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Ranking The 10 Greatest NFL Draft 1st Rounds of All-Time

By Erik Lambert

Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (left) and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly on the field before the game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (left) and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly on the field before the game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) waits for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton prepares to snap the ball at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) waits for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton prepares to snap the ball at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

#3:  2011

Total draft slots:  32

Pro Bowlers:  15

What makes this class so special is it’s one of the deepest on this countdown but also one that gets to its ranking without a huge boost from the quarterbacks. Cam Newton is the only member of this class at that position. An MVP to be sure, somebody who changed the game as everyone knew it. However, the 2011 class is far more diverse in other ways. It may end up having produced one of the most impressive crops of pass rushers of any era, headlined by titans J.J. Watt and Von Miller. One a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, the other a Super Bowl MVP.

Joining them are other standouts like Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan and Cameron Jordan. Not to mention a pair of dominant wide receivers in Julio Jones and A.J. Green. To put the icing on the cake, no great draft class would be complete without a franchise left tackle. That’s what Tyron Smith has been for the Dallas Cowboys since the moment his name was called. The crazy part is this class isn’t even done exploring its full potential.

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