The order of the NFL Draft was constructed to create parity in the NFL. Over the years, several franchises have managed to shape their present and future thanks to an exceptional draft class.
Here’s a look at the top 10 recruiting classes since 2010, followed by a few teams from this year that could possibly make the list:
New Orleans’ 2017 draft class was one for the record books. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and running back Alvin Kamara have been elite players at their positions at times. Safety Marcus Williams and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson continued to earn big salaries elsewhere. Linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad also hung around the league. They had a 100% success rate in this draft class.
Baltimore identified what should have been three fundamental pieces of its offense in 2018: quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews and offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Brown had his own goals and that led him elsewhere , but he was one of the best players in his position. It’s strange to look at these three players considering tight end Hayden Hurst was the team’s first selection. Safety DeShon Elliott and center Bradley Bozeman are long-time starters in this league. Linebacker Kenny Young, defensive back Anthony Averett and defensive end Zach Sieler have also played important roles in this league, to varying degrees.
The Legion of Boom was born in 2010 with the hiring of head coach Pete Carroll and the selections of safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Offensive tackle Russell Okung and receiver Golden Tate each played more than a decade before hanging up their cleats. Cornerback Walter Thurmond also played six years in the NFL. He participated in Seattle’s 2014 Super Bowl championship.
The 2018 NFL Draft changed the Bills franchise. With the No. 7 overall pick, they selected Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and offensive guard Wyatt Teller were also in this draft. Both continued to land top free agent contracts on the market. Defensive backs Siran Neal and Taron Johnson have been consistent performers in this secondary. Finally, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud also remained in the league despite moving to other organizations.
Cornerback Trae Waynes received a big payday from Cincinnati in free agency. Linebacker Eric Kendricks could surpass 1,000 career tackles with the Chargers this year. Edge rusher Danielle Hunter and wide receiver Stefon Diggs were considered among the best at their respective positions. Offensive lineman TJ Clemmings started 32 games over a five-year span and tight end MyCole Pruitt also played seven years.
Tampa Bay essentially filled the back end of its defense in one draft class. At No. 5 overall, the Bucs selected LSU linebacker Devin White. White was a tackling machine while providing game-changing moments. In the secondary, they selected cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting, as well as safety Mike Edwards. Kicker Matt Gay and receiver Scotty Miller have emerged as contributors at this level. Three starters and three solid additions to the roster is a great crop in any draft.
Green Bay had 11 selections in the 2013 NFL Draft, but a handful of them contributed in some capacity. Offensive tackle David Bakhtiari and safety Micah Hyde are high-profile players in the NFL. Center JC Tretter, running back Eddie Lacy and defensive tackle Datone Jones had longer-than-average careers.
Edge rusher Khalil Mack was taken No. 5 overall and quickly became one of the most dominant defenders in the league. Quarterback Derek Carr was a slightly above average quarterback and offensive guard Gabe Jackson was one of the most respected at his position for nine years. Defensive tackles Shelby Harris and Justin Ellis have been valuable contributors at a position that is very difficult to fill. Cornerback TJ Carrie also played a significant role in free agency during his career.
9. Sea Hawks (2012)
In 2012, Seattle used two second-day selections on an off-the-radar Utah State linebacker and sixth-grade quarterback: Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson. The team’s first-round selection, Bruce Irvin, played over a decade during which he amassed 54 total sacks. Seventh-round offensive guard selection JR Sweezy has played for three organizations in nine seasons.
It’s still relatively early, but it appears Tennessee came away with two of the league’s best at their respective positions: defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and wide receiver AJ Brown. Simmons and Brown received high-profile contracts. Offensive guard Nate Davis and linebacker David Long signed sizable free agent deals elsewhere this summer. Safety Amani Hooker also remains out of the organization.
Honorable mention: Eagles (2018), Colts (2018), Dolphins (2016), Panthers (2017)
Giants, Bears stand out with potential all-time drafts
With another year of health and production, Seattle’s 2022 draft class could join the top 10 classes since 2010. The Seahawks landed offensive tackles Abe Lucas and Charles Cross, as well as cornerback Riq Woolen, the edge rusher Boye Mafe and running back Kenneth Walker III. .
A few of my editors are Giants fans, so they’ll naturally think I’m trying to pander to them. I really like what New York did with this project. LSU wide receiver Malib Nabers has the athleticism to become one of the best wide receivers in the game. The Giants have made a push to rebuild the secondary with Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin and Kentucky nickel back AndruPhillips. Nubin is an ideal replacement for Xavier McKinney. Penn State tight end Theo Johnson was one of the top sports testers at the NFL Scouting Combine. Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been at the position for essentially a year since transitioning from wide receiver. They rounded out the class with UCLA linebacker Darius Muasau.
In this year’s draft, Chicago had a transformative opportunity with two picks in the top 10 overall. The Bears only had five picks, so there is little room for error. USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington receiver Rome Odunze need to live up to their billing. They also need production from Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, Iowa punter Tory Taylor and Kansas passer Austin Booker. Taylor is honestly a loser, but the other two have athletic traits that will give them a chance to succeed.
