Best NFL Draft Steals Ever (Ranked 25->1)

25) Lamar Jackson - 2018: Round 1, Pick 32 (Ravens)

Teams debated a position switch; Baltimore took the last pick of Round 1 and got a two-time MVP and scheme-warping force. Even at 32, that’s massive surplus value.

24) Tyreek Hill - 2016: Round 5, Pick 165 (Chiefs)

Red flags continue to push him down; on the field he became the NFL’s spacing glitch - multiple All-Pros, a Super Bowl in KC, and historic explosive-play rates from pick 165.

23) Antonio Brown - 2010: Round 6, Pick 195 (Steelers)

Off-radar frame and MAC pedigree belied apex production: four first-team All-Pros, a receiving triple crown of sorts across seasons, and the 2010s All-Decade Team - Round 6.

22) Jared Allen - 2004: Round 4, Pick 126 (Chiefs)

Small school, big motor. League-leading sacks seasons, five Pro Bowls, and franchise-altering energy from the 126th pick.

21) Frank Gore - 2005: Round 3, Pick 65 (49ers)

Two ACLs at Miami scared teams. He gave San Francisco (and later others) relentless consistency en route to top-three all-time rushing yards.

20) Richard Sherman - 2011: Round 5, Pick 154 (Seahawks)

Converted WR with “tight hips” became the face of the Legion of Boom: multiple All-Pros, a ring, and the league INT crown in 2013 - from pick 154.

19) Ronde Barber - 1997: Round 3, Pick 66 (Buccaneers)

So-so measurables, extraordinary instincts. Hall of Famer with a unique picks-and-sacks résumé, the slot/outside hybrid cornerstone of Tampa-2.

18) Zach Thomas - 1996: Round 5, Pick 154 (Dolphins)

Undersized label, oversized impact: signal-caller of elite defenses, seven Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pros, Hall of Famer - all from 154th overall.

17) George Kittle - 2017: Round 5, Pick 146 (49ers)

Iowa’s run-heavy usage hid rare YAC and blocking dominance. Set a then-TE yardage record in Year 2 and became a complete tight end at pick 146.

16) Travis Kelce - 2013: Round 3, Pick 63 (Chiefs)

Red flags (college suspension, rookie knee) depressed his stock; he became the era’s defining TE, a playoff supernova with multiple rings and All-Pros from pick 63.

15) Richard Dent - 1983: Round 8, Pick 203 (Bears)

An 8th-rounder becomes Super Bowl XX MVP and the spear of the ’85 Bears pass rush. 130+ sacks from pick 203 is theft.

14) Jason Taylor - 1997: Round 3, Pick 73 (Dolphins)

“Too lean” from Akron became DPOY with 130+ sacks, six defensive TDs, and a first-ballot Hall nod. Elite edge value in the 70s.

13) Randy Moss - 1998: Round 1, Pick 21 (Vikings)

Character flags dropped a top-five talent to 21. He only responded with a record 17 rookie TDs and a 23-TD season in 2007. Second all-time in receiving TDs.

12) Aaron Rodgers - 2005: Round 1, Pick 24 (Packers)

Sat behind Favre after a long, uncomfortable green room wait—then stacked four MVPs and a Super Bowl, turning pick 24 into a franchise cheat code.

11) Dan Marino - 1983: Round 1, Pick 27 (Dolphins)

A “slide” inside Round 1 can still be a heist. Marino’s 1984 season (then-record 48 TDs, 5,000+ yards) detonated passing norms, and Miami got him after five QBs were already taken.

10) Terrell Davis - 1995: Round 6, Pick 196 (Broncos)

Special-teamer at Georgia to NFL MVP and back-to-back titles. Super Bowl XXXII MVP and a 2,000-yard season - nuclear peak for a sixth-rounder.

9) Shannon Sharpe - 1990: Round 7, Pick 192 (Broncos)

A tweener from Savannah State who changed TE usage: three rings, multiple All-Pros, and Hall of Fame production from pick 192.

8) Mike Webster - 1974: Round 5, Pick 125 (Steelers)

In the greatest draft class ever, Pittsburgh still found its long-term pivot in Round 5. Four Super Bowls and standard-setting longevity at center.

7) Larry Allen - 1994: Round 2, Pick 46 (Cowboys)

Small-school (Sonoma State) doubts masked the most overpowering guard of his era. Eleven Pro Bowls, multiple first-team All-Pros, and “best ever” arguments at OG at pick 46.

6) Roger Staubach - 1964: Round 10, Pick 129 (Cowboys)

Heisman winner who slid due to a Navy commitment. After service, he delivered two Lombardis and a Super Bowl MVP, defining the “Captain America” archetype from pick 129.

5) Bart Starr - 1956: Round 17, Pick 200 (Packers)

A backup at Alabama becomes Lombardi’s field general: five NFL titles, MVP of Super Bowls I & II. Calm, efficient, era-dominant - and selected 200th.

4) Deacon Jones - 1961: Round 14, Pick 186 (Rams)

From obscurity to redefining edge play. The term “sack” exists because of him, and retro research credits him with well over 170. Prototype speed-power monster…in Round 14.

3) Joe Montana - 1979: Round 3, Pick 82 (49ers)

Knocked for arm strength, he became the cold-blooded closer of the 1980s: four Super Bowls, two MVPs, and eight game-winning playoff drives. Precision and poise at pick 82.

2) Johnny Unitas - 1955: Round 9, Pick 102 (Steelers)

Cut in camp, rescued from semi-pro ball by the Colts, then rewrote passing. Three MVPs, a legendary 47-game TD streak, and modern QBing’s template - found in Round 9.

1) Tom Brady - 2000: Round 6, Pick 199 (Patriots)

Not just a steal - an outlier in sports history. A 5.28 forty and average college tape hid GOAT-level intangibles. Seven Super Bowls, three MVPs, and career passing records from pick 199 is the gold standard for surplus value.