All Score 1st Round Defensive Team

by ChrisSteuber on Jul 27, 2011 5:13 PM EDT in The Prospect Playbook

Over a 20-year period, hundreds of players heard their names called in the first round of the NFL Draft. But of those hundreds of players only a small percentage actually lived up to their potential, and even a smaller percentage has gone on to be considered some of the games best.

The All Score 1st Round Defensive Team consists of 11 players – two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, a middle linebacker, two outside linebackers, two cornerbacks, a free safety and a strong safety – who were drafted in the first round between 1991 - 2011. There were a lot of tough decisions that were made when assembling this team, and that's to be expected when you're dealing with many all-time greats.

It’s likely that some of the selections will be challenged, but for the most part I believe the team will be universally accepted and recognized as a solid depiction of the best players at their respective positions.

Julius Peppers
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-7	283	2nd overall by Panthers in 2002
Going through the list of defensive ends that were drafted in the first round over the last 20 years, it was difficult to select two starters for this team. But, after taking some time to think it over and thinking about each of the candidates' careers, Peppers emerged as the No. 1 DE. Through nines seasons, eight of which he spent with the Carolina Panthers who drafted him second overall in 2002, Peppers has recorded 435 tackles, 89 career sacks and eight interceptions. A former Defensive Rookie of the Year award winner and a six-time Pro Bowl selection, Peppers, who's just 31 years old, has many more miles to go, and if he continues to average 10 sacks a year, he could end up with 135 - 150 sacks.
Simeon Rice
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-5	268	3rd overall by Cardinals in 1996
Choosing Peppers was much easier than deciding on the DE who would start on the other side of the line. There was some serious competition for the gig, but Rice prevailed over Mario Williams, Dwight Freeney, Robert Porcher and Kevin Carter. It's easy to forget how great the former No. 3 overall pick truly was, especially since he starred for the Cardinals during some very lean years. Rice was an absolute terror in Arizona and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1996. But, he didn't receive the credit he deserved until he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped them capture the Lombardi Trophy in 2002. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Rice quietly amassed 122 sacks over a 12-year NFL career.
Warren Sapp
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-2	300	12th overall by Buccaneers in 1995
The selection of Sapp to the squad was a slam dunk. A seven-time Pro Bowler and a selection to the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Team, Sapp was the most dominant defensive tackle in the NFL over the last 20 years. Sapp, who was a member of the Buccaneers Super Bowl XXXVII championship team, was an immediate hit in the league with his high motor and outspoken demeanor. The greatest thing about Sapp is that he wasn't all talk, he backed everything up and set a high standard at the DT position. During his 13-year Hall of Fame career, Sapp had 297 tackles, 96.5 sacks and five interceptions.
Bryant Young
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-3	305	7th overall by 49ers in 1994
Just like Sapp, Young was also an easy choice, although the names Haloti Ngata and Ndamukong Suh were intriguing, but they're still young and have a ways to go to match the body of work Young achieved by the bay. During a Hall of Fame worthy 14-year career with the 49ers -- where he racked up 276 tackles and 89.5 sacks -- Young was elected to four Pro Bowls and was a member of the Niners Super Bowl XXIX championship team.
Ray Lewis
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-1	250	26th overall by Ravens in 1996
As great as Brian Urlacher's career has been and as solid as Patrick Willis has been in his first four seasons in the NFL, it's hard for any middle linebacker to live up to the Lewis' legacy. One of the greatest to ever play the MLB position, the list of accolades that Lewis has achieved over his star-studded 16-year career is quite impressive. A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, 3-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team and MVP of Super Bowl XXXV, Lewis has done it all, while posting 1,184 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 30 interceptions, three of which he returned for a touchdown. Once he decides to hang it up, five years is all he will have to wait to be enshrined in Canton.
DeMarcus Ware
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-4	262	11th overall by Cowboys in 2005
The 20-year depth chart at the outside linebacker position is stacked and choosing two OLBs from the list was extremely tough. But of all the talented OLBs over the years, Ware stood out as the most dominant and productive of the bunch. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, a former NFC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Ware, through six seasons, has collected 420 tackles, 80 sacks and an interception. Ware turns 29 in July, but he still has 3 - 5 more standout seasons left in him. At this pace, he will be considered an all-time great.
Willie McGinest
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-5	270	4th overall by Patriots in 1994
This was a selection of preference. Choosing McGinest over the likes of Derrick Brooks, Julian Peterson, Terrell Suggs and even Clay Matthews, although he still has a long way to go, was difficult. But, McGinest's credentials rival, and in many cases are better than any of the aforementioned players. During his 15-year career, McGinest, who was named to two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots, registered 401 tackles, 86 sacks and five interceptions. He spent 12 of his 15 seasons in New England and finished his last three years in the league with the Cleveland Browns. McGinest should receive strong consideration for the Hall of Fame in the future.
Champ Bailey
HT	WT	DRAFTED
6-0	192	7th overall by Redskins in 1999
There have been some standout cornerbacks drafted in the first round over the last 20 years, but of all the names to enter the professional ranks, two CBs stood out the most, Champ Bailey and Darrelle Revis. Bailey has been one of the game's elite CBs since he entered the league, but as talented as he was and still is today, he was traded to Denver prior to the 2004 season for Clinton Portis due to a contract dispute with the Redskins. A 10-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Bailey has amassed 666 tackles, three sacks and 48 interceptions, four of which he returned for a touchdown, through 13 seasons. At 33 years old, Bailey is still playing well and will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Darrelle Revis
HT	WT	DRAFTED
5-11	198	14th overall by Jets in 2007
Bailey is still a top-notch CB in the league, but as far as who the elite CB is in today's NFL, it's Revis. Revis, who will turn just 26 years old in July, is not only the premier lockdown corner in the NFL, he may also be the best defensive player in the league. In 2009, Revis won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award and has been named to three Pro Bowl squads in his first four years. To date, through 61 career starts, Revis has compiled 231 tackles, a sack and 14 interceptions; two of which he returned for touchdowns. He has many more years of greatness ahead.
Ed Reed
HT	WT	DRAFTED
5-11	200	24th overall by Ravens in 2002
As easy as it was to name the starting CBs on this team, targeting the starters at free safety and strong safety were even easier. The only FS drafted over the last 20 years who even deserves mention with Reed was the late, great Eric Turner, who passed away way too young at the age of 31. Since being drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft, Reed was taken under the helpful wing of another former Hurricane in Ray Lewis and instantly emerged as a star. Through nine seasons, Reed, who's recorded 495 tackles, five sacks and 54 interceptions; six of which he's returned for touchdowns, has made seven Pro Bowls, won the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team. The only thing missing from his Hall of Fame resume is a Super Bowl championship.
Troy Polamalu
HT	WT	DRAFTED
5-10	207	16th overall by Steelers in 2003
You can't even question this selection. The combination of Polamalu and Reed, to go along with Bailey and Revis, in the secondary is absolutely amazing. The leadership qualities and playmaking ability that Polamalu brings to the field has made him a sure first ballot Hall of Famer when he's eligible. After eight seasons in the NFL, Polamalu, who just turned 30, has two Super Bowl rings, made six Pro Bowls, was named 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the 2000s All-Decade Team. If he can stay healthy, Polamalu should continue to improve on his impressive career totals: 515 tackles, eight sacks and 27 interceptions.

