When the 2022 NFL Draft begins on April 28, fans may only tune in to see which players their team selects with their first few selections. Yet Super Bowls can be won or lost in the later days of the draft, when teams are poring over lesser-known college players in the hopes of finding a diamond in the rough.
Though expectations for players diminish as the draft goes on, the best teams are able to find key contributors in later rounds – adding depth to their rosters and potentially finding a budding superstar that no one else has noticed. Each draft, one player has stood out as the smartest pick in the draft.
To determine the best value pick in every year’s NFL Draft, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from Pro Football Reference. Players were ranked based on the overall quality and longevity of their careers relative to where they were drafted. We evaluated each draft from 1970, when the AFL and NFL merged, through 2018.
The best value pick in a given draft is not necessarily someone who was selected in a late round. For instance, Peyton Manning was so far and away the best player drafted in 1998 that he ranks as the best value pick in that draft, even though he was selected first overall. However, most of the players on this list were chosen behind dozens of others, including some who were not even among the first 200 selections, but nonetheless went on to have stellar careers.
Players who are drafted later on typically need some good fortune to become NFL stars, and that starts with being drafted by the right team. Some NFL franchises have proved much more likely than others to find hidden gems.
These organizations have top-tier scouting departments that find unheralded talent and quality coaches that can maximize players’ potential. Putting the right people in place to make these decisions is key for success, and it all starts with the owners. These are the best and worst owners in the NFL.
Click here to see the best value NFL draft pick every year since 1970
1970
> Best value draft pick: Lemar Parrish: Defensive back, Lincoln (MO)
> Selection: Round 7, pick 163
> Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
> Career: 1970-1982
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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1971
> Best value draft pick: Ken Anderson: Quarterback, Augustana (IL)
> Selection: Round 3, pick 67
> Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
> Career: 1971-1986
> Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
1972
> Best value draft pick: Stan White: Linebacker, Ohio State
> Selection: Round 17, pick 438
> Drafted by: Baltimore Colts
> Career: 1972-1982
> Accolades: N/A
1973
> Best value draft pick: Dan Fouts: Quarterback, Oregon
> Selection: Round 3, pick 64
> Drafted by: San Diego Chargers
> Career: 1973-1987
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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1974
> Best value draft pick: Mike Webster: Center, Wisconsin
> Selection: Round 5, pick 125
> Drafted by: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Career: 1974-1990
> Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, 4x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
1975
> Best value draft pick: Joe Fields: Center, Widener
> Selection: Round 14, pick 349
> Drafted by: New York Jets
> Career: 1975-1988
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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1976
> Best value draft pick: Steve Largent: Wide receiver, Tulsa
> Selection: Round 4, pick 117
> Drafted by: Houston Oilers
> Career: 1976-1989
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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1977
> Best value draft pick: Rod Martin: Linebacker, USC
> Selection: Round 12, pick 317
> Drafted by: Oakland Raiders
> Career: 1977-1988
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl
1978
> Best value draft pick: James Lofton: Wide receiver, Stanford
> Selection: Round 1, pick 6
> Drafted by: Green Bay Packers
> Career: 1978-1993
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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1979
> Best value draft pick: Joe Montana: Quarterback, Notre Dame
> Selection: Round 3, pick 82
> Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
> Career: 1979-1994
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 2x MVP, 4x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
1980
> Best value draft pick: Anthony Munoz: Tackle, USC
> Selection: Round 1, pick 3
> Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
> Career: 1980-1992
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 9x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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1981
> Best value draft pick: Lawrence Taylor: Linebacker, North Carolina
> Selection: Round 1, pick 2
> Drafted by: New York Giants
> Career: 1981-1993
> Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x MVP, Hall of Fame
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1982
> Best value draft pick: Marcus Allen: Running back, USC
> Selection: Round 1, pick 10
> Drafted by: Los Angeles Raiders
> Career: 1982-1997
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x MVP, 1x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
1983
> Best value draft pick: Karl Mecklenburg: Linebacker, Minnesota
> Selection: Round 12, pick 310
> Drafted by: Denver Broncos
> Career: 1983-1994
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro
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1984
> Best value draft pick: Earnest Byner: Running back, East Carolina
> Selection: Round 10, pick 280
> Drafted by: Cleveland Browns
> Career: 1984-1997
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
1985
> Best value draft pick: Jerry Rice: Wide receiver, Miss. Valley State
> Selection: Round 1, pick 16
> Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
> Career: 1985-2004
> Accolades: 13x Pro Bowl, 10x All-Pro, 3x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
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1986
> Best value draft pick: Clyde Simmons: Defensive end, Western Carolina
> Selection: Round 9, pick 233
> Drafted by: Philadelphia Eagles
> Career: 1986-2000
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
1987
> Best value draft pick: Rod Woodson: Defensive back, Purdue
> Selection: Round 1, pick 10
> Drafted by: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Career: 1987-2003
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 1x, Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
1988
> Best value draft pick: Randall McDaniel: Guard, Arizona State
> Selection: Round 1, pick 19
> Drafted by: Minnesota Vikings
> Career: 1988-2001
> Accolades: 12x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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1989
> Best value draft pick: Deion Sanders: Defensive back, Florida State
> Selection: Round 1, pick 5
> Drafted by: Atlanta Falcons
> Career: 1989-2005
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame
1990
> Best value draft pick: Emmitt Smith: Running back, Florida
> Selection: Round 1, pick 17
> Drafted by: Dallas Cowboys
> Career: 1990-2004
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x MVP, 3x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
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1991
> Best value draft pick: Brett Favre: Quarterback, Southern Miss
> Selection: Round 2, pick 33
> Drafted by: Atlanta Falcons
> Career: 1991-2010
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 2x MVP, 1x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
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1992
> Best value draft pick: Brad Johnson: Quarterback, Florida State
> Selection: Round 9, pick 227
> Drafted by: Minnesota Vikings
> Career: 1994-2008
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
1993
> Best value draft pick: Trent Green: Quarterback, Indiana
> Selection: Round 8, pick 222
> Drafted by: San Diego Chargers
> Career: 1997-2008
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl
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1994
> Best value draft pick: Tom Nalen: Center, Boston Col.
