Ultimate NFL Draft Countdown: The 5 Greatest #1 Picks

Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts former quarterback Peyton Manning holds the Lombardi Trophy at halftime of a game against the Tennessee Titans to honor the 10th anniversary of the 2006 Super Bowl championship team at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

What is the ultimate NFL Draft countdown? It’s rather simple actually. It features a series of articles that will list the top 5 picks ever at every draft slot.

In this case what better way to start than with the #1 pick? It’s the most lucrative in the draft and has brought many a team great fortune. So obviously the competition is fierce to discover who the absolute best were to be taken with it. There really isn’t much of an introduction needed. So without any further preamble, here’s the five best first overall picks ever.

#5: Orlando Pace (1997, St. Louis Rams)

The “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams from 1999 to 2001 were quite possibly the best offense in NFL history. They remain the only one to score 500 or more points in three-straight seasons. They reached two Super Bowls in three years and won one of them. As anybody knows that great an offense doesn’t go without a lock down left tackle. Orlando Pace quite simply silenced every pass rusher he went up against and did it consistently. He made seven Pro Bowls.

#4: Chuck Bednarik (1949, Philadelphia Eagles)

The last of the 60-minute men as he likes to be called. The last notable player who played both offense and defense in the NFL. Chuck Bednarik was both a center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. A man who played that way for 14 years and missed a total of three games. His toughness and hitting prowess were legendary. To top it off he was on the last two Eagles teams to ever win a championship. An eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer.

#3: Bruce Smith (1985, Buffalo Bills)

What else needs to be said other than the fact that Bruce Smith is the all-time sack leader in NFL history? He has 200 in his career. That takes an amazing level of talent and longevity to pull off. Smith had both. He played an astonishing 279 games in his career, went to 11 Pro Bowls over that span and helped the Buffalo Bills reach four-straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. If he’d managed to win any of them, he might be #1 on this list.

#2: John Elway (1983, Baltimore Colts)

One of just two quarterbacks in NFL history to play in five Super Bowls. He was the first to do it. John Elway was a caliber of athlete people hadn’t seen before. He was big, strong, athletic and could run at levels to equal almost any other position group. With a rocket right arm that is still considered by some to he be the strongest ever, he sliced up defenses throughout the 1980s. After some early career disasters, he broke through for two rings. Along with an MVP and nine Pro Bowls he was a shoe-in for Canton after he retired.

#1: Peyton Manning (1998, Indianapolis Colts)

Tom Brady will get the greatest ever votes because he has five rings. That’s just how it goes. The thing is Peyton Manning deserves that label more. He’s the only quarterback in history to win five MVP awards. He holds every major passing record, went to four Super Bowls (with four different head coaches) and is the only quarterback in history to take two different franchises to a championship. His work ethic and football knowledge is iconic. One counter to the Brady argument. We’ll never know how he would’ve done without Bill Belichick. Manning never had that.

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