Revisiting the past 10 drafts in search of the 20 best picks made me realize how very few stars emerge outside of the first round. Yes, you need to hit on Day 2 and Day 3 picks to field a deep roster good enough to contend for the Super Bowl, but most core players and future All-Pros come from first-round selections.
Maybe it shouldn’t be surprising, but there have been many first-round whiffs in the past decade, which we’ll highlight Wednesday. Also, the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, was selected at pick No. 199—in case you haven’t heard by now.
But before revealing the top-20 draft picks of the past 10 drafts, here are a few notes from the list.
- Only two were top-three picks.
- Thirteen were selected 10th or later.
- Six were drafted after the first round.
- All of the nonquarterbacks have been named first-team All-Pro at least once.
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports (Burrow); Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports (Donald); Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports (Mahomes)
Also, this list was difficult to narrow down to 20, so I added an honorable mentions section at the end. Now, let’s get to the list.
1
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs, No. 10 (2017)Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time MVP, two-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection
No one has accomplished more than Mahomes since he entered the league six years ago. He’s probably already a lock for the Hall of Fame, but one accomplishment at a time. Being the best quarterback in the NFL certainly made Mahomes the obvious choice to be named best draft pick of the past decade. But the Chiefs also deserve plenty of credit for moving up 17 spots to take a chance on the raw prospect from Texas Tech. It’s no surprise the Chiefs drafted four players from this list.
2
Aaron Donald, DL, Rams, No. 13 (2014)Accolades: Super Bowl champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time first-team All-Pro, nine-time Pro Bowl selection
Donald is more than just a future Hall of Famer. He’s regarded as one of the best football players of all time, a feat not many saw coming when the then St. Louis Rams betted on Donald’s elite athleticism despite his lack of ideal height (6'1") for the position. After Donald won the Super Bowl, he had nothing left to prove besides how many double and triple teams he could beat on a weekly basis.
3
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals, No. 1 (2020)Accolades: Comeback Player of the Year, Pro Bowl selection
This is where the list starts getting tough. Maybe it’s too soon to have Burrow ranked this high, but he quickly established himself as an elite quarterback, and he might be only second to Mahomes when it comes to quarterback rankings. Don’t let the short list of accolades fool you. Burrow has already guided the Bengals to a Super Bowl and turned them into a winning organization after years of distress as an afterthought franchise.
4
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs, No. 63 (2013)
Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion, four-time first-team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowl selection
Kelce showed no signs of slowing during his 10th season. He delivered one of his best career seasons in 2022 (110 receptions, 1,338 yards, 12 TDs), as the Chiefs altered their offensive scheme in the post–Tyreek Hill era. Not many teams can get away with the tight end being the No. 1 target, but Kelce is one of the greatest at the position and not many rival his level of productivity and consistency with 814 receptions and 10,334 yards receiving.
5
Khalil Mack, edge, Bears/Raiders/Chargers, No. 5 (2014)Accolades: DPOY, four-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl selection
There was a time when Mack was considered the better player over Donald, the two star defenders from the same draft class. Mack’s production has declined a bit the past few seasons, but he set the bar high with 36 sacks in four seasons with the Bears and 40.5 sacks in a four-year run with the Raiders. Mack is known as a pass rusher, but coaches marvel at what he provides against the run.
6
Zack Martin, OG, Cowboys, No. 16 (2014)Accolades: Six-time first-team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowl selection
Martin is the third player on this list from the memorable 2014 draft. The perennial All-Pro delivered a memorable rookie season and quickly established himself as the best guard in the NFL before receiving competition from a fellow Notre Dame product who later appears on this list. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has likely thanked Martin countless times for providing massive running lanes.
7
Nick Bosa, edge, 49ers, No. 2 (2019)Accolades: DPOY, first-team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowl selection
Joey Bosa, the Chargers’ star edge rusher, told anyone who would listen that his little brother, Nick, was better than him in the lead-up to the 2019 draft. Turned out, the younger Bosa is better than most players in the NFL, and if he didn’t get hurt in his second season, he might have been ranked higher on this list. Bosa is a game wrecker and has helped the 49ers win plenty of games with three NFC championship appearances and one trip to the Super Bowl.
8
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs/Dolphins, No. 165 (2016)Accolades: Super Bowl champion, four-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl selection
Hill might be the best downfield threat in NFL history, and the Chiefs got him in the fifth round. He also proved he could do it without Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid after delivering another All-Pro season during his first season in Miami. Opposing teams dread seeing Hill flash the peace sign on the field.
9
T.J. Watt, edge, Steelers, No. 30 (2017)
Tommy Gilligan/USA Today network
Accolades: DPOY, three-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection
Not many expected Watt to match the production his older brother, J.J., generated for many seasons with the Texans, but he’s gotten close as one of the game’s best sack artists (77.5). He’s smaller than most edge rushers and that could explain why he was available at the end of the first round, but his relentless motor made him a defensive force on the field.
