4. Don Hutson
Hutson was a true innovator in the game of football, and was one of the originators of the “deep threat” receiver archetype. He regularly ran past opponents for the Green Bay Packers, and spent the first few years of his career setting numerous early NFL records for receiving yards and touchdowns.
He won league MVP awards in 1941 and 1942, and the latter season saw him become the first receiver to ever eclipse 1,000 yards. “Bambi” also excelled as a safety and kicker for the Packers, and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Hutson still holds several NFL records almost eight decades after the conclusion of his career.
3. Julio Jones
One of the best receivers of the modern era, Jones’ pro career was even more impressive than his Alabama Football career. Drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2011 Draft, Julio was one of the first big NFL stars to come out of Tuscaloosa in the Nick Saban era.
He is the Falcons’ all-time leading receiver and holds multiple league receiving records. Julio Jones currently has the 16th-most receiving yards in NFL history, and is just 716 yards from moving into the top ten.
2. John Hannah
Hannah was the 4th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, and played his whole career with the New England Patriots. He became one of the best and most durable offensive linemen in league history, making nine Pro Bowls and helping lead New England to an appearance in Super Bowl XX. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, and is arguably the best guard in NFL history.
1.Derrick Thomas
After wrapping up a spectacular career with Alabama Football, the late, great Derrick Thomas became one of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history. The fourth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Thomas won Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl in his first season.
In his second year with the Kansas City Chiefs, DT recorded 20 sacks. This season included a 7-sack game that remains an NFL record today. Thomas also had a 6-sack performance in 1998, which is tied for second all-time. In his career, he had 126.5 sacks and was named to nine Pro Bowls.
Derrick Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Chiefs retired his jersey following his death in 2000.