5 best team draft classes in NFL history

One good draft class can quickly shape the long-term fortunes of a franchise. 

With the 2015 NFL Draft almost close enough to taste, here are the five best draft classes of all time. 

1965 Chicago Bears 

Notable selections: Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Jim Nance, Frank Cornish

Chicago acquired the third overall pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers and selected Dick Butkus out of Illinois.

Butkus became the defining linebacker of the era, renowned for his ferocious approach to tackling. The Bears star excelled at forcing fumbles, and helped change the way linebackers approached the point of contact with the ball carrier. After an exceptional eight-year career, Butkus was named to both the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade teams.

Sayers was selected one pick after Butkus and contributed immediately, rushing for 14 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The elusive running back was phenomenal in the open field, causing defenders to miss with a nearly unmatched arsenal of moves. Sayers captured two rushing titles and was named to the 1960s All-Decade team.

Butkus and Sayers were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1974 Pittsburgh Steelers

Notable selections: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster

The greatest draft class of all time, Pittsburgh set the foundation for the "Steel Curtain" dynasty in one fell swoop. 

Pittsburgh selected wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in the first and fourth round, giving the team the decade's best duo. Swann captured Super Bowl X MVP honors, while Stallworth saved some of his strongest performances for the team's biggest games.

Lambert became one of the faces of the iconic Steelers' defense, contributing immediately at middle linebacker, and formed one of the most terrifying pairings ever along with outside linebacker Jack Ham.

Webster excelled in both run and pass protection, and was selected to both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade teams.

The dynamic quartet has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after helping the Steelers capture Super Bowls in the 1970s.

1989 Dallas Cowboys 

Notable selections: Troy Aikman, Steve Wisniewski, Daryl Johnston, Mark Stepnoski, Tony Tolbert

Dallas went 1-15 in 1989 and became a shell of the team Tom Landry built. Jimmy Johnson took over as head coach and immediately rebuilt.

Aikman went first overall and exceeded lofty expectations. The Cowboys quarterback became the picture of stoic confidence throughout his career and helped steer the team to three Super Bowl victories in four years, capturing Super Bowl XXVII MVP.

Wisniewski and Stepnoski helped form the best offensive line of the 1990s, with each player honored on the All-Decade team. Both excelled in pass and run protection, and consistently opened up holes for the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith.

Johnston and Tolbert shone as starters for the Cowboys, and Aikman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1996 Baltimore Ravens

Notable selections: Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, Jermaine Lewis

Jonathan Ogden became one of the defining tackles of his generation, erasing elite defenders with relative ease. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times after being selected fourth overall and also named to the 2000s All-Decade team. 

Ray Lewis immediately became the definitive middle linebacker of his generation, excelling in the run game while often being deployed in coverage against tight ends. The 39-year-old won Defensive Player of the Year twice (2000, 2003) and was named to 13 Pro Bowls. Lewis became the first player to have at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in his career and left at the height of his powers, winning his second Super Bowl in his final game.

Ogden was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Lewis is considered a near-lock to be a first-ballot selection when he becomes eligible in 2018.

2012 Seattle Seahawks 

Notable selections: Russell Wilson, Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, J.R. Sweezy, Robert Turbin

It may be early to make a definitive judgment on the Seahawks' 2012 class, but after propelling the team to two consecutive Super Bowl appearances, they're on their way to etching their names into history.

Wilson transformed the franchise, immediately stepping in as the team's starter and throwing for a rookie-record 26 touchdowns. The Seahawks star emerged as one of the league's best players, and won more games than any quarterback through three seasons - a reflection on the 2012 class's impact as a whole.

Irvin and Wagner are important components of the Seahawks' dominant "Legion of Boom" defense, and the latter developed into the league's best middle linebacker.

Seattle is the favorite to win the NFC for the third consecutive year, in large part thanks to their outstanding 2012 haul.