This discussion centers on the proposition that the 2011 NFL Draft class may be regarded as the preeminent defensive class in the history of the league. I present insights derived from Bill Barnwell’s recent article, which articulates compelling arguments and highlights an array of exceptional players, including J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Richard Sherman, and Patrick Peterson, many of whom are poised for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While we recognize the formidable talent of the 2011 cohort, we also examine rival classes, notably from 2009, 2010, and 1981, which boast their own distinguished players and achievements. The conversation further ventures into the 1969 draft class, featuring icons such as Joe Greene and Roger Wehrli, suggesting that this class, often overlooked, merits significant consideration in the discourse surrounding the greatest defensive draft classes. Ultimately, we invite our audience to reflect on these historical contexts and share their perspectives regarding the most illustrious draft classes in NFL history.
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A comprehensive exploration of the National Football League’s most illustrious defensive draft classes commences with an examination of the 2011 class, posited by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell as potentially the greatest in history. This fundamental assertion is bolstered by a plethora of formidable players, including J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Richard Sherman, and Patrick Peterson, all of whom have not only made indelible impacts on their respective franchises but have also established themselves as perennial Pro Bowl selections. The discussion meticulously details their accolades, highlighting Watt’s unparalleled ability to disrupt offensive plays and Miller’s sustained excellence across numerous teams. The speakers delve into the statistical achievements of these athletes, noting that many are likely to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, thus cementing the 2011 draft class’s legacy within the annals of NFL history. As the dialogue unfolds, the speakers introduce alternative classes that could rival the 2011 cohort, notably the 1981 draft class, which produced Hall of Famers such as Lawrence Taylor and Ronnie Lott. The comparison extends to the 1969 draft class, featuring legends like Joe Greene and Ted Hendricks, whose remarkable careers and contributions to the sport further complicate the discourse surrounding the title of ‘greatest defensive draft class.’ By juxtaposing these classes, the conversation not only underscores the significance of the 2011 class but also encourages a broader contemplation of NFL history and the defining moments that shape it. The speakers conclude by urging listeners to engage in their own analyses of draft classes, illustrating the rich tapestry of talent that the NFL has witnessed over the decades.
Transcript
In the past year, we've had quite a bit of shows on the National Football League drafts and some of the draft classes that came out of that.
Speaker A:But I read a recent article by Bill Barnwell on ESPN.com that talks about what is the greatest class of defensive class in the NFL draft that's ever happened.
Speaker A:Now, Barnwell brought up some very good points.
Speaker A:He brought up some very good players.
Speaker A:nd his conclusion is that the:Speaker A:Let's name some of the names from that class.
Speaker A:You know, J.J. watt, the Texans and the Cardinals, a great hedge player.
Speaker A:I don't know if I've ever seen one man swat as many balls down as J.J. watt did and really terrorized quarterbacks and running backs and everybody else on offense as well.
Speaker A:Von Miller, another very special edge player drafted by the Broncos, also played on the Rams, Bills and Commanders over the years.
Speaker A:He's still playing at a high level and, you know, played last year very well, still getting his takes.
Speaker A:Richard Sherman, the great Seahawks cornerback, also played for the 49ers and the Buccaneers, super bowl champion, part of the doom patrol of the Seattle Seahawks back in the day.
Speaker A:And Richard Sherman had his share of picks.
Speaker A:A great big corner that could run and cover and really played aggressive.
Speaker A:Another great cornerback is Patrick Peterson.
Speaker A:The Cardinals, Vikings and Steelers, most of us remember him as a Cardinal and a Viking.
Speaker A:You know, he was a tremendous defensive back himself.
Speaker A:Quite the ball hawk and good tackler, too.
Speaker A:Solid all the way around in that.
Speaker A:Those are guys that are probably going to be going in the hall of Fame or already in a Hall of Fame.
Speaker A:Alden Smith came out of that draft class.
Speaker A:You know, who knows what he could have been in there.
Speaker A:Marcus Gilchrist and Chris Conti, Da Norris Searcy, Raheem Moore.
Speaker A:These are guys that came out of that draft.
Speaker A:Prince Akamara, Byron Maxwell, Jimmy Smith, Chris Harris.
Speaker A:You know, so many Pro Bowls out of these guys.
Speaker A:They're, you know, just tremendous players, top defensive players on their team in many cases.
Speaker A:And, you know, still, some of them are still playing very, very well.
Speaker A:You know, it's.
Speaker A:It's hard to argue against that class.
Speaker A:You know, we're going to probably see a bunch of these guys be in the Pro Football hall of Fame someday, Bronze busts and all in that class.
