Top 10 No. 2 overall picks in NFL Draft History

Teams picking No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft are usually doing so with a bit of disappointment, as their inability to be so bad they ended up with the No. 1 overall selection deprives them of the right to pick who they believe to be the best player in the class.

While there are enough busts of the Zach Wilson and Tony Mandrich levels to fill out their own list, the rich history of the No. 2 pick is full of Hall of Famers and era-defining stars. From tremendous quarterbacks to elite defensive players who are unblockable even on their worst days, this selection is the gateway to game-changing talent.

These 10 players, most of whom have already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, are the best to ever have been picked No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft. Finding talent at this spot is not very difficult to pull off, given the history.

Top 10 No. 2 Draft Picks in NFL Draft History

Honorable Mentions:

Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1952)
Bob Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (1964)
Neil Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (1988)
Tony Boselli, Jacksonville Jaguars (1995)
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles (1999)

10. Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams (1962)

The fact Gabriel, who recently passed away at 84, is not in the Hall of Fame is a sin. No player who played before the merger may have a more compelling case for induction. In an era that didn't have the gaudiest passing numbers, the former North Carolina State star amassed just under 30,000 yards and 201 touchdown passes in his career.

Gabriel, who won league MVP in 1969, led the NFL in touchdowns twice while being named to four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his career. He is also noteworthy for breaking down barriers as the first quarterback of Filipino-American descent in NFL history.

Tony Dorsett was a solid No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft

9. Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys (1977)

As the Cowboys transitioned from the end of the Roger Staubach era to the beginning of Danny White taking over in the 80s, Dorsett was a constant offensive weapon on the ground. The Pitt legend topped 1,000 eight times in his first nine seasons, with the nine-game strike season the lone year in which he failed to hit that mark.

Dorsett, who finished his career with four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, tallied up over 16,000 yards from scrimmage (12,739 rushing) and 90 touchdowns (77 rushing). Dorsett was also a mini-trailblazer, as he showed that smaller backs with great speed could be picked this high and excel as a bell cow.