Draft Classes

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Feeling nostalgic anyone??? I thought it would be fun to reminisce in the weeks leading up to the draft. Feel free to answer, discuss, and/or debate!

Answer the following:

1) If you had to pick one of the best draft classes for your favorite team, which year would it be? List the players.

2) Which would you say is the best ever?

 

[Money]

It's kind of tough to pick against the Ravens' inaugural class. Their first two picks netted Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

1) Pittsburgh's 1974 Draft

1st Rd (21st overall): Lynn Swann, WR USC
*HOF class of 2001
*Played 9 seasons
*MVP of Super Bowl X (1st WR to be so anointed)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*3x All Pro
2nd Rd (46th overall): Jack Lambert, LB Kent State
*HOF class of 1990
*NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in '74
*Played 11 seasons
*2x NFL Defensive Player of the Year
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*8x All Pro
*9x Pro Bowler
4th Rd (82nd overall): John Stallworth, WR Alabama A&M
*HOF class of 2002
*Played 14 seasons
*Steelers all-time leader in TD Rec's (63)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*2x All Pro
5th Rd (125th overall): Mike Webster, C Wisconsin
*HOF class of 1997
*Played 15 seasons
*7x All Pro
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*9x Pro Bowler

2) The answer is obviously Pittsburgh's 1974 draft for me... Hands down one of the greatest drafts ever in the NFL. 4 of their first 5 picks became HOFers. That in and of itself makes it one of the best classes ever. The NFL draft consisted of 17 rounds back then, and PIT had 21 total picks in the 1974 draft.

 

[Ritzarmy]

Redskins 1981 Draft
OT Mark May, 2x Super Bowl Championship, 1 time pro bowl
OG Russ Grimm, 4x Super Bowl Championship, 4x Pro Bowl
DE Dexter Manley, 2x Super Bowl Championship, 1 time Pro Bowl
WR Charlie Brown, 1x Super Bowl Championship

​

 

[cdumler7]

Well the Broncos best draft of the last 10 years was probably 2006


1st round--Jay Cutler--Obviously no longer with the Broncos but has been a pro bowl quarterback


2nd round--Tony Scheffler--Been a decent receiving TE


4th round--Brandon Marshall--All Pro receiver. Had some character issues while with the Broncos but his talent is undeniable.


4th round--Elvis Dumervil--Pro Bowl DE/OLB. Has produced very well as a pass rusher most of his career.


5th round-Dominek Hixon--showed promise before injuries and paralyzing another player kind of derailed his career


5th round-Chris Kuper--Pro Bowl type guard that was the captain of the OL for years before completely destroying his leg and now having to retire.


Overall this draft netted the Broncos 4 Pro Bowl caliber players at pretty important positions. Too bad McDaniels had to come in as Head Coach and get rid of anybody with any kind of talent on the Broncos. Could have been a good core group for years. Can't complain too much since throwing all the talent on the team away eventually got him fired which lead to Manning coming to the Broncos.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It's kind of tough to pick against the Ravens' inaugural class. Their first two picks netted Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis.

Probably one of the better drafts of the new millenium at least... Ogden was a freak of nature

 

[Money]

Probably one of the better drafts of the new millenium at least... Ogden was a freak of nature

Just about everyone thought the Ravens should draft Lawrence Phillips with the 4th pick.

Good call Ozzie

 

[SonnyCID]

It's tough to say at this point. 3 of the past 4 Seahawk drafts are in the top 5 of franchise history so who knows which one will have the staying power.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

It's tough to say at this point. 3 of the past 4 Seahawk drafts are in the top 5 of franchise history so who knows which one will have the staying power.

How do you figure 3 of 4?

2010 was elite, Okung (pro bowler, arguably top 10 LT), Thomas (top 2 FS), Walt Thurmond (one of the best slot corners in game), Chancellor (arguably the best SS at this point), and McCoy (very promising TE prospect, just injured last year).

2012 was very good, Wilson, Irvin (8+ sacks first year, played very well at OLB), Wagner (top 10-15 ILB), Lane (solid CB, starter on a lot of teams).

But 2011 was crap. Carpenter/Moffitt were both busts and granted we got Sherman but that's like the only notable. Could argue Maxwell, but let's see another consistent season.

2013 wasn't crap, it's just that there wasn't a lot of open starting spots on our team... so it's completely unproven at this point.


Can argue MAYBE 2 of the last 4, but 3 is stretching it. Walter Jones and Shawn Springs draft was pretty amazing considering we got a HOF OT and essentially HOF CB who just couldn't stay healthy. But Springs was a beast on our team at the time. Yah there weren't many other picks, but those two... man. When you can draft a HOF CB/OT, you're looking good. Half the field on D and blindside for a QB, just too big.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

How do you figure 3 of 4?

