Once you get past the first few rounds of the NFL Draft, it’s hard to keep paying attention. All the players you were really excited about have been snapped up, and as the draft gets deeper and deeper, the chances of a given player doing much in the NFL just keep decreasing. That said, some of the NFL’s best players have been taken on the third day of the draft, and several others went as undrafted entirely.
Here’s a look at the 10 biggest draft steals of the 21st century so far. Now, keep in mind, a player’s ability and their draft spot both matter here. Let’s say one player went in the fifth round, and another went in the seventh. Suppose that by any measure, the fifth-round player had the better career. The seventh-round player might still be viewed as the bigger “steal” simply because of how far he slipped. As always, things like this are subjective, and I expect a healthy amount of debate in the comments.
10. Greg Hardy, DE – 6th round, 175th pick (2010) – Carolina Panthers (Mississippi)
I’m not happy about this one, either. I considered putting another player in this spot just to avoid including Hardy on the list. But thinking about it strictly in football terms, it’s hard to deny that getting a player of Hardy’s caliber so late in the draft was highway robbery. He’s one of the best pass-rushers in the league, and yes, we can respect his abilities as an athlete while also acknowledging that by all measures, he’s a pretty terrible human being.
Okay, let’s go take a three-hour shower, then come back for the rest of the list, shall we?
9. Vontaze Burfict, LB – Undrafted – Cincinnati Bengals (Arizona State)
Going into his college career, Burfict was a five-star prospect, and it was widely accepted that he’d go on to be a star. Unfortunately, after an up-and-down college career, and a very poor performance in pre-draft workouts, everyone had cooled on Burfict, and he fell out of the draft entirely. Still sensing his potential, the Bengals signed him after the draft, and the move couldn’t have worked out better. The immaturity that plagued Burfict in his younger days is no longer a problem, and he has become part of one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. An inspiring example of a player living up to his potential despite a few hiccups along the way.
8. Kyle Williams, DT – 5th round, 134h pick (2006) – Buffalo Bills (LSU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVWwx_5Lqbs
The 21st century hasn’t been especially kind to the Bills fans (they’re the only team without a playoff berth since 2000), but they did pull of a massive heist when Kyle Williams fell to them in the fifth round back in 2006. Williams has earned four Pro Bowl selections, and was a first-team All-Pro in 2014. Unfortunately, his season was cut short this year due to a knee injury. Hopefully he’ll have a strong comeback next year, and continue to anchor the Bills’ stout defensive line.
7. Marques Colston, WR – 7th round, 252nd overall (2006) – New Orleans Saints (Hofstra)
As surprising as this might sound, Marques Colston has never made a Pro Bowl. Indeed, his consistent play has been so subtle and reliable, that it’s been easy to overlook over the years. If you’re a Saints fan, however, you know exactly how much value Colston provides. He’s currently the Saints’ all-time leader in receiving yards, yards from scrimmage, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, and total receptions. Not too shabby for a guy who was just a few picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant.
6. Michael Turner, RB – 5th round, 154th overall (2004) – San Diego Chargers (Northern Illinois)
Early in his career, Turner was trapped behind LaDainian Tomlinson on the Chargers depth chart, but when the Falcons gave him a chance to start in 2008, he quickly took advantage, and proved that he was one of the best running backs in the NFL. In his first year in Atlanta, he rushed for 1,699 yards, leading a team that stunned everyone by going 11-5. Turner would continue to be an essential part of the Falcons offense until his retirement in 2012. Like many running backs, Turner didn’t have the longest career, but at his peak, he was one of the most frightening runners in the league.
5. Robert Mathis, LB – 5th round, 138th overall (2003) – Indianapolis Colts (Alabama A&M)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0WhUj-XOvw
For the past 13 years, Mathis has been the lone constant on the Colts, acting as a defensive menace throughout the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras. His best season likely came in 2013, when he recorded 19.5 sacks, en route to his sixth-straight Pro Bowl selection. Mathis missed 2014 due to injury, but he’s had a solid comeback effort this season, and as he heads into the twilight of his career, he should remain the anchor of the Colts defense.
4. Richard Sherman, CB – 5th round, 154th overall (2011) – Seattle Seahawks (Stanford)
In the five years Sherman has been in the league, his larger-than-life presence has earned him plenty of fans, and a fair amount of haters, too. But regardless of whether Sherman’s shtick moves the needle for you, his brilliant play is undeniable, as he played an enormous role in transforming the Seahawks into the defensive juggernaut they are today. Sherman fell to the fifth round because there were some concerns about whether he’d be prepared to play corner in the NFL (he spent part of his time at Stanford as a wideout), but he quickly quashed those concerns, and became one of the biggest stars in the league.
3. Tony Romo, QB – Undrafted (2003) – Dallas Cowboys (Eastern Illinois)
It’s been a disappointing year for Romo, as injuries limited him to just four starts before he went down for good in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Panthers. Still, he’s been the Cowboys QB for nearly a decade now, and it’s undeniable what he brings to the table. As we watched the team struggle mightily with Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel at the helm, it became painfully obvious that Tony Romo is the Dallas Cowboys, and without him, they shrink from contention pretty quickly.
2. Antonio Brown, WR – 6th round – 195th overall (2010) – Pittsburgh Steelers (Central Michigan)
Over the last few seasons, Brown has become one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, and an essential part of the Steelers offense. He can make any catch, and to call him a favorite target would be an understatement, as he caught 17 passes for 284 yards in a win over the Raiders just a few weeks ago. Brown is still just 27 years old, and will likely dominate the NFL for years to come. The Steelers have an essential offensive player on their hands in Brown, one who figures to keep them relevant for quite some time.
1. Tom Brady, QB – 6th round, 199th overall (2000) – New England Patriots (Michigan)
Yes, this is a fairly obvious choice at No. 1. Brady has had a career that has put him in the running for the title of greatest QB of all-time, and this season, he looks to become the first quarterback to win five Super Bowls. Simply put, a quality QB is the anchor of any football team, and to get someone of Brady’s caliber that late in the draft is nothing short of miraculous.
