The best, first NFL draft pick, ever from the SEC

Matthew Stafford may move the number up one from thirteen. That is the number of SEC football players who were taken with the overall first pack of the NFL draft, an honor that Stafford hopes to have this year. The oldest player to receive this distinction dates back to 1940. George Cafego was taken out of Tennessee by the Cardinals, and you can be pretty sure it was not with the pomp and circumstance of the last number one, JaMarcus Russell from LSU.
How do these number one players stack up compared to each other? Who can really say, but here is one listing to start the conversation rolling. Write back with your opinion. Going from best to worst…

Year Player School Drafted By
1965 Joe Namath Alabama Jets
Reinvented the way quarterback is played in the NFL. I guarantee it.

1998 Peyton Manning Tennessee Colts
The last SEC quarterback to revolutionize the game.

1986 Bo Jackson Auburn Raiders
What might have been if not for injury. Think “Bo Knows?”

1960 Billy Cannon LSU Rams
A rare combination of speed and strength for his time.

1948 Harry Gilmer Alabama Redskins
Played eight years in the NFL with the redskins and Lions.

2004 Eli Manning Ole Miss Giants
He has achieved his success with a considerably less talented supporting cast than Peyton.

1943 Frank Sinkwich Georgia Lions
Quick, who is the first SEC player to win the Heisman? Did you guess Sinkwich?

1940 George Cafego Tennessee Cardinals
After one season he was called to duty by a greater calling. His country needed him to serve in WWII.

1952 Billy Wade Vanderbilt Rams
Was he the Rams first round pick or a “bonus pick?” He has an opinion on this.

1961 Tucker Frederickson Auburn Giants
Auburn coach, Shug Jordan, once called him the most complete football player ever.

1953 Harry Babcock Georgia 49’ers
From New York, this wide receiver was one of the first to be able to go up and get the ball.

1999 Tim Couch Kentucky Browns
Is one of the all-time leaders for passing in Brown’s history. That does not speak well of Cleveland.

2007 JaMarcus Russell LSU Raiders
So far it has not been really easy. Might have had a better chance with a different team.

So, if Stafford is the first name called this Saturday, where do you think he will wind up on the list? Time will tell.