50 Biggest Steals in NFL Draft History

1210-jay-berwanger-university-of-chicagoWith the first pick of the 1936 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Jay Berwanger, halfback, University of Chicago. The former Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame member never played a single snap in the NFL. 1936 not only marked the first draft in NFL history, it also marked the first time a player would holdout for more money, a negotiating tactic that rarely works in the league anymore. Bert Bell, Philadelphia’s owner, traded the rights of Jay to the Chicago Bears because he was afraid that he could not meet the demands of his request contract. George Halas, Bears owner, had about the same amount of luck negotiating. Jay demanded $15,000 per game, the biggest offer from Chicago was $13,500. Jay left the game and never played football again.

Draft

That’s the NFL Draft, a crazy place filled with scouting reports, backdoor deals, trades, rumors, debates, and surprisingly shocking moments like when 198 players were drafted before Tom Brady. Today we take a look back at the players who were selected much lower than you would have imagined. This is a chance to see some of the athletes that were passed on, team after team, round by round, until finally someone took the gamble on them. And it paid off.

Before you go all postal on us, here are the things we considered when selecting our list.

  • Were they drafted? This isn’t going to be a list of undrafted players that made it big, that list will come out later this year. (Or when we have the time to put down our beers and turn off the Bears games)
  • No one in the first three rounds should be considered a steal. (We agree)
  • For every Dallas Cowboys player that makes the list, New York Giants fans will earn a free taco dinner courtesy of Jerry Jones. (Just go tell him to reimburse you)

That should be a good enough explanation that even the Atlanta Falcon fans will understand. Enjoy.

50. Marques Colston, WR, Saints

Colston

Drafted: 2006

Round (Overall): 7th (252nd)

49. Zach Thomas, LB, Dolphins

thomas.jpg

Drafted: 1996

Round (Overall): 5th (154th)

48. La’Roi Glover, DT, Raiders

la'roi glover

Drafted: 1996

Round (Overall): 5th (166th)

47. Dwight Clark, WR, 49ers

dwight clark

Drafted: 1979

Round (Overall): 10th (249th)

46. Michael Sinclair, DE, Seahawks

michael sinclair

Drafted: 1991

Round (Overall): 6th (155th)

45. Donald Driver, WR, Packers

donald driver

Drafted: 1999

Round (Overall): 7th (213th)

44. Joe Klecko, DL, Jets

klecko

Drafted: 1977

Round (Overall): 6th (144th)

43. Jeff Van Note, OC, Falcons

jeff van note

Drafted: 1969

Round (Overall): 11th (262nd)

42. Mark Schlereth, OG, Redskins

Mark Schlereth

Drafted: 1989

Round (Overall): 10th (263rd)

41. Herbert Scott, OL, Cowboys

herbert scott

Drafted: 1975

Round (Overall): 13th (330th)

40. Billy Johnson, WR, Oilers

billy johnson

Drafted: 1974

Round (Overall): 15th (365th)

39. Robert Mathis, LB, Colts

robert mathis

Drafted: 2003

Round (Overall): 5th (138th)

38. Tom Nalen, OC, Broncos

tom nalen

Drafted: 1994

Round (Overall): 7th (218th)

37. Adalius Thomas, LB, Ravens

adalius thomas

Drafted: 2000

Round (Overall): 6th (186th)

36. Dave Meggett, RB, Giants

Dave Meggett

Drafted: 1989

Round (Overall): 5th (132nd)

35. Joe Horn, WR, Chiefs

joe horn

Drafted: 1996

Round (Overall): 5th (135th)

34. Jay Novacek, TE, Cardinals

novacek

Drafted: 1985

Round (Overall): 6th (158th)

33. Rodney Harrison, S, Chargers

harrison

Drafted: 1994

Round (Overall): 5th (145th)

32. Mark Clayton, WR, Dolphins

mark clayton

Drafted: 1983

Round (Overall): 8th (223rd)

31. Bob Hayes, WR, Cowboys

Bob Hayes - HS

Drafted: 1964

Round (Overall): 7th (88th)

30. Kevin Greene, LB, Rams

kevin greene

Drafted: 1985

Round (Overall): 5th (113th)

29. Leroy Kelly, RB, Browns

leroy kelly

Drafted: 1964

Round (Overall): 8th (110th)

28. Ken Houston, S, Oilers

ken houston

Drafted: 1967

Round (Overall): 9th (214th)

27. Marco Rivera, OG, Packers

Marco Rivera

Drafted: 1996

Round (Overall): 6th (208th)

26. Terrell Davis, RB, Broncos

terrell davis

Drafted: 1995

Round (Overall): 6th (196th)

25. Rosey “Roosevelt” Brown, OT, Giants

rosey brown

Drafted: 1953

Round (Overall): 27th (321st)

24. Leon Lett, DT, Cowboys

lett

Drafted: 1991

Round (Overall): 7th (173rd)

23. Harold Carmichael, WR, Eagles

harold carmichael

Drafted: 1971

Round (Overall): 7th (161st)

22. Matt Birk, OC, Vikings

Baltimore Ravens Training Camp August 20, 2009

Drafted: 1998

Round (Overall): 6th (173rd)

21. Andre Reed, WR, Bills

andre-reed3

Drafted: 1985

Round (Overall): 4th (86th)

20. Raymond Berry, WR, Colts

raymond_berry_1967_12_17

Drafted: 1954

Round (Overall): 20th (232nd)

19. Cliff Branch, WR, Raiders

1-cliff-branch-wr_pg_600

Drafted: 1972

Round (Overall): 4th (98th)

18. Rayfield Wright, OT, Cowboys

Rayfield Wright

Drafted: 1967

Round (Overall): 7th (182nd)

17. Jackie Smith, TE, Cardinals

jackie smith

Drafted: 1963

Round (Overall): 10th (129th)

16. Shannon Sharpe, TE, Broncos

shannon sharpe

Drafted: 1990

Round (Overall): 7th (192nd)

15. Charles Haley, DE/LB, 49ers

haley

Drafted: 1986

Round (Overall): 4th (96th)

14. Mike Webster, OC, Steelers

webster

Drafted: 1974

Round (Overall): 5th (125th)

13. Lester Hayes, CB, Raiders

lester_hayes_1986_11_16

Drafted: 1977

Round (Overall): 5th (126th)

12. Joe Schmidt, LB, Lions

joe_schmidt_1960_01_17

Drafted: 1953

Round (Overall): 7th (85th)

11. Steve Tasker, WR, Oilers

steve tasker

Drafted: 1985

Round (Overall): 9th (226th)

10. Chris Hanburger, LB, Redskins

chris hanburger

Drafted: 1965

Round (Overall): 18th (245th)

9. Roger Staubach, QB, Cowboys

roger staubach

Drafted: 1964

Round (Overall): 10th (129th)

8. Willie Davis, DE, Browns

10-willie-davis_pg_600

Drafted: 1956

Round (Overall): 15th (181st)

7. L.C. Greenwood, DE, Steelers

lc greenwood

Drafted: 1969

Round (Overall): 10th (238th)

6. Cris Carter, WR, Eagles

CRIS CARTER

Drafted: 1987

Round (Overall): Supplemental Pick following 4th Round

5. Richard Dent, DE, Bears

dent

Drafted: 1983

Round (Overall): 8th (203rd)

4. Bart Starr, QB, Packers

Super Bowl I - Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay Packers - January 15, 1967

Drafted: 1956

Round (Overall): 17th (200th)

3. Johnny Unitas, QB, Steelers

johnny unitas

Drafted: 1955

Round (Overall): 9th (102nd)

2. Deacon Jones, DE, Cardinals

deacon jones

Drafted: 1961

Round (Overall): 14th (186th)

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

brady

Drafted: 2000

Round (Overall): 6th (199th)

There are so many reasons why Tom Brady belongs in this spot but we need to only give you one. In the 40 years before Tom Brady, The New England Patriots had two Super Bowl appearances, both were losses. (1985 to Chicago Bears, 1996 to Green Bay Packers) When Tom Brady got his chance to start after Drew Bledsoe got injured during the second game of the 2001 season, he led the Patriots to his first of many Super Bowl titles.

Over the past 19 years, the Patriots have made it to the AFC championship game thirteen times and won nine of them. Those nine Super Bowl appearances became six Super Bowl titles and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for Mr.Brady. Some players are winners but Tom Brady raised the bar when he single handedly transformed a franchise into a powerhouse. Can you imagine what the Patriots organization would look like without Brady behind center? Neither can they.