Top 10 No. 10 overall picks in NFL Draft history
By Mike Luciano
6. Jerome Bettis, Los Angeles Rams (1993)
After two straight Pro Bowl years to begin his career, the Rams made one of the worst moves in franchise history by trading Bettis to the Pittsburgh Steelers and replacing him with Lawrence Phillips. The former Notre Dame bell-cow became an iconic figure in Pittsburgh, as "The Bus" used his massive frame and surprising speed to flatten defenses for a decade.
Bettis ended his career with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns on the ground. Bettis has six Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams, and two Top-5 MVP voting finishes to his name. Perhaps most importantly, Bettis contributed to a championship Steelers team during his final NFL season.
Jerome Bettis was a star picked No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft
5. Alex Karras, Detroit Lions (1958)
Some may remember Karras as an actor from Blazing Saddles and Webster, but the Iowa stud was one of the most outstanding defensive linemen in NFL history. Karras finally got into Canton in 2020 after his passing, as his numbers look even more dominant now that his true pass-rush skill has been quantified.
Karras has been retroactively credited with 100 sacks as a defensive tackle, though the true sum is likely higher. Karras made four Pro Bowls and an astounding eight All-Pro teams (three First-Team nods). Even on some average '60s Lions teams, Karras was a force to be reckoned with for even the best offenses.