While every NFL draft class has its share of hits and misses, some classes have defined eras, produced multiple Hall of Famers, and transformed the fortunes of franchises. Let’s rank the top 15 NFL draft classes of all time:
15. 2007 NFL Draft
Highlighted by superstars like Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Joe Thomas, the 2007 class brought an influx of incredible talent to the NFL. In fact, all three of those players are still considered some of the very best to ever play the game.
14. 1985 NFL Draft
The 1985 draft produced multiple Hall of Famers, including Bruce Smith, the NFL’s all-time sack leader, and Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in history.
13. 1995 NFL Draft
This class was headlined by Tony Boselli, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and Curtis Martin. In fact, each of these players went on to have Hall of Fame careers.
12. 2017 NFL Draft
While it may seem too early to fully judge this draft class, there’s no question it’s full of Hall of Famers. Not only was three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes in this class, but so were Christian McCaffrey, T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, and George Kittle.
11. 1961 NFL Draft
Despite it being back in the league’s earlier days, the 1961 class brought us Mike Ditka, Bob Lilly, and Fran Tarkenton. These legends set the stage for future generations with their versatility and dominance.
10. 2011 NFL Draft
Considered one of the most recent golden classes, the 2011 draft gave us Cam Newton, Von Miller, Julio Jones, and J.J. Watt. Many of these players have defined the past decade with their individual brilliance.
9. 1974 NFL Draft
A class synonymous with the Pittsburgh Steelers’s dynasty, this draft brought Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster to the league. All of these players became Hall of Famers who were integral to the team’s dominance in the 1970s.
8. 1981 NFL Draft
This draft bolstered teams with the likes of Lawrence Taylor, widely considered the best defensive player in NFL history, along with Ronnie Lott, another defensive legend. The depth of this class extended to Hall of Famers like Mike Singletary and Howie Long.
7. 1996 NFL Draft
Arguably the best wide receiver draft class of all time, this group included Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Keyshawn Johnson. Not to mention, Ray Lewis, one of the greatest linebackers in history, also emerged from this class.
6. 1964 NFL Draft
The 1964 draft gave us Roger Staubach, Paul Krause, and Mel Renfro. While Staubach became a legendary quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Krause still holds the NFL record for career interceptions.
5. 2001 NFL Draft
Headlined by players like LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees, this draft class is a model of sustained excellence. Both are Hall of Famers, with Brees holding multiple passing records and Tomlinson being one of the most dynamic running backs ever.
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4. 1989 NFL Draft
This draft saw four future Hall of Famers selected in the top five picks: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders. Their combined impact on the game is nearly unmatched.
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3. 1993 NFL Draft
Highlighted by Michael Strahan, Jerome Bettis, and Will Shields, this class had an incredible balance of offensive and defensive stars who defined their era.
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2. 1957 NFL Draft
Considered a trailblazing class, the 1957 draft included Jim Brown, arguably the greatest player in NFL history. Other stars included Paul Hornung and Len Dawson, cementing this group’s legacy.
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1. 1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 draft tops this list due to its sheer volume of elite talent. With six Hall of Famers, including John Elway, Dan Marino, Eric Dickerson, and Jim Kelly, this class’s influence on the NFL is unparalleled. Simply put, it reshaped franchises and set new standards for excellence.
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