2010 was elite, Okung (pro bowler, arguably top 10 LT), Thomas (top 2 FS), Walt Thurmond (one of the best slot corners in game), Chancellor (arguably the best SS at this point), and McCoy (very promising TE prospect, just injured last year).

2012 was very good, Wilson, Irvin (8+ sacks first year, played very well at OLB), Wagner (top 10-15 ILB), Lane (solid CB, starter on a lot of teams).

But 2011 was crap. Carpenter/Moffitt were both busts and granted we got Sherman but that's like the only notable. Could argue Maxwell, but let's see another consistent season.

2013 wasn't crap, it's just that there wasn't a lot of open starting spots on our team... so it's completely unproven at this point.


Can argue MAYBE 2 of the last 4, but 3 is stretching it. Walter Jones and Shawn Springs draft was pretty amazing considering we got a HOF OT and essentially HOF CB who just couldn't stay healthy. But Springs was a beast on our team at the time. Yah there weren't many other picks, but those two... man. When you can draft a HOF CB/OT, you're looking good. Half the field on D and blindside for a QB, just too big.

Besides Sherman in 2011 K.J. Wright, Byron Maxwell, and Malcolm Smith. I'd call that a very good draft. Maybe the best. Your talking about both the starting corners in the Seahawks secondary, a starting LB and another who may be starting next year and was MVP in the superbowl.

 

[SonnyCID]

How do you figure 3 of 4?

2010 was elite, Okung (pro bowler, arguably top 10 LT), Thomas (top 2 FS), Walt Thurmond (one of the best slot corners in game), Chancellor (arguably the best SS at this point), and McCoy (very promising TE prospect, just injured last year).

2012 was very good, Wilson, Irvin (8+ sacks first year, played very well at OLB), Wagner (top 10-15 ILB), Lane (solid CB, starter on a lot of teams).

But 2011 was crap. Carpenter/Moffitt were both busts and granted we got Sherman but that's like the only notable. Could argue Maxwell, but let's see another consistent season.

2013 wasn't crap, it's just that there wasn't a lot of open starting spots on our team... so it's completely unproven at this point.


Can argue MAYBE 2 of the last 4, but 3 is stretching it. Walter Jones and Shawn Springs draft was pretty amazing considering we got a HOF OT and essentially HOF CB who just couldn't stay healthy. But Springs was a beast on our team at the time. Yah there weren't many other picks, but those two... man. When you can draft a HOF CB/OT, you're looking good. Half the field on D and blindside for a QB, just too big.

Wright and Malcolm Smith were also drafted in 2011. I'm not saying that it was an awesome draft overall, but if you dont consider the two drafts that sandwiches it, it could definitely be considered one of the better drafts. The Seahawks have had a lot of HORRIBLE drafts, one superstar, 2 very good starters and a SB MVP makes for a pretty good one IMO.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Wright and Malcolm Smith were also drafted in 2011. I'm not saying that it was an awesome draft overall, but if you dont consider the two drafts that sandwiches it, it could definitely be considered one of the better drafts. The Seahawks have had a lot of HORRIBLE drafts, one superstar, 2 very good starters and a SB MVP makes for a pretty good one IMO.

Awesome would not be the right words, but great or at least very good. Got three starters out that draft and maybe a fourth.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Wright and Malcolm Smith were also drafted in 2011. I'm not saying that it was an awesome draft overall, but if you dont consider the two drafts that sandwiches it, it could definitely be considered one of the better drafts. The Seahawks have had a lot of HORRIBLE drafts, one superstar, 2 very good starters and a SB MVP makes for a pretty good one IMO.

Eh fair enough. Wright I definitely forgot about and Smith played well but jury is still a little out on him. His major plays in the SBOWL (INT/FR) had nothing to do with his play other than being in the right spot at the right time (which says something).

Either way, I'm in agreement on 2 of the 3 you mentioned... and I agree, Seattle has traditionally been a horrible draft team. We got it together with that 05 team but I felt we had an easier schedule/division back then. I hated Martz but the 49ers/Cards were nothing compared to what they were last year, and the NFC East was meh.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Seahawk's 2010 draft is pretty good as well!

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Seahawk's 2010 draft is pretty good as well!

Yah mentioned that, 2010 Seattle basically built 1/5 of the team needed to win an SBOWL.

They drafted arguably 3 of the top secondary players at their position in the draft. Best SS, best FS, best nickel CB, and then drafted a great OT and their most stat wise productive receiver the last year. To get 5 high end starters out of one draft (that are starters on every team) is fairly ridiculous.

