The pick hasn’t been so kind to the Redskins. They’ve only held the No. 4 pick twice since 1967; both times they selected receivers: Desmond Howard and Michael Westbrook. Do we need to remind you how either one worked out? Picking fourth is no guarantee of anything. But there have been a number of luminaries selected in this spot:
10. John Hannah: 1973, New England
He played 13 seasons for the Patriots and is thought to be one of the best guards of all-time. Consider this: He made 10 straight All-Pro teams. He was named the NFL Players’ Association offensive lineman of the year four straight seasons.
9. Edgerrin James: 1999, Indianapolis
James rushed for 1,533 yards as a rookie — the first of four seasons with at least 1,500 yards en route to 12,121 for his career. He was a dual threat, catching 430 passes out of the backfield. Canton awaits.
8. Bob Griese: 1967, Miami
The Dolphins chose him one pick after San Francisco took Steve Spurrier. Good move; Griese operated Don Shula’s offense well and earned NFL player of the year honors in 1971. The Hall of Famer helped Miami win two Super Bowls.
7. Derrick Thomas: 1989, Kansas City
The outside linebacker recorded 10 sacks his first season and 20 in his second. Nobody had more sacks in the 1990s than Thomas, who made nine straight Pro Bowls en route to the Hall of Fame. He died at 33 in a car accident.
6. Charles Woodson: 1998, Oakland
A Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan who panned out. Imagine that. But Woodson has starred at corner since he entered the league. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was named the AP’s defensive player of the year this past season.
5. Jonathan Ogden: 1996, Baltimore
The future Hall of Famer was a mammoth, standout left tackle for 12 seasons, earning 11 Pro Bowls. The Ravens drafted him (instead of Lawrence Phillips) despite already having two tackles. He played guard as a rookie, then switched to left tackle.
4. Otto Graham: 1944, Detroit
Graham was selected by the Lions, but he instead signed with Cleveland in the All American Football League. Both teams were smart; Graham became a Hall of Famer after winning seven titles in 10 seasons, including three NFL championships.
3. Gale Sayers: 1965, Chicago
Chicago selected him one pick after taking Dick Butkus. Back to back Hall of Famers. Injuries limited the electrifying Sayers to seven seasons. He averaged 5.0 yards for his career and returned six kickoffs for touchdowns in his first three seasons.
2. Joe Greene: 1969, Pittsburgh
North Texas State produced a dominant defensive tackle and future Hall of Famer. Mean Joe Greene set the tone for the “Steel Curtain” defenses of the 1970s. He twice earned AP defensive player of the year honors and made 10 Pro Bowls and five All-NFL teams.
1. Walter Payton: 1975, Chicago
The Jackson State product was the first to break Jim Brown’s all-time rushing mark. Save for “Sweetness” the Bears were unwatchable in the late ’70s and early ’80s until Mike Ditka took over. Payton, a Hall of Famer, finished with 16,726 yards rushing and another 4,538 yards receiving.
