ESPN Stats and Information has ranked all NFL players drafted in the modern draft (1967-2008) based on their performance during their NFL careers -- regardless of how they fared with the team that drafted them. Insider will count down each team's best draft class (seeded 1-32), then conduct a tournament to determine the best class of all time.For a short explanation of the ranking system, click here, or, for a more detailed rundown of how the system was developed, click here. JETS BEST DRAFT CLASS: 1977 The New York Jets have drafted average to below-average talent. They've drafted one Hall of Famer (John Riggins, who played the majority of his career with the Washington Redskins) and 24 Super Bowl winners (only five played on the lone Jets victory in 1969). The Jets have never drafted an MVP or offensive/defensive player of the year. Their best draft class according to ESPN Stats and Information's rankings was in 1977. These picks helped the Jets make the playoffs four times, including the AFC Championship Game in the 1982 season. OL Marvin Powell (Round 1, Pick 4, Southern Cal): One of the best offensive linemen in Jets history, Powell was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team by UPI. Throughout his eight-year career with the Jets, Powell was a three-time first-team All-Pro, second-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler at right tackle. Powell helped the Jets rush for a team-record 2,646 yards in 1979. WR Wesley Walker (Round 2, Pick 33, California): Walker immediately made an impact as a rookie, catching 35 passes for 740 yards and three TDs. He averaged 21.1 yards per catch, which became a staple of Walker's career. In eight of his 13 seasons, Walker averaged over 20 yards per catch. Walker made the Pro Bowl twice (1978, 1982) and was an All-Pro in 1978. Walker was a career Jet and remains second in many team records behind Hall of Famer Don Maynard. DT Joe Klecko (Round 6, Pick 144, Temple): A member of the New York Sack Exchange, Klecko is one of three players to have his number retired by the franchise (Joe Namath and Maynard are the others). Klecko began as a defensive tackle, but was moved to defensive end and nose tackle. Klecko was named to his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in 1981 as a defensive end, when the Sack Exchange combined for 66 sacks. Klecko is the only player to be named to the Pro Bowl at three different positions (defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle). TOP 10 JETS DRAFT PICKS OVERALL Rank Player Position Draft Year Points 1t. John Riggins RB 1971 25 1t. Mark Gastineau DE 1979 25 1t. Marvin Powell OL 1977 25 4. Joe Klecko DT 1977 19 5. James Farrior LB 1997 17 6. John Elliot G 1967 16 6t. Hugh Douglas DE 1995 16 8. Joe Fields C 1975 14 9t. Al Toon WR 1985 13 9t. Craig Hentrich P 1993 13 9t. John Abraham LB 2000 13 9t. Mo Lewis LB 1991 13 __________________ > http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/sherwood__2_/albums.jhtml?albumId=1483650
I believe Namath was drafted in 65 and was SB MVP, AP and UPI AFL player of the year and he is in the NFL HOF. The best drafts were 64, 65, 66 and 67. Snell, Philbin and Baker were drafted in 64, Namath and Biggs were drafted in 65 and I believe Sauer was undrafted but signed out of college? Boozer and Lamons were drafted in 66 and John Elliot and Randy Rasmunson were drafted in 68. It's not surprising we won a SB with that kind of drafting.
I guess I need to see how they compute the "points" but looking at the face of it: 1. How can WW not be one of the top 10? 2. Chris Ward had as good if not better career than Powell, imo. Where is he? 3, How can Klecko as a later round pick, not be a better pick than say Powell who went in rd. 1? 4. I think Farrior is over-rated--he is doing well with Pittsburgh but he plays with some awesome guys including #92 if memory serves. 5. Letting Hugh Douglas go was a loser move. 6. I think CP should be on there tied for at least 9 above the others except maybe Toon. Thought provoking post certainly.
S'hh why give Tanny the keys how to build a superior team? I'm sure he thinks he is doing just fine. Tanny probably has a short memory say with Brick (quite average player) Keller (so far not showing he will be an impact player) VG (everything negative has been said of him already).
Mister positive at it again. We have done pretty good in the draft over the last 2-3 years. Sure we have some bust but nobody hits 100%
My main man WESLEY WALKER, had trouble holding on to the ball in the early part of his career. Never would have been drafted in RD 2 now, with being blind in one eye. Thirty years ago they didn't poke and prod players like they do now. Klecko was the biggest steal in Jet's history...Round 6.
That's not a negative on Tannenbaum . The last 4 drafts are TBD and will go down as the best consecutive overall in jets history. You are just looking to complain about the Jets. If we ever win a Super Bowl, you will have nothing to say. Who cares about the best Drafts in history, we sucked overall, get over it. What matters is 2009 and we loaded with talent.
Nope U are totally incorrect in what U say. Most probably U were not around to watch the players Winny mentioned because if U did U would not have posted what U posted. Also if we have done so wonderful & terrific in the draft as you mentioned then why have we not won a SB supposeldly with all the talent U mention we have on board the team?
Mangold, Revis and Rhodes have a chance to be on this list. Keyshawn Johnson should be on this list as well even though it did not turn out the way it should have for him in here.
Season ticket holder since 1981 Mr. Know it all. The Jets never put more then 2 good drafts together until Tannenbaum. We have a young nucleus to buiild championships but it take a little luck also. Whatever, not wasting anymore time on this post
I disagree. Powell was a Pro-Bowler a lot of years, Ward wasn't nearly as good and held way too much in pass protection. Plus he didn't last as long as Powell. Also, I'm pretty sure we got Bruce Harper in 1977 as well, but as an undrafted free agent. I think one of Walt Michaels kids went to Kutztown State with him and reccomended the Jets give him a shot.
1981 that is wonderful & terrific. I like my year of 65 better. I guess U did not read either mine or Winny posts he was talking of drafts held in the 60s & from ur posts it appears that U never saw any of those players play
I would say Revis has an upside to be an exceptional player but the other 2 U mention are just good players or to say it another way are not grade A cuts of meat
I believe they're only counting NFL drafts in the process. Since the NFL and AFL ran separate drafts until 1967, I'd assume they disqualify 3 out of the 4 drafts you mentioned. As far as the NFL is concerned, Namath was drafted by the Cardinals before opting to go with the team that picked him in the AFL Draft. Thank God he did.
