All-time ultimate mock draft, pick No. 30

Every day or so leading up to the NFL Draft on April 26-27, "Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff" will go from pick No. 32 to pick No. 1, recalling the greatest players ever selected in those spots.

The Green Bay Packers are on the clock, and their make-believe ultimate all-time mock draft pick is in ...

Sam Huff, LB, New York Giants (1956, West Virginia)




True story: Sam Huff very nearly didn't become the player he did with the New York Giants. Then-assistant coach Vince Lombardi convinced Huff to stay with the team (with a lecture on guts and determination). Later, then-assistant Giants coach Tom Landry created the 4-3 defense to better utilize Huff's immense talents. A Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1982, Huff had legendary on-the-field confrontations with Browns running back Jim Brown and the Packers' Jim Taylor.

The Packers, who feature the NFL's youngest roster and holders of the No. 30 spot in this year's draft, are in the envious "drafting best player available" position. Despite already having Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk at linebacker, the Packers would be foolish to pass on Huff, who would be the impact player the Packers need to put their solid defense over the top.

Other notable players selected at No. 30 include ...

Reggie Wayne (2001), who has emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous receivers, leading the league with 1,510 yards in 2007 and helping the Colts win Super Bowl XLI the previous season.

Eric Allen (1988), who was a six-time Pro Bowler and returned four interceptions for touchdowns in 1993.

Marion Barber (1982) ... not the one who plays for the Cowboys, silly, but Marion Barber III's father, who played seven mostly undistinguished seasons with the Jets.

Greg Pruitt (1973), who was a five-time Pro Bowler for the Browns and Raiders (as a kick returner for the L.A. Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII-winning team). Pruitt was known for wearing flimsy, tear-away jerseys that came apart when would-be tacklers attempted to bring the talented back down. This led to a rule to abolish tear-away jerseys.

Current NFL players selected at No. 30: Craig Davis, WR, San Diego Chargers (2007, Louisiana State); Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts (2006, Louisiana State); Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (2005, Virginia); Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit Lions (2004, Virginia Tech); Sammy Davis, CB, San Diego Chargers (2003, Texas A&M); Kendall Simmons, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers (2002, Auburn); Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (2001, Miami, Fla.); Keith Bullock, LB, Tennessee Titans (2000, Syracuse); Patrick Kerney, DE, Atlanta Falcons (1999, Virginia).

By the way, there are some great Huff photos out there, so here's another to enjoy ...