Best Drafts

NFL.com's Around the League writer Chris Wesseling has broken down the best draft classes of all time for each NFL team. These extra two weeks have given people a lot of extra time to do some fun stuff like this. I'm always fascinated by looking back at terrific draft classes. Finding the classes that put a future champion over the top. Champions are built through the draft so there's always one that truly stands out. Wesseling made some fine choices. The furthest back he went was the Cleveland Browns class of 1957. So, he did do some digging. The only draft that I can truly comment on is that of the Minnesota Vikings but that choice is easy. The Minnesota Vikings draft class of 1967.

1. Alan Page
1. Clinton Jones
1. Gene Washington
2. Bob Grim
7. Bobby Bryant
8. John Beasley

With three first round picks they had plenty of ammo. Page was one of the best players in franchise history. He's one of the best in league history. This draft went a long ways in moving the Vikings to the top of the NFL/NFC for most of the following decade.

The San Francisco 49ers had several great drafts while Bill Walsh was calling most of the shots. You don't win all of those Super Bowls without those drafts. One of the most remarkable drafts under Walsh, and in NFL history, was put together without the benefit of a first round pick. The San Francisco 49ers draft class of 1986.

2. Larry Roberts
3. John Taylor
3. Tim McKyer
3. Tom Rathman
4. Charles Haley
4. Steve Wallace
4. Kevin Fagan
6. Don Griffin

There are no Hall of Famers here. Haley would be in already if he hadn't pissed off so many people. He'll likely be there eventually. There's quality and quantity in this draft. The 49ers had already won two Super Bowls. This class helped make three more possible.

Despite winning Super Bowl IV, over the Vikings unfortunately, I don't think that the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs get the appreciation that they deserve. The Kansas City Chiefs draft class of 1963 was loaded.

1. Buck Buchanan
1. Ed Budde
6. George Saimes
7. Bobby Bell
11. Jerrel Wilson
15. Joe Auer
24. Dave Hill

Buchanan, Budde, Saimes, Bell, and Wilson combined for 32 Pro Bowls. Even late-round pick Hill was an 11-year starter for the Chiefs. Buchanan and Bell, alone, can put this class among the best in league history. This draft has always frustrated me in that Bobby Bell was a second round pick of the Vikings. Put Bell behind the Vikings defensive line of Page, Eller, and Marshall! Fuhgeddaboutit! The Vikings might have turned things around against the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, the Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII, the Steelers in Super Bowl IV, the Raiders in Super Bowl XI.....

Chris Wesseling did some nice work. The Flea Flicker says,check it out.