

He was the first quarterback picked in 1984, and went on to play 14 years with the Bengals (1984-1992, 1997), Jets (1993-1995), & Cardinals (1996). He replaced Bengals legend Ken Anderson as the starter in 1985, & remained their starter through 1992. He was chosen to three Pro Bowls (1986, 1988, & 1989) while with the Bengals, and was named AFC Player of the Year in 1988, as well as First-team All-Pro, and the 1988 NFL Most Valuable Player. He led the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII, but they lost to the 49ers 20-16.

He was traded to the Jets for a third round pick in 1993, and rewarded their faith with his fourth Pro Bowl season, eventually spending three seasons as their starter. He signed with the Cardinals in free agency in 1996, going 3-5 as a starter, leaving him to re-join the Bengals as Jeff Blake’s backup in 1997. Ironically, his last season was his best season statistically, he went 4-1 as a starter, completing 118 of 186 pass attempts for 1,478 yards for 13 touchdowns and two interception, with a passer rating of 106.9. In 14 years in the NFL he started 173 of 187 games played, going 80-93 as a starter, completing 2,969 of 5,205 attempts for 37,920 yards, 247 touchdowns, and 184 interceptions, with a passer rating of 81.1.

2. Dallas Texans-Jerry Mays, DE-DT, SMU, 1961

He was one of the rare greats that got spend his entire career with one team, drafted by the Dallas Texans with the 38^th pick in the 1961 AFL Draft (The Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City & became the Chiefs in 1963). He was a six time (1962, 1964-1968) AFL All-Star (The AFL equivalent to the NFL’s Pro Bowl), and his status was proven further after the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, with his Pro Bowl selection in 1970. He was a defensive tackle for his first four years, and moved to defensive end in 1965. He helped the Texans win the AFL Championship in 1962 (before the AFL/NFL Super Bowl match ups happened). The team won the 1966 AFL Championship as well, but lost Super Bowl I to the Packers, 35-10. He won his second NFL Championship when the Chiefs beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV, 23-7. He retired after the 1970 season, and after a highly decorated career that included 1 pro Bowl, 6 AFL All-Star selections, & two championships, he was selected to the AFL All-Time Team, and the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.

1. Chicago Bears-Mike Singletary, LB, Baylor, 1981

He spent his entire 12 year career with the Chicago Bears (1981-1992). He was named to the Pro Bowl 10 straight years, from 1983 to 1992. He was also a First-team All-Pro eight times (1983-1989, 1991, and Second-team All-Pro (1990) once. His accolades don’t end there, he was also the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 & 1988, NFC Player of the Year in 1984, 1985 & 1988, Football Digest NFL Linebacker of the Year in 1985 & 1988, NFL Man of the Year in 1990, he won the Bart Starr Award in 1991, and he was named to the NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team.

He helped lead the Bears to a 15-1 record in 1985, and they went on to beat the Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, He tied a Super Bowl record by recovering two fumbles during the game. In 12 seasons he started 172 of 179 games played, had 1,488 tackles, 19 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions for 44 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, the Sporting News made a list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, and ranked Mike #56 on the list.

Pick By Pick: A Countdown of the NFL’s Greatest Draft Picks: Pick #37

I’m going to try things a little different this time. I think these articles might be a bit too long, so i’m going to try summarizing most of these bios in a paragraph or so. It’ll make it easier for me to cover more picks in a shorter amount of time, and it’ll help speed up the series. So, on that note, here’s the list of active NFL players drafted 37^th overall, followed by my top 10 players ever picked with the 37^th pick:

Active players: Carolina Panthers OT Greg Little (2019), Indianapolis Colts RT Braden Smith (2018),Las Vegas Raiders WR Zay Jones (drafted by Bills, 2017), Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones (2016), Cincinnati Bengals RB Giovani Bernard (2013), & Indianapolis Colts DE Jabaal Sheard (drafted by Browns, 2011).

Tie-10. N.Y. Jets-Jim Sweeney, C, Pittsburgh, 1984

He spent 16 years in the NFL, split between the Jets (1984-1994), Seattle Seahawks (1995), and Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-1999). He started 176 of 228 games played games played in his career. He started all 16 games at left guard in his second year, then left tackle in 1986 & 1987, & moved to center in 1988. He remained a starter through the 1995 season with the Seahawks, then spent his last four seasons with the Steelers backing up Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson.

