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USA Today

While free agency has played a significant role in the success (or failure) of NFL franchises since its inception in the early 1990s, the NFL Draft continues to play a large role in helping determine which team hoists the Lombardi Trophy on a yearly basis. Simply put, teams that consistently draft quality players have generally been in position to win one or multiple championships. Conversely, teams that struggle to select the right prospects perennially find themselves with one of the top picks in the draft.

With the 2023 NFL Draft just around the corner, we decided to take a look back at each team's best draft since 2000. Older draft classes clearly have an advantage, but potential already shown in some recent draft classes did result in some from the last few years cracking this list.

Without further ado, let's get started.

Arizona Cardinals: 2004

RdOvPlayerPos
1 3 Larry Fitzgerald WR
2 33 Karlos Dansby LB
3 64 Darnell Dockett DT
4 100 Alex Stepanovich C
5 135 Antonio Smith DE
6 167 Nick Leckey C
7 202 John Navarre QB

The Cardinals' 2004 draft class starts with Larry Fitzgerald, a future Hall of Fame receiver who was the team's best player during their 2008 Super Bowl run. With their second- and third-round picks, the Cardinals picked two other players who would play prominent roles on their '08 NFC title team: linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett. In the fifth round, Arizona selected defensive end Antonio Smith, who received 39 starts in five years in Arizona before earning his first Pro Bowl selection after joining the Texans.

Atlanta Falcons: 2008

RdOvPlayerPos
1 3 Matt Ryan QB
1 21 Sam Baker T
2 37 Curtis Lofton LB
3 68 Chevis Jackson DB
3 84 Harry Douglas WR
3 98 Thomas DeCoud DB
5 138 Robert James LB
5 154 Kroy Biermann LB
6 172 Thomas Brown RB
7 212 Wilrey Fontenot DB
7 232 Keith Zinger TE

Atlanta's best draft class came down to the two drafts that saw it select Matt Ryan (2008) and Michael Vick (2001) with its first-round pick. While Vick helped the Falcons win a pair of playoff games that included a trip to the NFC title game in 2004, Ryan led the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2016. Ryan, who is eighth all time in career passing yards and ninth in touchdown passes, spent 14 seasons in Atlanta, while Vick spent just five seasons as the Falcons' starting quarterback.

Atlanta's 2008 draft also produced Pro Bowl defensive back Thomas DeCloud (third round) and NFL starters in tackle Sam Baker (first round), linebacker Curtis Lofton (second round) and receiver Harry Douglas (third round).

Baltimore Ravens: 2018

RdOvPlayerPos
1 25 Hayden Hurst TE
1 32 Lamar Jackson QB
3 83 Orlando Brown Jr. T
3 86 Mark Andrews TE
4 118 Anthony Averett CB
4 122 Kenny Young LB
4 132 Jaleel Scott WR
5 162 Jordan Lasley WR
6 190 DeShon Elliott S
6 212 Greg Senat T
6 215 Bradley Bozeman C
7 238 Zach Sieler DE

While Baltimore's 2008 draft class produced two players (Joe Flacco and Ray Rice) who played a prominent role in the team's 2012 championship run, the Ravens' 2018 class has the potential to be even better. The '18 draft class includes former league MVP Lamar Jackson, four-time Pro Bowl right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (who was traded to Kansas City in 2021) and tight end Mark Andrews, an All-Pro in 2021 after catching 107 passes for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns. Anthony Averett enjoyed a breakout season in 2021 that included three interceptions. 

Baltimore's '18 draft class also includes offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman, who made 60 starts in his first five years, plus another key contributor in linebacker Kenny Young, who was part of the trade that landed the team corner Marcus Peters. Tight end Hayden Hurst parlayed a solid 2022 season with the Bengals by signing a nice multiyear deal with the Falcons. 

