Where ESPN ranks Deion Sanders among all-time No. 5 NFL draft picks
But where does the Pro Football Hall of Famer rank among all-time No. 5 draft picks? That is a tricky question considering all the talented players selected with that pick.
ESPN's Ben Solak did the yeoman's work of going through every draft pick since the seven-round format began, attempting to select the best player drafted at each slot.
Solak eventually concluded that Sanders was the best player ever selected at pick No. 5, a feat that, despite his immense talent, was no guarantee. After all, LaDainian Tomlinson, Junior Seau, Ja'Marr Chase, Jalen Ramsey, and Sean Taylor were all selected fifth overall.
Here is what Solak had to say about Sanders:
Sanders gets the nod for his unique place as a two-way player (not to mention his two rings -- one of which came in his Defensive Player of the Year season -- and his six first-team All-Pro appearances). Does he also get a bump for providing excellent return on a sixth-round draft pick in the MLB draft? Who's to say?
It is a stacked draft position, and Tomlinson makes a case for the top spot, but in terms of athletic greatness, Sanders has to be on top, considering he not only played but starred in both a World Series and a Super Bowl.
Sanders ranked up 512 tackles, 10 forced fumbles, 53 interceptions and an impressive 10 defensive touchdowns over his 14-year NFL career.
Sanders now walks the Colorado sideline as head coach and has surrounded himself with other Hall of Famers from his playing days, one being Warren Sapp.
Sapp makes this list as the best 11th pick in the NFL draft as the only Hall of Famer to come from that draft slot thus far.
With both Sanders and Sapp coaching college football in Boulder now, Colorado is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory that began when Sanders took over the program.
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