NFL Draft: The Greatest 1st Overall Picks Ever

Wide receivers just didn’t go #1 back in the 1980s. During that time running the football was still a preferred method of offense. So it was a big deal when the New England Patriots took Irving Fryar in 1984. Granted, they were helped by the USFL poaching several top college players including Steve Young and Reggie White, but they made due with what they had. Fryar turned out to be a really good player. <p> </p> <p>He reached the Pro Bowl in 1985 and helped the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Sadly an rigid offensive system limited his numbers throughout his time there. It wasn’t until he landed in Miami with Dan Marino that fans got an idea of how good he could be. He averaged over 1,000 yards in three seasons there, reaching two more Pro Bowls before jumping to Philadelphia where he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns and another two Pro Bowls. Having sustained success no matter the team or the system is the hallmark of a special talent.</p>. WR. Nebraska. Irving Fryar . 19. player. 47