NFL Draft class rankings: Eagles, Texans, Colts, Seahawks top the board with grades in the 'A' range · Related Links · Related Content. Ranking the 10 Ranking nfl draft classes NFL Draft Classes of All Time ; The class included several of the greatest QBs of all time. John Elway Denver Broncos. All of Houston's draft picks ; 4/, Dylan Horton, DE ; 5/, Henry To'oTo'o, ILB ; 6/, Jarrett Patterson, C ; 6/, Xavier Hutchinson. Eason and O'Brien are the forgotten first-rounders from this class, but both had respectable pro careers. Eason, drafted by the New England.
Are there any undrafted NFL players in the Hall of Fame? There are nearly 500 undrafted players currently in the NFL (486 undrafted players made Week 1 53-man rosters), and there are 15 current members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who also went undrafted.
Over the years, many draft classes have produced impressive talent, but the 1983 NFL Draft arguably stands out as the best draft class in NFL history. This draft class was particularly noteworthy for featuring three legendary quarterbacks in John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly -- all of whom had incredible careers.Is 2024 QB draft class good? The 2024 NFL Draft features a handful of quarterbacks with starting traits and the potential to be a franchise signal-caller. The class is led by Caleb Williams and his out-of-structure magic, Jayden Daniels' with his incredible dual-threat ability and Drake Maye and his gunslinger arm talent.
Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett won his first Defensive Player of the Year award. Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. The greatest draft class in NFL history, and it isn't close. In 1974, the Steelers were about to embark on a dynasty with four Super Bowl victories in six years, and it was a run set up by this group.What was the most successful NFL draft year? 1983
What year was the best draft class ever? The 2003 Draft class is widely considered one of the greatest draft classes in NBA history.
What NFL draft class has the most Hall Famers? The 1964 NFL Draft is notable for the highest number of people enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame with 11 total, 1 player selected was inducted as a coach, Bill Parcells.
Who is the 2024 NFL MVP? quarterback Lamar Jackson
What is the most talented NFL draft class ever? Best draft class: 1974
Who won 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year? quarterback C.J. Stroud
What is the most historic draft class? We can argue about the order, but it's almost indisputable that the four best draft classes in NBA history were 1984, 1985, 1996 and 2003. Each of those drafts produced at least one all-time great and had a lot of depth. From 1985, the legendary player was the 13th pick, Karl Malone.
Who is the top NFL draft? It is led by USC's Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and dynamic dual-threat quarterback. Williams is followed by Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., who likely would have been the best pass catcher in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Has there ever been a draft class without a Hall of Famer? Neither made a major impact in the league, and the 1992 draft in retrospect is considered one of the worst in league history. It is the third draft following 1984 and 1943 to produce no Pro Football Hall of Famers.
Which NFL rookies will have the biggest impact? Here are the 13 biggest instant-impact NFL rookies for 2023:
Which NFL team has the best rookies? Ranking 2023 NFL rookie classes after Year 1: Texans claim top spot; Packers, Rams and Lions crack top 10
And this group should improve after each of the next few seasons since many picks are still playing. We can excuse from the HOF argument since some players in the class are still playing or not yet eligible. Below is a look at some of the notable disparities I found in my rankings. Some classes were very top-heavy and dropped off quickly. This is an example of where the fun really happens when putting together a formula to determine draft class hierarchy as opposed to a subjective outlook focusing on a handful of players from the class.
But like the class, WAVs start falling past the top seven players. But only three of those players yielded a career WAV above The 30 players with a career WAV of 50 or more helped boost the overall class into the top five. DT Bob Baumhower at But that draft depth aided the overall class rank, with 32 players with a 50 or higher career WAV.
OL Jahri Evans actually ranked No. The depth is evident, though, with 33 players with a 50 or higher WAV. I also researched the top players in terms of total AV as opposed to weighted AV through six and seven seasons into their career after being drafted. The class carries the most players within the top after seven seasons with The and classes are tied for second 22 players.
The and classes are next with 21 players apiece. The and classes follow with 20 players. That will make the class a heavy hitter once I throw them in the rankings in a couple of years. Here are the top 10 players from the class using total AV:. The class possesses the fourth-most players 22 within the top after six seasons, tied with the class.
