Ranking The 10 Greatest NFL Draft 1st Rounds of All-Time
By Erik Lambert
#6: 1985
Total draft slots: 28
Pro Bowlers: 12
The strength of the ’85 class centers around two men. Just two. May not sound like a lot but the stature of these men can’t be argued. There was of course #1 pick Bruce Smith. The man who would eventually become the NFL all-time leader with 200 career sacks. The anchor of a Buffalo Bills defense that helped reach four-straight Super Bowls. Then there was Jerry Rice. A non-descript wide receiver from Mississippi Valley, he would end up outpacing his competition by several lengths to become the all-time leading receiver. Some say even the best player ever.
Having possibly the two best players in history at their respective positions in one round of one draft? That’s pretty good. To think there are still 10 other Pro Bowl players who came out of that class. Including two receivers in Al Toon and Eddie Brown. Not to mention another pretty decent pass rusher in Chris Doleman. It may be a little more top heavy than others in these rankings but when the top may be the best there is, was and ever will be? That’ll do just fine.