Photo: Getty Images
The NFL Draft is later this week and many players lives will be changed forever. Some will even get drafted to the Houston area as they become Texans. With that in mind, I thought it would be a great time to look at previous Houston draft picks that became NFL Legends. For this list, I'm turning the clock way back. All the way pack to the pre Texan days. I present to you, the top 5 greatest Houston Oiler draft picks of all time.
Honorable Mention: Steve McNair and Eddie George
I wanted to include these guys but I couldn't. Although they were both drafted by the Oilers, they both played the majority of their careers in Tennessee after the Oilers moved from Houston to Nashville and became the Titans. Thanks a lot Bud Adams.
#5: Ken Houston, Safety, Prairie View A&M (1967)
Photo: NFL Photos
It only makes sense to start with a guy who's name is Houston. While Ken didn't spend his whole career with the Oilers, he did make a hell of an impact in his time here. A 12x Pro Bowler with 49 interceptions and 12 touchdowns to his name, he was also an absolute steal in the 9th round of the draft. While with the Oilers, in 1971, he had 5 returns for touchdowns in the season. A record that stood until 2006. He may not have spent his whole career in Houston, but he's definitely one of the Oilers greatest draft picks.
#4: Mike Munchak, Guard, Penn State (1982)
Photo: USA Today Sports
Mike Munchak was an absolute stud at guard who was drafted in the first round at #8 overall in 1982. A 9x pro bowler, a member of the 1980's all-decade team, and a Hall of Famer, Munchak is an absolute legend. He spent his entire career as a member of the Oilers offensive line and started all but 3 games that he played in. He even has a touchdown to his name which is more than most offensive lineman ever get.
#3 Elvin Bethea, Defensive End, North Carolina A&T (1968)
Photo: Pro Football Hall Of Fame
For a guy who played 16 seasons, all with the Oilers, Elvin Bethea was an absolute steal in the 3rd round of the 1968 draft. An 8x pro bowler with 105 sacks and 691 tackles, Bethea was a monster on the line. The thought that about 15% of the tackles in his career were sacks is absolutely mind blowing. Oh, and he's a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. Not bad for a 3rd round pick.
#2: Bruce Matthews, OL, USC (1983)
Photo: Getty Images
What can I say about Bruce Matthews other than "badass m****f*****". I mean the guy is a legend in every way. First off, he was more than worth a 1st round pick. An 18 year career on the offensive line (unheard of these days), a 14x Pro Bowler, a member of the 1990's all-decade team, and a member of the NFL 100th anniversary team, Matthews was a god at his positions. Yes, positions, because one wasn't enough for him. Bruce played every offensive line position at least once in his career. Only few guys are as versatile and as flexible as that.
#1 Earl Campbell, RB, Texas (1978)
Photo: Getty Images
I honestly don't know if I even need to justify the reasoning for Campbell being #1. Just.....just watch the video.
Earl Campbell is #1 based off that video alone. It's one of the best runs in NFL history. How do I know this? That run literally made Rams LB Isiah Robertson famous. People remember him as the guy who got destroyed by Earl Campbell. On top of that, he's a 5x Pro Bowler, NFL MVP, 3x Offensive Player of the Year, a member of the 1970's all-decade team, and a Hall of Famer. And, on top of all that, Earl Campbell is still the most popular athlete in the state of Texas. That's how big of a deal he was and still is. That's why he's #1.
Hope you guys enjoyed the list! Who do you think is the greatest Oilers draft pick of all time? Let me know if I left anyone out.