Last week, we published an article about the worst picks in the last 10 years. Now, we’re flipping the switch. As fans, we think it’s easy to select a player in the NFL Draft. You look at the tape; if he’s good, you take him; if not, you pass on him. The problem is that drafting a player in real life is not as easy as it is on Madden, and some teams can struggle with it. But there’s always the possibility of picking that one player who can change everything.
It was harder to select from a few teams, as some struggled in the Draft. If you see someone from 2023/2024 and think, “Isn’t it too early for him?”, believe that I had the same thought. Also, you may see a name and be like, “Really, him?”, and this also was on my mind.
I swear that I did my best to avoid QBs when possible, but they are the most important position in the sport. When a team hits big on a QB, nothing is better.
Arizona Cardinals – OT Paris Johnson Jr. (6th pick, 2023)
The Arizona Cardinals have had offensive problems for quite some time. They hoped to find a bona fide tackle when they selected Johnson Jr. sixth overall. After a solid rookie season playing on the right side, the coaching staff made him the left tackle for 2024. He showed a lot of improvement in his second season and could be a solution as the Cardinals try to better protect QB Kyler Murray. Murray had an average sack per game of 2.38 before 2023, and before Johnson became a Cardinal, it dropped to 1.92.
Atlanta Falcons – OG Chris Lindstrom (14th pick, 2019)
The first player that came to mind here was Bijan Robinson, because he’s amazing. But selecting Robinson would be really unfair to Lindstrom, one of the best guards in the league. He’s coming off three straight Pro Bowl/2nd-Team All-Pro seasons and has been PFF’s top-rated guard in each of the past three years. Because he’s a guard, most fans don’t know him, but Lindstrom has been the anchor of the Falcons’ offensive line since coming to the league.
Baltimore Ravens – QB Lamar Jackson (32nd pick, 2018)
Probably the most fun player to watch, Jackson improved a lot throughout his career. Three All-Pro selections, and two MVPs, with one of them unanimously, Jackson will go down as one of the greatest Ravens and NFL players of all time.
Buffalo Bills – QB Josh Allen (7th pick, 2018)
Also from the 2018 Draft, Allen took one year longer than Jackson, but he also blossomed into one of the best players in the league. With no play being impossible for Allen, he can throw into very tight windows, launch a pass 70 yards downfield, and run around or through a defender. He took the Bills out of the misery of the post-Kelly era and made it one of the most feared teams of the decade.
Carolina Panthers – RB Christian McCaffrey (8th pick, 2017)
Although the end of his tenure in Carolina was bad, playing just 10 games in the last two seasons, CMC was amazing with the Panthers. A true two-way player, he would take a carry for a long run or align as a receiver with no problems. In 2019, his best year in Carolina, he was third in the OPOY voting, leading the league with 2392 total yards and 19 touchdowns.
Chicago Bears – LB Roquan Smith (8th pick, 2018)
The Bears have two players who can take this spot as soon as this season, but for now, their best pick is Roquan Smith. One of the best linebackers in the league now with the Ravens, Smith was also special in Chicago. With two 2nd-Team All-Pros in four years, Smith never had a season with fewer than 100 tackles, had at least one interception, and had multiple sacks during his time with the Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow (1st pick, 2020)
The Bengals chose the right time to be bad, having the first pick when Joe Burrow was fresh off one of the best college seasons ever. Burrow has dealt with injuries in his career, having won the Comeback Player of the Year two times in five years. When he is healthy, though, he’s special, playing at an MVP-level every time he’s on the field.
Cleveland Browns – EDGE Myles Garrett (1st pick, 2017)
Not to kick the man when he’s down, but the Browns have made a lot of bad choices since rejoining the league. Arguably one of their best was selecting and keeping Myles Garrett. With four All-Pros, 7 consecutive 10+-sack seasons, and one DPOY, Garrett has been one of the best defenders in the league and could find his way to Canton.
Dallas Cowboys – EDGE Micah Parsons (12th pick, 2021)
For all of the Cowboys’ jokes, we have to also give them their flowers. One of the best teams when it comes to the Draft, Jerry Jones found another great player in Micah Parsons. More of a traditional linebacker in college, Parsons quickly found his ground as an edge rusher. His worst statistical season was in 2024 with “only” 12.0 sacks, but he did that in just 13 games. With two All-Pros under his belt, it’s a matter of when, not if, he’ll be the highest-paid defender.
P.S.: He should’ve been paid two years ago.
Denver Broncos – CB Patrick Surtain II (9th pick, 2021)
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain gave up a fantastic 58.9 rating in coverage last season. He has been able to maintain consistency in one of the toughest positions to be consistent. A lot was said about the Broncos’ decision not to select Justin Fields in 2021, but Surtain quickly proved the Broncos right.