10
Davante Adams, WR, Packers/Raiders, No. 53 (2014)Accolades: Three-time first-team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl selection
Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and five other receivers were drafted ahead of Adams in that memorable 2014 draft. After a few seasons, Adams emerged as one of the best wideouts of the past decade with 769 receptions for 9,637 yards and 87 touchdowns. He earned trust from Aaron Rodgers and flourished as one of the best route runners in the NFL. He can separate from defenders and has the size to often come away with contested passes, making him a matchup nightmare every Sunday.
11
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jaguars/Rams/Dolphins, No. 5 (2016)Accolades: Super Bowl champion, three-time first-team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl selection
Ramsey has evolved throughout his career, which has kept him atop the rankings for cornerbacks. He was a lockdown corner in Jacksonville, relying on speed and athleticism, and verbal jabs, to frustrate star wide receivers. With the Rams, Ramsey flourished as a do-it-all defensive back who made a handful of timely plays within the defensive scheme. He’s now aiming for another successful chapter with the Dolphins, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he eventually moves to safety to continue his high standards.
12
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans/Cardinals, No. 27 (2013)Accolades: Three-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection
Hopkins hasn’t looked back since he put DeAngelo Hall on skates during a memorable scene during the 2015 season of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Hopkins has made several acrobatic catches throughout his career, thanks to his sturdy hands and massive catch radius. He’s currently on the trading block due to his hefty contract and he’s been plagued by injuries recently, but he’s still a savvy playmaker whenever he’s on the field with impressive career numbers (853-11,298-71).
13
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans, No. 45 (2016)Accolades: OPOY, first-team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowl selection
Henry is the lone running back on this list, and there have been some good ones in the past 10 years, but he gets the edge for longevity, consistency and for being an offensive weapon (1,750 carries, 8,335 yards, 78 TDs). When the league became pass-happy, the Titans continued feeding Henry to punish defenses, and it led to a few division titles and playoff appearances. This old-school approach might not be a recipe for winning a Super Bowl, but it’s always fun seeing Henry stiff-arm helpless defenders into a different realm.
14
Josh Allen, QB, Bills, No. 7 (2018)Accolades: Second-team All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowl selection
Allen has given hope to all quarterbacks who entered the league with accuracy issues and/or struggled early in their careers. The leap Allen took in his third season will be a tale told for many draft seasons, and it catapulted him into NFL superstardom. He polished his fundamentals to pair with his size, athleticism and rocket arm. It took time, but Allen consistently plays at an elite level, and has outshined Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, the two quarterbacks drafted ahead of him.
15
Quenton Nelson, OG, Colts, No. 6 (2018)Accolades: Three-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection
Nelson, the expert pancake blocker, has embarrassed many defensive linemen with his size, speed and physicality on the field. He’s known for creating space in the trenches and hustling upfield to deliver more blocks. Not many teams consider drafting guards in the top 10, but Nelson has exceeded expectations.
16
Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings, No. 22 (2020)
Jamie Germano/USA Today Sports
Accolades: OPOY, first-team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowl selection
Jefferson has played in the NFL for only three seasons, but he can already say he’s the best at his position (324-4,825-25), and it might stay that way for years to come. He plays with an edge on the field and is constantly looking to outdo his peers. That’s the type of intensity you want from star players, and it helps that Jefferson has size and versatility that compares to Adams.
17
Micah Parsons, edge, Cowboys, No. 12 (2021)Accolades: Two-time first-team All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowl selection
Some might have forgotten, but Parsons entered the league as an off-ball linebacker and was asked to play as an emergency edge rusher against the Chargers during his second career start. Parsons dominated in that game and has become one of the best edge rushers in the NFL (26.5 sacks). He’ll likely dominate for years to come.
18
Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams, No. 69 (2017)Accolades: Super Bowl champion, OPOY, first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl selection
Kupp had a historic 2021 season as the league leader in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), but don’t let that overshadow how productive he’s been throughout his career (508-6,329-46) as a do-it-all wideout in Sean McVay’s scheme. Kupp, a stout blocker and receptions machine, is one of the best gems of the past 10 years as a third-round selection from Eastern Washington.
19
Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers, No. 6 (2020)Accolades: OROY, Pro Bowl selection
Herbert had a memorable rookie season and quickly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL due to his elite traits and dazzling throws. But his work ethic and ability to process defenses on the field are why he was ready for his last-minute starting debut against the Chiefs in 2020.
20
Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs, No. 37 (2016)Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion, first-team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowl selection
Jones closed the gap on Donald for best interior defensive lineman after he delivered a memorable career season (15.5 sacks) en route to helping the Chiefs win a second Super Bowl in the past four seasons. Jones has consistently applied pressure on opposing quarterbacks and does his best work in the postseason, but he took his game to a different level in 2022.