Tie-10. Cincinnati Bengals-Cris Collinsworth, WR, Florida, 1981

Although better known now for his work in the broadcast booth on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, Collinsworth was also a wide receiver who spent his entire eight year career with the Cincinnati Bengals (1981-1988). He was selected to three straight Pro Bowls, from 1981-1983, and was a 1,000 yard receiver in 1981, 1983, 1985 & 1986. In his career he started 90 of 107 games played, and had 417 catches for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns, with a career average of 16.1 yards per catch. He played in Super Bowls XVI & XXIII, but the Bengals lost both games to the 49ers.

9. Dallas Cowboys-Dixon Edwards, LB, Michigan State, 1991

He played eight years in the NFL, split between the Cowboys (1991-1995), and the Vikings (1996-1998). He became a starter in his third season, starting 90 of the 119 games he played in his career. He was a starter when the Cowboys won Super Bowls XXVIII & XXX, & he also played for them when they won Super Bowl XXVII. In eight seasons he recorded 438 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.

8. Cleveland Browns-Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California, 2012

One of two active players to crack this list, Schwartz’s career so far has been split between the Browns (2012-2015),and Chiefs (2016-2019). He’s been selected as a First-team All-Pro (2018), or Second-Team All-Pro (2016, 2017, 2019) every year since joining the Chiefs. He’s started all 128 games in his career,and will start for the Chiefs at RT in Super Bowl LIV. His brother Geoff played eight years (2008-2015) with the the Panthers, Vikings, Chiefs, and Giants.

Tie-7. Dallas Cowboys-Andre Gurode, G/C, Colorado, 2002

He played 11 years in the NFL, 9 years with the Cowboys (2002-2010), and one year each with the Ravens (2011), and Raiders (2013). He became a starter at right guard as a rookie, but was benched in 2005, starting only two games that year. He moved to center in 2006, and became a five time Pro Bowler (2006-2010). He started 131 of 161 games in his career.

Tie-7. N.Y. Giants-Leonard Marshall, DE, Louisiana State, 1983

He spent the majority of his 12 year career with the Giants (1983-1992), followed by one year each with the Jets (1993), and the Redskins (1994). He won two Super Bowls with the Giants, sacking John Elway twice in their 39-20 victory in Super Bowl XXI, and he sacked Jim Kelly once when they beat the Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV.He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1985 & 1986, reaching double digits in sacks three times, including a career high 15.5 in 1985. In 12 years he started 138 of 177 games played, had 714 tackles, 83.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, had two interceptions for three yards, and recorded two safeties.

5. L.A. Rams-Ron Jaworski, QB, Youngstown State, 1973-1989

He played 17 years, spending his first four seasons with the Rams (1973-1976), starting for them in 1975, but he was benched in 1976. Philadelphia liked him enough to trade 1973’s sixth overall pick, TE Charle Young, for him. He went on to start for them for 10 years (1977-1986), leading them to Super Bowl XV, where they lost 27-10 to the Oakland Raiders. Along the way, he set the NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback with 116. After being released by the Eagles in 1987, he signed with Miami and backed up Dan Marino for two seasons (1987-1988). He signed with with Kansas City in 1989 as a Plan B Free Agent, and started three of the six games he played. In 17 seasons he started 143 of the 188 games he played, going 73-69-1 as a starter. He completed 2,187 of 4,117 attempts for 28,190 yards, 179 touchdowns, 164 interceptions, with a passer rating of 72.8.

4. San Diego Chargers-Eric Weddle, S, Utah, 2007

He’s spent 13 years in the NFL, spending the first nine years with the Chargers (2007-2015), the next three with the Ravens (2016-2018), and 2019 with the Rams. Since becoming a starter in 2008, he’s only missed three games in 2009, and three games in 2015, starting every other game along the way. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl six times, in 2011, 2013,2014, & 2016-2018. In 13 years he’s started 186 of 201 games played, recording 1,179 tackles (903 solo), 38 tackles for losses, 23 QB Hits, 29 interceptions for 467 yards and four touchdowns, 98 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries for 113 yards and a touchdown, and 9.5 sacks.

