Evaluating each franchise's best draft since 1977

SI.com presents a listing of each existing franchise's best draft class in the last 30 years. The league has endured a few stages of evolution since '77 -- expansion, free agency, greater TV exposure, the salary cap -- but this exercise should reaffirm the notion that consistent championship contenders are always built through the draft. For the sake of brevity, we've limited the list to the productive players from a team's particular class.

NFC EAST

Summary: Jimmy Johnson pulled phenomenal coups in taking Erik Williams (four Pro Bowls), Leon Lett (two Pro Bowls) and Super Bowl XXIX MVP Larry Brown -- with none coming before Round 3. His prior selections of Maryland, Harper, Pritchett, Edwards, Miles and Brownlow were all frontline contributors. Even Hill, Musgrave and Richards had success as NFL survivors.

Summary: Let this class be a lesson for all GMs teetering back-and-forth on whom to take come draft day: When in doubt, build up the trenches. With three of their first four picks, the prudent Redskins grabbed Mark May (one Pro Bowl, two Super Bowl rings), Russ Grimm (four Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl rings and a member of the All-Decade Team for the '90s) and Dexter Manley (97.5 career sacks). Charlie Brown made two Pro Bowls, collected 3,548 total receiving yards (in just six seasons) and played a major role on the Redskins' juggernaut teams of 1982 and '83 (two Super Bowls, one championship). Flick was a four-year NFL survivor. Didier was a steal as Washington's last pick. He would finish with only 141 career catches and 21 TDs; but here's a little tidbit: Didier always seemed to be a Cowboys killer -- the best kind of Redskins role player.

Summary: Most NFL teams would be petrified of drafting the same area three consecutive picks; but the Eagles -- especially during the Andy Reid/Joe Banner regime -- seem to be playing on a whole other level. Sheppard, Lewis and Brown (along with All-Pro Brian Dawkins, drafted in '96 and Sean Considine) comprise one of the NFL's elite defensive backfields. Also, Peters, Harrison and Brock have been respectable pros. Finally, combo-back extraordinare Brian Westbrook (5,888 total yards from scrimmage) represents this draft's signature piece.

Summary: Following a 3-12-1 season in 1983, Bill Parcells, George Young and the Giants' brain trust completely gutted the roster, using the USFL and NFL drafts as sources for re-stocking the talent cupboard. Carl Banks (one Pro Bowl), Roberts, Hostetler, Reasons and Manuel (3,941 receiving yards) were all key contributors to New York's championship teams in 1986 and 1990. (In fact, Hostetler was the winning QB in Super Bowl XXV, subbing for an injured Phil Simms.) Gary Zimmerman (a member of the All-Decade Team for the '90s) was a marvelous choice, as well, even though he never played for the Giants. (He entered the NFL with Minnesota.)