Detroit Lions: 30 Best Draft Picks in Team History
By Eli Kaplan
1. Barry Sanders (running back) – Speaking of taking things for granted, no Lion was more loved, while at the same time, more taken for granted, than the #1 best draft pick in Detroit Lions history – Barry Sanders.
Heck, even Barry Sanders own father only considered Sanders as the third best running back of all time. While the merit of such an idea is debatable, few will argue that Barry was the best Detroit Lion to ever play.
When the Lions selected Sanders, with the third overall pick in the 1989 draft, he had video game-like numbers.
During his final season at Oklahoma State, Sanders rushed for over 2,800 yards and 42 touchdowns (in one season). It was easy to see why the Lions were giddy to get such a talent on their team.
But surely he couldn’t continue to excel at such high levels, in the NFL.
Except he did. Barry Sanders excelled to the highest degree, at every stage of his professional career. In ten seasons in the NFL, Sanders’ worst season was the 1993 campaign – he gained ONLY 1,115 yards rushing that season!
He finished his career (still in his prime) with 15,269 yards rushing, 99 rushing touchdowns, and a yards per carry average of 5.0. He was a ten-time Pro Bowl selection, an NFL MVP, a 2,000 yard rusher (in one season), and still today is the third-leading rusher in NFL history.
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He holds virtually every Detroit Lions rushing record, and all while being a humble gentleman, a terrific teammate, and a good example for young kids, in doing things the right way – with class.
For those reasons (and many, many more) Barry Sanders is the head of this class – the best Detroit Lion to ever suit up.