The NFL Draft is an exciting time for football fans around the world. It’s a chance for teams to add new talent to their rosters and for players to fulfill their dreams of playing in the National Football League. As we are now just over a month away from the draft, it’s time to start really diving into draft season. Believe it or not, we are actually closer to the draft than we are to the Super Bowl, so let’s take a look at some of the best players ever drafted in each round.
First Round: Jerry Rice
It’s no surprise that the first round of the NFL Draft gets all the hype. This is where teams have the opportunity to select the best of the best, and one of the greatest players to ever step foot on a football field was drafted in the first round. Jerry Rice, widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 16th overall pick in the 1985 draft. Over his 20-year career, Rice racked up numerous records and accolades, including three Super Bowl wins, 13 Pro Bowl selections, and being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1987.
Second Round: Kevin Greene
The second round of the draft may not get as much attention as the first, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some incredible players drafted in this round. One of those players is Kevin Greene, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 113th overall pick in the 1985 draft. Greene went on to have a successful 15-year career, recording 160 sacks, which ranks third on the all-time list. He was also a five-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Third Round: Shannon Sharpe
The third round is often where teams find hidden gems, and that was certainly the case with Shannon Sharpe. The Denver Broncos selected Sharpe with the 192nd pick in the 1990 draft, and he went on to become one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Sharpe won three Super Bowls with the Broncos and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times. He also holds the record for most receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end.
Fourth Round: Terrell Davis
The fourth round may not seem like a prime spot to find a superstar, but the Denver Broncos struck gold again in 1995 when they drafted Terrell Davis with the 196th overall pick. Davis had a short but dominant career, winning two Super Bowls, being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1998, and rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Fifth Round: Tom Brady
It’s hard to believe that one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time was drafted in the fifth round, but that’s exactly what happened with Tom Brady in 2000. The New England Patriots selected Brady with the 199th overall pick, and the rest is history. Brady has won six Super Bowls, been named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player three times, and holds numerous records, including most passing yards and touchdowns in NFL history.
Sixth Round: Terrell Owens
Not many players drafted in the sixth round go on to have successful careers, but Terrell Owens is an exception. The San Francisco 49ers took a chance on Owens with the 89th overall pick in 1996, and it paid off. Owens went on to become one of the most dominant wide receivers in the game, amassing over 15,000 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns. He was also a six-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Seventh Round: Richard Sherman
The seventh round may be the final round of the draft, but it has produced some notable players, including Richard Sherman. The Seattle Seahawks drafted Sherman with the 154th overall pick in 2011, and he quickly became one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He was a key part of the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense, helping them win Super Bowl XLVIII. Sherman is a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
In conclusion, the NFL Draft