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NFL Draft: 25 best first overall picks of all-time

By Gabe Encinas

18 Apr 1998: First overall pick Peyton Manning shows off his jersey after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Mandatory Credit: Ezra C. Shaw /Allsport
18 Apr 1998: First overall pick Peyton Manning shows off his jersey after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Mandatory Credit: Ezra C. Shaw /Allsport /
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An extremely well-built running back during the 1940’s, checking in at 5’10” 185-pounds. After his time at The University of Virginia, he was selected first in the 1942 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the swiss-army knife for every team he played for, serving as a running back and kicker.

World War II was taking place and Dudley enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, taking a three-year hiatus from football. But he would return to the Steelers in 1945 to play out another two seasons with the franchise. During that two-year span, he was the NFL rushing champion and named NFL MVP.

He went on to play three years with the Detroit Lions but didn’t find the same success. He later played another three seasons with Washington Redskins, where he picked up where he left off in Pittsburgh.

In two years with the Redskins, he earned two Pro Bowl selections. He then took some time off to start working as an insurance salesman but came back to football in 1953 for his final season with the Washington Redskins.

He finished his career with 3,057 rushing yards, 1,383 receiving yards, 7,304 punting yards, 23 interceptions, 44 touchdowns and 33 field goals.

Next: 17. Keyshawn Johnson

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