Open Rants by caz98032

This is a compilation of what I think are the all time top 5 players selected at each pick in the NFL Draft for picks 1 through 64, or what is currently the first two rounds. It covers the entire Super Bowl era, 1967 to present day. First and second-year players were not included, solely for the fact that it’s too early to deem those players worthy of a list of mostly all-time greats. The criteria for the rankings is obviously based on performance and stats, but also players’ impact on the game and, yes, Super Bowl Rings. There are certain players who I think are better than others that are ranked ahead of them (i.e. O.J. Simpson over Troy Aikman), but Aikman led his teams to three Super Bowl wins compared to Simpson not having any, thus Aikman gets the edge. I copped out and had a few ties at some picks because it just felt wrong to leave certain players off this list. Conversely, there were certain picks where I just couldn’t justify choosing five players for that selection (picks 54 and 62 were brutal.) I hope you enjoy picking this list apart. Let me know what you think.

Number 1 Overall Picks:

1. Peyton Manning QB, Indianapolis Colts (1998)

2. John Elway QB, Denver Broncos (1983)

3. Terry Bradshaw QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1970)

4. Troy Aikman QB, Dallas Cowboys (1989)

5a. O.J. Simpson RB, Buffalo Bills (1968)

5b. Bruce Smith DE, Buffalo Bills (1987)

Number 2 Overall Picks:

1. Lawrence Taylor OLB, New York Giants (1982)

2. Marshall Faulk RB, Indianapolis Colts (1994)

3. Eric Dickerson RB, Los Angeles Rams (1983)

4. Calvin Johnson WR, Detroit Lions (2007)

5a. Tony Dorsett RB, Dallas Cowboys (1977)

5b. Randy White DT, Dallas Cowboys (1975)

Number 3 Overall Picks:

1. Barry Sanders RB, Detroit Lions (1989)

2. Anthony Munoz OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1980)

3. Larry Fitzgerald WR, Arizona Cardinals (2004)

4. Cortez Kennedy DT, Seattle Seahawks (1990)

5. Andre Johnson WR, Houston Texans (2003)

Number 4 Overall Picks:

1. Walter Payton RB, Chicago Bears (1975)

2. Joe Greene DT, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969)

3. Jonathan Ogden OT, Baltimore Ravens (1996)

4. John Hannah OG, New England Patriots (1973)

5a. Derrick Thomas OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (1990)

5b. Charles Woodson CB, Oakland Raiders (1998)

Number 5 Overall Picks

1. Deion Sanders CB, Atlanta Falcons (1989)

2. Ladainian Tomlinson RB, San Diego Chargers (2001)

3. Mike Haynes CB, New England Patriots (1976)

4. Junior Seau LB, San Diego Chargers (1990)

5a. Patrick Peterson CB, Arizona Cardinals (2011)

5b. Jamal Lewis RB, Baltimore Ravens (2000)

Number 6 Overall Picks:

1. Walter Jones OT, Seattle Seahawks (1997)

2. Tim Brown WR, Oakland Raiders (1988)

3. Torry Holt WR, St. Louis Rams (1999)

4. Julio Jones WR, Atlanta Falcons (2011)

5a. John Riggins RB, New York Jets (1971)

5b. James Lofton WR, Green Bay Packers (1978)

Number 7 Overall Picks:

1. Adrian Peterson RB, Minnesota Vikings (2007)

2. Champ Bailey CB, Washington Redskins (1999)

3. Sterling Sharpe WR, Green Bay Packers (1988)

4. Phil Simms QB, New York Giants (1979)

5. Troy Vincent CB, Miami Dolphins (1992)

Number 8 Overall Picks:

1. Ronnie Lott CB, San Francisco 49ers (1981)

2. Willie Roaf OT, New Orleans Saints (1993)

3. Mike Munchak OG, Houston Oilers (1982)

4. Larry Csonka RB, Miami Dolphins (1968)

5. Ottis Anderson RB, St. Louis Cardinals (1979)

Number 9 Overall Picks:

