NFL Draft: 30 best No. 1 overall picks in league history

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Quarterback Sam Bradford (R) from the Oklahoma Sooners poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as they hold up a St. Louis Rams jersey after the Rams selected Bradford numer 1 overall during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

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Ron Yary (L) (Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: 30 best No. 1 overall picks in league history: number 9, OT Ron Yary

Stats:

Awards:

7 time Prowler
6 time All-Pro

Consistency was key for offensive tackle Ron Yary. For 14 years the former number one overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft called Minnesota his home as he protected a long list of quarterbacks including Joe Kapp, Gary Cuozzo and Tommy Kramer.

It took Yary a bit of time getting used to the physicality of the league, but once he adapted, he was arguably the best at his position. With Yary keeping the jerseys of his signal-callers spotless, a long list of impressive individual and team achievements soon followed.

He was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls, four consecutive First-Team All-Pros and back-to-back Second-Team All-Pros. Yary’s addition to the lineup led to Minnesota hoisting the NFL Championship in 1969. They were also in the hunt for the NFC title seemingly every season as they took home three during his tenure and played in multiple Super Bowls.

From 1973-75, Yary was voted as the offensive linemen of the year and a member of the All-Decade Team for the 1970s.

More than anything, Yary was always available. Throughout his run in the 1970s, he suited up every Sunday and never missed a game. He was consistent, reliable, always available and considered the best for roughly a decade. Taking an offensive linemen with the first overall pick can come with criticism but in this case, Yary was well worth it.

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