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Who was every NFL team's biggest Draft steal. Who were the greatest picks in the NFL Draft.
Every NFL Team's Biggest Draft Steal of All Time - All 32 Franchises
With the NFL Draft just weeks away, let’s look back at the biggest steals in NFL Draft history. To determine these players, we will only look at players drafted in the fifth round or later.
Arizona Cardinals
Mark Smith, DT
The Cardinals selected Mark Smith out of Auburn in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Smith would spend the first four seasons of his NFL career in Arizona before moving to Cleveland. After tallying an impressive six sacks in his rookie campaign, Smith took a significant step forward in his second season, tallying a career-best nine sacks with 72 combined tackles.
Atlanta Falcons
Todd McClure, C
Todd McClure was one of the greatest drafts in franchise history. The Falcons selected McClure in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. The center would serve as the cornerstone of the offensive line for all 13 seasons of his NFL career. After his rookie season, he would only miss four total games during his final 12 seasons. He would later be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
Baltimore Ravens
Adalius Thomas, LB
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Adalius Thomas in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Thomas would spend seven of his 10 NFL seasons in Baltimore. As a Raven, he would be an impact player on their defense. He would tally 38.5 career sacks for the Ravens with 377 combined tackles. He would be named first-team All-Pro in 2006. Thomas would go on to win a Super Bowl for the New England Patriots.
Buffalo Bills
Kyle Williams, DT
Kyle Williams was a fifth-round selection and became a key part of the Buffalo defensive line for over a decade. Across his 13-year tenure in Buffalo, Williams would be named to six Pro Bowls. He would also be named second-team All-Pro during the 2010 campaign. He would finish his career with 48.5 sacks and 609 total tackles.
Carolina Panthers
Josh Norman, CB
Josh Norman developed into one of the league’s best defensive backs after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. While Norman’s “prime” was rather short, he was an elite defensive player and played a critical role in the team’s appearance in the Super Bowl. During the 2015 season, Norman was named first-team All-Pro and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Chicago Bears
Mark Bortz, G
The Bears selected Mark Bortz in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. With this pick, the Bears received a cornerstone on their offensive line. Bortz would spend all 12 of his NFL seasons in Chicago. He would be named to two Pro Bowls and win a Super Bowl. He would play all 16 games in five seasons and only log less than 12 in two.
Cincinnati Bengals
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR
The Bengals waited until the final rounds to select wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh out of Oregon State. In the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft, the Bengals would find a consistent wide receiver. Houshmandzadeh would tally over 900 yards in five of his eight seasons in Cincinnati. He would also lead the NFL in receptions in 2007.
Cleveland Browns
Andra Davis, LB
In the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, the Browns selected Andra Davis out of Florida. While Davis would not win many career accolades, he would serve as a key piece of the defense for nearly a decade. Davis would post three 100+ tackle seasons and log over 75 solo tackles in three individual campaigns.
Dallas Cowboys
Orlando Scandrick, CB
Orlando Scandrick was drafted with the 143rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft (Round 5). Scandrick would spend the first nine of his 11 NFL seasons in Dallas. He would log 406 combined tackles (362 solo)with 11.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Scandrick would also tally eight interceptions and 63 deflections.
Denver Broncos
Shannon Sharpe, TE
Shannon Sharpe is one of the few Hall of Fame players on this list. The Broncos selected Sharpe in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. During his 12-year career in Denver, Sharpe was a four-time first-team All-Pro. He was also named to eight Pro Bowls. Sharpe was a three-time Super Bowl champion during his career.
Detroit Lions
Stephen Boyd, LB
Stephen Boyd was drafted in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Boyd would spend his entire seven-year NFL career in Detroit. He would be named to two Pro Bowls (in consecutive seasons) in 1999 and 2000. During the 2000 campaign, Boyd would also be named second-team All-Pro. During that campaign, he tallied a career-best 140 combined tackles.
Green Bay Packers
Donald Driver, WR
Donald Driver is one of the greatest values on this list. The Packers selected Driver in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Driver would go on to spend a productive 14-year NFL career with the Packers. He would post seven 1,000-yard campaigns and score more than five touchdowns in four seasons. He would reach four Pro Bowls and win a Super Bowl.
Houston Texans
D.J. Reader, DT
Even though D.J. Reader only spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Houston, he was an excellent pick in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Reader would total 154 combined tackles in Houston with 6.4 sacks. Reader tallied 81 solo tackles and played in at least 14 games in three of the four campaigns.
Indianapolis Colts
Robert Mathis, DE
Robert Mathis spent his entire 13-year career with the Indianapolis Colts. As a Colt, Mathis would be named to five Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro during the 2013 campaign. During this season, he led the NFL with 19.5 sacks. He would also win a Super Bowl and would set a league record with 54 forced fumbles. He was drafted in the fifth round.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Scobee, K
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Josh Scobee went on to become the franchise’s leading scorer. Scobee would play in all 16 games in all but one season. He held a career 80.1% FG rate. During the 2007 season, he led the NFL with a stellar 92.3% conversion rate. He held a conversion of 85.0% or higher in four seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill, WR
The Chiefs drafted the “Cheetah” in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. While Hill would begin his career as a strict special-teams player, he eventually evolved into a top wide receiver. As a Chief, Hill would win one Super Bowl and tally 6,630 total yards. He would find the back of the end zone 62 times and be named first-team All-Pro three times (five times in his career).
