Mississippi has long been a cradle of football talent, producing numerous NFL players who have left indelible marks on the league. With the NFL Draft beginning tonight and lasting through the weekend. Here’s a look at ten of the most impactful NFL draft picks hailing from the Magnolia State, based on their professional achievements:
1. Jerry Rice (Crawford, MS) (Mississippi Valley State) – WR
San Francisco 49’ers (1985-2000)
Oakland Raiders (2001-2004)
Seattle Seahawks (2004)
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Drafted: 1985, Round 1, Pick 16 (San Francisco 49ers)
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Career Highlights: 13-time Pro Bowl selection, 3-time Super Bowl champion, NFL all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Overview: Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, holding numerous records that may never be broken. Over his 20-season career, he played primarily for the San Francisco 49ers, winning three Super Bowls and earning a Super Bowl MVP title. Rice also had stints with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks before retiring. His career totals include an astonishing 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards, and 197 touchdowns, cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant players the sport has ever seen. His impact on the game remains unmatched, and his name is synonymous with excellence in professional football.
2. Walter Payton (Columbia, MS) (Jackson State) – RB
Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
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Drafted: 1975, Round 1, Pick 4 (Chicago Bears)
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Career Highlights: 9-time Pro Bowl selection, NFL MVP (1977), Super Bowl XX champion, retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Overview: “Sweetness,” was one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, spending his entire 13-season career with the Chicago Bears. He won the NFL MVP award in 1977 and helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl XX victory in 1985. Payton retired as the league’s all-time leading rusher, amassing 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns. His durability and versatility made him a legend, and his impact on the game extended beyond his playing days. His legacy lives on through the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which honors players for their excellence on and off the field
3. Brett Favre (Kiln, MS) (Southern Miss) – QB
Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992-2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009)
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Drafted: 1991, Round 2, Pick 33 (Atlanta Falcons)
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Career Highlights: 11-time Pro Bowl selection, 3-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl XXXI champion, held numerous passing records upon retirement. Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Overview: one of the most legendary quarterbacks in NFL history, known for his toughness, strong arm, and record-breaking career. He played 20 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers, where he won three NFL MVP awards and led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXXI. Favre also had stints with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, continuing to showcase his resilience and playmaking ability. At the time of his retirement, he held records for passing yards (71,838), passing touchdowns (508), and consecutive starts (297 regular season games). His legacy as a fearless competitor and gunslinger remains one of the most celebrated in football history.
4.  Lance Alworth (Brookhaven, MS) (Arkansas) – WR
San Diego Chargers (1962-1970)
Dallas Cowboys (1971-1972)
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Drafted: 1962, Round 1, Pick 8 (San Francisco 49ers)
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Career Highlights: 7-time AFL All-Star, AFL MVP (1963), Super Bowl VI champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
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Overview: Alworth was the first AFL player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognized for his incredible speed, precise route-running, and ability to make acrobatic catches. He won an AFL Championship with the Chargers in 1963 and a Super Bowl VI title with the Cowboys. His career totals of 542 receptions, 10,266 receiving yards, and 85 touchdowns cement his legacy as one of the greatest receivers of all time.
5. Fletcher Cox (Yazoo City, MS) (Mississippi State) – DT
Philadelphia Eagles (2012-2023)
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Drafted: 2012, Round 1, Pick 12 (Philadelphia Eagles)
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Career Highlights: 6-time Pro Bowl selection, Super Bowl LII champion, key anchor in the Eagles’ defensive front.
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Overview: Fletcher Cox was a dominant defensive tackle who spent his entire 12-season NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted 12th overall in 2012, he quickly became a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense, earning six Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors. Cox played a crucial role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory, showcasing his ability to disrupt offenses with his strength and agility. Over his career, he recorded 519 total tackles, 70 sacks, and 16 forced fumbles, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive linemen. His impact on the game and the Eagles franchise remains significant, as he was a key figure in their defensive success for over a decade.
6. Jackie Slater (Jackson, MS) – (Jackson State) – OT
Los Angeles Rams (1976-1994)
St. Louis Rams (1995)
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Drafted: 1976, Round 3 – Los Angeles Rams
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Career Highlights: He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and earned four Second-team All-Pro honors, Pro Football Hallo Fame
- Overview: Slater played in 259 games (19 season), the most ever by an offensive lineman at the time of his retirement in 1995, and blocked for seven different 1,000-yard rushers, including Eric Dickerson and Jerome Bettis
7. Archie Manning (Drew, MS) (Ole Miss) – QB
New Orleans Saints (1971-1982)
Houston Oilers (1982-1983)
Minnesota Vikings (1983-1984)
* Drafted: 1971 Round 1 (2) New Orleans
* Career Highlights: Despite being on struggling teams, he earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named NFC Player of the Year in 1978. Manning was known for his mobility and strong arm, often making plays under pressure. One of his career milestones was throwing his 100th career touchdown pass in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 9, 1980.
* Overview: He later played for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings before retiring.      His legacy extends beyond his playing days, as he became the patriarch of the famous Manning football family, with sons Peyton and Eli Manning achieving Hall of Fame- worthy careers.
8. Eric Moulds (Lucedale, MS) (Mississippi State) – WR
Buffalo Bills (1996-2005)
Houston Texans (2006)
Tennessee Titans (2007)
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Drafted: 1996, Round 1, Pick 24 (Buffalo Bills)
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Career Highlights: 3-time Pro Bowl selection, over 9,000 career receiving yards.
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Overview: He earned three Pro Bowl selections (1998, 2000, 2002) and was twice named Second-team All-Pro (1998, 2002). One of his most memorable performances came in the 1998 season, when he set a Bills franchise record with 1,368 receiving yards. In the 1999 AFC Wild Card game, he recorded an incredible 240 receiving yards, which was an NFL playoff record at the time. Moulds finished his career with 764 receptions, 9,995 receiving yards, and 49 touchdowns, cementing his legacy as one of Buffalo’s greatest receivers.
9.  Deuce McAlister (Morton) (Ole Miss) — RB
New Orleans Saints (2001-2009)
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Drafted: 2001, Round 1, Pick 23 (New Orleans Saints)
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Career Highlights: 2-time Pro Bowl selection, over 6,000 career rushing yards, integral in Saints’ offense during his tenure.
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Overview: McAllister’s power running and leadership were pivotal in the Saints’ early 2000s success. He recorded two Pro Bowl selections (2002, 2003) and became the Saints’ all-time leading rusher, amassing 6,096 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns in his career.
10. Chris Jones (Houston, MS) — (Mississippi State) — DT
Kansas City Chiefs (2016-present)
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Drafted: 2016, Round 2, Pick 37 (Kansas City Chiefs)
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Career Highlights: Multiple Pro Bowl selections, key contributor in Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV and LVII victories.
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Overview: He has been a dominant force on the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive line, earning three Super Bowl titles (LIV, LVII, LVIII) and six Pro Bowl selections (2019–2024). He has also been named First-team All-Pro three times (2022–2024), showcasing his ability to disrupt offenses with his pass-rushing skills
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