3. Dallas Cowboys-Darren Woodson, S, Arizona State, 1992

He spent his entire 12 year career with the Dallas Cowboys (1992-2003). He became a starter at strong safety in 1993, and remained the starter until an injury ended his career in 2004. He played in three Super Bowl wins with the Cowboys, and was a starter in Super Bowl XXVIII & Super Bowl XXX. In 12 years he started 162 of 178 games played, he had 967 tackles, 26 tackles for losses, 11 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and 23 interceptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five years in a row (1994-1998), and was selected to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2015.

2. Philadelphia Eagles-Randall Cunningham, QB, Nevada-Las Vegas, 1985

Isn’t it ironic that Ron Jaworski’s successor in Philadelphia was drafted with the exact same draft pick 12 years after he was drafted? He took over as their regular starter in 1987, and was basically the 80’s version of Michael Vick or Lamar Jackson, and made the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons (1988-1990). Unfortunately, he spent the next five seasons in a cycle of being injured every other year: with only one start in 1991, 15 starts in 1992, four starts in 1993, 14 starts in 1994, & finally starting four of seven games in 1995 before retiring & sitting out the 1996 season. He came back in 1997 as a backup for the Vikings, and wound up starting three of the six games he played.

He started 14 of 15 games played in 1998, and leading the league with a career high 106 passer rating, throwing for 3,704 yards, 34 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He started six games for the Vikings in 1999, then moved on to Dallas in 2000, and Baltimore in 2001. In 16 years he started 135 of 161 games played, completing 2,429 of 4,289 passes for 29,979 yards, 207 touchdowns, 134 interceptions, while also rushing for 4,928 yards and 35 touchdowns on 775 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He was added to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2009.

1. L.A. Rams-Norm Van Brocklin, QB, Oregon, 1949

He spent 12 years as a quarterback, playing his first nine years with the Rams (1949-1957), and the last three with the Eagles (1958-1960). He won his first NFL Championship with the Rams in 1951, and won one more in his last season with the Eagles in 1960. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times (1950-1955, 1958-1960) during his career.

He led the NFL with 2,637 passing yards in 1954, and set an NFL record with 554 passing yards in one game during the 1951 season. In 12 years as a player he started 101 of the 140 games he played, going 61-36-4 as a starter. He completed 1,553 of 2,895 attempts for 23,611 yards, 173 touchdowns & 178 interceptions, with a passer rating of 75.1. He was named the Head Coach of the expansion team the Minnesota Vikings soon after retiring, coaching from 1961-1966, and also coached the Atlanta Falcons from 1968-1974. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Pick By Pick: A Countdown of the NFL’s Greatest Draft Picks: Pick #36

Just to give you an idea of how much talent there was with this pick, here’s the recognizable names I didn’t have room for that were drafted with the 36^th overall pick: Rams OLB Mike Wilcher, Raiders LB Thomas Benson, Colts RB Albert Bentley, Seahawks LB Keith Butler, Buccaneers CB Ricky Reynolds, Browns DE Joe “Turkey” Jones, Steelers NT Gerald Williams, Broncos DE Barney Chavous, Colts lineman Glenn Ressler,1980 Defensive Rookie of the Year Falcons LB Buddy Curry, & 49ers WR Freddie Solomon.

In addition to those names, there was also all of these active players picked 36^th: Broncos DL Derek Wolfe, Lions CB Darius Slay, Raiders QB Derek Carr, Jaguars LB Myles Jack, Cardinals S Bubba Baker, & 49ers WR Deebo Samuel.

