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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Detroit Lions, RB Barry Sanders

Pick: 1989 NFL Draft, 1st round number 3 overall

Stats:

  • 15,269 rushing yards
  • 99 rushing touchdowns

Awards:

  • 1 time MVP
  • 10 time Pro Bowler
  • 6 time First Team All-Pro

When it comes to who was the best draft pick in Detroit Lions history, it was a no-brainer. With the third overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft, motor city knocked this one right out of the park.

Barry Sanders was outrageously good. He didn’t last very long in the league relatively speaking, but for ten years, he was about as dominant as you could get. Sanders never ran for anything less than 1,100 yards. He also had seven seasons where he rushed for over 1,400. Death, taxes and Barry Sanders making a Pro Bowl were the only guarantees in life. Surprisingly, he was only given one MVP award.

If Sanders decided against hanging up his cleats so early (30 years of age), he would’ve easily ranked number one in every rushing category.

Still, his current rank isn’t too shabby. He checks in at 4th on the all-time list in total rushing yards with 15,269, 10th in rushing touchdowns with 99 and 11th in all-purpose yards with 18,308.

The Detroit Lions have had their fair share of great players come across their draft board including wide receiver Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matt Stanford, but they simply can’t compare to one of the greatest running backs the league has ever seen.

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