Ranking the 15 biggest NFL Draft steals in Washington Commanders history
By Jonathan Eig
6. Stephen Davis - 1996, Round No. 4
Stephen Davis led the league in rushing touchdowns during the 1999 campaign, one of two Pro Bowl seasons he produced for the now-Washington Commanders. He was the first running back in team history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
In all, Davis scored 48 touchdowns over seven years with Washington, despite only taking over as the starter during his third campaign. During that sensational 1999 season, he averaged more than 100 yards per game - a mark only equaled by Alfred Morris and Larry Brown in team history.
5. Gene Brito - 1951, Round No. 17
Tired of playing for the parsimonious owner George Preston Marshall, Gene Brito left Washington for the Canadian league after the 1953 season. He returned a year later and produced four consecutive All-Pro seasons.
At 230 pounds, he was not the biggest defensive end in the league, but he may well have been the fastest, making a living running down opposing ball carriers in the backfield. Brito’s relatively short career is attributable to his four years of service in the United States Army during World War II. He didn’t enter the NFL until he was 26 years old as a result.
If fans bore him any ill will after jumping to Canada in 1954, they certainly didn’t show it. Brito was among the most popular players in team history. Fans refused to leave the field following his final game.
4. Len Hauss - 1964, Round No. 9
For several generations of Washington football fans, Len Hauss defined the franchise. The center started 192 consecutive games over his 14-year career and made the Pro Bowl five times.
As a youngster, Hauss snapped the ball to Sonny Jurgensen when Washington was returning to respectability in the 1960s. As a veteran with proven credentials, he snapped it to Billy Kilmer when the team was contending for championships.
Regardless of who else was on the field, the one constant for well over a decade was Hauss at center. He remains fifth on the list of most games played in franchise history.