The 2019 NFL draft is just around the corner and the Detroit Lions will be looking to strengthen their team for the season ahead. The NFL Draft is an exciting and dramatic moment filled with surprises and switches.

Over the past 52 years, there have been some incredible picks. In the spirit of celebrating the upcoming Detroit Lions draft, here’s a closer look at some of the very best NFL Drafts of all time.

Five of the Best NFL Drafts of All Time

Without further ado, here’s a closer look at the best transfers!

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning was drafted to the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 – probably the best draft of all time! This celebrated quarterback earned an incredible five MVPs over the course of his career. Within just two years, Manning had managed to take the Colts to the playoffs.

If you look through the rankings for the key passing stats today, you will find that Manning tops many of the various leaderboards. He is a true icon of the game and he will be remembered as an Indianapolis Colts icon for all time.

John Elway

The Denver Broncos drafted Elway in 1983 where he cemented a strong reputation as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Elway played in a few franchises over the course of his career and he started an incredible five times for the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Perhaps one of Elway’s greatest achievements was winning the league MVP award in just his fifth year. This makes him one of the youngest to ever achieve this spectacular feat and this certainly places him in the history books.

Billy Sims

Billy Sims was a running back who cemented his reputation as a Detroit Lions legend after being drafted to the franchise in 1980. He stayed with us for four and a half years and achieved some miraculous achievements.

Billy Sims was adored thanks to his explosive power and shiftiness. He was thrilling to watch and quickly became a fan favorite. Unfortunately, Sims damaged his knee in 1984 and never took to the field again.

Matthew Stafford

Another Detroit Lions legend, Stafford was drafted in 2009. The quarterback has cemented himself as a fan favorite thanks to his fantastic plays and stunning development over the years.

He continues to play and many fans hope that he will soon be able to reverse his unfortunate playoff record. This is the most recent draft pick on this list and it’s exciting to see how the sport continues to evolve.

Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is a quarterback who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. His career has been an interesting one with many ups and downs – but he consistently manages to overcome adversity and pressure to delight fans.

Just one example of his mental fortitude: after being hounded by rumors that his shoulder was damaged beyond repair, he posted career highs in a range of areas.

We hope that you enjoy the 2019 NFL Draft. There’s going to be a great deal of drama and excitement, and we hope that it goes well for the Detroit Lions!