Darrell Green was a great player for the Washington Redskins and helped transform their defense during their Super Bowl runs of the 1980s and early 1990s. Green played 20 seasons and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But even he has a hard time topping Sammy Baugh when it comes to being the best Redskins draft pick ever.
Why Baugh is best draft pick in Redskins history: Obviously the NFL was much different in 1937 than it is now, but Baugh was a dominant force for many seasons and became an early passing force. When he was drafted, the NFL was much more about the run than the forward pass. His success helped convince other teams to pass more.
As a rookie, he starred at quarterback, punter and defensive back, and he helped ignite the fanaticism of Redskins fans. Thanks to Baugh, the Redskins won two world titles and played for it three other times.
He was an amazing player who, in 1943, led the NFL in passing, putting and interceptions -- considered arguably the best season ever by a player. During a game in 1942, Baugh threw four touchdowns and intercepted four passes.
When he retired in 1952, he did so as one of the game’s all-time greats. In fact, he still owns two passing records, a remarkable feat considering the evolution of the passing game. There was no pass interference in his era. Baugh is tied with Steve Young for most seasons leading the league in passing (six) and holds the mark for most times leading the league in lowest interception percentage (five) and is second in a handful of other categories, including highest completion percentage for a season (70.33 in 1945). Baugh remains the Redskins’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns (187).
He’s a safe pick for this honor.
HONORABLE MENTION
Darrell Green, CB: The 28th pick in the 1983 draft, Green remains one of the most popular players ever to play in Washington. Green’s speed helped turn him into one of the NFL’s best corners, but at 5-foot-9, he also had to rely on other skills to stay at that level. Green played in seven Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro four times. He intercepted a pass in an NFL-record 19 seasons.
Chris Hanburger, LB: He went from an 18th-round draft choice in 1965 to the Hall of Fame. Hanburger was the leader of George Allen’s defense, which paved the way for a Super Bowl trip in 1972 and plenty of success in that decade. Hanburger owns the franchise record for most Pro Bowl appearances (nine).
Art Monk, WR: Monk was the 18th pick in the 1980 draft and, when he retired, he was the NFL’s all-time leading pass catcher. Monk caught 888 passes with Washington and was a model of consistency. He was a key factor in the Redskins’ Super Bowl runs in the 1980s and early ‘90s. It took a while, but he finally made the Hall of Fame.
Russ Grimm, OG: Grimm was a third-round choice in 1981 and became a cornerstone of the famed Hogs offensive line that blocked the way to three Super Bowl championships. Grimm eventually made it to the Hall of Fame, where he’s hoping fellow Hog -- and one-time undrafted free agent -- Joe Jacoby will join him.
Charley Taylor, WR: He was the third overall pick in 1964, but the big move occurred when he was moved from running back to wide receiver. Taylor excelled at his new position and retired as the NFL’s all-time leading receiver. Taylor caught 649 passes and 79 touchdowns and landed in the Hall of Fame.