Green Bay Packers: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time
By John Buhler
Best first-round draft picks in Green Bay Packers history: 10. Willie Buchanon
Cornerback Willie Buchanon had a lengthy, 11-year NFL career out of San Diego State split between the Packers and the then-San Diego Chargers. However, Buchanon played the bulk and had the most success in his NFL career with The Pack. Green Bay took him No. 7 overall in the 1972 and certainly got a good return on its investment.
Buchanon was a two-time Pro Bowler in Green Bay. He was the 1972 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Packers. Buchanon would make his first trip to the Pro Bowl two years later in 1974. That season he had four interceptions. Four years later would prove to be Buchanon’s best season as a pro, as he made his second Pro Bowl team and garnered his only All-Pro nod in 1978.
Buchanon’s 1978 season saw him pick off nine errant throws for 93 yards and a touchdown. Keep in mind that this was the first year that the league expanded to a 16-game schedule. Buchanon certainly took advantage of the two extra games in that 1978 campaign.
He would play his last four seasons with the Chargers before retiring after the 1982 season. Buchanon not only is in the Packers Hall of Fame, but made the 50th Anniversary Team for the Chargers. Green Bay wasn’t very good during his time with the team, but the Chargers sure were in the height of Air Coryell once he joined San Diego.