Buffalo Bills: 2001

RdOvPlayerPos
1 21 Nate Clements DB
2 46 Aaron Schobel DE
2 58 Travis Henry RB
3 76 Ron Edwards DT
3 95 Jonas Jennings T
4 110 Brandon Spoon LB
5 144 Marques Sullivan G
6 178 Tony Driver DB
6 195 Dan O'Leary TE
6 196 Jimmy Williams DB
7 214 Reggie Germany WR
7 238 Tyrone Robertson DT

A Pro Bowler in 2004, Nate Clements started in 168 regular-season games during his career. Aaron Schobel carved out a nine-year career that saw him earn two Pro Bowl nods while tallying 78 sacks. Travis Henry, a Pro Bowler in 2004, rushed for 2,794 yards and 23 touchdowns over a two-year span. Ron Edwards made 98 career starts over a 12-year career, while Jonas Jennings started in each of his 75 career games before injuries forced him to retire following the 2008 season. Marques Sullivan and Jimmy Williams also made quality contributions as Day 3 picks, though the latter's came with other teams after he failed to make the Bills' opening roster as a rookie.

A big "what if" from the Bills' 2001 draft class is linebacker Brandon Spoon, a fourth-round pick who recorded 65 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two interception returns for touchdowns as a rookie. Spoon's career essentially ended the following summer, when he tore his biceps before the start of the 2002 season. Spoon spent that season on injured reserve before being cut by the Bills before the start of the 2003 season. He signed with the Rams the following offseason but suffered a torn hamstring during training camp.

Carolina Panthers: 2005

RdOvPlayerPos
1 14 Thomas Davis LB
2 54 Eric Shelton RB
3 79 Evan Mathis G
3 89 Atiyyah Ellison DT
4 121 Stefan Lefors QB
5 149 Adam Seward LB
5 169 Geoff Hangartner C
5 171 Ben Emanuel DB
6 189 Jovan Haye DE
6 207 Joe Berger T

Carolina's 2012 class produced two of the team's best players during its 2015 Super Bowl run (Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman), but the Panthers' 2005 class is significantly deeper, with five draft picks from that class going on to have considerably long and successful careers. Headlining that draft class is linebacker Thomas Davis, who earned All-Pro honors during the Panthers' memorable 2015 season. Guard Evan Mathis, a third-round pick, enjoyed a 12-year career that saw him earn two Pro Bowls selections as well as an All-Pro nod in 2013.

While three of the Panthers' top five picks turned out to be busts, they made up for it by selecting three productive players during the fifth and sixth rounds. Center Geoff Hangartner made 85 starts over a nine-year career. Defensive end Jovan Haye made 45 starts over a three-year span, while offensive lineman Joe Berger, the Panthers' final pick in the '05 draft, enjoyed a 13-year career that saw him make 46 starts during his final three seasons.

Chicago Bears: 2000

RdOvPlayerPos
1 9 Brian Urlacher LB
2 39 Mike Brown DB
3 69 Dez White WR
3 87 Dustin Lyman TE
4 125 Reggie Austin DB
6 170 Frank Murphy WR
6 174 Paul Edinger K
7 223 James Cotton LB
7 254 Michael Green DB

You could make an argument for the depth of the 2003 class winning out, as the Bears were able to find solid contributors on Day 3 to go with their Day 2 picks of Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs. The issue is their two first-round picks were spent on Michael Haynes, who only lasted about 2 1/2 years without making much of an impact, and Rex Grossman, who only spent one year as the primary starter (albeit it one that involved a Super Bowl run).

But in 2000, the Bears made their first two picks count, starting with Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher at No. 9 overall. The four-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler ranks in the top 10 all time of solo tackles in a career to go along with plenty of other accolades. Second-round pick Mike Brown was a first-team All-Pro in his second season, and while he never reached those heights again, he enjoyed a long, productive career that also included a Pro Bowl bid. And the 2000 class had some supporting contributors as well, with Dez White racking up 155 catches in four years with the Bears after being taken in the third round, seventh-rounder Michael Green making 45 starts while playing 81 games in his six years in Chicago, and kicker Paul Edinger putting together a couple solid seasons before the sixth-rounder played his way out of town.