That last one in particular has really stepped up right when the 49ers needed a boost in their passing game, he & Emmanuel Sanders have been game changers during their playoff run. Last, but not least, I should mention I broke my own rule & wrote a bio on a player that hasn’t played long enough to crack the top 10 yet, but after the rookie year he had, I felt he deserved it, so I added an “honorable mention” listing for him. So, here’s my top 10 NFL players drafted 36^th overall, plus Darius Leonard, since he’ll eventually be on this list:

Honorable mention:

Indianapolis Colts-Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State, 2018

I know this bio isn’t going to take long to write since he’s only played two years, but I hope this guy sticks around & plays at this level for a long time. He led the league in tackles with 163 as a rookie, the only other rookie I could find that did that was Patrick Willis with 174 in 2007. He wasn’t selected for the Pro Bowl (HOW???), but he was voted First-team All-Pro, and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was also #26 on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players for 2019. Here’s his overall stats as a rookie: 163 tackles (111 solo), seven sacks, eight pass deflections, two interceptions for 38 yards, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

So how does he follow all of that,or what does he do for an encore? He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2019, in spite of missing three games due to injury. He had 121 tackles (71 solo), five sacks, five interceptions for 92 yards, including an 80 yard touchdown, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Yeah, i’d say he’s worth an honorable mention after two years.

10. Detroit Lions-Darris McCord, DE/DT/T, Tennessee, 1955

He started 166 of 168 games played in his 13 year NFL career, all with the Lions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1957, and the Lions won the NFL Championship that year as well. He played defensive end & defensive tackle during his first four years, but moved to defensive end in 1959, and spent the rest of his career there. His 168 games with the team was a record at the time of his retirement.

9. N.Y. Giants-Jumbo Elliott, T, Michigan, 1988

He spent eight years (1988-1995) with the Giants, and another six (1996-2000, 2002) with the Jets. He started 156 of the 197 games he played in his career. He was such a difference maker as a left tackle, the Giants averaged 38 yards less per game running the ball when he missed eight games in 1990. The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XXV when he came back from injury that year. He was named to the All-Madden Team in 1990 and 1991, and the Pro Bowl in 1993.

8. Atlanta Falcons-R.C. Thielemann, G, Arkansas, 1977

He started 148 of 157 games played in his career. He played for the Falcons from 1977 to 1984, and was named to the Pro Bowl three years in a row (1981-1983). He was traded to the Redskins in 1985 for WR Charlie Brown, and spent the next four years there. He started at right guard for the Redskins when they won Super Bowl XXII over the Broncos after the 1987 season.

7. Green Bay Packers-Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State, 2008

After looking over the numbers from his 11 year career, i’m amazed he only made the Pro Bowl once. He only started six games in his first three years, but had a breakout game in Super Bowl XLV, with nine catches for 140 yards, and one touchdown as the Packers beat the Steelers 31-25 . In 2011, in spite of only starting nine of 16 games, he had 68 catches for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. He started 10 of 12 games played in 2012, and had 49 catches for 745 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 2013 he started all 16 games for the first time,and had a career high 85 catches for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2014 he was picked for the Pro Bowl, starting all 16 games for the second year in a row, when he had 98 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. He missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL in his right knee suffered in the second preseason game, but he made an incredible comeback the very next season. He started all 16 games in 2016, and had 97 catches for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

In 2017, his numbers dropped off when Aaron Rodgers was injured in week six. He finished with 53 catches for 482 yards and six touchdowns. He was released by the Packers in March 2018, ending his Packers career with 550 catches (2^nd in team history), 7,848 yards (5^th in team history), 69 touchdowns (2^nd in team history), and 25 100 yard receiving games (3^rd in team history). He signed with the Raiders in 2018, and had 63 catches for 739 yards and three touchdowns, and retired after the season.

6. Cincinnati Bengals-Chad Johnson, WR, Oregon State, 2001

He started 3 of 12 games as a rookie, and had 28 catches for 329 yards and a touchdown. He started 14 of 16 games in 2002, and had 69 catches for 1,166 yards (the 1^st of seven 1,000 yard seasons in his career), and five touchdowns. He started 14 of 16 games again in 2003, and had 90 catches for 1,355 yards and a career high 10 touchdowns, earning his first of six career Pro Bowl selections. He followed that in 2004 by starting all 16 games, and had 95 catches for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns, along with his second Pro Bowl selection.

In 2005 he started all 16 games, & had a career high 97 catches for 1,432 yards and seven touchdowns. 2006 was his fourth Pro Bowl season, with 87 catches for a league leading 1,369 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2007 he had a career high 1,440 receiving yards on 93 catches, starting all 16 games again, and was chosen to his fifth Pro Bowl. He had a rough year in 2008, with Carson Palmer hurt, and playing through the whole season with a torn labrum, he played in 13 games, starting 10, and had 53 catches for 540 yards and four touchdowns.