Detroit Lions – OT Penei Sewell (7th pick, 2021)
Penei Sewell is one of the early favorites for the new Protector of the Year, an award given to the best offensive lineman in the league. With just four sacks allowed in the last 1958 pass-blocking snaps, Sewell was one of the players responsible for the transformation of the Lions’ franchise and is the best player in one of the best lines in football.
Green Bay Packers – DT Kenny Clark (27th pick, 2016)
For all of the success the Packers have had, they’ve missed more first-round picks than I expected. But a huge hit was Kenny Clark, one of the more underrated defensive tackles in the league. He has the size to take on double-teams against the run, and also excels at pressuring the QB. It may be the Vikings fan in me talking, but I lost count of how many times Clark has taken over a game in the NFC North.
Houston Texans – CB Derek Stingley Jr. (3rd pick, 2022)
There was an extensive argument about who was the best CB prospect in 2022. Sauce Gardner, taken at 4th, had the early upper-hand, in part because Stingley played in only 20 games in his first two seasons. Fully healthy in 2024, we’ve finally seen what the former LSU can do on Sundays as he earned the first of what I assume will be many All Pros.
Indianapolis Colts – OG Quenton Nelson (6th pick, 2018)
Early in his career, Nelson did something that was done only by Barry Sanders: three All-Pros in the first three seasons. Maybe more impressive than that, Nelson finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year. A guard. Third. He took a dip in the 2021-2022 season, but apparently has found his mojo again. With all of the turnover the Colts have endured in the last couple of years, Nelson has been a steady presence in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Brian Thomas (23rd pick, 2024)
Brian Thomas was a breath of fresh air for the Jaguars last season. After back-to-back 9-8 seasons, the team crumbled in 2024, winning only four games. Even as a rookie and in a bad team, Thomas excelled, finishing the season as their most reliable player. He was responsible for almost 40% of their air yards, 25% of the catches, and over 50% of the touchdowns. If Liam Cohen can design an offense around him, Thomas should only get better.
Kansas City Chiefs – QB Patrick Mahomes II (10th pick, 2017)
Three Super Bowl rings, two MVPs, and two All-Pro seasons before turning 30 years old. It’s Patrick Mahomes, it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Las Vegas Raiders – TE Brock Bowers (13th pick, 2024)
Bowers was considered one of the best tight end prospects since Kyle Pitts. In contrast to Pitts, Bowers quickly showed why. He earned All-Pro honors and finished second in the OROY award. With 112 catches and 1194 yards, he broke the record in both categories by a rookie tight end. With better QB play, this should be only the beginning for Bowers.
Los Angeles Chargers – QB Justin Herbert (6th pick, 2020)
The third QB taken in the 2020 Draft, Herbert broke the TD record by a rookie QB, finishing the season with 31. With 4336 yards on top of that, plus 234 yards and 5 rushing TDs, Herbert went home with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His lack of playoff success and Pro Bowls/All-Pros put him a tier below in the QB rankings. Talent-wise, though, Herbert is absolutely in the conversation.
Los Angeles Rams – EDGE Jared Verse (19th pick, 2024)
As I’ve said in the worst picks article, the Rams have made just two selections in the first round. Yes, in ten years, they’ve picked only Jared Goff in 2016, and Jared Verse last year. Verse may have had only 4.5 sacks as a rookie, but he quickly solidified himself as one of the best young EDGEs in the league. With 33 pressures and two fumbles forced, he is the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Miami Dolphins – WR Jaylen Waddle (6th pick, 2021)
Waddle isn’t a superstar player, but he’s perfect for Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Very fast, very agile, and a good separator, Waddle can make every catch a big gain. He could be more of a household name, but being the Robin to Tyreek Hill’s Batman comes with its cost. Who knows, as Hill gets older, maybe Waddle can become Batman.
Minnesota Vikings – WR Justin Jefferson (22nd pick, 2020)
Once upon a time, analysts said Jefferson was a slot-only player. Back to the present, Jefferson has shattered every receiving yard record to start a career. He has the record for most yards in the first five seasons, most by age 26, despite turning 26 just a few weeks ago, and many more. He’s also the receiver with the most yards per game in NFL history. It’s a historic start for a historic player, and he’s just entering his prime.
New England Patriots – CB Christian Gonzalez (17th pick, 2023)
Bill Belichick made a couple of weird picks during his tenure, particularly towards the end. But the best head coach in league history wouldn’t leave without a gift for the Patriots. In his last draft, Belichick somehow managed to select Gonzalez, a player projected to go in the top 7. In just 20 games (missed most of his rookie season with an injury), he’s already one of the best CBs in the league and will be expected to be a key player for Mike Vrabel.