Cincinnati Bengals: 2020

RdOvPlayerPos
1 1Joe BurrowQB
2 32Tee Higgins WR
3 65Logan WilsonLB
4 107Akeem Davis-GaitherLB
5 147Khalid KareemDE
6 180Hakeem AdenijiT
7 215Markus BaileyLB

Cincinnati's '20 class edges out its '21 class that featured Ja'Marr Chase and Evan McPherson. Burrow led the Bengals' run to the Super Bowl in 2021 and backed that up with his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022.  He has enjoyed a successful partnership with Higgins, who has gone over 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons. Wilson enjoyed a breakout 2021 campaign that included his late-game interception against Ryan Tannehill in the second round of the playoffs that set up the Bengals' game-winning field goal. 

Before 2020, the Bengals' 2001 class was the franchise's best during this century. That draft produced one of the league's best receiving duos during the 2000s in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The duo would combine to catch 1,393 catches for 18,296 yards and 111 touchdowns over their careers while helping the Bengals win an AFC North division title in 2005.

The '01 draft also produced Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson and defensive end Justin Smith, who earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections as well as an All-Pro nod during his time with the 49ers following seven solid years in Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns: 2018

RdOvPlayerPos
1 1 Baker Mayfield QB
1 4 Denzel Ward CB
2 33 Austin Corbett C
2 35 Nick Chubb RB
3 67 Chad Thomas DE
4 105 Antonio Callaway WR
5 150 Genard Avery LB
6 175 Damion Ratley WR
6 188 Simeon Thomas CB

While his time with the franchise didn't end on a high note, Baker Mayfield certainly left his mark in Cleveland. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 while helping the Browns post their best record in four years. Two years later, Mayfield helped lead Cleveland to its greatest win (a wild-card win in Pittsburgh) since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999. 

Denzel Ward has emerged as a two-time Pro Bowler, while Nick Chubb heads into the 2023 season as one of the league's top running backs. Only Derrick Henry has more rushing yards than Chubb since the start of the 2018 season. 

Along with Mayfield, Ward and Chubb, the Browns also picked a few other solid contributors such as Austin Corbett, Chad Thomas and Genard Avery.

Dallas Cowboys: 2016

RdOvPlayerPos
1 4 Ezekiel Elliott RB
2 34 Jaylon Smith OLB
3 67 Maliek Collins DT
4 101 Charles Tapper DE
4 135 Dak Prescott QB
6 189 Anthony Brown CB
6 212 Kavon Frazier S
6 216 Darius Jackson RB
6 217 Rico Gathers TE

Ezekiel Elliott, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing champion, and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott headline the Cowboys' 2016 draft class. But the class also includes linebacker Jaylon Smith, who blossomed into a Pro Bowl player despite having to sit out his entire rookie season after suffering a major knee injury during the final game of his college career.

The Cowboys' 2016 draft class also includes defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who signed with the Raiders after four solid seasons in Dallas, and cornerback Anthony Brown, who earned a contract extension after starting 34 games in his first four years.

Denver Broncos: 2006

RdOvPlayerPos
1 11 Jay Cutler QB
2 61 Tony Scheffler TE
4 119 Brandon Marshall WR
4 126 Elvis Dumervil DE
4 130 Domenik Hixon WR
5 161 Chris Kuper G
6 198 Greg Eslinger C

While he never led the Broncos to the promised land, first-round pick Jay Cutler earned his first (and only) Pro Bowl selection in Denver before spending eight seasons as the Bears' franchise quarterback, helping lead them to an NFC Championship game appearance in 2010.

While second-round pick Tony Scheffler enjoyed a solid eight-year NFL career, what really sets this Broncos' draft apart from the others is their fourth-round selections of six-time Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall and five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Elvis Dumervil. The Broncos also got significant value out of guard Chris Kuper, a fifth-round pick who made 79 starts in eight seasons in Denver.

Detroit Lions: 2013

RdOvPlayerPos
1 5 Ezekiel Ansah DE
2 36 Darius Slay DB
3 65 Larry Warford G
4 132 Devin Taylor DE
5 165 Sam Martin P
6 171 Corey Fuller WR
6 199 Theo Riddick RB
7 211 Michael Williams TE
7 245 Brandon Hepburn LB

The Lions successfully hit on each of their first three picks in 2013, when they acquired 2015 Pro Bowl defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Darius Slay and three-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford. Detroit also found late-round value in punter Sam Martin and running back Theo Riddick. Each of these players played significant roles in the Lions' playoff seasons in 2014 and in 2016.

