Washington Redskins: 15 best draft day steals of all-time

Every player’s production arc is different upon entering the NFL, but few have ever been as drastic as Larry Brown‘s.

Brown, in 1969, was a lowly eighth-round pick for the Redskins. In the pecking order of weapons, he was closer to the bottom than the top. At the time, the Redskins were known as the champions of the new wave.

With Sonny Jurgensen’s fearless gunslinger mentality and with Charley Taylor’s talent, they set the standard as the league’s premier passing offense. For Brown, it was a fit that didn’t quite make sense.

That changed when head coach Vince Lombardi saw what Brown could do.

Lombardi gave Brown the starting running back spot right out of the gate, and Brown ran away with it, never looking back. He made the Pro Bowl in his first year. By his second, he was recognized as an All-Pro, amassing 1,125 yards and five touchdowns on 237 carries. Yet, the best was yet to come.

In 1972, Brown embarked on a career year, accruing 1,216 yards and eight touchdowns on 285 carries. He also emerged as a receiving threat, logging 473 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 32 catches.

As Jurgensen’s prime dwindled, Brown took his place as the heart of the Redskins offense, and he was awarded with the NFC MVP award. He’s one of just three Redskins in history to be recognized as MVP. Although he faded after his MVP season, it’s safe to say Brown progressed far past the bounds of his eighth-round reputation.