The 30 Best Draft Picks in the History of the NFL

NFL fans love when it’s draft time. A chance to see the best players from college programs and from all over the country all being selected by NFL teams offers a unique glimpse into the possible future of the sport. Here are the thirty best draft picks in the history of the NFL, from first-round superstars to late-pick heroes.

Ed Reed

The Ravens took Reed 24^th overall in the first round of the 2002 Draft. He played in the NFL for 11 seasons and became a Pro Bowler nine times while bringing in 64 interceptions and helping the Ravens win in Super Bowl XLVII.

Ronnie Lott

The San Francisco 49ers took a gamble on Ronnie Lott during the 1981 NFL Draft. They picked him 8^th overall during the first round after scouting his college play at USC. He become a ten-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Michael Strahan

The Giants were onto something when they drafted Texas Southern’s Michael Strahan. They took him 40^th overall in the second round of the 1993 draft and he went on to help the Giants make it to Super Bowl XXXV and win in Super Bowl XLII. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Richard Dent

Deep in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears picked up Tennessee State player Richard Dent. He exceeded expectations, becoming a Super Bowl winner with the Bears in Super Bowl XX and with the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Terrell Davis

After a great college career with Georgia, Terrell Davis was selected 196^th overall during the sixth round of the 1995 Draft by the Denver Broncos. He went to the Pro Bowl three times in his career and became the MVP of Super Bowl XXXII—notably, one of the Broncos best Super Bowl wins. Injuries sadly ended his career early, but he was an impeccable competitor.

Drew Brees

The San Diego Chargers picked up the iconic quarterback Drew Brees in the second round of the 2001 Draft, 32^nd overall. He went on to have a legendary career, becoming a nine-time Pro Bowler and was the MVP during the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV win.

Eric Dickerson

SMU player Eric Dickerson was a hot commodity during the 1983 draft, as scouts signaled that he’d be a huge force to be reckoned with in the NFL. He was chosen second overall in the draft by the Rams and went on to set a record 2,105 rushing yards in 1984.

Shannon Sharpe

Sharpe was taken 192^nd overall in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. From that low starting position he rose to lofty heights, becoming an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Super Bowl winner. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Larry Allen

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Larry Allen 46^th overall during the second round of the 1994 Draft. He would go on to become a Pro Bowler eleven times in his career and was on the Cowboys team when they won Super Bowl XXX. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Marcus Allen

The LA Raiders took Allen tenth overall during the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft. They had high hopes for the newcomer, and he more than delivered. He went on to become the MVP during the Raiders Super Bowl XVIII win and was the first player to every end his career with over 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards.

Mel Blount

Mel Blount was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft. They took him 53^rd overall, and he would turn out to be a one-of-a-kind player. He made it to the Pro Bowl five times, won the Super Bowl four times, and made the 1980s All-Decade Team.

Randy Moss

The Vikings took Randy Moss 21^st overall in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He would end up going to the Pro Bowl seven times as well as smashing the single-season touchdown record in 2007 with 23. And, naturally, he was on the 2000s All-Decade team.

Joe Greene

Mean Joe Greene was drafted in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers after they saw his impressive stuff while he played for North Texas. The ten-time Pro Bowler helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 70s, solidifying himself as the football player of the decade.

Terry Bradshaw

The Steelers took Terry Bradshaw first overall in the 1970 draft, and that turned out to be a very smart move. Bradshaw captained the team to four Super Bowl victories—and was even the MVP in two of them. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Deion Sanders

Atlanta fans knew this name would be on the list. Deion Sanders was picked fifth overall by the Falcons in 1989, and throughout the 90s he won two Super Bowls with two different teams. He was with the 49ers when they won Super Bowl 29 and the Cowboys when they won Super Bowl 30!

Ray Lewis

The Ravens picked Ray Lewis 26^th overall in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. They were soundly rewarded for their faith in him, as he helped them win two Super Bowls and even was named MVP for his role in their victory at Super Bowl 35. He also made the Pro Bowl 13 times!