Green Bay Packers: 2008

RdOvPlayerPos
2 36 Jordy Nelson WR
2 56 Brian Brohm QB
2 60 Pat Lee DB
3 91 Jermichael Finley TE
4 102 Jeremy Thompson DE
4 135 Josh Sitton T
5 150 Breno Giacomini T
7 209 Matt Flynn QB
7 217 Brett Swain WR

Devoid of a first-round pick in 2008, the Packers made up for it by using a second-round pick on Jordy Nelson, who is in the top five in franchise history in career catches, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. His nine-catch, 140-yard, one-touchdown performance helped the Packers defeat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

While tight end Jermichael Finley enjoyed a solid six-year run with the Packers, what truly sets Green Bay's 2008 draft apart from the rest are the selections of offensive linemen Josh Sitton and Breno Giacomini in the fourth and fifth rounds. Sitton was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during his eight seasons in Green Bay, while Giacomini made 86 career starts and was a starter on Seattle's 2013 championship team. Matt Flynn once threw six touchdowns in one game before signing a three-year deal with the Seahawks, which is not bad for a seventh-round pick.

Houston Texans: 2006

RdOvPlayerPos
1 1 Mario Williams DE
2 33 DeMeco Ryans LB
3 65 Charles Spencer G
3 66 Eric Winston T
4 98 Owen Daniels TE
6 170 Wali Lundy RB
7 251 David Anderson WR

No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams enjoyed a fruitful 11-year career that saw him earn four Pro Bowl selections while registering 97.5 career sacks. Second-round pick DeMeco Ryans was named to two Pro Bowls while recording nearly 970 career tackles and making 139 starts over his 10-year career.

Houston also got significant value out of offensive tackle Eric Winston and tight end Owen Daniels in the middle rounds. Winston started in each of his team's regular-season games for seven straight years, while Daniels earned two Pro Bowl selections with the Texans before helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 during his final NFL season.

Indianapolis Colts: 2018

RdOvPlayerPos
1 6 Quenton Nelson G
2 36 Darius Leonard LB
2 37 Braden Smith G
2 52 Kemoko Turay OLB
2 64 Tyquan Lewis DE
4 104 Nyheim Hines RB
5 159 Daurice Fountain WR
5 169 Jordan Wilkins RB
6 185 Deon Cain WR
7 221 Matthew Adams LB
7 235 Zaire Franklin LB

Guard Quenton Nelson, the team's first-round pick in the '18 draft, was a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler in each of his first five seasons. Indianapolis also struck gold with its second-round pick, linebacker Darius Leonard, who already has three All-Pros nods under his belt.

Guard Braden Smith has turned into a quality starter, while running backs Nyheim Hines (fourth round) and Jordan Wilkins (fifth round) put up decent numbers during their initial seasons in Indianapolis. Second-rounders Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis made some solid contributions, while seventh-rounder Matthew Adams served as a key special-teams contributor during his time with the Colts. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2016

RdOvPlayerPos
1 5 Jalen Ramsey CB
2 36 Myles Jack OLB
3 69 Yannick Ngakoue DE
4 103 Sheldon Day DT
6 181 Tyrone Holmes OLB
6 201 Brandon Allen QB
7 226 Jonathan Woodard DE

This Jaguars' draft class was chosen ahead of the team's 2019 draft class (that includes pass rusher Josh Allen and the '21 draft that brought Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne to Jacksonville. While it's a top-heavy group, the Jaguars' 2016 draft class includes six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey (first round), linebacker Myles Jack (second round) and 2017 Pro Bowl defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. While each player is currently with a different team, they all played a significant role in the Jaguars' run to an AFC Championship Game in 2017.

Kansas City Chiefs: 2017

RdOvPlayerPos
1 10 Patrick Mahomes QB
2 59 Tanoh Kpassagnon DE
3 86 Kareem Hunt RB
4 139 Jehu Chesson WR
5 183 Ukeme Eligwe LB
6 218 Leon McQuay S

The reasoning behind making this Chiefs' draft class the best is pretty simple: Patrick Mahomes. While this was the draft that saw Kansas City land a future two-time league and Super Bowl MVP, Kansas City also drafted running back Kareem Hunt, who led the league in rushing as a rookie before continuing his career with the Browns in 2019. Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon started 23 games in Kansas City before continuing his career with the Saints. 

Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders: 2014

RdOvPlayerPos
1 5 Khalil Mack LB
2 36 Derek Carr QB
3 81 Gabe Jackson G
4 107 Justin Ellis DT
4 116 Keith McGill DB
7 219 T.J. Carrie DB
7 235 Shelby Harris DE
7 247 Jonathan Dowling DB

The Raiders landed a future NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Khalil Mack) as well as their franchise quarterback (Derek Carr) with their first two picks, and the pair has been to 11 combined Pro Bowls in nine seasons. The Raiders' third-round pick that year, Gabe Jackson, started at both guard positions during his first six seasons with the Silver and Black. Day 3 defensive tackle Justin Ellis has 54 starts in 117 career games, while a pair of seventh-rounders in this class went on to become solid contributors as well. Defensive back T.J. Carrie has 54 career starts under his belt, while defensive end Shelby Harris is still going strong after recording six sacks for the Broncos in 2021. 

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers: 2001

RdOvPlayerPos
1 5 LaDainian Tomlinson RB
2 32 Drew Brees QB
3 67 Tay Cody DB
4 112 Carlos Polk LB
5 132 Elliot Silvers T
5 139 Zeke Moreno LB
7 201 Brandon Gorin T
7 244 Robert Carswell DB

While this certainly wasn't their deepest draft, you can't do much better than a class that includes the selections of a Hall of Fame running back in LaDainian Tomlinson and a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees.

The 2006 NFL MVP, Tomlinson retired as the league's fifth all-time career rushing leader. Brees, who led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in 2009, is No. 2 all time in career passing yards and touchdown passes. Of the rest of the class, Brandon Gorin had a solid run for a seventh-round pick, making 27 starts for three different teams following his exit from San Diego.

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams: 2005

RdOvPlayerPos
1 19 Alex Barron T
2 50 Ron Bartell DB
3 66 O.J. Atogwe DB
3 81 Richie Incognito G
4 117 Jerome Carter DB
4 134 Claude Terrell G
5 144 Jerome Collins TE
6 192 Dante Ridgeway WR
6 210 Reggie Hodges P
7 250 Ryan Fitzpatrick QB
7 251 Madison Hedgecock FB

You could certainly argue for the 2014 class based on three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald alone, but taking offensive tackle Greg Robinson with the No. 2 overall pick and watching him bust is a significant ding to the class overall. Rams fans could also make a case for the team's 2020 draft class that produced running back Cam Akers (first round), receiver Van Jefferson (second round) and safety Jordan Fuller (sixth round). 

This 2005 class doesn't have an Aaron Donald type of player, but it features a lot of depth up and down the board. The top four picks all started at least 75 games, with guard Richie Incognito being the best of the bunch with four Pro Bowls and 164 starts. Then you come to the seventh round, where the Rams took a quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick who has made 147 starts with nine different teams during a winding NFL career. 

Miami Dolphins: 2018

RdOvPlayerPos
1 11Minkah FitzpatrickS
2 42 Mike Gesicki TE
3 73Jerome Baker LB
4123Durham Smythe TE
4 131Kalen Ballage RB
6209Cornell ArmstrongCB
7 227Quentin PolingLB
7229Jason Sanders K

Minkah Fitzpatrick has blossomed into an All-Pro-level player since being traded from Miami to Pittsburgh early in his second season (Miami received a 2019 first-round pick they used to draft offensive tackle Austin Jackson in the 2020 draft). Mike Gesicki has been a productive pass-catcher over the past four seasons, with over 200 receptions and 18 touchdowns over that span. Jerome Baker, who signed a multiyear extension in 2021, has quickly become one of the NFL's most versatile linebackers. Jason Sanders, the team's final pick in the '18 draft, was tabbed as an All-Pro in 2020 after making over 92% of his field goal attempts. 