Speaker A:But I want to, you know, mention a couple other classes that maybe come close and maybe you could judge for yourself on that.
Speaker A:ntention to that is maybe the:Speaker A:They had first team all pro nods for Clay Matthews.
Speaker A:2010, Eight different players earned first team all pro appearances.
Speaker A:That class might produce a Hall of Famer.
Speaker A:You know, Nadam Kun Su, Earl Thomas, Eric Berry, Devin McCourty, all had great careers.
Speaker A:2012 Had 21st team All Pro nods and already sent Luke Kechley to the hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner, he'll probably be in Canton one of these days.
Speaker A:So, you know, those are some strong can cases.
Speaker A:st is that class that had the:Speaker A:You have Lawrence Taylor, hall of Famer, 10 proof of 10 hall of Fame.
Speaker A:I'm sorry, 10 Pro bowl appearances.
Speaker B:Ronnie Lott, 10 Pro bowl appearances.
Speaker B:Hall of Fame Mike Singletary, 10 Pro Bowls hall of Famer, Howie Long, eight Pro Bowls, hall of Fame, Ricky Jackson, six Hall of Fames, Dennis Smith, six.
Speaker B:Duron Cherry, six.
Speaker B:And he was a free agent that year.
Speaker B:Kenny Easley, 5, Sam Mills, 5.
Speaker B:Did it in multiple leagues.
Speaker B:You know, the, if you count as USFL time and in multiple teams in the NFL.
Speaker B:Everson Walls, 4.
Speaker B:Another UDFA, you know, you compare that to the picks that they have on there.
Speaker A:That's, you know, there's.
Speaker B:more Pro bowl picks than the:Speaker B:And let's go over them.
Speaker B:Vaughn Miller, 8.
Speaker B:Patrick Peterson, 8.
Speaker B:Cameron Jordan, 8, Cameron Hayward, 6.
Speaker B:I forgot to mention those two guys earlier.
Speaker B:J.J. watt, 5.
Speaker B:Richard Sherman, 5.
Speaker B:Jarrell Casey, 5.
Speaker B:Ryan Kerrigan, 4.
Speaker B:Justin Houston, 4.
Speaker B:Chris Harris Jr. Another free agent, 4.
Speaker B:So those are some tremendous classes.
Speaker A:e I would, you know, pick the:Speaker A:You know.
Speaker A:Lt certainly takes any draft class up.
Speaker B:But I want to bring one up.
Speaker A:That, you know, that Barnwell did not mention.
Speaker A:And that's the:Speaker A:You had Joe Green, round one pick number four, Pittsburgh Steelers, Roger Worley, cornerback,.
Speaker B:Round one pick number 19 with the Cardinals.
Speaker A:Green had 10 Pro Bowls, two NFL defensive players of the year, four time Super bowl champion, Hall of Fame, whirly.
Speaker B:Inducted in hall of fame:Speaker A:Pro Bowls, three first team all pros.
Speaker A:, went into the hall of Fame,:Speaker A:Ken Riley, cornerback, went to the Bengals, just inducted a few years ago.
Speaker A:20, 23, 65 Career interceptions and a Hall of Famer.
Speaker B:Notoriously never selected to a Pro Bowl.
Speaker A:Big travesty there.
Speaker A:I don't know what they were thinking not having Riley be on an all pro team or on a Pro Bowl.
Speaker A:e Pro Bowlers from that draft:Speaker A:Greenwood, a 10th round pick by the Steelers.
Speaker A:Six Pro Bowls, four time Super bowl champion.
Speaker A:ks were not counted until the:Speaker A:Greenwood had more quarterback sacks than Joe Green.
Speaker A:Unbelievable.
Speaker A:Playing on the same defensive line.
Speaker A:Jim Marsalis, first round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, two Pro Bowls AFL All Star also the boot.
Speaker A:So make that three All Star games, Super bowl four champion.
Speaker A:How about Fred Dreier, first round pick of the New York Giants had won Pro bowl and played on some great Giants and Rams teams back in the day.
Speaker A:I would almost say that they would have a voice here when you're talking about some of the greatest NFL classes of all time.
Speaker A:And I think you know Barnwell is not far off.
Speaker A:I think he's right.
Speaker A:2011 Deep respect for it.
Speaker A:s above them all, But I think:Speaker A:Next time you're reading an article like that, do a little bit of homework and research and do some thinking on that and maybe you will come up with a draft class of your own.
Speaker A:If you do, let us know about it.
Speaker A:Pigskindispatch@gmail com.
Speaker A:Till next time everybody have a great gridiron day.