25 Biggest NFL Draft Steals Since 2000

The 25 biggest NFL Draft steals since 2000. Who are the biggest NFL draft steals this century? NFL analysis and insight into biggest draft values since 2000.

25 Biggest NFL Draft Steals Since 2000

The NFL Draft is not always a streamlined process. While we all want each one of our favorite teams’ selections to become superstars, the fact is that most will not. Sometimes players who are expected to become stars do not pan out, and others who were expected to be role players become stars. There are many gems found in later rounds of the NFL Draft who make a huge impact for their teams. Let’s check out the top 25 NFL draft steals since 2000. These players are ranked based on their impact relative to their draft position and expectations coming into the league.

25. Stefon Diggs, WR, 2015 No. 146

Stefon Diggs may not be an all-time great player, but he has quietly been one of the best wide receivers in the league over the last decade. He made his mark with the Vikings and the Bills and helped turn Bills quarterback Josh Allen into an MVP candidate. Diggs is one of just 57 players all-time to record 10,000 receiving yards. That is impressive for a fifth-round selection.

24. Jamaal Charles, RB, 2008 No. 73

Jamaal Charles was an electric player during his career. Injuries hampered him throughout his career, but he gave the Chiefs several very strong years during his nine seasons with the team. He is still the most efficient running back of all time with a career average of 5.4 yards per carry.

23. Jason Witten, TE, 2003 No. 69

Jason Witten was one of the steadiest tight ends of his time. He entered the league with quarterback Tony Romo in Dallas, and the two formed a dynamic duo once Romo took over as the starter in 2006. Witten recorded four 1,000-yard seasons with Romo slinging the rock. He greatly outplayed his third-round draft capital.

22. Cooper Kupp, WR, 2017 No. 69

The 2021 triple crown winner and Super Bowl MVP was never considered to be a great wide receiver during the draft process. Kupp played at the lesser-known Eastern Washington University, which depressed his draft value. He has become one of the most reliable wide receivers in the NFL and will now continue his career with his hometown Seattle Seahawks after eight seasons with the Rams

20. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, 2021 No. 112

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a golden find for the Detroit Lions. He has been a huge part of the team’s turnaround over the last few seasons. St. Brown has become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He has recorded 4,851 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns in four seasons.

19. Brock Purdy, QB, 2022 No. 262

Mr. Irrelevant himself has turned into one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He began his rookie season as the No. 3 quarterback on the 49ers’ roster, but he took the league by storm when Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo went down due to injury. All Purdy did was guide the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game in 2022 and the Super Bowl the following year. He will be the team’s franchise quarterback for years to come.

18. Tony Romo, QB, 2003 Undrafted

Tony Romo was the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback for many years. Although he had trouble delivering in the playoffs, Romo was objectively one of the better quarterbacks of his time. Romo owns several Cowboys passing records and always put up big statistics during the regular season.

17. Dak Prescott, QB, 2016 No. 135

Another Dallas Cowboys quarterback makes this list as Dak Prescott was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Prescott is closing in on many of Tony Romo’s team passing records. He has suffered from the same issues as Romo in regards to postseason success, but there are not many quarterbacks in the league that teams should want over Prescott.

16. Lamar Jackson, QB, 2018 No. 32

In 2018, the Ravens traded back into Round 1 to snag Lamar Jackson. Jackson was drafted behind quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen. Not to mention all of the other skill players drafted in Round 1. While Mayfield and Darnold have rehabilitated their careers in recent seasons, Allen is the only player among that bunch who has a case for being drafted ahead of Jackson. 31 NFL teams got things wrong with this perennial MVP candidate.

15. Jalen Hurts, QB, 2020 No. 53

The reigning Super Bowl MVP was overlooked by many during the 2020 draft process. Hurts was not considered a top quarterback because his passing skills needed work. He has made everyone look silly by turning himself into an MVP candidate and outplaying most of his fellow 2020 quarterback draft classmates.

14. Steve Smith Sr., WR, 2001 No. 74

Steve Smith Sr. was an incredible do-it-all wide receiver for the Panthers and Ravens throughout his career. The hits Smith delivered in the blocking game were legendary, and he was a great receiver as well. He is currently No. 8 all-time in receiving yards with 14,731.