This class beat out the Dolphins' 2012 class that featured quarterback Ryan Tannehill (first round), linebacker Olivier Vernon (third round) and running back Lamar Miller. 

Minnesota Vikings: 2007

RdOvPlayerPos
1 7 Adrian Peterson RB
2 44 Sidney Rice WR
3 72 Marcus McCauley DB
4 102 Brian Robison DE
5 146 Aundrae Allison WR
6 176 Rufus Alexander LB
7 217 Tyler Thigpen QB
7 233 Chandler Williams WR

Adrian Peterson, the team's first-round pick in the '07 draft, won league MVP honors in 2012 and is currently fifth all time on the NFL's career rushing list. Second-round pick Sidney Rice earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009, catching 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns that season while helping the Vikings advance to the NFC Championship game. Defensive end Brian Robison recorded 60 sacks over his 11-year career with the Vikings. And while he spent more of his career as a backup, quarterback Tyler Thigpen managed to carve out an eight-year career, a considerably impressive feat for a seventh-round pick.

New England Patriots: 2010

RdOvPlayerPos
1 27 Devin McCourty DB
2 42 Rob Gronkowski TE
2 53 Jermaine Cunningham LB
2 62 Brandon Spikes LB
3 90 Taylor Price WR
4 113 Aaron Hernandez TE
5 150 Zoltan Mesko P
6 205 Ted Larsen C
7 208 Thomas Welch T
7 247 Brandon Deaderick DE
7 248 Kade Weston DT
7 250 Zac Robinson QB

If you want to give this to the 2000 class for Tom Brady alone, that's fair. But we're highlighting the much better depth in the 2010 class. Devin McCourty started 205 games for the Patriots while helping New England win three Super Bowls and five AFC titles since being taken in the first round. Rob Gronkowski, who played a significant role in the Patriots' second wave of Super Bowl wins, is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez had a productive three seasons before his career ended prematurely.

Second-round linebacker Brandon Spikes made 54 starts during his six-year career. And while he never played a down for the Patriots, offensive lineman Ted Larsen (sixth round) made 88 starts in 137 career regular-season games. 

New Orleans Saints: 2006

RdOvPlayerPos
1 2 Reggie Bush RB
2 43 Roman Harper DB
4 108 Jahri Evans T
5 135 Rob Ninkovich DE
6 171 Mike Hass WR
6 174 Josh Lay DB
7 210 Zach Strief G
7 252 Marques Colston WR

Sean Payton's first draft in New Orleans was his best. While he may not have lived up to his pre-draft hype, running back Reggie Bush was a versatile, highly productive player and a key piece to the Saints' 2009 championship team. Safety Roman Harper was a two-time Pro Bowler during his 11 seasons with the Saints, while guard Jahri Evans earned four straight All-Pro and six Pro Bowl selections from 2009-14. Fifth-round pick Rob Ninkovich won two Super Bowls as a starting defender for the Patriots.

The Saints struck gold in the seventh round with the selections of guard Zach Strief and receiver Marques Colston. Strief spent half of his 12-year career with the Saints as a starter, while Colston retired after the 2015 season as the Saints' all-time leader in catches (711), yards (9,759) and touchdowns (72).

New York Giants: 2004

RdOvPlayerPos
1 4 Philip Rivers* QB
2 34 Chris Snee G
4 97 Reggie Torbor LB
5 136 Gibril Wilson DB
6 168 Jamaar Taylor WR
7 203 Drew Strojny T
7 235 Derrick Ward RB
7 253 Isaac Hilton DE

The Giants spent the No. 1 overall pick on longtime star quarterback Philip Rivers, only to trade him to the Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning, who went on to set just about every Giants passing record while also leading Big Blue to two Super Bowl wins over Bill Belichick's Patriots.

New York spent its second-round pick on guard Chris Snee, who enjoyed a 10-year career with the Giants that included four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod in 2008. Defensive back Gibril Wilson played a significant role on the Giants' 2007 championship team, recording 92 tackles and four interceptions during the regular season. Running back Derrick Ward rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards in 2008 while averaging a league-best 5.6 yards per carry, a banner season for a former seventh-round pick.

