Best Seventh-Round NFL Draft Picks Of All Time: 10 Late-Round Studs

April 26, 2025

Dave's top 10 picks for the greatest NFL players of All Time who were seventh round picks in the NFL Draft. His best seventh-round NFL Draft picks of All Time.

The 2025 NFL Draft is moving on to Round 3. It’s always an exciting time of year as the next generation of potential superstars gets to hear their names called in front of millions of fans worldwide.

While that is the case for many players, the reality is that many NFL hopefuls won’t be selected until the later rounds of the NFL Draft. While this isn’t the ideal scenario for any prospect, it’s not a complete death knell to a fruitful career. Just a few years ago, we saw current San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy be taken in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Purdy was actually the last player taken in the entire draft. There are plenty of examples of players drafted in the seventh round who went on to have successful careers. Today, we will do our best to identify the best players picked in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.

Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your NFL Draft needs. Here are the top 10 seventh-round picks of the NFL Draft since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

10.) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback

Seventh-Round, 250th Pick, 2022 NFL Draft

A Harvard graduate, Fitzpatrick was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He would start several games for St. Louis in his rookie season, but struggled mightily. Fitzpatrick would eventually land a starting gig with the Buffalo Bills and posted three straight seasons with 23+ touchdown passes from 2010-2012.

He would bounce around the league a bit more before landing another starting gig with the New York Jets in 2015. This was Fitzpatrick’s best season of his NFL career as he threw for a career-high 31 touchdown passes and 3,905 passing yards while leading the Jets to a 10-6 record.

9/21/2015

Brandon Marshall drags 2 Colts defenders into the EZ for a 15 yard TD reception from Ryan Fitzpatrick to give the @nyjets a 17-7 lead in the 4th qtr at a Lucas Oil Stadium.

Mike Tirico & Jon Gruden on the call for ESPN #JetUp #Jetshistory #Jets #MNF pic.twitter.com/B2jkijHhog

— New York Jets History (@nyjetshistory) March 12, 2025

Fitzpatrick was a reliable starter who played for a remarkable nine teams during his 17-year career in the league. His 223 career touchdown passes rank 39th on the all-time list. Not too shabby for a late-round pick.

9.) Jamal Anderson, Running Back

Seventh-Round, 201st Pick, 1994 NFL Draft

Anderson played all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in four of five seasons from 1996 to 2000 and ran for 32 rushing touchdowns during that time.

However, he is best known for his 1998 season, during which he ran for 1,846 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, helping to lead the Falcons to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII.

8.) Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver

Seventh-Round, 232nd Pick, 2009 NFL Draft

Edelman was a late bloomer and didn’t have his first 1,000-yard season until he turned 27. Part of that was because he was buried on the depth chart behind Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and others. But once he got his chance to start, Edelman made the most of it.

Julian Edelman threw a rope on this TD pass 🔥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/jpropN8VTn

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 17, 2019

He eventually became one of quarterback Tom Brady’s most trusted pass-catchers and was integral to the Patriots' victories in Super Bowls XLIX, LI, and LIII. Edelman was also named the MVP of Super Bowl LIII after posting a 10-141-0 line on a team-high 12 targets.

.@SuperBowl LIII MVP: Julian @Edelman11!!! #SBLIII#EverythingWeGot pic.twitter.com/i4X81xZ2sx

— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2019

Edelman eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards three times in his career and also posted several 100-reception seasons. He finished his career with 620 receptions, 6,822 receiving yards, 36 touchdowns, and three Super Bowl rings.

7.) Michael McCrary, Defensive End

Seventh-Round, 170th Pick, 1993 NFL Draft

McCrary enjoyed a solid 10-year career with the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. He was another late bloomer, as he only had 6.5 sacks during his first three seasons.

However, McCrary had a nice run from 1996 to 2001 as he registered 62.5 sacks during that time. McCrary was also a key contributor to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense, which is considered one of the greatest defenses of all time. He would record two sacks in Super Bowl XXXV as the Ravens' stifling defense helped propel the team to a dominant 34-7 victory over the New York Giants.

22 years ago today, the Ravens dominated the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, winning 34-7 to secure the organization’s first Super Bowl championship pic.twitter.com/A43suh9p8y

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 28, 2023

6.) Marques Colston, Wide Receiver

Seventh-Round, 252nd Pick, 2006 NFL Draft

Colston burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2006. He posted a 70-1038-8 line and functioned as Drew Brees’ WR1.

#FlashbackFriday@MarquesColston enters the #Saints Hall of Fame as the team's all-time TD leader

A look back at his first score ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/G4Yuq51dl2

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 7, 2019

He would spend his entire 10-year career with the New Orleans Saints and was an integral part of the team’s Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Colston is currently the Saints' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Then Saints head coach Sean Payton found a diamond in the rough with Colston, and he knew exactly how to deploy him.

