The Washington Redskins are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NFL. Honestly, you are forgiven if you don't really think of them in that way. This has been one of the worst franchises in football during the 2000s.

Things might be looking up though.

Even if they don't turn around, their recent struggles should not take away from the success that the Redskins have enjoyed in the past.

Washington is fifth in the NFL in wins all-time (603) and their three Super Bowl rings are tied for the seventh-most in the NFL.

With all that incredible success, it should not surprise anyone that the Redskins have had some amazing players put on the Burgundy and Gold.

Who are the best of the best though? The true elite? Let's go through their history and try to decide who the five best Redskins' players of all-time.

5. John Riggins

Okay, before we get started on John Riggins, I want to mention two people.

First, Sean Taylor was obviously considered. However, he simply did not play long enough before he was tragically murdered. I think we can all agree he was on pace to be one of the greatest NFL players ever though.

Second, Joe Gibbs. I felt like I was cheating though because he is not a player. Sure, the headline does not specify if it had to be a player or could be a coach. It felt implied though. Gibbs leads the team in wins and coached them to all three Super Bowl rings.

Now, on to Riggins. The running back spent nine years in Washington. In that time, Riggins racked up 7,472 rushing yards and an incredible 79 touchdowns. He added another 928 yards and six touchdowns on 121 receptions as well.

In 1978, the running back won the Comeback Player of the Year award. That was the beginning of his dominance in Washington.

Riggins was a first team All-Pro in 1983, a season that saw him score 24 touchdowns on the ground — seriously. He also won the Bert Bell Player of the Year award that season.

Riggins was a Super Bowl champion in 1982, and even won the Super Bowl MVP that season. In 1992, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Many regard Riggins as the best running back in the history of the Redskins. It's very easy to see why.

4. Dexter Manley

There is not all that much that needs to be said about Dexter Manley except the number 91. That's how many sacks he had in his career with the Redskins.

Manley is still the franchise leader in sacks. Ryan Kerrigan is on his heels with 90 though, so the record probably won't last much longer. Meanwhile, everyone is expecting massive things from Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

Still, the fact that Manley has the record at the moment counts for a lot. And yes, it also speaks to how good Kerrigan has been for all those Kerrigan haters.

Manley was a Pro Bowler and a first team All-Pro in 1986. Shockingly, that was the only season he had either of those accolades. That year, he had an incredible 18.5 sacks.

Manley was also a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Redskins. He was a major part of those teams as well.

This is a player that was severely underrated during his time playing, and even more so now. However, we are not going to let that happen on this list, as he comes in at number four.

3. Sammy Baugh

Okay, let's be honest with ourselves here. The Redskins have not exactly had a great history when it comes to quarterbacks. In fact, they are probably one of the weaker franchises in the NFL when it comes to this position.

They have had some great ones though, and none more so than Sammy Baugh.

Baugh spent his entire 16-year career with the Redskins. In that time he threw for 21,886 yards and 187 touchdowns (203 interceptions). Okay, those numbers are not great, right?

Well he did that from 1937 to 1952. Those were not exactly prime quarterback times.

Oh, and Baugh was not just a quarterback. He was also a punter (and a great one, averaging 45.1 yards per punt) and a star on defense, racking up 31 interceptions in his career.

That's got to count for something when considering this, Baugh literally did it all on the field.

He was also a six-time Pro Bowler and a first team All-Pro four times. Baugh was a member of two NFL Championship teams with Washington as well. In 1963, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

2. Art Monk

Coming in at number two is Art Monk. Widely considered the greatest wide receiver in franchise history — and for great reason.

Monk spent 14 of his 16 years in the NFL with Washington. In that time, the wide receiver racked up 888 receptions for 12,026 yards and 65 touchdowns.

He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a first team All-Pro in 1984. Monk was also a member of all three Super Bowl winning Redskins teams.

Monk is the measuring stick for any Washington wide receiver. He is the elite. Many have been compared to him, none have come close.

In fact, that's not even just talking about receivers on the Redskins. He is often considered one of the very best in the entire NFL.

Monk was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.

1. Darrell Green

Finally, we have the number one player in the history of the Redskins. Cornerback Darrell Green, and could it really have been anyone else?

The cornerback spent 20 seasons in the NFL, all of them with Washington. Even in the end, Green was a formidable foe for any wide receiver. And still considered the fastest player in the NFL.

In his 20 years, Green posted some absurd numbers. He ended with 54 interceptions and 33 pass deflections. Oh, the pass deflections seem low? That's because that was not a stat until his 17th season. He started 26 games in those final four years.

Imagine how many pass deflections Green would have had if it was a stat his entire career.

Green also had 1,202 tackles (one sack) and eight defensive touchdowns, as well as one kick return for a touchdown.

He made it to seven Pro Bowls and was a first team All-Pro in 1991. Green was also the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1996.

The cornerback was a member of two of Washington's Super Bowl winning teams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Considered one of the fastest players ever, that may overshadow the fact that Green is also considered one fo the greatest players ever. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that he tops this list.