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 4 (This one was harder for me because there were fewer that stood out above all others.)
1. Steve Largent, HOU 1976 (117th overall)--The best ever before Jerry Rice. One time all-time in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Could be agrued to be the second-best receiver ever.
2. Andre Reed, BUF 1985 (86th overall)--Never dominant, but always reliable. Put up amazing career numbers without ever really putting up great single-season numbers. However, when other receivers would peak with a great season and then drop, Reed kept producing for 15 years.
3. Donnie Edwards, KC 1996 (98th overall)--1462 tackles, 28 INTs, and six career defensive TDs. Certain future HOFer. Missed out on a lot of Pro-Bowls playing in the AFC with Ray Lewis and Zach Thomas.
4. Charles Haley, SF 1986 (96th overall)--Pass-rush specialist with the 49ers and Cowboys. Probably best known for his five SB rings. Also had 5 Pro-Bowl trips along with 100.5 sacks and 26 forced fumbles.
5. Lorenzo Neal, NO 1993 (89th overall)--Not much with the ball. He's a lineman in the backfield. Explosive lead blocker. Has lead the way for Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Corey Dillon, and Ladanian Tomlinson. I think that there's potential for Tomlinson's numbers to fall a bit with Neal gone.
6. Derrick Mason, TEN 1997 (98th overall)--14108 all-purpose yards. His 2690 All-purpose yards in 2000 is an NFL record. Known early in his career primarily for his return skills, he is now known as a solid #1 receiver with 710 career catches and 9024 yards.
7. John Stallworth, PIT 1974 (86th overall)--Excellent deep-threat receiver. Tall and fast. Came up big-time in the Super Bowls in '79 and '80 with combined totals of six catches, 236 yards, and three TDs.
8. Rich Gannon, NE 1987 (98th overall)--Took a while to come in to his own. Drafted more for his atleticism than his skills as a QB. Things came together when he joined the Raiders in 1999. Lit up the field from '99 to '02, and was inpressively efficient.
9. Morten Andersen, NO 1982 (86th overall)--1st all-time in FGs. 1st all-time points scored. Most career FGs of 50+ yds. And he's not likely to be passed anytime soon. Hit 25 of 28 FGs (89.3%) last year at age 47.
10. Harry Carson, NYG 1976 (105th overall)--I can't say much about Harry Carson because I just can't recall his play. Maybe he should be higher on the list, I don't really know. But nine Pro-Bowls and an HOF induction can't be ignored.
Other Fourth Rounders (*active player who could eventually bump someone from the list)
Ken Ellis 1970
Joe Theismann 1971 (It may only be my anti-Theismann prejudice from his excruciating "skills" in the booth that keeps him from the top ten list. Hearing him costs me IQ points that I can't afford to lose.)
This one was much harder for me. #1 was obvious. But after that, it was less and less clear to me who exactly should be on there and where they should go. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
tough list thats for sure... aaron smith from the steelers could be on list two... sorry to throw some cowboys love in here but Bradie James has been having a pretty productive career so far at MLB...as a bears fan i'm surprised you didn't throw Nathan Vasher in there. Jared Allen is pretty good at rushing the passer for the Chiefs. I like Kerry Rhodes, the Jets safety also. Brandon Marshall would be great if he could stay out of the way of McDonald's bags. This is a tough list and I couldn't do it...