The class ranks No. Below is a full look at the list of rankings in my three categories plus the composite class ranking:. Ranking nfl draft classes Get all-access to exclusive stories. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us. Sun Herald. Follow Larry on Twitter LarryHolder.
NFL Draft. Super Bowl NFL Odds. NFL Picks. By Larry Holder Apr 23, Draft chart. QB Dak Prescott. QB Jared Goff. CB Jalen Ramsey. DT DeForest Buckner. RB Ezekiel Elliott. DT Chris Jones. QB Carson Wentz. OL Joe Thuney. RB Derrick Henry. OLB T. Featuring one of the biggest steals in draft history , two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Roger Staubach was selected with the th overall pick.
Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Leroy Kelly also went late as the th pick. Safety Paul Krause, who made his name with the Minnesota Vikings and remains the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions 81 , was one of the more notable players taken, going 18th overall. Names such as Bob Hayes, Dave Wilcox, Pete Beathard, and Gary Larson, among others, all serve to highlight just how historically important this group of men was.
It's also worth mentioning that Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells was also taken in this draft. Between the sheer number of gold jackets belonging to this group and the fact that many of these athletes played an integral part in football history, it's clear why this is one of the most highly-touted draft classes ever.
Arguably the deepest class in history, the draft had so much depth that six-time Pro Bowler Deron Cherry and three-time Super Bowl champion Joe Jacoby went unselected. What really helps this draft stand out is its collection of defensive juggernauts. Mike Singletary, Ronnie Lott, and Howie Long are just a few names that immediately come to mind when recalling legendary defenders.
However, one man stands above the rest as legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor was drafted with the second overall pick by the New York Giants. Forever remembered for being arguably the most menacing and devastating defensive player ever to put on a uniform and one of just two defenders ever to win NFL MVP, Taylor perfectly embodies the essence of this elite class.
Producing a whopping total of nine Hall of Famers as well as 37 Pro Bowlers, the NFL class holds a special place in the annals of NFL history as its offensive prowess was unmatched for the time in which it was held. Two quarterbacks from this draft, John Brodie and Sonny Jurgensen, each threw for over 31, yards, placing both within the top 50 in NFL history to this day. Jim Brown , who was taken sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns , went on to become arguably the greatest running back in NFL history and perhaps the greatest football player anyone has ever seen.
Given the number of Hall of Famers and the depth of the class, it's fair to say that this group will remain in the conversation for the foreseeable future. The NFL Draft had what has to be considered the greatest start of any draft in history as four of its five Hall of Famers were selected within the top five, those being Troy Aikman No.
Due to its lack of depth, it may not be the best overall draft class ever, with only 25 Pro Bowlers plus one who was undrafted, but it is undoubtedly the greatest first round of all time. Aikman won three Super Bowls. Barry Sanders had five seasons of at least 1, rushing yards. Thomas was a five-time All-Pro and recorded And Deion was arguably the best cornerback of all time.
Safety Steve Atwater was the fifth Hall of Famer from this class and is undoubtedly one of the best ever at his position, earning eight trips to the Pro Bowl and winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles with the Denver Broncos. With a total of six Hall of Fame members, the NFL Draft was ultimately won by the Baltimore Ravens as executive vice president Ozzie Newsome managed to nail both of their first-round picks when he selected a pair of Hall of Famers, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden No.
Some of the most recognizable names in the history of the league made their debut here, and it's only fitting that it's remembered as one of the best classes of the past few decades. The name recognition of the NFL Draft class is arguably among the best ever. The draft also featured one of the greatest quarterback classes of the modern era, as Eli Manning No.
Additionally, legendary wideout Larry Fitzgerald No. The class included 31 Pro Bowlers, but that's before accounting for the undrafted players who didn't hear their names called. Heralded by some as the greatest draft class of the 21st century thus far, the group was special. While fans will have to wait to see how many of these players end up in the Hall of Fame, it's safe to say at least a few are headed to Canton.
Green, Patrick Peterson, and Julio Jones taken with the fourth, fifth, and sixth picks.