Lions Roar in ESPN’s All-Time NFL Draft Rankings: Barry Sanders to St. Brown Shine Bright

NFL Draft History Just Got Wild: ESPN's Ben Solak Ranks the Greatest Picks by Slot—Lions Fans, You're Gonna Love This

Okay, let’s just take a moment and appreciate what Ben Solak of ESPN just did. Imagine digging through every single NFL Draft pick from No. 1 to No. 262, and then handpicking the best player ever taken at each of those spots. That’s not just a fun project—that’s football nerdery at its finest. Seriously, it’s the kind of deep-dive that makes Reddit threads jealous.

And guess what? The Detroit Lions didn’t just make a cameo on that list—they owned a few spots. From historic legends to rising stars, this list gave Motor City football fans plenty to smile about.

Let’s start with the showstopper: Barry Sanders. Yup, no surprise here—the man, the myth, the juke machine himself came out on top as the greatest No. 3 overall pick ever. Now, that might seem like a no-brainer to Lions faithful, but let’s not pretend it was a cakewalk decision for Solak. There were some absolute monsters at No. 3 through the years—Anthony Munoz and Joe Thomas, two offensive linemen who redefined consistency and class at the position. Both are Hall of Famers and both were loyal warriors for their franchises.

Still, Solak had a compelling reason for choosing Sanders.

“The pick at No. 3 was one of the most challenging of the early selections. Both Anthony Munoz and Joe Thomas are Hall of Famers for their longevity — not just for career length but also for sticking it out with one squad (mostly). Sanders, in comparison, retired earlier than some expected and could have cleared Walter Payton's career rushing record had he kept it chugging (he finished with 15,269 yards, 1,457 behind Payton). I gave the edge to Sanders for his stylistic impact on the game and his lasting impact on Detroit football; he is still the best Lion in history, whereas neither Munoz nor Thomas is the best Bengal or Brown, respectively. But this was close.”

🔥 Mic drop.

Now if you grew up watching Sanders, you get it. The man didn’t just run the ball—he practically danced across the gridiron. His moves were part ballet, part video game glitch, and all heart. Even today, go type “Barry Sanders highlights” into YouTube and just try not to gasp. He was that electric.

But the list wasn’t all about the old-school legends. The modern Lions are making noise, too.

Enter: Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Drafted at No. 121 overall, St. Brown has officially earned his spot as the best player ever taken at that slot. That’s not just a feel-good story—it’s a statement. This guy has been grinding since Day One. From being overlooked early on to becoming one of the most reliable wideouts in the league, he’s made 121 look like gold.

When you think about how far he’s come—from late-round steal to cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive revival—it’s pretty awesome. Lions fans love his work ethic, his toughness, and his chemistry with Jared Goff. Honestly, if you’ve got St. Brown on your fantasy team, you already know he’s clutch.

Now let’s talk about a name you might not expect to be on such a prestigious list—Kerby Joseph, the safety taken with pick No. 97. Yup, you read that right.

Solak didn’t sugarcoat it: the competition at 97 wasn’t exactly stiff, but still, Joseph earned this recognition.

“Joseph is the most recently-drafted player on our list thus far, but what do you want from me — the competition is not steep. Joseph just led the league in interceptions (nine) and got first-team All-Pro recognition. So long as he gets another All-Pro nod, he's almost certainly the best player taken with pick No. 97.”

Let’s break that down for a sec. Leading the NFL in INTs isn’t something you just stumble into. That takes vision, instincts, and serious game speed. And to grab First-Team All-Pro honors that early in your career? That’s rare air.

So yeah, the Lions’ recent draft success is more than just smoke—it’s fire. Guys like Joseph and St. Brown are the reason Detroit is suddenly not just relevant, but dangerous. They’re young, hungry, and part of a culture shift that feels real under Dan Campbell.

And hey, let’s not forget some honorable mentions—familiar names that spent their twilight years rocking Honolulu Blue and Silver. We’re talking about Adrian Peterson, Pat Swilling, and Anquan Boldin. All three made Solak’s list at their respective draft slots—not necessarily for their Detroit days, but still worth a nod. Legends are legends, no matter how short the stint.

Now, zoom out for a second and think about what this exercise really says. We spend so much time talking about the first-round studs—the Burrows, the Mahomes, the Bosa brothers. But this list from Solak highlights something deeper: greatness can come from anywhere. Round 3. Round 5. Pick 262 (hello, Mr. Irrelevant!). The draft is part science, part gamble, and every now and then, pure magic.

And when a franchise like the Lions can hit on a few of those picks—whether it's a generational back like Barry, a modern-day monster like St. Brown, or a ballhawk safety like Joseph—it changes the narrative.

Detroit’s story is still being written. But the chapters are getting a whole lot more exciting.

Key Takeaways from Solak’s All-Time NFL Draft Slot Rankings:

• 🦁 Barry Sanders is officially the GOAT at No. 3. His impact is still unmatched in Detroit.

• 📈 Amon-Ra St. Brown turned pick 121 into WR1 territory. One of the league’s biggest draft steals.

• 🛡️ Kerby Joseph is rising fast at No. 97—led the league in picks and already snagged an All-Pro.

• 🏈 Former Lions like Adrian Peterson and Anquan Boldin made the list too—legends no matter the jersey.

• 🔍 The draft is unpredictable, but great players leave clues—even in the later rounds.