Top 10 Draft Steals

[Fritz]

For three seasons - from '66 - '68 - Leroy Kelly averaged 5 yards a carry for the Browns. Then they moved him to fullback, and in '69 he averaged 4.2.

[pbmax]

For three seasons - from '66 - '68 - Leroy Kelly averaged 5 yards a carry for the Browns. Then they moved him to fullback, and in '69 he averaged 4.2.

The Browns were doing something right back then drafting RBs. They had another Syracuse guy primed to take off but leukemia took Ernie Davis before football could.

He was drafted by the Redskins, who, if memory serves were the last integrated NFL team. They traded him for the players who would integrate their team, including Bobby Mitchell, I think. So I would bet the Browns wanted Davis with that pick.

[Fritz]

Did Syracuse integrate before other major colleges? Wasn't Jim Brown from Syracuse, too?

[pbmax]

Did Syracuse integrate before other major colleges? Wasn't Jim Brown from Syracuse, too?

Yes. Colleges did integrate earlier, but given the larger numbers and parochial nature, it happened slower than in the professional leagues even though it started earlier.

[Patler]

Ernie Davis was the first black Heisman Trophy winner. He was a tremendous running back, and quite the headline maker at the time. Many top football programs were not integrated in the early '60s. Alabama would go another 9 years or so as an all white program. Davis winning the Heisman was a huge deal in the push for equal rights.

In those days, the draft was held during the NFL season, shortly after the college season ended. Davis was the #1 selection, and when he was traded to Cleveland it was assumed that pairing him at halfback in the same backfield with Jim Brown at fullback would make the Browns unstoppable on the ground. As a Packer fan at the time, I was not pleased with the trade. Davis even signed his contract with the Browns, but was diagnosed with leukemia that spring. His diagnosis and later death were real shocks. As I recall, he lived only about a year after being diagnosed.

Both Brown and Davis wore #44 at Syracuse. Their number has been retired at Syracuse.

[VermontPackFan]

Ernie Davis was the first black Heisman Trophy winner. He was a tremendous running back, and quite the headline maker at the time. Many top football programs were not integrated in the early '60s. Alabama would go another 9 years or so as an all white program. Davis winning the Heisman was a huge deal in the push for equal rights.

In those days, the draft was held during the NFL season, shortly after the college season ended. Davis was the #1 selection, and when he was traded to Cleveland it was assumed that pairing him at halfback in the same backfield with Jim Brown at fullback would make the Browns unstoppable on the ground. As a Packer fan at the time, I was not pleased with the trade. Davis even signed his contract with the Browns, but was diagnosed with leukemia that spring. His diagnosis and later death were real shocks. As I recall, he lived only about a year after being diagnosed.

Both Brown and Davis wore #44 at Syracuse. Their number has been retired at Syracuse.

Syracuse was truly a running back factory back then. Floyd Little came after Brown & Davis, mid 60's I think and also wore #44 and was retired after he left.

[Patler]

Syracuse was truly a running back factory back then. Floyd Little came after Brown & Davis, mid 60's I think and also wore #44 and was retired after he left.

Yup, and between Davis and Little they had Jim Nance, who became a big name in the AFL. After Little they had Larry Csonka.

[Fritz]

Who was the third of that Miami triumvirate? Csonka, Mercury Morris, and - ?

Wait - was it Jim Kiick?

[Patler]

Who was the third of that Miami triumvirate? Csonka, Mercury Morris, and - ?

Wait - was it Jim Kiick?

Yes, Kiick

[Cheesehead Craig]

For draft steals, I've always like Karl Mecklenburg for Denver. He was a 14th round pick and made 6 Pro Bowls. The "Albino Rhino" was one of my favorites growing up.

[prime311]

Terry Bradshaw has a top 10 QB's under 30 and he has Rodgers 3rd behind Rivers and Big Ben. Sorry, no way Rivers is better then Rodgers at this point and probably not Ben either.

[Iron Mike]

Yup, and between Davis and Little they had Jim Nance, who became a big name in the AFL.

[Packgator]

Um...Bart Starr anyone?

I'd say being drafted in the 17th round qualifies Bart.

[VermontPackFan]

Yup, and between Davis and Little they had Jim Nance, who became a big name in the AFL. After Little they had Larry Csonka.

Nice, I didnt know Csonka was an Orangeman.

[Fritz]

Well, he did live in Miami.