The NFL Draft is one of the most highly anticipated events in the world of sports. It is a time when teams have the opportunity to select the best young talent in the country and build their rosters for the upcoming season. While the first round of the draft often receives the most attention, there have been many great players drafted in later rounds who have gone on to have successful careers. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best NFL players ever drafted in each round.
First Round: Jerry Rice
When it comes to the first round of the NFL Draft, there is no denying that Jerry Rice is the greatest player to ever be selected. The San Francisco 49ers took a chance on the wide receiver out of Mississippi Valley State with the 16th overall pick in the 1985 draft, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions they ever made. Rice went on to become the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, cementing his place as one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Second Round: Kevin Greene
The second round of the draft has produced some great players over the years, but none have been as dominant as Kevin Greene. The linebacker out of Auburn was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 113th overall pick in the 1985 draft. He went on to have a 15-year career, recording 160 sacks and earning five Pro Bowl selections. Greene was also a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Third Round: Shannon Sharpe
The third round of the draft has been kind to the Denver Broncos, as they selected tight end Shannon Sharpe with the 192nd overall pick in the 1990 draft. Sharpe went on to become one of the best tight ends in NFL history, recording over 10,000 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns in his 14-year career. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Fourth Round: Kurt Warner
The fourth round of the draft is often seen as a place where teams take a chance on players who may have slipped through the cracks. This was the case with quarterback Kurt Warner, who was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 208th overall pick in the 1994 draft. Warner went on to have a remarkable career, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 1999 and earning two NFL MVP awards. He was also a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Fifth Round: Richard Dent
The fifth round of the draft has produced some great players, but none have been as dominant as defensive end Richard Dent. The Chicago Bears selected Dent with the 203rd overall pick in the 1983 draft, and he went on to become one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. Dent recorded 137.5 sacks in his career and was a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team. He was also a Super Bowl MVP and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sixth Round: Tom Brady
The sixth round of the draft is often seen as a place where teams take a flyer on players, but the New England Patriots struck gold when they selected quarterback Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 draft. Brady has gone on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, winning six Super Bowls and earning three NFL MVP awards. He has also been selected to 14 Pro Bowls and holds numerous NFL records.
Seventh Round: Shannon Sharpe (again)
It is rare for a team to find a future Hall of Famer in the seventh round of the draft, but the Denver Broncos did just that when they selected Shannon Sharpe with the 192nd overall pick in the 1990 draft. Sharpe’s second stint with the Broncos was just as successful as his first, as he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with the team. He retired with over 10,000 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the best players ever drafted in the seventh round.
In conclusion, the NFL Draft is a time for teams to build their