New York Jets: 2000

RdOvPlayerPos
1 12 Shaun Ellis DE
1 13 John Abraham DE
1 18 Chad Pennington QB
1 27 Anthony Becht TE
3 78 Laveranues Coles WR
5 143 Windrell Hayes WR
6 179 Tony Scott DB
7 218 Richard Seals DT

The Jets' first draft of the new millennium remains their best. That spring, the Jets spent their first two first-round picks on defensive ends Shaun Ellis and John Abraham, who combined to record 207 sacks while earning seven Pro Bowl nods during their careers. The duo helped the Jets make the playoffs four times in a six-year span from 2001-06.

With the 18th overall pick, the Jets selected quarterback Chad Pennington, who helped lead New York to the playoffs on three different occasions. Pennington, a two-time Comeback Player of the Year Award recipient, led the Dolphins to their most recent AFC East division title in 2008. Pennington's favorite target in New York was 2000 third-round pick Laveranues Coles, who is top five in franchise history in career catches, yards and touchdowns.

Philadelphia Eagles: 2012

RdOvPlayerPos
1 12 Fletcher Cox DT
2 46 Mychal Kendricks LB
2 59 Vinny Curry DE
3 88 Nick Foles QB
4 123 Brandon Boykin DB
5 153 Dennis Kelly T
6 194 Marvin McNutt WR
6 200 Brandon Washington G
7 229 Bryce Brown RB

While the Eagles' 2009 draft (headlined by LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin) deserves consideration, Philadelphia's 2012 draft was a little deeper. It also played a significant role in the franchise winning its first Super Bowl title in 2017. The Eagles' first pick that spring was defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, a six-time Pro Bowler and 2018 All-Pro. Second-round pick Mychal Kendricks was a starter on the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning defense before joining the Seahawks during the 2018 offseason.

Philadelphia's third-round pick, quarterback Nick Foles, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2013 while throwing 27 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Four years later, he earned Super Bowl MVP honors after throwing three touchdowns in the Eagles' 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Dennis Kelly has also proven to be a solid contributor for a fifth-round pick, making 54 starts while appearing in 130 games for the Eagles, Titans and Packers. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2010

RdOvPlayerPos
1 18 Maurkice Pouncey C
2 52 Jason Worilds DE
3 82 Emmanuel Sanders WR
4 116 Thaddeus Gibson DE
5 151 Chris Scott G
5 164 Crezdon Butler DB
5 166 Stevenson Sylvester LB
6 188 Jonathan Dwyer RB
6 195 Antonio Brown WR
7 242 Doug Worthington DT

Pittsburgh's 2010 draft produced two potential Hall of Fame talents, a two-time Pro Bowler and a solid defender. Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers' first-round pick that spring, is a nine-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team. Seventh-round pick Antonio Brown, a fellow member of the 2010 All-Decade Team, led all NFL receivers in receptions, yards and touchdowns from 2013-18.

Third-round pick Emmanuel Sanders blossomed into a Pro Bowl-level player for the Broncos, while second-round pick Jason Worilds recorded 25.5 sacks in five seasons before calling it quits after the 2014 season.

San Francisco 49ers: 2007

RdOvPlayerPos
1 11 Patrick Willis LB
1 28 Joe Staley T
3 76 Jason Hill WR
3 97 Ray McDonald DE
4 104 Jay Moore DE
4 126 Dashon Goldson DB
4 135 Joe Cohen DT
5 147 Tarell Brown DB
6 186 Thomas Clayton RB

First-round pick Patrick Willis was named to the Pro Bowl in seven of his eight NFL seasons. He was the best player on a 49ers defense that helped San Francisco advance to three straight NFC title games from 2011-13. The team's second first-round pick, tackle Joe Staley, is a six-time Pro Bowler who started in each of his 181 career regular-season games.

Defensive end Ray McDonald was a starter for five of his eight seasons with the 49ers, while defensive back Dashon Goldson earned consecutive Pro Bowl berths that included an All-Pro selection in 2012. Fellow defensive back Tarell Brown, a fifth-round selection, made 63 starts in 117 career regular-season games. Willis, Golden and Brown combined to rack up 35 interceptions in their careers.

