Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Football: Ranking every SU first round pick in NFL Draft history

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

American football player Jim Brown sits on the bench during a game, wearing his helmet and uniform for the Cleveland Browns, circa 1960. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American football player Jim Brown sits on the bench during a game, wearing his helmet and uniform for the Cleveland Browns, circa 1960. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /
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. . Roger Davis. 21. team. 57.

  • 7th overall pick in the 1960 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
  • Played for Syracuse from 1957 through 1959.

Most fans won’t remember who Roger Davis is. But to know his importance, all you have to do is look at the year. 1959? Why is that so important. Well that was the year that the Syracuse Football program went 11-0 and won the National Championship (Cotton Bowl).

Of course they did that on the back of Ernie Davis aka the Elmira Express. Roger Davis was the leading blocker for Davis and helped him get over 780 yards from scrimmage. Davis was later recognized as a member of the Syracuse All-Century team back in 1999.

Roger had multiple opportunities after his time at Syracuse. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft. But he was also selected in the AFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

Despite being drafted in the AFL, Davis decided to play his entire career on the NFL side of things for the Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and the New York Giants. Davis just missed out on the AFL-NFL merger which created the Super Bowl. Offensive linemen never get enough love on lists and despite being ranked last on this ranking, I hope fans can respect his role in Ernie Davis’s legacy.

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