5.) Donald Driver, Wide Receiver

Seventh-Round, 213th Pick, 1999 NFL Draft

Driver played 14 seasons for the Green Bay Packers. He was fortunate enough to play with both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, two of the best quarterbacks the league has ever seen.

He didn’t fully break out until his fourth season in 2002 when he posted a 70-1064-9 line on 113 targets. He experienced a setback in 2003, but after that, Driver posted six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2004-2009.

Driver’s 743 career receptions and 10,137 receiving yards rank 50th and 55th all-time. His 61 career receiving touchdowns also put him in a tie for 91st all-time. Green Bay certainly hit a home run with this pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.

80 days till @packers football. Here is one of many incredible plays made by @Donald_Driver80 🧀 pic.twitter.com/vXdxLZ7xoW

— 🧀🧀 (@OGpackersFan) June 25, 2020

4.) Jake Scott, Safety

Seventh-Round, 159th Overall Pick, 1970 NFL Draft

Scott was an integral part of the Miami Dolphins’ defense in the 1970s. He helped lead Miami to a victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. Scott recorded two interceptions in the game and helped finish off the Dolphins’ undefeated season in 1972. For his efforts, Scott would be named Super Bowl VII MVP.

Miami would repeat as champions in 1973 with a 24-7 victory in Super Bowl VIII over the Minnesota Vikings. Scott would post another strong Super Bowl effort and become the first player ever to recover two fumbles in a Super Bowl.

Scott’s career lasted nine years. He played his final three seasons with the Washington Redskins, but his best days were with the Miami Dolphins. Scott finished his career with 49 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries and was a two-time first-team NFL All-Pro.

3.) Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver

Seventh-Round, 161st Pick, 1971 NFL Draft

Carmichael remains one of the greatest players in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles. He played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with Philadelphia and posted some substantial numbers with the team. Carmichael eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times during his NFL career. He amassed 590 receptions, 8,985 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns during his 14-year career.

While his year-to-year stats may not blow you away compared to current-day standards, it’s important to remember NFL rules were very different in the 1970s and 1980s. Defensive backs had a lot more freedom, and it was much harder for receivers to get open. Carmichael's posting of the numbers he did during this era was impressive. He remains the Eagles' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

2.) Bo Jackson, Running Back

Seventh-Round, 183rd Pick, 1987 NFL Draft

Jackson was an incredible two-sport athlete who spent time in the NFL and MLB. An athletic freak, Jackson flashed upside down during his first two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders in 1987 and 1988. He finally broke out in 1989 when he ran for 950 rushing yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 173 carries.

Unfortunately, Jackson’s NFL career was cut short in 1990 when he suffered a hip injury on an awkward tackle.

💎#RaiderNation Where does @Raiders Running Back Bo Jackson’s career ending hip injury rank amongst the “What could have been” athlete moments of all time❓#NFL pic.twitter.com/nJqhsnuliC

— SniperJones🏴‍☠️🎙🇨🇴 (@RaiderSniper) February 5, 2025

Jackson dislocated his hip on the play and wound up needing a hip replacement. It was an unfortunate end to a very promising career, and Jackson certainly would have posted some strong seasons had he not been seriously injured. He was a threat to score anytime he touched the football.

🏴‍☠️🏈📚 #60Seasons Series

On November 30, 1987 #Raiders RB Bo Jackson scored a 91-yard touchdown versus the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

*It is the 3rd longest rushing play in team history. pic.twitter.com/tR6fKwW4MQ

— AFL Godfather 👓🏴‍☠️🔥 (@NFLMAVERICK) November 30, 2019

1.) Shannon Sharpe, Tight End

Seventh-Round, 192nd Pick, 1990 NFL Draft

Sharpe remains one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He won three Super Bowl rings during his 14 seasons with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. Sharpe also broke the 1,000-yard mark three times in his career and was known for his ability to create big plays.

2000 AFC Championship Game🎥

Trent Dilfer to Shannon Sharpe on 3rd and 18 on the -4 for a 96 Yard Touchdown pic.twitter.com/EOPb8gpIds

— Firstdown_XO’s (@FirstdownX__Os) January 28, 2024

The Hall of Famer was also famous for jawing at opponents and is one of the greatest trash talkers the league has seen. Sharpe has 808 career receptions, and that total is the fifth most by a tight end in NFL history. His 9,961 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns also rank fifth and eighth among all tight ends.

Denver got an absolute steal when they selected Sharpe in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He subsequently rewarded them with a Hall of Fame career.

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