Commentary

No. 10: Lions' best draft class

After selecting Barry Sanders, Lions have been second worst drafting team

Originally Published: March 29, 2009
By ESPN Stats & Information | Special to Insider

ESPN Stats and Information has ranked all NFL players drafted in the modern draft (1967-2008) based on their performance during their NFL careers -- regardless of how they fared with the team that drafted them. Insider will count down each team's best draft class (seeded 1-32), then conduct a tournament to determine the best class of all time.

For a short explanation of the ranking system, click here, or, for a more detailed rundown of how the system was developed, click here.

Can the 1989 Lions defeat the 1971 Cardinals? -- Vote now!

LIONS' BEST CLASS: 1989

The Lions have been the second-worst drafting team in the NFL since 1990 according to ESPN Stats and Information's ranking system. Part of that is due to Matt Millen's disastrous run as president. The Lions are also the worst franchise to pick QBs amongst teams that have drafted since 1967. Still, the Lions made some stellar picks before 1990, including three Hall of Famers. One of those Hall of Famers, Barry Sanders, became one of the most exciting running backs to play the game.


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