Las Vegas Raiders
Bo Jackson, RB
Bo Jackson only spent four seasons in Oakland, but he enjoyed an incredible career. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1987 NFL Draft. Jackson posted a stellar 5.4 YPC and found the back of the end zone 18 times. Jackson totaled 2,782 rushing yards and led the NFL in the longest rush of the campaign three out of four years.
Los Angeles Chargers
Rodney Harrison, S
The Chargers selected Harrison in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. While he did spend his final six seasons in New England, he was very effective in San Diego. Harrison was named to two Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro. Across nine seasons, he tallied 760 combined tackles and added 21.5 sacks.
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams, RB
The Rams selected their franchise running back in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After operating in a reserve role as a rookie, Williams would emerge as a high-end running back during the 2023 season. He would score 15 total touchdowns and lead the NFL with 95.3 YPG. In 2024, Williams would score 16 total touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins
Doug Betters, DE
In the sixth round of the 1978 NFL Draft, the Dolphins selected Doug Betters out of Nevada. Betters would spend his entire 10-year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. He would win Defensive Player of the Year during the 1983 season. He would finish his career with 64.5 total sacks.
Minnesota Vikings
Stefon Diggs, WR
Stefon Diggs was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Maryland. Diggs would spend his first five seasons of his career in Minnesota. Even though he did not truly emerge as one of the league’s top wideouts during his time as a Viking, he was still very productive. He posted two 1,000-yard campaigns and caught the legendary Minneapolis Miracle.
New England Patriots
Tom Brady, QB
What hasn’t been said about Tom Brady? Brady was selected with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. After spending a year behind Drew Bledsoe, Brady emerged as the franchise QB in New England. He would lead the Patriots to six Super Bowls. He would win three MVPs and enjoyed a perfect 17-0 regular season during the 2007 season.
New Orleans Saints
Marques Colston, WR
Marques Colston was drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Colston would spend his entire 10-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. He tallied at least 1,000 yards in six seasons and caught at least 70 passes in seven seasons. He found the back of the end zone 72 times and won a Lombardi Trophy.
New York Giants
Dave Meggett, RB
Dave Meggett spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with Big Blue after being drafted in the fifth round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Meggett was a two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion in New York. He was also named second-team All-Pro during his second season in 1990. As a Giant, he ran for 1,684 yards and caught 2,194 yards.
New York Jets
Matt Slauson, OG
While the Jets have several undrafted players who became key contributors, they did not find many players in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Jets drafted Matt Slauson out of Nebraska. Slauson would become a full-time starter during their period of making two straight AFC Championships.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Kelce, C
One of the greatest players on this list is Jason Kelce. The Eagles found their franchise cornerstone in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Kelce would spend his entire 13-year NFL career playing in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, Kelce would win a Super Bowl, be named to seven Pro Bowls, and be a six-time first-team All-Pro.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown, WR
In the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Antonio Brown out of Central Michigan. Brown would lead the NFL in receiving yards and receptions twice as a Steeler. Brown would win a Lombardi Trophy and be named to four-straight first-team All-Pro rosters. He was also a seven-time Pro Bowl and was named to the All-2010s Hall of Fame roster.
San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle, TE
The 49ers found their franchise tight end in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kittle would spend all eight seasons of his NFL career (up to date) with the 49ers. He has been named first-team All-Pro twice and second-team All-Pro three times. Kittle was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team six times as well. Kittle has posted four 1,000-yard campaigns and counting.
Seattle Seahawks
Richard Sherman, CB
With the 154th pick of the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected the cornerstone of the “Legion of Boom.” Sherman would spend the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Seattle. In Seattle, Sherman was named first-team All-Pro in three straight campaigns (2012-2014). He also made two straight Super Bowls and won one Lombardi Trophy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steve Wilson, C
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Steve Wilson in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. Wilson would be a 10-year starter on the offensive line, seeing time at both center and guard. While he would never earn any career accolades, Wilson would be a foundational piece in the offense for a decade.
Tennessee Titans
Cortland Finnegan, CB
Cortland Finnegan spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Samford. Finnegan would be an everyday starter in the secondary during his entire time in Tennessee. Finnegan would be named first-team All-Pro during the 2008 campaign. In this season, he would deflect 17 passes and tally 69 tackles.
Washington Commanders
Brian Mitchell, RB
Washington drafted Brian Mitchell with the 130th overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. Mitchell would spend the first 10 seasons of his NFL career in Washington. He would win a Super Bowl and be named first-team All-Pro during the 1995 campaign. Mitchell would also be named to one Pro Bowl and two second-team All-Pro rosters.