He was back to his old self in 2009, starting 15 of 16 games played, and had 72 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the sixth time. He started 12 of 14 games in 2010, & had 67 catches for 831 yards and four touchdowns. He was traded to the Patriots in 2011, starting only 3 of 16 games played, and had 15 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown. In 11 seasons he started 135 of 166 games played, and had 766 catches for 11,059 yards, and 67 touchdowns, averaging 14.4 yards per catch.

5. New England Patriots-Lawyer Milloy, SS, Washington, 1996

He started 10 of 16 games as a rookie, and had 84 combined tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions for 14 yards. He was a 16 game starter every year for the rest of his Patriots career,from 1997-2002, was named to four Pro Bowls (1998,1999, 2001 & 2002), and had over 100 tackles five years in a row (1997-2001). He was released in 2003, and signed with the division rival Buffalo Bills. He helped the Bills beat the Patriots in week one, sacking Tom Brady during a 31-0 victory.

He spent three seasons with the Bills (2003-2005), reaching triple digits in tackles twice. He moved on to Atlanta next, starting all but one game in three years (2006-2008), not quite reaching 100 tackles but getting close each season: 98 in 2006, 90 in 2007, and 93 in 2008. In 2009 he was the third safety in Seattle, playing in all 16 games, playing in all 16 games, with one start, and had 34 tackles. He was a 16 game starter again in his last season (2010), and had 88 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes defensed.

In his career he played 15 years, playing in 234 games, with 213 starts, he had 1,431 tackles (1,025 solo), 21 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, 25 interceptions for 205 yards and one touchdown. In addition to his four Pro Bowl selections, he was also a second team All-Pro in 1998, and a first team All Pro in 1999. He was on the New England Patriots Super Bowl XXXVI Championship team. He was named to the New England Patriots All-1990’s Team, and the New England Patriots All-2000’s Team.

4. Dallas Cowboys-Jimmy Smith, WR, Jackson State, 1992

I wonder if Cowboys fans ever wonder, what if things hadn’t gone so wrong with Jimmy Smith? What if they could have had Jimmy Smith in his prime opposite Michael Irvin in the post Jimmy Johnson days? Technically he was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys since he was on their roster for Super Bowls XXVII & XXVIII, even though he never had a regular season catch with the team. In the preseason of 1993, he underwent an emergency appendectomy, and then was released from the hospital too early, which resulted in him being sent back to the hospital soon after. He wound up missing the entire 1993 season due the mismanagement of his health crisis, and had to file a grievance with the NFLPA to receive his pay & benefits for the 1993 season, as the Cowboys considered it a non-football injury.

He was released in 1994, eventually signing with the Eagles, but they cut him at the end of the preseason. He signed with Jacksonville in 1995, and made the roster as the team’s fifth wide receiver, and had 22 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns. His breakout season was 1996, with 83 catches for 1,244 yards (his first of nine 1,000 yard seasons) and seven touchdowns. He was named to his first of five straight Pro Bowls in 1997, and had 82 catches for 1,324 yards, with a career high 16.4 yards per catch average, and four touchdowns.

In 1998 he had 78 catches for 1,192 yards and a career high eight touchdowns. In 1999 he set the Jaguars franchise record & led the NFL with 116 catches, and another record with 1,636 yards, along with six touchdowns. In 2000 he had the best single game of his career against the eventual Super Bowl XXXV Champions, the Baltimore Ravens, with 15 catches for 291 yards and three touchdowns. In spite of missing one game that year, he still had 91 catches for 1,213 yards and eight touchdowns (tying his career high).

He reached triple digits in catches again in 2001, with 112 catches for 1,373 yards, along with recording eight touchdowns for the third time. He had a slight dropoff in 2002, with 80 catches for 1,027 yards and seven touchdowns, but that’s still pretty awesome for a “down” year. 2003 was his only year as a starter where he didn’t reach 1,000 yards receiving: he played in 12 games and had 54 catches for 805 yards and four touchdowns. In 2004 he was back to being a 1,000 yard receiver: he had 74 catches for 1,172 yards and six touchdowns.