1. Bruce Matthews OG, Houston Oilers (1983)

2. Brian Urlacher MLB, Chicago Bears (2000)

3. Tyron Smith OT, Dallas Cowboys (2011)

4. Richmond Webb OT, Miami Dolphins (1990)

5a. Luke Kuechly MLB, Carolina Panthers (2012)

5b. Kevin Williams DT, Minnesota Vikings (2003)

Number 10 Overall Picks:

1. Rod Woodson CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987)

2. Marcus Allen RB, Los Angeles Raiders (1982)

3. Jerome Bettis RB, Los Angeles Rams (1993)

4. Willie Anderson OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1996)

5. Terrell Suggs OLB, Baltimore Ravens (2003)

Number 11 Overall Picks:

1. J.J. Watt DE, Houston Texans (2011)

2. Michael Irvin WR, Dallas Cowboys (1988)

3. DeMarcus Ware OLB, Dallas Cowboys (2005)

4. Ben Roethlisberger QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (2003)

5a. Patrick Willis MLB, San Francisco 49ers (2007)

5b. Dwight Freeney DE, Indianapolis (2002)

Number 12 Overall Picks:

1. Warren Sapp DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)

2. Marshawn Lynch RB, Buffalo Bills (2007)

3. Haloti Ngata DE/DT, Baltimore Ravens (2006)

4. Clay Matthews Jr. OLB, Cleveland Browns (1978)

5a. Jonathan Vilma MLB, New York Jets (2004)

5b. Odell Beckham Jr. WR, New York Giants (2014)

Number 13 Overall Picks:

1. Tony Gonzalez TE, Kansas City Chiefs (1997)

2. Franco Harris RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1972)

3. Kellen Winslow TE, San Diego Chargers (1979)

4. John Abraham DE, New York Jets (2000)

5a. Mike Kenn OT, Atlanta Falcons (1978)

5b. Aaron Donald DT, St. Louis Rams (2014)

Number 14 Overall Picks:

1. Jim Kelly QB, Buffalo Bills (1983)

2. Darrelle Revis CB, New York Jets (2007)

3. Earl Thomas S, Seattle Seahawks (2010)

4. Eddie George RB, Houston Oilers (1996)

5. Thomas Davis OLB, Carolina Panthers (2005)

Number 15 Overall Picks:

1. Alan Page DT, Minnesota Vikings (1967)

2. Derrick Johnson OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (2005)

3. Jason Pierre-Paul DE, New York Giants (2010)

4. Melvin Gordon RB, San Diego Chargers (2015)

5a. Ryan Shazier MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers (2014)

5b. John Mobley OLB, Denver Broncos (1996)

Number 16 Overall Picks:

1. Jerry Rice WR, San Francisco 49ers (1985)

2. Troy Polamalu S, Pittsburgh Steelers (2003)

3. Zack Martin OG, Dallas Cowboys (2014)

4. Jevon Kearse DE, Tennessee Titans (1999)

5a. Hugh Douglas DE, New York Jets (1995)

5b. Julian Peterson OLB, San Francisco 49ers (2000)

Number 17 Overall Picks:

1. Emmitt Smith RB, Dallas Cowboys (1990)

2. Gene Upshaw OG, Oakland Raiders (1967)

3. Steve Hutchinson OG, Seattle Seahawks (2001)

4. Doug Williams QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978)

5. D.J. Williams OLB, Denver Broncos (2004)

Number 18 Overall Picks:

1. Art Monk WR, Washington Redskins (1980)

2. Joe Flacco QB, Baltimore Ravens (2008)

3. Maurice Pouncey C, Pittsburgh Steelers (2010)

4. Marcus Peters CB, Kansas City Chiefs (2015)

5. Melvin Ingram DE/OLB, San Diego Chargers (2012)

Number 19 Overall Picks:

1. Marvin Harrison WR, Indianapolis Colts (1996)

2. Roger Wehrli CB, St. Louis Cardinals (1969)

3. Randall McDaniel OG, Minnesota Vikings (1988)

4. Shaun Alexander RB, Seattle Seahawks (2000)

5a. Joey Browner S, Minnesota (1983)

5b. Jack Tatum S, Oakland Raiders (1971)

Number 20 Overall Picks:

1. Jack Youngblood DE, Los Angeles Rams (1971)

2. Aqib Talib CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008)

3. Tamba Hali DE/OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (2006)

4. Steve Atwater S, Denver Broncos (1989)

5. Brandin Cooks WR, New Orleans Saints (2014)

Number 21 Overall Picks:

1. Randy Moss WR, Minnesota Vikings (1998)

2. Lynn Swann WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974)

3. Vince Wilfork DT, New England Patriots (2004)

4. John Alt OT, Kansas City Chiefs (1984)

5a. Alex Mack C, Cleveland Browns (2009)

5b. Chandler Jones DE/OLB, New England Patriots (2012)

Number 22 Overall Picks:

1. Demaryius Thomas WR, Denver Broncos (2010)

2. Andre Rison WR, Indianapolis Colts (1989)

3. Desmond Trufant CB, Atlanta Falcons (2013)

4. Hansford Dixon CB, Cleveland Browns (1981)

5. William Perry DT, Chicago Bears (1985)

Number 23 Overall Picks:

1. Ty Law CB, New England Patriots (1995)

2. Ozzie Newsome TE, Cleveland Browns (1978)

3. Ray Guy P, Oakland Raiders (1973)

4. Antoine Winfield CB, Buffalo Bills (1999)

5. Deuce McAllister RB, New Orleans Saints (2001)

Number 24 Overall Picks:

1. Aaron Rodgers QB, Green Bay Packers (2005)

2. Ed Reed S, Baltimore Ravens (2002)

3. Steven Jackson RB, St. Louis Rams (2004)

4. Dez Bryant WR, Dallas Cowboys (2010)

5a. Chris Johnson RB, Tennessee Titans (2007)

5b. Eric Moulds WR, Buffalo Bills (1996)

Number 25 Overall Picks:

1. Stanley Morgan WR, New England Patriots (1977)

2. Jon Beason MLB, Carolina Panthers (2007)

3. Xavier Rhodes CB, Minnesota Vikings (2013)

4. Santonio Holmes WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (2006)

5a. Dont'a Hightower MLB, New England Patriots (2012)

5b. Vontae Davis CB, Miami Dolphins (2009)

Number 26 Overall Picks:

1. Ray Lewis MLB, Baltimore Ravens (1996)

2. Alan Faneca OG, Pittsburgh Steelers (1998)

3. Joe DeLamielleure OG, Buffalo Bills (1973)

4. Clay Matthews III OLB, Green Bay Packers (2009)

5a. Duane Brown OT, Houston Texans (2008)

5b. Robert Porcher DE, Detroit Lions (1992)

Number 27 Overall Picks:

1. Dan Marino QB, Miami Dolphins (1983)

2. Roddy White WR, Atlanta Falcons (2005)

3. DeAndre Hopkins WR, Houston Texans (2013)

4. DeAngelo Williams RB, Carolina Panthers (2006)

5. Larry Johnson RB, Kansas City Chiefs (2003)

Number 28 Overall Picks:

1. Derrick Brooks OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)

2. Darrell Green CB, Washington Redskins (1983)

3. Joe Staley OT, San Francisco 49ers (2007)

4. Trevor Pryce DE/DT, Denver Broncos (1997)

5. Mark Ingram Jr. RB, New Orleans Saints (2011)

Number 29 Overall Picks:

1. Nick Mangold C, New York Jets (2006)

2. Steve Wisniewski OG, Los Angeles Raiders (1989)

3. Harrison Smith S, Minnesota Vikings (2012)

4. Chris Spielman OLB, Detroit Lions (1988)

5. Ben Grubbs OG, Baltimore Ravens (2007)

Number 30 Overall Picks:

1. Reggie Wayne WR, Indianapolis Colts (2001)

2. Eric Allen CB, Philadelphia Eagles (1988)

3. Muhammad Wilkerson DE/DT, New York Jets (2011)

4. Keith Bullock OLB, Tennessee Titans (2000)

5. Patrick Kerney DE, Atlanta Falcons (1999)

Number 31 Overall Picks:

1. Greg Olsen TE, Chicago Bears (2007)

2. Travis Frederick C, Dallas Cowboys (2013)

3. Nmamdi Asomugha CB, Oakland Raiders (2003)

4. Al Wilson MLB, Denver Broncos (1999)

5a. Carl Pickens WR, Cincinnati Bengals (1992)

5b. Todd Heap TE, Baltimore Ravens (2001)

Number 32 Overall Picks:

1. Drew Brees QB, San Diego Chargers (2001)

2. Logan Mankins OG, New England Patriots (2005)

3. Ray Donaldson C, Baltimore Colts (1980)

4. Henry Ellard WR, Los Angeles Rams (1983)

5. Fred Smerlas DT, Buffalo Bills (1979)

Number 33 Overall Picks:

1. Brett Favre QB, Atlanta Falcons (1991)

2. Ted Hendricks OLB, Baltimore Colts (1969)

3. Isaac Bruce WR, Los Angeles Rams (1994)

4. Karlos Dansby MLB, Arizona Cardinals (2004)

5. Landon Collins S, New York Giants (2015)

Number 34 Overall Picks:

1. Jack Ham OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1971)

2. Lem Barney CB, Detroit Lions (1967)

3. Carnell Lake S, Pittsburgh Steelers (1989)

4. Chris Snee OG, New York Giants (2004)

5. Amani Toomer WR, New York Giants (1996)

Number 35 Overall Picks:

1. Charles Tillman CB, Chicago Bears (2003)

2. Andy Dalton QB, Cincinnati Bengals (2011)

3. Christian Okoye RB, Kansas City (1987)

4. Mike Alstott RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996)

5. Zach Ertz TE, Philadelphia Eagles (2013)

Number 36 Overall Picks:

1. Tiki Barber RB, New York Giants (1997)

2. Kevin Mawae C, Seattle Seahawks (1994)

3. Jordy Nelson WR, Green Bay Packers (2008)

4. Chad Johnson WR, Cincinnati Bengals (2001)

5. Jimmy Smith WR, Dallas Cowboys (1992)

Number 37 Overall Picks:

1. Darren Woodson S, Dallas Cowboys (1992)

2. Randall Cunningham QB, Philadelphia Eagles (1985)

3. Eric Weddle S, San Diego Chargers (2007)

4. Cris Collinsworth WR, Cincinnati Bengals (1981)

5. Ron Jaworski QB, Los Angeles Rams (1972)

Number 38 Overall Picks:

1. Mike Singletary MLB, Chicago Bears (1981)

2. Boomer Esiason QB, Cincinnati Bengals (1984)

3. Flozell Adams OT, Dallas Cowboys (1998)

4. Marvel Smith OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (2000)

5. Levon Kirkland MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1992)

Number 39 Overall Picks:

1. Janoris Jenkins CB, St. Louis Rams (2012)

2. Darryl Talley OLB, Buffalo Bills (1983)

3. Rashean Mathis CB, Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)

4. Daryl Smith OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars (2004)

5. Mike Brown S, Chicago Bears (2000)

Number 40 Overall Picks:

1. Michael Strahan DE, New York Giants (1993)

2. Thurman Thomas RB, Buffalo Bills (1988)

3. Eric Wright CB, San Francisco 49ers (1981)

4. Tracy Porter CB, New Orleans Saints (2008)

Number 41 Overall Picks:

1. Andre Tippett OLB, New England Patriots (1982)

2. Mark Gastineau DE, New York Jets (1979)

3. Ken Norton Jr. OLB, Dallas Cowboys (1987)

4. Michael Roos OT, Tennessee Titans (2005)

5. Dre Bly CB, St. Louis Rams (1999)

Number 42 Overall Picks:

1. Rob Gronkowski TE, New England Patriots (2010)

2. Randy Cross OG/C, San Francisco 49ers (1976)

3. Jairus Byrd S, Buffalo Bills (2009)

4. Jake Plummer QB, Arizona Cardinals (1997)

5. Charlie Garner RB, Philadelphia Eagles (1994)

Number 43 Overall Picks:

1. Dan Dierdorf OT, St. Louis Cardinals (1971)

2. Corey Dillon RB, Cincinnati Bengals (1997)

3. Muhsin Muhammad WR, Carolina Panthers (1996)

4. Matt Millen OLB, Oakland Raiders (1980)

5. Kyle Rudolph TE, Minnesota Vikings (2011)

Number 44 Overall Picks:

1. Dermonti Dawson C, Pittsburgh Steelers (1988)

2. Matt Forte RB, Chicago Bears (2008)

3. Kris Jenkins DT, Carolina Panthers (2001)

4. Chad Clifton OT, Green Bay Packers (2000)

5a. Patrick Surtain CB, Miami Dolphins (1998)

5b. Sam Madison CB, Miami Dolphins (1997)

Number 45 Overall Picks:

1. Ricky Watters RB, San Francisco 49ers (1991)

2. Dave Casper TE, Oakland Raiders (1974)

3. Alshon Jeffery WR, Chicago Bears (2012)

4. Phil Villapiano OLB, Oakland Raiders (1971)

5. Lofa Tatupu MLB, Seattle Seahawks (2005)

Number 46 Overall Picks:

1. Larry Allen OG, Dallas Cowboys (1994)

2. Jack Lambert OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974)

3. Samari Rolle CB, Tennessee Titans (1998)

4. Kiko Alonso OLB, Buffalo Bills (2013)

5. Connor Barwin DE/OLB, Houston Texans (2009)

Number 47 Overall Picks:

1. Bobby Wagner MLB, Seattle Seahawks (2012)

2. David Harris MLB, New York Jets (2007)

3. Michael Thomas WR, New Orleans Saints (2016)

4. Daryl Washington MLB, Arizona Cardinals (2010)

5. Michael Barrow MLB, Houston Oilers (1993)

Number 48 Overall Picks:

1. Howie Long DE, Oakland Raiders (1981)

2. Dwight Stephenson C, Miami Dolphins (1980)

3. Le’Veon Bell RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (2013)

4. LeRoy Butler S, Green Bay (1990)

5. Matt Light OT, New England Patriots (2001)

Number 49 Overall Picks:

1. Roger Craig RB, San Francisco 49ers (1983)

2. Max Unger C, Seattle Seahawks (2009)

3. DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia Eagles (2008)

4. Brian Blades WR, Seattle Seahawks (1988)

5. Randall Godfrey OLB, Dallas Cowboys (1996)

Number 50 Overall Picks:

1. Willie Lanier MLB, Kansas City Chiefs (1967)

2. Calais Campbell DE, Arizona Cardinals (2008)

3. Bobby Taylor CB, Philadelphia Eagles (1995)

4. Dominic Raiola C, Detroit Lions (2001)

5. Marcus McNeil OT, San Diego Chargers (2006)

Number 51 Overall Picks:

1. Rickey Jackson OLB, New Orleans Saints (1981)

2. Clinton Portis RB, Denver Broncos (2002)

3. Nick Collins S, Green Bay (2005)

4. Andy Levitre OG, Buffalo Bills (2009)

Number 52 Overall Picks:

1. Ken Stabler QB, Oakland Raiders (1968)

2. Greg Jennings WR, Green Bay Packers (2006)

3. Jamie Collins OLB, New England Patriots (2013)

4. Mark Duper WR, Miami Dolphins (1982)

5. Chris Chambers WR, Miami Dolphins (2001)

Number 53 Overall Picks:

1. Mel Blount CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1970)

2. LeSean McCoy RB, Philadelphia Eagles (2009)

3. Eric Davis CB, San Francisco 49ers (1990)

4. Devante Adams WR, Green Bay Packers (2014)

5. Danny White QB, Dallas Cowboys (1974)

Number 54 Overall Picks:

1. Anquan Boldin WR, Arizona Cardinals (2003)

2. Carlos Dunlap DE, Cincinnati Bengals (2010)

Number 55 Overall Picks:

1. Andrew Whitworth OT, Cincinnati Bengals (2006)

2. Sean Lee OLB, Dallas Cowboys (2010)

3. Ray Rice RB, Baltimore Ravens (2008)

4. Rodney Hudson C, Kansas City Chiefs (2011)

Number 56 Overall Picks:

1. Todd Christensen TE, Dallas Cowboys (1978)

2. Osi Umenyiora DE, New York Giants (2003)

3. Jason Hanson K, Detroit Lions (1992)

4. Lynn Dickey QB, Green Bay Packers (1971)

5. Tom Rathman RB, San Francisco 49ers (1986)

Number 57 Overall Picks:

1. Devin Hester WR/KR, Chicago Bears (2006)

2. Mark Stepnoski C, Dallas Cowboys (1989)

3. Carlos Hyde RB, San Francisco 49ers (2014)

4. Randy Thomas OG, New York Jets (1999)

5. Joe Ferguson QB, Buffalo Bills (1973)

Number 58 Overall Picks:

1. Lavonte David OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012)

2. Torrey Smith WR, Baltimore Ravens (2011)

3. Sebastian Vollmer OT, New England Patriots (2009)

4. Travis Henry RB, Buffalo Bills (2001)

5. Michael Lewis S, Philadelphia Eagles (2002)

Number 59 Overall Picks:

1. Aeneas Williams CB, Phoenix Cardinals (1991)

2. Ryan Kalil C, Carolina Panthers (2007)

3. Sheldon Brown CB, Philadelphia Eagles (2002)

4. Jeff Hostetler QB, New York Giants (1984)

5. Vinny Curry DE, Philadelphia Eagles (2012)

Number 60 Overall Picks:

1. Darren Sharper S, Green Bay Packers (1997)

2. Pat Swilling OLB, New Orleans Saints (1986)

3. Maurice Jones-Drew RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (2006)

4. Kelechi Osemele OG, Baltimore Ravens (2012)

5. Golden Tate WR, Seattle Seahawks (2010)

Number 61 Overall Picks:

1. Brian Dawkins S, Philadelphia Eagles (1996)

2. Allen Robinson WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (2014)

3. Vincent Jackson WR, San Diego Chargers (2005)

4. Eddie Lacy RB, Green Bay Packers (2013)

5. Martellus Bennett TE, Dallas Cowboys (2008)

Number 62 Overall Picks:

1. Casey Hayward CB, Green Bay Packers (2012)

2. Tim Jennings CB, Indianapolis Colts (2006)

3. Jimmy Garropolo QB, New England Patriots (2014)

4. Antwaan Randle El WR/KR, Pittsburgh Steelers (2002)

Number 63 Overall Picks:

1. Travis Kelce TE, Kansas City Chiefs (2013)

2. Jarvis Landry WR, Miami Dolphins (2014)

3. Mercury Morris RB, Miami Dolphins (1969)

4. Derrick Burgess DE, Philadelphia Eagles (2001)

5. Mo Lewis OLB, New York Jets (1991)

Number 64 Overall Picks:

1. Dan Fouts QB, San Diego Chargers (1973)

2. Olin Kreutz C, Chicago Bears (1998)

3. Dave Duerson S, Chicago Bears (1983)

4. Adrian Wilson S, Arizona Cardinals (2001)

5. Darnell Dockett DT, Arizona Cardinals (2004)