NFL Draft night is full of hot takes, overreactions, endless grades that age about, and milk in the sun. Every year, a few players get picked and immediately hear how they were a “reach” or “overrated”—only to turn around and prove everyone wrong in spectacular fashion.
This list is for those who shut up the doubters and turned skepticism into superstardom. Whether they were picked too high, too low, or not talked about, these players let their game do the talking.
15. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills, 2018
Draft experts questioned his accuracy, mechanics, and readiness. Now he’s one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks and the franchise’s face.
14. D.K. Metcalf – Seattle Seahawks, 2019
Despite his ridiculous combine, some analysts thought he was “too stiff” to succeed in the NFL. Seattle took the risk, and Metcalf’s been trucking defenders ever since.
13. Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams, 2017
Many doubted he could keep up with NFL speed coming out of Eastern Washington. All he did was win the receiving triple crown and Super Bowl MVP.
12. Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens, 2018
He slipped to the end of the first round with concerns about his passing. Then he won MVP in his second season, which completely changed how we view dual-threat quarterbacks.
11. Fred Warner – San Francisco 49ers, 2018
Critics thought he was a bit of a tweener without a clear position. The 49ers gave him a role, and he became one of the best linebackers in football.
10. Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings, 2020
Some thought he was just a slot guy riding LSU’s success. It turns out he’s a walking highlight reel and one of the best receivers in the game.
9. Aaron Donald – St. Louis Rams, 2014
Too short, too small, not strong enough, that’s what the scouts said. Now he’s got multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl ring.
8. David Bakhtiari – Green Bay Packers, 2013
He didn’t get much pre-draft buzz as a fourth-rounder. But he ended up protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side for nearly a decade at an elite level.
7. Matthew Judon – Baltimore Ravens, 2016
Judon came from a Division II school and didn’t get much draft love. He worked his way into Pro Bowls and became a force with the Patriots.
6. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks, 2012
Almost everyone thought he was too short to be a starting NFL quarterback. Then he won a Super Bowl and became a franchise cornerstone.
5. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs, 2013
Off-field concerns and raw skills made him a bit of a gamble. Kansas City took a chance—and got one of the best tight ends of all time.
4. Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles, 2020
Some said he wasn’t even an accurate quarterback. Now he’s an MVP runner-up who led his team to the Super Bowl.
3. Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings, 2015
Just about everyone overlooked the fifth-round pick. Now he’s one of the league’s most polished and productive receivers.
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2. Tom Brady – New England Patriots, 2000
Pick 199. Six quarterbacks were taken before him. We all know how that turned out.
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1. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs, 2017
Some analysts thought he was too raw and reckless to succeed. Now, he’s won multiple MVP awards and Super Bowl rings and is considered one of the best.
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