25. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back (2018)
It would be easy to go with somebody like Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley or even Josh Allen, but elite-level defensive backs are difficult to sustain. It only took two seasons for Fitzpatrick, the 11th overall pick, to earn All-Pro honors. The versatile safety tied for Pittsburgh’s team lead with five interceptions and looks to have the staying power some of those offensive stars from his class might not.
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24. Josh Jacobs, Running Back (2019)
We’re only a season into this group, but Jacobs certainly lived up to the billing that preceded him after the Raiders took him with the 24th overall pick. Despite missing three games in 2019, Jacobs ranked eighth in the NFL with 1,150 rushing yards and 11th holding a 4.75 yard per carry average.
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23. Todd Gurley, Running Back (2015)
Though some will state the case that Gurley is slowing down — or he’s his own worst enemy who likely needs a change of scenery from the Los Angeles Rams — one has to believe there’s more left in the tank. The two-time All-Pro and 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has rushed for 5,404 yards and 58 touchdowns over five seasons, and has 218 receptions.
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22. DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver (2013)
Le’Veon Bell has a case to be at the top of the 2013 class, but Hopkins is arguably the best receiver in football at the moment — and he still has yet to reach his peak. Since 2013, Houston’s Hopkins ranks second in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (54) and third in both receptions (632) – 219 in last two seasons – and receiving yards (8,602).
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21. LeSean McCoy, Running Back (2009)
While the Detroit Lions got a franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford, it hasn’t translated to a whole lot of winning for the Lions franchidr. McCoy, meanwhile, has rushed for 11,071 yards, caught 503 passes and totaled 89 touchdowns with Philadelphia, Buffalo and Kansas City. Although their playoff resumes are comparable, McCoy wins out due to the value he’s generated as a second-round selection.
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20. Torry Holt, Wide Receiver (1999)
This draft was well known for Mike Ditka mortgaging the New Orleans Saints’ future to take Ricky Williams with the No. 5 pick. There was some other special talent in the class (Champ Bailey, Edgerrin James, Donovan McNabb), but Holt stands out to us due to his longevity and impact. A member of the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” Holt won a Super Bowl, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and finished his 11-year career with 920 receptions, 13,382 yards and 74 TDs.
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19. Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back (2016)
Despite all his off-field issues, Elliott has been a star on the field for the Dallas Cowboys. The fourth overall pick out of Ohio State, Elliott has rushed for at least 1,300 yards three times and nearly cracked 1,700 as a rookie. Elliott’s 5,405 rushing yards and 96.5 per game average are the most of any player since the start of his 2016 season.
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18. Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle (2007)
Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson are worthy choices as well, but a premier offensive tackle in the NFL is gold. Although the Browns never managed to surround him with enough talent to even make the playoffs, Thomas was a stalwart for a franchise that lacks stability. Thomas is one of the great offensive lineman in league history with 10 Pro Bowl and seven All-Pro selections.
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17. Troy Polamalu, Safety (2003)
The 16th overall selection in the draft, Polamalu was a physical presence in the secondary, but also had the quickness and grace to play well in coverage. Polamalu, who recorded 32 interceptions and 12 sacks, was a two-time Super Bowl champion, four-time first-team All-Pro and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
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16. Matt Ryan, Quarterback (2008)
Wonder if the Miami Dolphins are still kicking themselves for not taking Ryan – or even Joe Flacco – with the No. 1 overall pick in 2008. They took Michigan tackle Jake Long, and Ryan went to Atlanta two picks later. Though Ryan has not won a Super Bowl with the Falcons (almost did in ’16), his 51,186 passing yards rank third in the NFL since 2008 and he also has the fifth most touchdowns during that time with 321.
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15. J.J. Watt, Defensive End (2011)
Some will argue 2011 delivered the best draft class in NFL history (Cam Newton, Von Miller, Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Mike Pouncey, Colin Kaepernick), but Watt is well worthy of the top spot. Though injuries have plagued the superstar, he remains one of the game’s best players and has accumulated 96 career sacks and five first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections for Houston.
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14. Russell Wilson, Quarterback (2012)
Considering Wilson was a third-round pick, this is arguably the greatest draft selection of the decade. All Wilson has done is throw for more than 29,700 yards and rushed for nearly 4,000 during his career. Oh yeah, the seven-time Pro Bowler also helped the Seahawks win their only Super Bowl title to date. Talk about value.
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13. Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback (2017)
After waiting in the wings and learning as a rookie, the 10th overall pick in 2017 became an NFL star practically overnight. He earned 2018 MVP honors after throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 50 TDs. Mahomes’ numbers weren’t as gawdy this season, but the Kansas City Chiefs should be a perennial Super Bowl contender with him under center.
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12. Tony Gonzalez, Tight End (1997)
Honorable mention definitely goes to offensive tackles Orlando Pace and Walter Jones – both Hall of Famers. But so is Gonzalez, the No. 13 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He made NFL teams look at the tight end position a little different with an emphasis towards vertical threats. Gonzalez’s 1,325 receptions and 15,127 yards are the most by any tight end. That reception total also ranks third all-time in the NFL among all positions by the 14-time Pro Bowler.
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11. Devin Hester, Kick/Punt Returner (2006)
The man who changed the way teams approached kickoff and punt coverage. As a return man, Hester — a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears — was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Hester’s 20 total return touchdowns (14 via punts) are the most in NFL history. While arguably the greatest return man in NFL history, the question remains if Hester is Hall of Fame-worthy.
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10. Derrick Brooks, Linebacker (1995)
The Hall of Famer played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and what a stellar career it was. Brooks, also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame from his days with Florida State, recorded 1,715 career tackles over 14 seasons, was an 11-time Pro Bowl pick, the 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and helped the Bucs win Super Bowl XXXVII.
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9. Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle (2014)
The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (’17, ’18), Donald is arguably the best defender in the game at the moment. The five-time first-team All-Pro has racked up a remarkable 72 sacks through his first six NFL seasons, highlighted by a 20.5-sack effort during the 2018 campaign, where he also recorded 25 tackles for loss (117 for his career).
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8. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver (2004)
Get ready, because Fitzgerald is coming back for a 17th season. At the moment, the 11-time Pro Bowl selection ranks only behind Jerry Rice in NFL history in career receptions (1,378), receiving yards (17,083) and is sixth all-time with 120 receiving touchdowns. The ageless wonder has become a favorite of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, so Fitzgerald should have little trouble padding those numbers in 2020.
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7. Ed Reed, Safety (2002)
One of the most recent members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2019), Reed is among the elite defensive backs ever to play the game. He was the game’s top center fielder and could read quarterback’s eyes and make plays in coverage like no other.A Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens and five-time first-team All-Pro pick, Reed posted 643 tackles and ranks among the NFL’s all-time leaders with an impressive 64 interceptions.
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6. Rob Gronkowski, Tight End (2010)
There were plenty of big names drafted in 2010 (Ndamukong Suh, Joe Haden, Earl Thomas, Jason Pierre-Paul, Maurkice Pouncey), but the best player out of that class wasn’t chosen until the second round. “Gronk” was a physical marvel who amassed 521 receptions, 7,861 yards and a whopping 79 touchdowns over his career. He was on three Super Bowl-winning squads and is widely considered to be the most unstoppable tight end in NFL history.
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5. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback (2005)
Looking for the guy to take over for Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers hit the jackpot in Rodgers. The Cal product has been named to the Pro Bowl eight times, was The Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011 and has a Super Bowl ring. As for the numbers: 46,946 yards, 364 TDs, 84 interceptions, 64.6 completion percentage, 102.4 passer rating (best all time).
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4. Jonathan Ogden, Offensive Tackle (1996)
In many NFL circles, Ogden is regarded as the best offensive tackle in the history of the game. The former UCLA star played his entire NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, starting 176 of 177 games. Ogden, who was part of the Ravens’ winning Super Bowl XXXV team, was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and garnered first-team All-Pro honors four times en route to earning a spot in Canton.
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3. Drew Brees, Quarterback (2001)
The first pick of the second round, it took Brees some time to heat up with
the San Diego Chargers. However, it’s been with the New Orleans Saints where Brees has become one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. His 77,416 passing yards, 547 passing touchdowns and 67.6 completion percentage are all the most in NFL history. And, he’s still going.
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2. Peyton Manning, Quarterback (1998)
When talking Peyton Manning, it’s more about what he hasn’t done than what he has. The No. 1 overall pick in ’98 more than lived up to the hype. In addition to winning a Super Bowl with both Indianapolis and Denver, Manning won a record five NFL MVP awards and was named to the Pro Bowl 14 times. Manning ranks third all time in passing yards (71,940) and touchdowns (539) and seventh in completion percentage (65.3).
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1. Tom Brady, Quarterback (2000)
Maybe it’s not completely a surprise that a sixth-round draft pick (199th overall) would blossom into perhaps the greatest pro football player of all time. Brady has found a home in Bill Belichick’s system, and regardless when he decides to call it a career, what Brady has accomplished is something any football player could only dream of – times 10. Nobody has played in more Super Bowls than Brady (nine), won more (six), and has more Super Bowl MVP awards (four). He’s the only quarterback with at least 200 regular-season wins and his 30-11 playoff mark is the best of any NFL player. Giovanni Carmazzi, Tee Martin and Spergon Wynn are just a few of the quarterbacks taken before Brady in the 2000 draft.
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