Would say that is easily Seattle's best draft ever. But 2010 draft was LOADED due to upcoming CBA so while I like to brag about Seattle's draft it was ripe for the pickings. I'd say end of day though, Seattle had the best draft of 2010 which was easily what caused them to make the SBOWL run this year.

 

[Steelboy84]

1) Pittsburgh's 1974 Draft

1st Rd (21st overall): Lynn Swann, WR USC
*HOF class of 2001
*Played 9 seasons
*MVP of Super Bowl X (1st WR to be so anointed)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*3x All Pro
2nd Rd (46th overall): Jack Lambert, LB Kent State
*HOF class of 1990
*NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in '74
*Played 11 seasons
*2x NFL Defensive Player of the Year
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*8x All Pro
*9x Pro Bowler
4th Rd (82nd overall): John Stallworth, WR Alabama A&M
*HOF class of 2002
*Played 14 seasons
*Steelers all-time leader in TD Rec's (63)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*2x All Pro
5th Rd (125th overall): Mike Webster, C Wisconsin
*HOF class of 1997
*Played 15 seasons
*7x All Pro
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*9x Pro Bowler

2) The answer is obviously Pittsburgh's 1974 draft for me... Hands down one of the greatest drafts ever in the NFL. 4 of their first 5 picks became HOFers. That in and of itself makes it one of the best classes ever. The NFL draft consisted of 17 rounds back then, and PIT had 21 total picks in the 1974 draft.

I'd say that was a "fair" class.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers had a decent to good 2010 draft:

1st - Maurkice Pouncey : Injury has plagued him the last few seasons, but he has is easily one of the best C's in the game when healthy.
2nd - Jason Worilds : took him a few years of learning before gaining the starting role. But what can you expect getting drafted to play behind Woodley & Harrison?? He spot started admirably for Woodley's injuries. We shall see what he is worth in 2014 since PIT went "all in" with the transition tag and cut Woodley.
3rd - Emmanuel Sanders : Got decent production out of him. Had a string of concussions that hampered him in 2010 & '11. Still was a dangerous playmaker in open field.
4th - meh
5a - meh
5b - meh
5c - Stevenson Sylvester : Good special teams guy… Noteable spot performances. Injuries hampered him.
6a - Jonathan Dwyer : couldn't get his fat ass into shape year after year until finally getting cut and brought back. Started to show flashes of why PIT kept him around for so long.
6b - Antonio Brown : obviously the best selection! No need to go into detail here.
7 - meh

3-4 Solid players IMO… Pouncey & AB are the obvious winners in the draft. Worilds could become something great. Sanders was an average WR2, nothing more.

 

[UK Cowboy]

Cowboys, Dirty Dozen. Randy White, Hollywood Henderson, Bob Breunig, Pat Donovan, Herb Scott. One Hall of Famer and four more multiple time Pro Bowlers. We could use another draft like that one

 

[Naughtymax]

Easy call for the Lions - class of 1989, where two teams passed on the second-greatest RB of all time (after Mr. Jim Brown). they drafted a couple other serviceable guys, but Barry was the best player in franchise history by a very wide margin.

'74 Steelers the runaway winner, but '65 Bears getting Butkus and Sayers was pretty good, as was the '96 Ravens, '70 Steelers (Bradshaw, Blount).

 

[mcnabb7542]

1) Pittsburgh's 1974 Draft

1st Rd (21st overall): Lynn Swann, WR USC
*HOF class of 2001
*Played 9 seasons
*MVP of Super Bowl X (1st WR to be so anointed)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*3x All Pro
2nd Rd (46th overall): Jack Lambert, LB Kent State
*HOF class of 1990
*NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in '74
*Played 11 seasons
*2x NFL Defensive Player of the Year
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*8x All Pro
*9x Pro Bowler
4th Rd (82nd overall): John Stallworth, WR Alabama A&M
*HOF class of 2002
*Played 14 seasons
*Steelers all-time leader in TD Rec's (63)
*3x Pro Bowler
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*2x All Pro
5th Rd (125th overall): Mike Webster, C Wisconsin
*HOF class of 1997
*Played 15 seasons
*7x All Pro
*4x Super Bowl Champion
*9x Pro Bowler

2) The answer is obviously Pittsburgh's 1974 draft for me... Hands down one of the greatest drafts ever in the NFL. 4 of their first 5 picks became HOFers. That in and of itself makes it one of the best classes ever. The NFL draft consisted of 17 rounds back then, and PIT had 21 total picks in the 1974 draft.

This class for the Steelers might be one of the very best of all time