This class was challenged by the 49ers' 2019 draft class that produced pass rusher Nick Bosa (first round), receiver Deebo Samuel (second round) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (fifth round). 

Seattle Seahawks: 2010

RdOvPlayerPos
1 6 Russell Okung T
1 14 Earl Thomas DB
2 60 Golden Tate WR
4 111 Walter Thurmond DB
4 127 E.J. Wilson DE
5 133 Kam Chancellor DB
6 185 Anthony McCoy TE
7 236 Dexter Davis LB
7 245 Jameson Konz TE

While the Seahawks' 2012 class includes two of the best Day 2 picks of the last 20 years in quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner, Seattle's 2010 draft class produced four Pro Bowl players and two crucial members of the team's "Legion of Boom" secondary. Seattle used their second first-round pick on safety Earl Thomas, who would become a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Fellow defensive back Kam Chancellor, a fifth-round pick, would earn four Pro Bowl selections during his eight-year career. The two played a key role in the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII title and consecutive NFC championships.

Tackle Russell Okung, the No. 6 overall pick in that draft, made two Pro Bowls while being an eight-year starter on Seattle's offensive line. Golden Tate helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl before earning his first Pro Bowl selection during his first season with the Lions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2015

RdOvPlayerPos
1 1 Jameis Winston QB
2 34 Donovan Smith T
2 61 Ali Marpet C
4 124 Kwon Alexander OLB
5 162 Kenny Bell WR
6 184 Kaelin Clay WR
7 231 Joey Iosefa FB

The Buccaneers' drafts from 2018-20 included several players who would contribute to Tampa Bay's Super Bowl LV title. That being said, the Buccaneers' best draft this century remains their 2015 draft, when they selected quarterback Jameis Winston, tackle Donovan Smith, center Ali Marpet and outside linebacker Kwon Alexander with their first four picks.

Winston, who is preparing for his fourth season with the Saints, led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards in 2019. Smith has missed just two starts during his first seven seasons. Marpet called it a career after being selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2021. Currently a free agent, Alexander was selected to his first Pro Bowl back in 2017. 

Tennessee Titans: 2016

RdOvPlayerPos
1 8 Jack Conklin T
2 33 Kevin Dodd DE
2 43 Austin Johnson NT
2 45 Derrick Henry RB
3 64 Kevin Byard S
5 140 Tajae Sharpe WR
5 157 LeShaun Sims CB
6 193 Sebastian Tretola G
7 222 Aaron Wallace OLB
7 253 Kalan Reed CB

While second-round pick Derrick Henry is the crown jewel, the Titans had four other players from this draft become starters during the first four years of their careers. Right tackle Jack Conklin, an All-Pro in 2016, has continued to have success with the Browns. Nose tackle Austin Johnson recently signed with the Chargers last year after enjoying his best season in 2021 as a member of the Giants. Safety Kevin Byard earned All-Pro honors in 2017 after leading the NFL with eight interceptions. He earned a second All-Pro nod in 2021 after tallying five picks, 13 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. 

We'd be remiss not to take a second to further acknowledge Henry, who rushed for 2,170 yards (including the postseason) while leading the Titans to the AFC Championship game in 2019. Henry again led the NFL in rushing in 2020 while becoming the eighth 2,000-yard back in league annals. 

Washington Commanders: 2012

RdOvPlayerPos
1 2 Robert Griffin III QB
3 71 Josh LeRibeus G
4 102 Kirk Cousins QB
4 119 Keenan Robinson LB
5 141 Adam Gettis G
6 173 Alfred Morris RB
6 193 Tom Compton T
7 213 Richard Crawford DB
7 217 Jordan Bernstine DB

This draft class produced two future Pro Bowl quarterbacks (first-round pick Robert Griffin III and fourth-round pick Kirk Cousins), the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year (Griffin), a two-time Pro Bowl running back (fifth-round pick Alfred Morris) and a starting offensive lineman (sixth-round pick Tom Compton). The duo of Griffin and Morris helped the franchise capture a division title in 2012, while Cousins, a Pro Bowler for Washington in 2016, was named to his second Pro Bowl in 2019 before winning his first playoff game as a starting quarterback.