Which NFL Draft Had the Most Hall of Famers?

The NFL Draft is always an interesting event, and one that can have a big impact on a team’s future. But which NFL Draft had the most Hall of Famers?

Introduction

While there have been many great NFL Drafts throughout the years, some stand out more than others. These drafts produced an extraordinary number of Hall of Famers, and in some cases, changed the NFL landscape for years to come.

Here are the NFL Drafts that had the most Hall of Famers:

1. The 1971 NFL Draft – This was a truly special draft, as it produced a staggering eight Hall of Famers. The most notable names from this class are defensive end Jack Youngblood, running back Floyd Little, and linebacker Randy Gradishar. This draft also had several other players who had very successful careers, but just missed out on Canton.

2. The 1974 NFL Draft – This draft class was headlined by two all-time greats in wide receiver Lynn Swann and running back John Riggins. It also featured several other very good players, such as defensive end Fred Dryer and linebacker Mervyn Fernandez. This group helped set the stage for a dominant Steelers team in the 1970s.

3. The 1975 NFL Draft – This is arguably the greatest draft class in NFL history, as it produced six Hall of Famers. The most notable names from this group are quarterback Steve Bartkowski, running back Walter Payton, and wide receiver Lynn Swann. This draft also had several other players who had very successful careers, but just missed out on Canton.

4. The 1977 NFL Draft – This was a special draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they selected four future Hall of Famers with their first four picks. The most notable names from this group are defensive end Michael Dean Perry, running back Franco Harris, and wide receiver John Stallworth. This group helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s.

5. The 1979 NFL Draft – This is another fantastic draft class that produced six Hall of Famers. The most notable names from this group are linebacker Willie Lanier, defensive end Dan Hampton, and running backs Joe Cribbs and Earl Campbell. This group helped change the fortunes of several struggling teams, including the Redskins and Oilers respectively.

The NFL Drafts with the Most Hall of Famers

The NFL Draft is always full of surprises. Some picks are total busts while others exceed all expectations and go on to have Hall of Fame careers. So which drafts had the most Hall of Famers? Let’s take a look.

The NFL Draft of 1974

The NFL Draft of 1974 is considered one of the best in NFL history. It featured six Hall of Fame inductees, including four who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The class is led by two of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, defensive end Reggie White and linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Wide receiver Lynn Swann and offensive lineman Ron Yary are also Hall of Famers from this draft class.

The NFL Draft of 1983

The NFL Draft of 1983 had the most Hall of Famers with six. The first overall pick in the draft was John Elway, who would go on to have a legendary career with the Denver Broncos. Other notable picks from this draft include Eric Dickerson, Darrell Green, Bruce Smith, Jim Kelly, and Roger Craig.

The NFL Draft of 1984

The NFL Draft of 1984 had the most Hall of Famers of any draft in NFL history. This draft produced six Hall of Famers, including two Pro Football Hall of Famers: Bruce Smith and Jerry Rice. Other Hall of Famers from this draft include Darrell Green, Anthony Muñoz, Howie Long, and Andre Reed. This was a banner year for the NFL Draft, and it is unlikely that any future draft will produce as many Hall of Famers as this one.

Conclusion

So, Which NFL Draft Had the Most Hall of Famers?

The answer may surprise you – it was the 1963 NFL Draft, which featured 14 future Hall of Famers. That class included names like Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Bob Griese, and it set a record that still stands today.

Interestingly, the 1981 NFL Draft is a close second, with 13 Hall of Famers. That class featured Lawrence Taylor, Ronnie Lott, and Mike Singletary – all of whom are considered among the greatest players in NFL history.