Football Outsiders and AOL Fanhouse contributor Michael David Smith has his All-time greatest top 32 picks list and I must say the Redskins (historically at least) acquit themselves quite well in the drafting department:
6. (tie) Sammy Baugh, 1937, Washington Redskins (Texas Christian)
Jim Brown, 1957, Cleveland Browns (Syracuse)
I couldn't possibly choose between Baugh, widely regarded as the best player of the first half of the 20th Century, and Brown, widely regarded as the best player of the second half of the 20th Century. Both were taken with the sixth overall pick, 20 years apart, so we'll call this one a tie.
Given that #6 is the only pick to get a tie -- and how could it go any other way? I wouldn't want to rob either Baugh or Brown of the distinction -- you'd have a difficult time arguing that this wasn't the best historic draft spot in NFL history. Note: That absolutely should not guide our judgment in the upcoming draft. Trade down!Jim Brown, 1957, Cleveland Browns (Syracuse)
I couldn't possibly choose between Baugh, widely regarded as the best player of the first half of the 20th Century, and Brown, widely regarded as the best player of the second half of the 20th Century. Both were taken with the sixth overall pick, 20 years apart, so we'll call this one a tie.
18. Paul Krause, Washington Redskins, 1964 (Iowa)
As a rookie Krause led the league in interceptions with 12. By the time he retired he was the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions with 81. Krause played in eight Pro Bowls in his 16-year career.
Hall of Famer, though he more than likely earned that distinction more through his 12 seasons in Minnesota than his four in Washington.As a rookie Krause led the league in interceptions with 12. By the time he retired he was the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions with 81. Krause played in eight Pro Bowls in his 16-year career.
28. Darrell Green, Washington Redskins, 1983 (Texas A&I)
For all the people who think NFL scouts pay too much attention to a player's 40-yard dash time, here's an example of the opposite: Green is one of the best defensive backs ever to play the game, and if scouts had paid more attention to his 40 time, there's no way he would have lasted until the 28th pick. Green's legendary sub-4.3-second 40 time is what made the Redskins fall in love with him.
So now the hundreds of CBs or WRs who have been scrutinized to insane degrees over their 40 times over the years know exactly who to blame. The Ageless Wonder was the paradigm case of why speed matters, distinguishing himself as the fastest man in the NFL four times.
For all the people who think NFL scouts pay too much attention to a player's 40-yard dash time, here's an example of the opposite: Green is one of the best defensive backs ever to play the game, and if scouts had paid more attention to his 40 time, there's no way he would have lasted until the 28th pick. Green's legendary sub-4.3-second 40 time is what made the Redskins fall in love with him.