1. Joe Montana QB Drafted: 1979, Round 3, Pick 82 Career: 16 seasons, 192 games Notes: Montana turned the 49ers into the team of the ‘80s as he led them to four Super Bowl titles. He was MVP in three of those wins. He directed 31 fourth-quarter comeback wins, including the winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII. Hall of Famer
2. Jerry Rice WR Drafted: 1985, Round 1, Pick 16 Career: 20 seasons, 303 games Notes: Arguably the best receiver ever, Rice owns nearly every major receiving record, including most catches (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and TD catches (197). Rice has at least 400 more catches than any other receiver. Hall of Famer
3. Walter Payton RB Drafted: 1975, Round 1, Pick 4 Career: 13 seasons, 190 games Notes: The NFL MVP in 1977 and 1985, Payton was an NFL superstar. He ran for more than 1,000 yards 10 times, including a high of 1,852 yards in 1977, and by the time of his retirement, "Sweetness" had smashed the record books. Hall of Famer
4. Barry Sanders RB Drafted: 1989, Round 1, Pick 3 Career: 10 seasons, 153 games Notes: One of the most electrifying runners until his surprise retirement after 10 seasons, Sanders smashed the record books despite being the Lions' only real weapon. He was the first player to have five 1,500-yard seasons. Hall of Famer
5. Peyton Manning QB Drafted: 1998, Round 1, Pick 1 Career: 12 seasons, 192 games Notes: Blessed with a strong arm, intelligence, determination and leadership, Manning has been compared to the NFL's greats. He has smashed the record books, with more marks destined to fall. He has started 192 straight games. Active
6. Dan Marino QB Drafted: 1983, Round 1, Pick 27 Career: 17 seasons, 242 games Notes: The Dolphins got the steal of the 1983 draft when Marino surprisingly fell to them at No. 27. By the time he retired following the 1999 season, the prolific Marino had put his name atop nearly every NFL passing record. Hall of Famer
7. Brett Favre QB Drafted: 1991, Round 2, Pick 33 Career: 19 seasons, 289 games Notes: The first player to be named MVP three straight years, Favre is the all-time leader in almost every passing category, including yards (69,329) and TDs (497). He broke Jim Marshall's mark for consecutive starts at any position. Active
8. Tom Brady QB Drafted: 2000, Round 6, Pick 199 Career: 10 seasons, 129 games Notes: Brady ranks among the best in the NFL ever, having assaulted the record books in his 10 years in the league en route to leading the Pats to three Super Bowl wins in four years and a perfect 2007 regular season. Active
9. Emmitt Smith RB Drafted: 1990, Round 1, Pick 17 Career: 15 seasons, 226 games Notes: The all-time rushing leader (18,355), Smith was the heart and soul of Dallas' 1990s championship teams. In 1993, he was MVP of both the season and Super Bowl XXVIII. He ran for 1,000 yards in a record 11 straight years. Hall of Famer
10. Lawrence Taylor LB Drafted: 1981, Round 1, Pick 2 Career: 13 seasons, 184 games Notes: Taylor was a playmaking linebacker who dominated opponents. He changed the game with his attacking style. In 1986, Taylor had 20.5 sacks and was named NFL MVP, the first defender to earn the award since 1971. Hall of Famer