Mike Singletary

Another Bears draft pick, Mike Singletary, makes our list for his incredible ten appearances in the Pro Bowl. The Bears scooped him up in the second round, making him the 38^th overall pick. He helped the Bears to their stunning Super Bowl 20 victory and made the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Peyton Manning

Is there any surprise that Peyton Manning was picked first overall in the 1998 draft by the Colts? His performance while playing college football at Tennessee was undeniable, and he went on to have a dominant career. He won the NFL MVP five times and went to the Pro Bowl 14 times. While he took his team to the Super Bowl three times, he only won one of them: Super Bowl 41

Troy Aikman

The 1989 draft was famously stacked, as evidenced by the Cowboys selecting none other than Troy Aikman first in the draft. Aikman would go on to help the Cowboys win three Super Bowls and got the MVP nod in Super Bowl 27. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jerry Rice

Receivers are measured against Jerry Rice. He was picked 16^th overall in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the 49ers and went on to nab every major receiving record, including total career receptions and receiving yards. With Rice running down the field, the 49ers found success in thee Super Bowl contests.

Barry Sanders

The Lions picked Barry Sanders second overall in the NFL Draft in 1989. While he didn’t secure the Lions any Super Bowl wins, he had a phenomenal career of his own. He made the Pro Bowl ten times and was a four-time NFL rushing champion! He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Roger Staubach

The Cowboys have had some phenomenal draft picks throughout the history of the NFL, and Roger Staubach is one of them. Weirdly, he was chosen in the tenth round, which makes it sound like he was undervalued. He quickly proved himself, though, captaining the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in five appearances. Oh, and he got the MVP nod in one of those wins. Not bad for the 129^th overall pick of his draft class!

Dick Butkus

The Bears picked Butkus in the first round of the 1965 NFL draft, taking him third overall. The towering, feared linebacker went to the Pro Bowl eight times and made the All-Decade team for both the 60s and 70s. His long career was rewarded with a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Lawrence Taylor

The first round of the 1981 NFL Draft saw the Giants take Lawrence Taylor, a North Carolina college player who brought a ton of power to the field. He was a ten-time Pro Bowler and made the NFL’s 80s All-Decade team. He also helped the team secure two Super Bowl wins, making him a fan favorite for the Giants.

Walter Payton

The Bears took Walter Payton fourth overall in the 1975 draft after seeing his dominant skills as a runner at Jackson State. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 after an illustrious career, including his retirement from the game as the league’s all-time leader in rushing yards.

Brett Favre

In addition to having one of the most confusingly pronounced names in football history, Brett Favre is a three-time league MVP. He was selected 33^rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 draft. He helped the Packers win Super Bowl 31, and an 11-time Pro Bowler.

Dan Marino

Dan Marino was the Dolphins’ pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, picking up him 27^th overall. He won the league MVP award in 1984 and retired while holding almost every passing record in the league. It’s unsurprising that he was honored with a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jim Brown

The Cleveland Browns aren’t named for Jim Brown, but it kind of feels like they are. He was a three-time MVP after being drafted in the first round by the Browns in 1957. He led the NFL in rushing yards in eight of his seasons—and he only played in nine seasons. Yeah, he was that good.

Joe Montana

Nobody does it like Joe Cool did it. The 49ers got Montana in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft, showing how undervalued the future Hall of Famer was back in the day. He quickly proved his worth, winning four Super Bowls with the team that drafted him and earning the MVP award in three of them.

Tom Brady

What else is there to say about Tom Brady? The guy has won so many Super Bowl rings and league honors that it’s hard to even offer new context on his skills as a quarterback. Amazingly, he was a sixth round draft pick for the Patriots, though he’d go on to win them four of the six Super Bowls he captained them to. He’ll almost assuredly be in the Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible.