The best NFL Draft picks of the last decade, by round

When the 2020 NFL Draft begins, teams across the league will be making decisions that could drastically affect their future. Draft selections teams have made over the years have helped franchises win division titles, playoff games, and Super Bowls.

This year’s draft will be no different — players who will one day be stars in the NFL can be found from Round 1 all the way to Round 7. But it does mark the first draft of a new decade. So before we begin the next 10 years of draft history, let’s take a look back at some of the best picks teams have made in each round of the last decade.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their quarterback of the future and traded up to No. 10 to snag him. The rest, as they say, it history. In his first season as a starter in 2018, Mahomes took home the NFL MVP Award and led the Chiefs to a 12-4 record, before losing in the AFC Championship Game. Although he wasn’t able to replicate his 5,097-yard, 50-touchdown season the next year, he still managed to top himself with a come-from-behind Super Bowl victory against the 49ers.

At just 24 years old, Mahomes became the youngest player in NFL history to win both the league and Super Bowl MVP awards. Mahomes being this good when he’s still so young is what makes him worthy of getting the top spot.

Others considered (in order of when they were drafted)

Keep an eye on: Lamar Jackson, QB, 2018

Jackson is coming off an incredible 2019 season in which he won the NFL MVP Award. If he keeps playing like he did in his first full year as the Ravens’ starter, he could challenge Mahomes for the crown.

The Patriots took Gronkowski with the No. 42 overall pick, and the tight end quickly became Tom Brady’s top weapon. Over his nine-year career with the Patriots, Gronkowski was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and three-time Super Bowl champion. He accounted for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns, and owns the single-season record for most touchdown catches by a tight end (17 in 2011).

Injuries led to Gronk retiring after the 2018 season, but he’ll be a Hall of Famer one day soon. In the meantime, he’s keeping busy by doing things like winning WWE Championships.

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Deebo Samuel, WR, 2019

With 57 catches in 2019, Samuel topped Jerry Rice to become the 49ers’ all-time rookie receptions leader. He also he set a rookie receiver record in the Super Bowl for his 53 rushing yards against Kansas City.

The Seahawks took a chance on the “smaller” Wilson, who stands at 5’11, and that bet has paid off. The No. 75 pick in 2012 earned the starting job right away and became an instant star. He’s never had a losing season in Seattle and has led the team to the playoffs every year except for 2017. Wilson hasn’t missed a single start through seven seasons, holding the franchise record for consecutive games started (128).

He got his first Super Bowl ring in the 2013 season, and would probably have two had Pete Carroll chosen to run the ball from the 1-yard line the following year against New England.

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Austin Hooper, TE, 2016

In four years with the Falcons, Hooper accounted for 2,224 yards and 16 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler just signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Browns, making him the league’s highest-paid tight end. We’ll have to see if he can carry over that production to Cleveland.

Prescott quickly went from a fourth-round draft pick to Dallas’ starter. In his rookie season, Prescott took over for an injured Tony Romo in the preseason and played so well he never gave the starting job back. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and set an NFL rookie record with a 104.9 passer rating.

Since entering the league, Prescott hasn’t missed a start for the Cowboys. In that time, he has more game-winning drives (14) than any quarterback except Drew Brees, and only Tom Brady has more wins (40). In 2019, Prescott finished second in the league in passing yards (4,902) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30).

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Maxx Crosby, DE, 2019

Crosby suffered a broken hand during preseason, and only started 10 games as a rookie. Still, he led the Raiders with 10 sacks, 14 QB hits, and four forced fumbles. If he can keep it up, he could end up being the pass-rushing star the Raiders have been missing since trading Khalil Mack away.

In the nine years since Sherman was drafted by the Seahawks, he’s solidified himself as one of the most dominant corners in the league. In the last decade, no player has more interceptions (35) than Sherman, who has also allowed an NFL-low completion percentage of 49.6 when targeted.

The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro corner was a key member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense. He signed with the 49ers in 2018, and negotiated his own contract with them. He made an extra $3 million in incentives due to his high level of play.

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Michael Dickson, P, 2018

A native of Australia, Dickson didn’t start punting for American football until he was recruited by Texas. Seattle made a statement by trading up for the punter in the fifth round, but Dickson’s impressive tenure with the Longhorns justified the move. Dickson made the Pro Bowl during his rookie season and has dazzled with dropkicks. He downed a team-record 34 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2019, helping the Seahawks in the field position battle.

The Eagles took Kelce at 191 overall out of Cincinnati, and he’s been Philadelphia’s starting center ever since. He ranks first in consecutive starts (89) among active centers in the league, having not missed a start since 2014. Kelce is a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Gardner Minshew, QB, 2019

Minshew Mania was in full force in Jacksonville after the rookie QB came off the bench for Nick Foles in Week 1. Despite showing some inconsistencies, Minshew finished the season with 3,271 yards and 21 touchdowns. Jacksonville appears fully committed to Minshew as their starter, especially after trading Foles to the Bears. Minshew just needs to be more even keel in 2020 to improve upon his rookie season.

Brown, who was selected at 244th overall by the 49ers, has done pretty well for himself for a seventh-rounder. After starting 28 games for the 49ers in his first three seasons, he was traded to the Patriots and won a Super Bowl as their starting left tackle. He turned that season into a four-year, $66 million deal with the Raiders which made him the highest-paid tackle at the time. In his first season with the Raiders, he gave up just one sack at right tackle and made his first Pro Bowl.

Others considered:

Keep an eye on: Auden Tate, WR, 2018

Tate was having a breakout season before getting injured in 2019. Still, he’s accounted for 610 yards and a touchdown in just 19 games with the Bengals. If Tate can stay healthy for a whole season, he could be a major part of Cincinnati’s offense.