By: Kurtis Seaboldt
With the NFL Draft coming up on Thursday, here are my choices for the best player taken at each spot in the first round. Keep in mind, I am judging each pick solely on how they performed for the team that drafted them.
#1 Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (1998) 14-time Pro Bowler, 7-time All-Pro, 4-time MVP, HOF. Also in the room: John Elway (1983), Bruce Smith (1985)
#2 Lawrence Taylor, LB, Giants (1981) 10-time Pro Bowler, 8-time All-Pro, MVP, HOF. Also in the room: Randy White (1975), Marshall Faulk (1994), Julius Peppers (2002)
#3 Barry Sanders, RB, Lions (1989) 10-time Pro Bowler, 6-time All-Pro, MVP, HOF. Also in the room: Anthony Munoz (1980)
#4 Walter Payton, RB, Bears (1975) 9-time Pro Bowler, 5-time All-Pro, MVP, HOF. Also in the room: Joe Greene (1969), John Hannah (1973), Derrick Thomas (1989), Charles Woodson (1998)
#5 Junior Seau, LB, Chargers (1990) 12-time Pro Bowler, 6-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Deion Sanders (1989), LaDanian Tomlinson (2001). Chargers did well with this pick.
#6 Tim Brown, WR, Raiders (1988) 9-time Pro Bowl, HOF. Also in the room: James Lofton (1978), Walter Jones (1997), Julio Jones (2011)
#7 Champ Bailey, CB, Redskins (1999) 12-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Adrian Peterson (2007)
#8 Ronnie Lott, DB, 49ers (1981) 10-time Pro Bowler, 6-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Willie Roaf (1993)
#9 Bruce Matthews, T, Oilers (1983) 14-time Pro Bowler, 7-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Brian Urlacher (2000)
#10 Rod Woodson, CB, Steelers (1987) 11-time Pro Bowler, 6-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Marcus Allen (1982), Terrell Suggs (2003)
#11 Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (2004) 6-time Pro Bowler, 2-time Super Bowl champion. Michael Irvin (1988), DeMarcus Ware (2005), J.J. Watt (2011)
#12 Warren Sapp, DT, Buccaneers (1995) 7-time Pro Bowler, 4-time All-Pro, HOF.
#13 Franco Harris, RB, Steelers (1972) 9-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Tony Gonzalez (1997)
#14 Jim Kelly, QB, Bills (1983) 5-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Randy Gradishar (1974), Darrelle Revis (2007)
#15 Alan Page, DT, Vikings (1967) 9-time Pro Bowler, 6-time All-Pro, HOF.
#16 Jerry Rice, WR, 49ers (1985) 13-time Pro Bowler, 10-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Troy Polamalu (2003)
#17 Emmitt Smith, RB, Cowboys (1990) 8-time Pro Bowler, 4-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Gene Upshaw (1967)
#18 Art Monk, WR, Redskins (1980) 3-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro, HOF.
#19 Randall McDaniel, G, Vikings (1988) 12-time Pro Bowler, 8-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Marvin Harrison (1996)
#20 Jack Youngblood, DE, Rams (1971) 7-time Pro Bowler, 5-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Steve Atwater (1989)
#21 Randy Moss, WR, Vikings (1998) 6-time Pro Bowler, 4-time All-Pro. Also in the room: Vince Wilfork (2004)
#22 Jack Reynolds, LB, Rams (1970) 2-time Pro Bowler. Also in the room: Harris Barton (1987)
#23 Ty Law, CB, Patriots (1995) 5-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All-Pro. Also in the room: Bruce Armstrong (1987)
#24 Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers (2005) 8-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All-Pro, 2-time MVP, Super Bowl champion. Also in the room: Ed Reed (2002)
#25 Ted Washington, DT, 49ers (1991) 4-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro. Also in the room: Stanley Morgan (1977)
#26 Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens (1996) 13-time Pro Bowler, 7-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Alan Faneca (1998)
#27 Dan Marino, QB, Dolphins (1983) 9-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All-Pro, HOF.
#28 Derrick Brooks, LB, Buccaneers (1995) 11-time Pro Bowler, 5-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: Darrell Green (1983)
#29 *Steve Wisniewski, G, Raiders (1989) 8-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All-Pro. Also in the room: *Chris Speilman (1988), Nick Mangold (2006)
#30 Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts (2001) 6-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro. Also in the room: *Eric Allen (1988)
#31 *Curley Culp, DT, Broncos (1968) 5-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro, HOF. Also in the room: *Bill Bergey (1969)
#32 *Drew Brees, QB, Chargers (2001) 13-time Pro Bowler, 1-time All-Pro. Also in the room: Logan Mankins (2005)
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