He had 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns in 2005, then surprisingly retired in May 2006. He played in 171 games and had 862 catches for 12,287 yards and 67 touchdowns. He was inducted into the teams ring of honor (known as the Pride of the Jaguars) in 2016. He still holds 31 Jaguars franchise records.

3. New York Giants-Tiki Barber, RB, Virginia, 1997

He was a part timer in the beginning, starting 12 games and putting up better numbers as a receiver out of the backfield than a rusher in his second and third season. In 2000 he teamed up with rookie Ron Dayne to form the “Thunder & Lightning” tandem, and had a career high 213 carries for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns,along with 70 catches for 719 yards and a touchdown. He had a slight dropoff with 865 yards in 2001, but then followed that with 1,387 yards & 11 touchdowns, along with 69 catches for 597 yards in 2002. The next four years would see him lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

In 2003 he had 278 carries for 1,216 yards and two touchdowns, and 69 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown. In 2004 he was named to his first of three straight Pro Bowls, when he had 322 carries for 1,518 yards and 13 touchdowns, and 52 catches for 578 yards and two touchdowns. He had career highs in carries & yards in 2005, with 357 carries for 1,860 yards & nine touchdowns, along with 54 catches for 530 yards and two touchdowns. In 2006 he had 327 carries for 1,662 yards and five touchdowns, plus 58 catches for 465 yards.

In an unusual move, he announced in October 2006 that he was retiring at the end of the season, even though he was still in the prime of his career. The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLII a year after his retirement. In 10 seasons with the Giants, he started 109 of 154 games he played, and had 2,217 carries for 10,449 yards and 55 touchdowns, and 586 catches for 5,183 yards and 12 touchdowns. He set a total of 22 Giants records during his career.

2. Seattle Seahawks-Kevin Mawae, C/G, Louisiana State, 1994

He started 11 of 14 games as a rookie with the Seahawks at right guard, and those three games he didn’t start were the only non-starts of his career. He started all 16 games at right guard in 1995, and then moved to center in 1996, and stayed there for the rest of his career. He signed as a free agent with the New York Jets in 1998, and stayed there through 2005. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2006, and played there through 2009.

He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times: from 1999-2004 with the Jets, and 2008-2009 with the Titans. He started all 16 games every year from 1995-2004,but missed 10 games his last year with the Jets. He started 238 of 241 games played in his career, was also a seven time First-Team All-Pro in addition to his Pro Bowl selections, along with a second team All-Pro in 1998. He was named to the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team, the New York Jets Ring of Honor in 2017, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

1. Green Bay Packers-Ray Nitschke, LB, Illinois, 1958

This one was a pretty easy pick: he spent his entire 15 year career with the Packers (1958-1972). He became a full time starter in 1962, and was a starter on five NFL Championship teams (1961,1962, 1965-1967). He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship game, and even though the pay back then wasn’t anything like it is now, his prize as the MVP was still pretty cool: a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette! Although there’s not much we can look up for his statistics back then, he did have 25 interceptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1964. He was also a First-team All-Pro in 1964 & 1966, and a Second-Team All-Pro in 1962, 1963, 1965, 1967, and 1969. He was named to the NFL’s 50^th & 75^th Anniversary Teams, and the NFL 1960’s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1978. He had his jersey #66 retired by the team in 1983. In 1999 The Sporting News created a list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, & Nitschke was ranked #18, behind only Don Hutson among Packers, and behind only Dick Butkus & Lawrence Taylor among linebackers. NFL Films ranked him #47 on their list of The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players, released in 2010.

At the time that i’m finishing writing this, I just discovered that Nitschke did not make the roster of the NFL 100 All Time Team. How does he rank #18 as recently as 20 years ago, and then #48 10 years ago, and now not even in the top 100? I might need to do an NFL 100 Snubs article before I get to pick #37. It’s not going to be an all Green Bay list either. I had a hard time choosing between Lawrence Taylor & Sid Luckman with the second overall pick, so you know I give credit when credit is due, particularly when an arch rival is that good.