Best players by round
1: Jim Brown: Led NFL in rushing eight times and was league MVP three times; finished with more than 12,000 yards rushing and 106 rushing touchdowns.
2: Brett Favre: Member of 1990s All-Decade team played record 299 consecutive games over his 302-game career and was three-time NFL MVP in consecutive years. Retired after 20 seasons as NFL’s career leader with completions (6,300), attempts (10,169), yards (71,838) and TDs (508).
3: Joe Montana: Member of NFL’s 75th Anniversary team. Led 49ers dynasty of 1980s. Four-time Super Bowl champion and threetime Super Bowl MVP. Led his teams to 31 fourthquarter come-from-behind wins. Made Hall of Fame in 2000.
4: Norm Van Brocklin: The “Dutchman” led NFL in passing three seasons. He threw for 23,611 yards with 1,553 completions and 173 TD passes. NFL MVP, nine Pro Bowls.
5: Dick LeBeau: Played 14 seasons in Detroit. Had 62 interceptions, which ranked third at time of his retirement and put him in Hall of Fame. Had more than 40-year coaching career and won two Super Bowls with Steelers.
6: Tom Brady: Six-time Super Bowl champ and three-time MVP was 199th draft selection overall in 2000. Has thrown for 70,514 yards with 517 TDs.
7: Shannon Sharpe: Three-time Super Bowl champion led all tight ends in receptions (815), yards (10,060) and TDs (62) at time of his retirement.
8: Richard Dent: Retired with 137 1⁄2 sacks that put him third all-time in NFL behind Reggie White and Bruce SmithAlso had eight interceptions. .
9: Johnny Unitas: Threetime MVP and five-time All-Pro who threw at least one TD pass in 47 straight games for Baltimore Colts.
10: Roger Staubach: Retired with 83.4 passer rating that was NFL’s best at that time. Won two of four Super Bowls. Led NFL in passing in four seasons.
11: Tom Fears: Hall of Famer caught then-record 18 passes in one game against Packers in 1950.
12: George Blanda: Career of 26 seasons and 340 games longest in NFL as Blanda played until age 48. Scored a then-record 2,002 points as quarterback and kicker throwing for 236 TDs with 335 field goals and 943 extra points. Won three AFL titles.