NFL draft day has a reputation for wild swings—busts, breakouts, and plenty of head-scratchers. But every now and then, there’s a selection that checks all boxes. These players walked in with hype and walked out with Hall of Fame resumes, record-breaking stats, and hardware to match.
Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts
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No quarterback came into the league with more scrutiny than Manning. Still, he tallied five MVPs, two Super Bowl wins, and 539 career touchdown passes. The Colts went from perennial middle-of-the-pack to annual contenders. His 2013 season with Denver, when he threw 55 touchdowns, still sets the single-season record. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Bruce Smith – Buffalo Bills
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Smith haunted quarterbacks with 200 career sacks. He anchored a Buffalo defense that made four straight Super Bowl runs and became a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time All-Pro.
John Elway – Baltimore Colts
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Initially drafted by the Colts, Elway forced a trade to Denver and backed up the move with 148 wins, an MVP award, and two Super Bowl titles. After becoming known for late-game heroics like “The Drive,” he wrapped up his career as the MVP of Super Bowl 33.
Orlando Pace – St. Louis Rams
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Pace protected Kurt Warner’s blind side during the Rams’ high-octane “Greatest Show on Turf” era. As a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, he played a key role in their Super Bowl XXXIV victory.
Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers
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Newton burst into the league with a 400-yard passing debut, won Rookie of the Year, then added an MVP and Super Bowl appearance in 2015. He holds the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and redefined dual-threat QB expectations.
Troy Aikman – Dallas Cowboys
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Losing all 11 games in your rookie year usually spells disaster. But for Troy Aikman, it was the storm before the dynasty. Three Super Bowl rings, six Pro Bowls, and the most wins by a Cowboys quarterback later, he left behind a legacy few doubted—even if concussions cut things short.
Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts
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Replacing a legend rarely ends well, but this Stanford alum had other plans. Andrew Luck carried the weight of being Peyton Manning’s heir and still shone. He made four Pro Bowls in six full seasons and led a roster-light Colts team to multiple playoff appearances. His peak included a 40-touchdown season.
Terry Bradshaw – Pittsburgh Steelers
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Bradshaw’s stats won’t drop jaws today, but his hardware sure does. He’s got four Super Bowl rings, two Super Bowl MVPs, and a 14-5 playoff record during a run where Pittsburgh’s defense often got the headlines.
Eli Manning – San Diego Chargers (traded to Giants)
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Eli finished with over 57,000 yards and 366 touchdown passes, never missing a start due to injury over 15 years. He wasn’t always flashy, but his clutch moments—especially in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI—established his legacy.
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
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One pick changed the Bengals’ future almost overnight. Joe Burrow had Cincinnati in the Super Bowl by his second year and threw over 11,000 passing yards by the end of year three. He’s calm, sharp, and lethal when it matters.
Earl Campbell – Houston Oilers
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Campbell led the league in rushing three straight years to start his career. His 1,934-yard season in 1980 came with defenders bouncing off his shoulder pads. He was as punishing a back as the NFL has seen and marked his status as an MVP finalist and Hall of Famer.
Michael Vick – Atlanta Falcons
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Electric doesn’t begin to describe Vick, but it comes close. His 2006 season with over 1,000 rushing yards remains unmatched by a quarterback. Though his career had major interruptions, his influence reshaped how teams view mobile quarterbacks.
O.J. Simpson – Buffalo Bills
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It took a few years to click, but once it did, Simpson left cleat marks all over the league. In 1973, he ran for 2,003 yards—still the only back to do that in a 14-game season. He led the league in rushing four times and racked up five straight All-Pro selections.
Ron Yary – Minnesota Vikings
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Yary anchored Minnesota’s offensive line for over a decade. He played in four Super Bowls, made six straight All-Pro teams, and helped Fran Tarkenton stay upright. The 207 games under his belt are as steady as they come.
Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
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Speed, strength, and consistency—that’s the trifecta that defines this modern-day edge rusher, Myles Garrett. With 88.5 sacks in his first seven seasons and multiple All-Pro nods, he’s become Cleveland’s most dominant defender since the ’80s.