New Orleans Saints – CB Marshon Lattimore (11th pick, 2017)
Recent fans may not believe it, but Lattimore was one hell of a corner early in his career. With 4 Pro Bowls in his first four years, Lattimore was one of the best shutdown CBs, locking up receivers, and was one of the reasons behind a great Saints team between 2017-2020. He dealt with a lot of injuries since 2022 and was traded last year, but he had a great prime.
New York Giants – WR Malik Nabers (6th pick, 2024)
I thought about having Saquon Barkley here, but I think Giants fans would disagree after his move to Philadelphia. So we go with Nabers, who had over 100 catches and 1000 yards even in one of the worst offenses in the league. He did not have a good QB or another WR to take some of the attention, but he didn’t care. Nabers sometimes looked like a one-man show on the field, capping it off with a fantastic game against the Colts in Week 17. The Giants have another great player. Let’s see if they can build a team around him.
New York Jets – CB Sauce Gardner (4th pick, 2022)
The second corner selected in the 2022 Draft, Gardner blew expectations out of the water. With two All-Pros and Pro Bowls in his first two seasons, he led the entire league in passes defended as a rookie, finishing 8th in the DPOY voting and winning the Rookie of the Year. He had a “down” season in 2024, but now with a former Pro Bowl HC in Aaron Glenn, Gardner has what it takes to be one of the best players in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles – DT Jalen Carter (9th pick, 2023)
I don’t know what kind of wizardry Howie Roseman uses to keep doing this. Time and time again, he had a player falling to him in the Draft, but Jalen Carter takes the cake. The best prospect in the 2023 Draft, he could’ve easily been the first player taken, which is crazy for a defensive tackle. He is one of the best players on a loaded Eagles’ roster, demolishing offensive lines against both the run and pass.
Pittsburgh Steelers – EDGE T.J. Watt (30th pick, 2017)
I talked a lot about Watt in the worst picks’ article, as three teams passed on him for other EDGEs. Watt is a player who, in his worst healthy season, had 7.0 sacks. And this was in his rookie year. He led the league in sacks three times, including a season in which he tied the record with 22.5. Besides being a sack artist, Watt is also a turnover machine, forcing 33 fumbles and 7 interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers – EDGE Nick Bosa (2nd pick, 2019)
The best Bosa brother, Nick came into the league with a lot of expectations – and he delivered. One of the leaders of a vaunted 49ers’ defense, Bosa has failed to reach 10+ sacks just three times. One was his rookie season (he finished with 9 and was the DROY), in another he played in just two games (torn ACL), and in the other he missed three games (and also finished with 9). With 18.5 sacks and 56 pressures in 2022, he didn’t just win the DPOY, but finished 6th in the MVP voting, the highest by a defender since J.J. Watt in 2014.
Seattle Seahawks – CB Devon Whiterspoon (5th pick, 2023)
Another team with some controversial early picks, the Seahawks made it right selecting Whiterspoon. The CB1 since arriving in Seattle, Whiterspoon is a tough corner to beat, with the technique to play in press, and the athleticism to recover if he gets beat. He’s also a very good run defender, with 14 tackles for loss in two seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Tristan Wirfs (13th pick, 2020)
Wirfs had one task when he arrived in Florida: protect Tom Brady. And he did that at a very high level, allowing only one sack all season. Arguably the best pass-blocking player in the NFL, Wirfs led the league in pass block win rate with an astounding 96%. The anchor of a very good Bucs’ line, Wirfs is one of the favorites for the new Protector of the Year award.
Tennessee Titans – DT Jeffery Simmons (19th pick, 2019)
Simmons is a surprisingly underrated defensive tackle in the league. Although a few do put him in the top 10, he’s rarely in the top 7 or 8. Selected just two picks after Dexter Lawrence, who is higher on these top 10 lists, Simmons has had quite a career with the Titans. He even has very similar numbers to Lawrence’s and was a force for a Titans team that was once the #1 seed in the AFC.
Washington Commanders – QB Jayden Daniels (2nd pick, 2024)
There’s no better example of what happens when you find your QB than Daniels. In just his first season, Daniels was a key person in the total transformation in Washington, both on and off the field. He took the league by storm, with more than 4000 total yards, 31 total TDs, and 9 interceptions. More than just numbers, his swag helped revitalize a franchise that was in desperate need of it, leading the team to a very surprising NFC Championship Game appearance.
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