For more from Steuber, follow him on Twitter @ChrisSteuber.

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Comments

Putting Ware and McGinest at LB is extremely suspect

they’re both much closer to DEs then they are LBs.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jul 27, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

This is the problem...

with all defense teams. Rush LBs, NTs, and 3-4 defensive ends are separate positions in my opinion.

by Crown Chief on Jul 27, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

yea for the front 7 there needs to be two teams

cuz if you tried to field this team in an actual game, they’d probably not be all that good…or at least against the all 1st round offensive team.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jul 27, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd go with Brooks for a 4-3

For the other side, since you have Rice, maybe his college teammate Hardy. Shorter career but lots of talent.

"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun."

by ct17 on Jul 27, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree that the S position probably didn’t even take some looking into. Top two easily with the next options far far behind.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 27, 2011 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

in the first round, sure
But Dawkins and Reed are responsible for the evolution of the S position.

The first Drauschak.

by birds'n'raiders on Jul 27, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Not enough players from the U

by Brennan McCoy on Jul 27, 2011 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Will you be doing this for all 7 rounds?

If so, I’m very interested to see what the teams for the late rounds will look like.

Miggy Miggy Miggy, can't you see?
Sometimes your skills just hypnotize me.
And I just love your veteran ways,
You're unappreciated and under-paid.

by sexsalad on Jul 28, 2011 1:07 AM EDT reply actions

That’s not a bad idea to do a team for all of the rounds… we’ll see.

by ChrisSteuber on Jul 28, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Willis got jipped

"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"

by manraj7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:44 AM EDT reply actions

Well it looks like he only picked one MLB and if it’s between Ray and any MLB this last decade the other one will lose.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 28, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions