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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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Coming out of LSU, Cannon was one of the most decorated players in SEC history. He captured the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp Memorial Trophy in 1959. He was also named First-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year in both 1958 and 1959, winning a national championship in 1958.

He was taken first overall in 1960 as a no-brainer, taken by the Houston Oilers. From there he ended up playing a total of 10 years with three different teams. Most of his years came in Oakland with the Raiders ending his career in Kansas City after playing for the Chiefs for one season.

Back then, Cannon helped lead the Oilers to two consecutive AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961, also earning 1961 AFL All-Star honors as well as the AFL rushing leader title.

His production dipped off a bit, which is how found himself with the Raiders, where he continued to produce, but not until later in his career. He helped the Raiders to an AFC Championship in 1967 and was named an AFL All-Star once again in 1969.

He served as a dual-threat running back, finishing his career with 2,455 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He also hauled in 236 passes for 3,656 yards and 47 touchdowns.

While his better days were in college at LSU, he was still a productive back that helped the Oilers bounce back and contributed immediately, resulting multiple AFC Championships.

Next: 19. Charley Trippi

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