AsylumGuido

Best player to wear each jersey number in NFL history

In Week 1, a minimum of 1,696 players will hold an NFL roster spot. Those players will join a fraternity that long pre-dates their existence. It is an opportunity to continue or begin their own legacy in that uniform. Over the course of history, teams have retired jerseys to honor their greatest athletes. CBS Sports took on the daunting challenge of naming the best player to wear each jersey number in pro football history.

No. 9: Drew Brees, QB

Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints

Brees is one of a few active players on this list. His career began in San Diego but ended when the franchise selected Philip Rivers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Brees' potential was validated in New Orleans. Although he has not been named league MVP, the former Boilermaker has appeared in 13-Pro Bowls. He was named Super Bowl MVP in a championship effort.

The 41-year-old holds the record for most career passing yards. He has thrown for 77,416 yards and 547 touchdowns.

No. 57: Rickey Jackson, LB

Teams: New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers

Jackson was a Super Bowl champion with the 49ers. He has been selected to six Pro Bowls and was named a five-time All-Pro. The Florida native accumulated 1,173 tackles, 128 sacks, eight interceptions and 40 forced fumbles over the course of 15 NFL seasons. Jackson has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

No. 77: Willie Roaf, OT

Teams: New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs

Roaf appeared in 11 Pro Bowls during his 13 season career. He was named a nine-time All-Pro and started every game in which he played. The former No. 8 overall selection has since been inducted into the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame.

Jim Tyrer was also considered here.

No. 97: La'Roi Glover, DL

Teams: Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams

Glover was a hoss up the middle. He recorded 433 tackles, 83.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries during his career. The California native went to six Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

TheOak

4 Hall of Famers to have worn #2 and they name Ryan?

AsylumGuido

Yup. That one kinda threw me, too.

stickman

But Matt Ryan is the best QB in the division. Just ask him, he'll tell ya.

WillMacKenzie

And since he's the best in a division that includes Drew Brees and Tom Brady, it must mean that he's the GOAT.

So there you have it.

Rugby Saint II

I have great respect for the Saints players on that list. We'll be able to add a few more soon. We've got some serious talent on this team.

FinSaint

Glad to see Glover on that list.

jeanpierre

It's a shame we were saddled with such a sadsack HC and non-motivated QB, that team had enough to make a run...

jeanpierre

Ken Anderson, imho, was better than Dan Fouts; Fouts played in an iffy division and in the Air Coryell offense while Ken Anderson, saddled with poor ownership, faced a division with the Steelers, Browns, and Oilers...

Almost as bad a situation as Archie faced; and speaking of Archie Manning, had he had been on even a slightly better team, he'd been best all-time! He was the offensive MVP on a losing team for Pete's sake!

And how they picked McNabb at No. 5 over Hornung is amazing. Hornung was the key to Title Town, WTF did McNabb win? or should I say, how many times did he choke in big games?

Aaron Donald already has had a better career than Warren Sapp, and should've replaced him on the list at No. 99...

Others:

28 Marshall Faulk
87 Dave Casper
45 Kenny Easly
49 Bobby Mitchell
59 Luke Kuechly
60 Chuck Bednarik
61 Bill George (8X All Pro to Nate Newton 2X)
63 Mike Munchak or Willie Lanier were better than Gene Upshaw
89 Gino Marchetti (9X All Pro to Steve Smith 2X)
88 John Mackey Revolutionized the position in the game

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

Speaking of La'Roi Glover...