Remembering the Greatest Draft in Green Bay Packers History

The Green Bay Packers have won more NFL championships than any franchise in league history. They have also had many outstanding drafts and some they would like to have back. But the best draft in franchise history resulted in the addition of three future Hall of Famers and helped add talent to what would become one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the NFL. It was all engineered by Jack Vainisi who served as the team’s top scout and helped put together the roster that Vince Lombardi coached to five championships in seven seasons. Today we are remembering the greatest draft in the history of the Green Bay Packers.

Remembering the Greatest Draft in Packers History: First Hall of Famer

The Packers had the third overall pick in the 1958 NFL Draft. They used it on linebacker Dan Currie, who played seven seasons with the Packers and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1960. The former Michigan State star helped the Packers win NFL titles in 1961 and 1962. Currie finished his career with two seasons with the Rams.

But the first future Hall of Famer came in the second round. With the 15^th overall pick, the Packers selected fullback Jim Taylor out of LSU.

Taylor spent nine seasons with the Packers and had five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Packers between 1960 and 1964, making five consecutive Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in rushing in 1962, becoming the only player to outgain Jim Brown in a season during Brown’s NFL career.

Taylor was a tough, physical runner who liked to deliver hits as much as take them. He remains the Packers second-all-time leading rusher with 8,207 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

The Second Hall of Famer

The Packers had two picks in the third round. With the 27^th overall selection, they too halfback Dick Christy. The Packers traded him to the Steelers before the start of the 1958 season. He died in a car accident in 1966 at the age of 30.

But nine picks later, the Packers added linebacker Ray Nitschke. The former Illinois star started slowly but eventually became one of the toughest and best linebackers in NFL history. He earned Pro Bowl honors and 1964 and was twice named All Pro. He was also named to the NFL’s All-time 1960s Team.

Nitschke shined in the 1962 NFL Championship Game and earned MVP honors in that contest. In Super Bowl II, he set the tone for the Green Bay defense by stopping Oakland fullback Hewritt Dixon with a hard tackle on the first Raiders play from scrimmage.

On the field, Nitschke was tough and looked like a madman. Off the field, he seemed mild-mannered and got very involved in the Green Bay community.

Nitschke remained with the Packers through the 1972 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

Remembering the Greatest Draft in Packers History: Third Hall of Famer

In the fourth round in 1958, the Packers used the 39^th overall selection to add guard Jerry Kramer. The Idaho product became a full-time starter by 1959. He and fellow guard Fuzzy Thurston became the pulling guards on Lombardi’s most famous play, the power sweep.

Kramer earned Pro Bowl honors three times and was named All Pro five times in his 11-season career. He also kicked field goals and extra points for the Packers at times during his career. His three field goals were the difference in the Packers 16-7 win over the New York Giants in the 1962 NFL Championship Game.

Kramer proved his toughness throughout his career. He had so many surgical scars his teammates gave him the nickname “Zipper.”

Kramer and center Ken Bowman combined to make the most famous block in NFL history, pushing back Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh on Bart Starr’s game-winning quarterback sneak in the Ice Bowl in 1967. He was an integral part of five championship teams with the Packers.

He also co-wrote several famous books on his NFL career including “Instant Replay” which documented the team’s run to their third straight NFL title in 1967.

Kramer finally received the honor he deserved when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Packers won five championships in seven years between 1961 and 1967. The 1958 draft helped set the state for that championship run and remains the greatest draft in Packers history.