All of the draft boards, all of the articles, all of the attention, almost all of everything involving the NFL draft is directed at Round 1. But many of the best players in the history of the league have come in later rounds. So, I've decided to rank what I think are the top 10 NFL players drafted in each round 2-7. This leaves out many later rounds from the days when the draft was much longer, but I will limit each to the contemporary seven.
Round 3
1. Joe Montana, SF 1979 (82nd overall)--Always in the argument of best QB ever. Eight career Pro-Bowls. Ninth in career TDs, but 60th career INTs. 49ers went 112-39-1 (.740%) and won four Super Bowls in the 10 years that Montan was the primary starter.
2. Aeneas Williams, PHO 91 (59th overall)--Eight Pro-Bowls. 55 career INTs and an amazing 13 career TDs.
3. Curtis Martin, NE 1995 (74th overall)--Workhorse running back, as well as excellent all-purpose back. Was consistently one of the better runners in the NFL, as well as a good receiver and a top pass-blocker from the backfield.
4. Will Shields, KC 1993 (74th overall)--Twelve consecutive Pro-Bowls--unbelievable. Year-in and year-out the best guard in the league. Blocked for some amazing seasons by Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.
5. Terrell Owens, SF 1996 (89th overall)--Does anybody like this guy at all? Does it matter? Future HOFer. 9th all-time receptions. 10th all-time receiving yards. 3rd all-time receiving TDs. He's fast, he's strong, and he's huge for a WR. And he's in such phenomenal physical shape that he could dominate until he's 40. He might not be Jerry Rice...but, like him or not, he's one of the best to ever play the game. He should probably be higher on this list.
6. Mel Blount, PIT 1970 (53rd overall)--57 career INTs, which is 10th all-time. Picked off an amazing eleven in 1975, back in the day of the 14 game season.
7. Jackie Slater, LA 1976 (86th overall)--A 20-year HOF career for a third round pick. Value doesn't get any better than that.
8. Jason Taylor, MIA 1997 (73rd overall)--117 sacks and six Pro-Bowls is pretty amazing. Add in eight career TDs for a DE. And he's got three or four good years left.
9. Dan Fouts, SD 1973 (64th overall)--Put up jaw-dropping numbers in the late 70s and early 80s. Held the single-season record for passing yardage before Marino broke it in '84.
10. John ####, TAM 1993 (82nd overall)--Nine Pro-Bowls. Only 26 career INTs, but he is much more well-known as a tackler and a leader in the defensive backfield. A big, big hitter who can separated a receiver from the ball.
Other Third-Rounders (*active player who will eventually bump someone from the list)
Ken anderson 1971
Lynn Dickey 1971
Lawrence McCutcheon 1972
Danny White 1974
Tony Hill 1977
Mickey Shular 1978
William Andrews 1979
Steve McMichael 1980 (Maybe should be 10th)
Russ Grimm 1981
Tim Irwin 1981
Mike Meriweather 1982
Charles Mann 1983
Dave Duerson 1983
Albert Lewis 1983
Guy McIntyre 1984
Jeff Hostetler 1984
Jack Del Rio 1985
John Taylor 1986
Pat Swilling 1986 (Also might have claim to that 10th spot)
The Best--I'd like to see the Bills have some success. I think that Edwards looked pretty good as a rookie playing in an offense that hasn't been very potent for a while. He was a good pick up for them.
Bahston--Briggs is a good player that has to be accounted for by offenses. I think the reason for his free-agency difficulties has more to do with the Bears management. But you have a point, because I don't know which player he'd ever bump off.
drrouth--Good catch on Tuck. You must be a Giants fan. Umenyiora, Tuck, and Strahan were awesome in the pass rush last year. I remember telling my wife that if any team could beat the Pats it would be the Giants, because they could get pressure on Brady without having to blitz because the Giants d-line was so good.
glad to see witten on the second list... also seeing aeneas williams' name brought back some memories... too early to tell but kevin curtis and justin fargas had breakout years last year. only one i think should def. be added to the list is Nick Hardwick the center from the chargers. great list though and can't wait to see round 4
Last edited by jgould425 on April 17th at 9:37 AM.
Thanks jgould. I thought I had Hardwick on there, but I see that I missed him. Good calls, though.
I think that Witten might just be the best TE in the NFL right now, at least in the NFC. He and Romo have great chemestry. I know that he's one of your Cowboys, but he used to be one of my Vols.
i loved witten when dallas got him out of tenn, especially since they wanted him in the 2nd and he fell to them in the 3rd. only TE that i think has a case against him is Gates, although i think witten is a more complete player, blocking wise especially, then Gates, Gates does have some incredible abilities.
Last edited by jgould425 on April 17th at 10:58 AM.
You left out a big one. Joe Ferguson was drafted in the third round of 1973 and was one of the most productive NFL quarterbacks in the late 70's through mid 80s. He threw for just under 30,000 yards in his career.
How is A. Williams ahead of Jason Taylor. I guess a Defensive MVP carries no weight. no one else on the list other than Montana and Owens has to be accounted for each play. Your blog sucks dude!!!
