This year marks the 40th anniversary of the NFL Draft as we know it today.

Here’s a look back at the eventual best players taken at every numbered position, 1-32, since the combined draft was instituted in 1967.

1. John Elway, Colts

QB, Stanford, 1983

Nine-time Pro Bowl player; 47 fourth-quarter comebacks for Broncos.

Others: O.J. Simpson, Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning

2. Lawrence Taylor, Giants

LB, North Carolina, 1981

Defensive Player of the Year ’81, ’82, ’86; changed OLB position.

Others: Randy White, Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson

3. Barry Sanders, Lions

RB, Oklahoma State, 1989

Rushed for 1,000 yards first 10 seasons; ’97 MVP.

Others: Anthony Munoz, Carl Banks

4. Joe Greene, Steelers

DL, North Texas State, 1969

Ten-time Pro Bowler; Defensive Player of the Year ’72, ’74.

Others: John Hannah, Walter Payton, Derrick Thomas, Bob Griese

5. Deion Sanders, Falcons

CB, Florida State, 1989

Scored 22 touchdowns; best shutdown corner ever.

Others: Mike Haynes, Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson

6. Tim Brown, Raiders

WR, Notre Dame, 1988

Nine-time Pro Bowler; second all-time receptions, third all-time yards.

Others: James Lofton, Walter Jones, Richard Seymour

7. Phil Simms, Giants

QB, Morehead State, 1979

Threw 199 touchdowns; nearly perfect in Super Bowl XXI.

Others: Sterling Sharpe, Bryant Young, Champ Bailey

8. Ronnie Lott, 49ers

CB, USC, 1981

All-Pro at three positions (CB, FS, SS); 100-plus tackles five times.

Others: Larry Csonka, Mike Munchak, Willie Roaf

9. Brian Urlacher, Bears

LB, New Mexico, 2000

Five-time Pro Bowl player; ’05 Defensive Player of Year.

Others: Otis Armstrong, Bruce Matthews

10. Marcus Allen, Raiders

RB, USC, 1982

Third all-time TDs, 10th all-time rushing yards.

Others: Rod Woodson, Jerome Bettis, Matt Leinart

11. Michael Irvin, Cowboys

WR, Miami (Fla.), 1988

Five-time Pro Bowl player; 14th all-time receiving yards.

Others: Wilber Marshall, Dwight Freeney, Ben Roethlisberger

12. Warren Sapp, Buccaneers

DL, Miami (Fla.), 1995

Seven-time Pro Bowl player; ’99 Defensive Player of Year.

Others: Clay Matthews, Jonathan Vilma, Shawne Merriman

13. Kellen Winslow, Chargers

TE, Missouri, 1979

Five-time Pro Bowl player; on 75th Anniversary team.

Others: Franco Harris, Keith Jackson, Tony Gonzalez

14. Jim Kelly, Bills

QB, Miami (Fla.), 1983

After USFL, reached four straight Super Bowls.

Others: Randy Gradishar, Jeremy Shockey

15. Alan Page, Vikings

DL, Notre Dame, 1967

Nine-time Pro Bowl player; ’71 MVP.

Others: Isaac Curtis

16. Jerry Rice, 49ers

WR, Miss. Valley State, 1985

Holds all meaningful receiving records.

Others: Russ Francis, Jevon Kearse, Troy Polamalu

17. Emmitt Smith, Cowboys

RB, Florida, 1990

All-time leading rusher; record 19 postseason touchdowns.

Others: Gene Upshaw

18. Art Monk, Redskins

WR, Syracuse, 1980

Held career receptions record (940) when he retired.

Others: Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Willie Gault, Chad Pennington

19. Marvin Harrison, Colts

WR, Syracuse, 1996

Eight-time Pro Bowler; single-season reception record (143 in 2002).

Others: Otis Wilson, Shaun Alexander

20. Jack Youngblood, Rams

DL, Florida, 1971

Played with broken leg in Super Bowl XIV; All-Pro five times.

Others: Mark May, Steve Atwater

21. Lynn Swann, Steelers

WR, USC, 1974

MVP Super Bowl X; three-time Pro Bowl player.

Others: Eric Green, Robert Smith, Randy Moss

22. Harris Barton, 49ers

OL, North Carolina, 1987

Won three Super Bowls; protected Steve Young’s blindside.

Others: William “Refrigerator” Perry, Andre Rison

23. Ozzie Newsome, Browns

TE, Alabama, 1978

Caught pass in 150 consecutive games; retired as all-time leading tight end receiver.

Others: Ray Guy, Ty Law

24. Ed Reed, Ravens

DB, Miami (Fla.), 2002

’04 Defensive Player of the Year; team-record 27 interceptions.

Others: Calvin Hill, James Brooks, Rodney Hampton

25. Stanley Morgan, Patriots

WR, Tennessee, 1977

Five-time Pro Bowl player; 20th all-time receiving yards.

Others: Tommy Maddox, Donovin Darius, Ted Washington

26. Ray Lewis, Ravens

LB, Miami (Fla.), 1996

Defensive Player of Year ’00, ’03; MVP Super Bowl XXXV.

Others: Joe DeLamielleure, Jim Harbaugh

27. Dan Marino, Dolphins

QB, Pittsburgh, 1983

All-time leader in attempts, yards and TD passes.

Others: Larry Johnson, William Roberts, Neal Anderson

28. Darrell Green, Redskins

DB, Texas A&I, 1983

Seven-time Pro Bowl player was NFL’s fastest man.

Others: Derrick Brooks

29. Bubba Paris, 49ers

OL, Michigan, 1982

Played for three Super Bowl champs.

Others: Joe Cribbs, Chris Spielman

30. Eric Allen, Eagles

DB, Arizona State, 1988

Six-time Pro Bowl player ended with Raiders.

Others: Greg Pruitt, Patrick Kearney, Joseph Addai

31. Bill Bergey, Bengals

LB, Arkansas State, 1969

Five-time Pro Bowl player ended with Eagles.

Others: Curly Culp, Dalton Hilliard, Carl Pickens

32. Henry Ellard, Rams

WR, Fresno State, 1983

13,777 receiving yards ranks fifth all-time.

Others: Drew Brees

Paris, Allen, Bergey, Ellard were second-round picks.

Source: theredzone.org