NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Los Angeles Rams, DE Deacon Jones
Pick: 1961 NFL Draft, 14th round number 186 overall
Stats:
- N/A
Awards:
- 8 time Pro Bowler
- 5 time First Team All-Pro
Deacon Jones is often forgotten in the discussion of the greatest draft pick in the history of the St. Louis Rams (now known as the Los Angeles Rams). Most of that is due to the position he played as a defensive end. Another reason is because of the seemingly prehistoric times he played in.
Jones was essentially viewed as a filler, a fringe guy with an outside shot at making the roster when he was taken in the 14th round and 186 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. Not only would he make the squad but he was given plenty of opportunities to prove his worth. Outside of his first year with the team, Jones started all but two games for the Rams. He was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls during his time there and five consecutive All-Pro’s.
Unfortunately for Jones, his career came to an end in 1974, eight years before the sack became an official stat in the league. Unofficially, he recorded 173.5, good for third all-time. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot in 1980 and goes down as the greatest draft pick the Rams have ever made.