13. Russell Wilson, QB, 2012 No. 75

Russell Wilson is the last remaining relevant quarterback of a draft class that included Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Wilson quickly cemented himself as one of the league’s craftiest and savviest quarterbacks in the early 2010s. He immediately propelled the Seahawks to Super Bowl contention, and the team won a title in 2013.

12. Kam Chancellor, S, 2010 No. 133

Kam Chancellor earned the Seattle-based nickname “Kamtrak” for the bone-crushing hits he delivered as a strong safety. He formed one arm of the legendary “Legion of Boom” in Seattle during the 2010s. Chancellor was one of the best safeties of his generation and is in the argument as one of the top 10 or 15 safeties of all time.

11. Frank Gore, RB, 2005 No. 65

Frank Gore was selected in Round 3 of the 2005 NFL Draft, which featured three running back selections in the top five picks. Gore was an incredibly reliable player, and he is one of the few running backs from this century to feature near the top of the career rushing yards list. Gore’s 16,000 rushing yards are good for No. 3 all-time.

10. Drew Brees, QB, 2001 No. 32

Anytime you can find one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time outside of the first round, you have a steal on your hands. Drew Brees was selected by the then-San Diego Chargers at the top of Round 2 in 2001. Despite solid regular season success, injuries hampered him throughout his time in San Diego. However, Brees would go on to become an MVP and Super Bowl champion in New Orleans.

9. Jared Allen, DE, 2004 No. 126

Jared Allen was drafted by the Chiefs, but he made a big name for himself in Minnesota. Allen finished his career with 136 sacks, which is good for No. 12 all-time. Additionally, Allen is tied for first all-time with four career safeties. He was an absolute wrecking ball of a player, and his career included a stretch of seven straight double-digit sack seasons.

8. Robert Mathis, DE, 2003 No. 138

Robert Mathis formed a dynamic duo with fellow defensive end Dwight Freeny in Indianapolis for many years. Mathis racked up 123 sacks during his 14-year career, which places him at No. 20 all-time. Mathis was also a master at creating turnovers and is the NFL’s all-time leader in forced fumbles and strip sacks.

7. Antonio Brown, WR, 2010 No. 195

Antonio Brown enjoyed one of the best eight-year stretches for a wide receiver in NFL history. Brown elevated the Steelers’ offense from good to great throughout the 2010s. Sixth-round players do not often make a mark on the NFL, but Brown changed the way teams needed to defend him and dominated all types of coverage.

6. Richard Sherman, CB, 2012 No. 154

Richard Sherman was on an island as one of the best cornerbacks of the 2010s. He was known for his trash talk, but he backed it up with stellar play. He spent most of his career in Seattle, where he recorded two eight-interception seasons and made four of his five All-Pro teams.

5. Travis Kelce, TE, 2013 No. 63

Travis Kelce is the first of two Kelces to make this list. Kelce has gone on to challenge Antonio Gates as the best tight end of all time. Kelce owns the most receptions in NFL postseason history, regardless of position. He also owns several tight end-specific records, including the most 1,000-yard seasons. Kelce is not done yet and figures to continue adding to his accolades.

4. Antonio Gates, TE, 2003 Undrafted

Antonio Gates retired as arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game. The longtime Charger helped form one of the best offenses in the NFL with running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers. As a college basketball star, Gates did not garner huge draft buzz. All he did was go on to set the Chargers’ franchise record for receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards and catch the most touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history.

3. James Harrison, DE, 2002 Undrafted

James Harrison had an on-again-off-again relationship with the Steelers to begin his career. However, once he found his footing, he was a force to be reckoned with. We all know Harrison for his extraordinary pick-six during the Super Bowl, but he was much more than that play. His accolades include a DPOY award in 2008 and five Pro Bowl selections.

2. Jason Kelce, C, 2011 No. 191

Jason Kelce was a sixth-round steal by the Eagles back in head coach Andy Reid’s final couple of seasons with the team. Kelce would go on to become one of the greatest centers of all time. He anchored an Eagles’ offensive line that propelled the team to a Super Bowl title in 2017 and a Super Bowl appearance in 2022.

1. Tom Brady, QB, 2000 No. 199

This list would be remiss without Tom Brady. He is the poster child for draft steals, considering his infamous No. 199 draft position in Round 6. Brady now owns several quarterback records and seven Super Bowl rings. There is no doubt that he is the biggest draft steal of all time