The Green Bay Packers will kickoff their 2023 season 80 days from now against the Chicago Bears. In celebration of a new era of Packers football and in anticipation for the upcoming season, Wisconsin Sports Heroics will present the top 100 players in franchise history in the 100 days leading up to the start of the regular season. Our rankings are based on Pro Football References Approximate Value stat, which gives a numeric value to each season a player plays in.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Player #80: Willie Buchanon
Willie Buchanon has the honor of being considered an all-time great player for two NFL franchises. After his career was over, he was named to the Packers’ All-Time Team and to the San Diego Chargers 50th anniversary team. He is also a member of the Packers Hall of Fame.
Green Bay drafted Buchanon in the first round (seventh overall pick) of the 1972 NFL Draft. Buchanon made an impact right away, racking up four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. For his efforts, he was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In total, Buchanon played seven of his 11 years in the NFL for the Packers. In addition to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, he made two Pro Bowls (1974 and 1978) and was a First Team All Pro in 1978.
That 1978 was the best season of his career. Buchanon recorded nine interceptions, including a pick-six.
Following that year, he signed with the San Diego Chargers. It was a sort of homecoming for Buchanon, who is from Oceanside, California and went to San Diego State.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Players List
- #100- Daryn Colledge
- #99- Mike Butler
- #98- Bernardo Harris
- #97- Tyrone Williams
- #96- Dick Himes
- #95- Mason Crosby
- #94- Mike McCoy
- #93- Gilbert Brown
- #92- Ryan Pickett
- #91- Ron Kostelnik
- #90- Earl Dotson
- #89- Paul Hornung
- #88- Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
- #87- Robert Brooks
- #86- Ken Bowman
- #85- Edgar Bennett
- #84- Jesse Whittenton
- #83- Tim Harris
- #82- Gerry Ellis
- #81- Jim Carter
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