The Best NFL Draft Pick by Your Team

ESPN Insider had a great idea leading up to the draft. Team by team they put the top 10 draft choices in the history of the franchise. One thing that I didn't like was that they put draft picks like John Elway on the top 10 for the Colts or Brett Favre for the Falcons. Starting today up until the Draft next Saturday here at The Nutz, I will be listing the best picks by a franchise in their history. But it'll be a little more insightful. My criteria is as follows: value at pick, value for the franchise as a whole, overall success by the player, and what he meant to the team during his career. I will go division by division. Hope you enjoy and if you think that I am wrong in anyway...you know what you can do!

AFC South

Houston Texans- Andre Johnson 2003 Rd. 1 Pick 3

Even though at the beginning of his career he was like a see-saw, he is finally starting to get it and in my opinion is one of the top wide receivers in the league. Every time you watch a Texans game their are Johnson's #80 jerseys in the stands. The success of the Texans revolves around him getting the football and making plays. Why do you think that they signed him in '07 to a 6 year extension over 60 million? At 27, he has already been to 3 Pro-Bowls with two 1st team All-Pro selections.

Indianapolis Colts- Peyton Manning 1998 Rd. 1 Pick 1

Wilipedia calls him the NFL's most markable player. They are correct! I didn't think that it was much of a toss up when he was drafted over Ryan Leaf, but obviously it really wasn't. Since being drafted by the Colts Manning has been the ultimate driver behind the one of the league's most potent offenses. Finally winning a Super Bowl in 2006 has capped a career filled with Pro-Bowl selections and 3 NFL MVP awards.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Fred Taylor 1998 Rd. 1 Pick 9

I didn't really get a sense of how valuable Taylor was to this franchise until I moved down to Florida. All the football he has ever played has been played in the state of Florida, for that he is a leader in the community. Fred Taylor jerseys have filled the entire northern part of Florida for ten years. Even though he has not received much recognition for his play the man was still very valuable to this franchise as far as staying competitive. He was asked to go to his first Pro-Bowl in '07, and even through 3 injury filled seasons, each year he wasn't hurt he rushed for over 1200 yards.

Tennessee Titans- Bruce Matthews 1983 Rd. 1 Pick 9

It doesn't happen enough times that teams get a great amount of credit when drafting an offensive lineman in the first round. But, when that player sticks with your time through good times and bad for 18 years, he was well worth the pick. Matthews, is one of the best offensive lineman in the history of the game, having been selected to 14 Pro-Bowls, 9 All-Pro 1st teams, and a member of the 1990s All- Decade team. Whatever and wherever asked to play, he just did. Having started 292 of his 296 games at all the positions on the offensive line.