10 Pro Football Players Who Helped Shape the NFL Draft

Life without American Pro Football would seem like waking from a nightmare, to only come to realize that it was only a dream. Pro football has become American as apple pie, and life without it would surely seem unbearable.

In retrospect, throughout the stepping stone of time, the NFL Draft has been a huge success due to the enormous talent pool that has developed throughout the maturation process of the NFL Draft. Even though the NFL Draft has endured criticism, and has also undergone many changes throughout the years, it has become a role model that other professional sports make a note of.

Out of the ten pro football players listed within this article, only one of these players was chosen as a 1^st round Draft pick in the 1^st round of the NFL Draft. The remaining nine pro football players should have been chosen as 1^st round draft picks, and so, this may be one of the more intriguing aspects of how each one of these players including the number one draft pick help shape the history of the NFL Draft.

#1 Peyton Manning: The Indianapolis Colts did not waste any time on acquiring Peyton Manning as a 1^st round, 1^st overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. The immediate impact of Peyton Manning skill level would prove to be a benefit to the Colts organization, as he would help lead the Colts to more playoff games than any other Colt QB. Peyton Manning finally helps lead the Colts to a Super Bowl Championship in 2006, in which he won the MVP for his outstanding performance. Peyton Manning has started all 16 games since 1998, and if he keeps on his torrid pace - he will someday become the number one true iron man of the NFL.

1998 Draft Class Analysis Link Info: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/draft.htm

#2 Barry Sanders: The electric running style of Barry Sanders will continue to be rated as the top five highlight reels of any running back from all eras of professional football. Barry Sanders was selected in the 1^st round, 3^rd overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, and only Troy Aikman would best Sanders as the elite top pick in the 1989 Draft Class. Even though Barry Sanders never won a Super Bowl Championship, the silent warrior played with the heart of a roaring lion, and he will be remembered as one of the most exciting and elusive running backs of all time. There may be no other running back in the NFL whom played on a losing team, an organization which drafted one of the greatest football players in the modern era of professional football.

1989 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/draft.htm

#3 Walter Payton: "Sweetness" was one of those power backs who ran with finesse and purpose, there can be no denying that Payton's contribution to the Chicago Bears help give "The Windy City" a reason to be proud every time they saw their prodigal son take the field. Walter Payton was a 1^st round pick, 4^th overall in the 1975 NFL Draft, Steve Bartkowski and Ken Huff never did measure up to their pre-hype draft potential, only Randy White and Payton would go on to have a Hall of Fame NFL career.

1975 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/draft.htm

#4 Jim Brown: In the veracity of time, Jim Brown may be one of the most underrated draft picks in the modern age of professional sports, especially due to the fact that he only played 4 (12) game seasons, plus 5 (14) game seasons, which equal up to only 9 NFL pro years. Jim Brown was selected in the 1^st round, 6^th overall in the 1957 NFL Draft. Only Paul Hornung and Len Dawson beat out Jim Brown for 1^st place in the 1957 draft, all three players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1957 Draft Class Analysis Link Info: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1957/draft.htm

#5 Johnny Unitas: The golden era of football was passing the torch to the modern age of professional football, and Johnny U was right there at the forefront to help usher in a new exciting time in the NFL. Johnny Unitas was a 9^th round pick, 102^nd overall in the 1955 NFL Draft. Even though Johnny U was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1955 Draft, he would later join the Baltimore Colts squad in 1956. Among NFL purist, Johnny Unitas is considered to be one of the finest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

1955 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1955/draft.htm

#6 Joe Montana: The father of the modern day super efficient passer rating was chosen in the 3^rd round, 82^nd overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1979 NFL Draft, but this would not deter the Notre Dame alumni from becoming one of the most prolific and outstanding winning quarterbacks in NFL history. Joe Montana would go on to win 3 Super Bowl MVP performances in 1981, 1984, and 1989.

1979 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1979/draft.htm

#7 Fran Tarkenton: Sramblin' Fran was actually chosen by two professional football teams, during the 1961 NFL Draft. Fran Tarkenton was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 5^th round, 34^th pick of the AFL Draft. Fran Tarkenton would ultimately be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3^rd round, 29^th overall. Even though Fran Tarkenton never won a Super Bowl, he will be remembered as one of the most exciting quarterbacks to ever play the game.

1961 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961/draft.htm

#8 Marshall Faulk: Faulk was drafted in the 1^st round, 2^nd overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1994, but only had the opportunity to play with Peyton Manning for one year, which was Manning's rookie year. Marshall Faulk would be traded to the St. Louis Rams in 1999; later Faulk would help the Rams win a Super Bowl Championship in 1999. Marshall Faulk will be remembered as one of the most prolific and versatile running backs in NFL history.

1994 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/draft.htm

#9 Ben Roethlisberger: It was business as usual when "Big Ben" would exit from a great collegiate career as he would enter into the 2004 NFL Draft. Roethlisberger would be selected in the 1^st round, 11^th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Eli Manning was the numbers 1 pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, and Phillip Rivers was the number 4 pick. Ben Roethlisberger has managed to help the Pittsburgh Steelers win 2 Super Bowls, and his competitive nature may one day land him in the hallowed halls of Canton .

2004 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/draft.htm

#10 LawrenceTaylor: Overwhelmingly, Lawrence Taylor may be one of the most important Linebackers to come out of the 1981 NFL Draft. Taylor was selected in the 1^st round of the 1981 NFL Draft, 2^nd overall selected by the New York Giants. Lawrence Taylor help redefine the linebacker position during the mid-eighties, his intense playmaking abilities made him a force to be reckoned with, as opposing teams knew the wrath was at their doorstep every time they faced the fury of Lawrence Taylor. Taylor helps assist the New York Giants to win a Super Bowl in 1986.

1981 Draft Class Analysis Link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1981/draft.htm

Statistical Resources: www.profootballreference.com