> Selection: Round 7, pick 218
> Drafted by: Denver Broncos
> Career: 1994-2007
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl
1995
> Best value draft pick: Derrick Brooks: Linebacker, Florida State
> Selection: Round 1, pick 28
> Drafted by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Career: 1995-2008
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, Hall of Fame, 1x Super Bowl
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1996
> Best value draft pick: Zach Thomas: Linebacker, Texas Tech
> Selection: Round 5, pick 154
> Drafted by: Miami Dolphins
> Career: 1996-2008
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro
1997
> Best value draft pick: Jason Taylor: Defensive end, Akron
> Selection: Round 3, pick 73
> Drafted by: Miami Dolphins
> Career: 1997-2011
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, Hall of Fame, 1x Defensive Player of the Year
1998
> Best value draft pick: Peyton Manning: Quarterback, Tennessee
> Selection: Round 1, pick 1
> Drafted by: Indianapolis Colts
> Career: 1998-2015
> Accolades: 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, 5x MVP, Hall of Fame
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1999
> Best value draft pick: Donald Driver: Wide receiver, Alcorn State
> Selection: Round 7, pick 213
> Drafted by: Green Bay Packers
> Career: 1999-2012
> Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
2000
> Best value draft pick: Tom Brady: Quarterback, Michigan
> Selection: Round 6, pick 199
> Drafted by: New England Patriots
> Career: 2000-present
> Accolades: 15x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 7x Super Bowl, 3x MVP
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2001
> Best value draft pick: Drew Brees: Quarterback, Purdue
> Selection: Round 2, pick 32
> Drafted by: San Diego Chargers
> Career: 2001-2020
> Accolades: 13x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
2002
> Best value draft pick: Julius Peppers: Defensive end, North Carolina
> Selection: Round 1, pick 2
> Drafted by: Carolina Panthers
> Career: 2002-2018
> Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro
2003
> Best value draft pick: Lance Briggs: Linebacker, Arizona
> Selection: Round 3, pick 68
> Drafted by: Chicago Bears
> Career: 2003-2014
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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2004
> Best value draft pick: Philip Rivers: Quarterback, North Carolina State
> Selection: Round 1, pick 4
> Drafted by: New York Giants (traded to San Diego Chargers)
> Career: 2004-2020
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl
2005
> Best value draft pick: Aaron Rodgers: Quarterback, California
> Selection: Round 1, pick 24
> Drafted by: Green Bay Packers
> Career: 2005-present
> Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 4x MVP, 1x Super Bowl
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2006
> Best value draft pick: Jahri Evans: Tackle, Bloomsburg (Pa.) Univ.
> Selection: Round 4, pick 108
> Drafted by: New Orleans Saints
> Career: 2006-2017
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
2007
> Best value draft pick: Marshal Yanda: Tackle, Iowa
> Selection: Round 3, pick 86
> Drafted by: Baltimore Ravens
> Career: 2007-2019
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
2008
> Best value draft pick: Matt Ryan: Quarterback, Boston Col.
> Selection: Round 1, pick 3
> Drafted by: Atlanta Falcons
> Career: 2008-present
> Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
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2009
> Best value draft pick: Julian Edelman: Wide receiver, Kent State
> Selection: Round 7, pick 232
> Drafted by: New England Patriots
> Career: 2009-2020
> Accolades: 3x Super Bowl, 1x Super Bowl MVP
2010
> Best value draft pick: Antonio Brown: Wide receiver, Central Michigan
> Selection: Round 6, pick 195
> Drafted by: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Career: 2010-present
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
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2011
> Best value draft pick: Richard Sherman: Defensive back, Stanford
> Selection: Round 5, pick 154
> Drafted by: Seattle Seahawks
> Career: 2011-present
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
2012
> Best value draft pick: Russell Wilson: Quarterback, Wisconsin
> Selection: Round 3, pick 75
> Drafted by: Seattle Seahawks
> Career: 2012-present
> Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
2013
> Best value draft pick: David Bakhtiari: Tackle, Colorado
> Selection: Round 4, pick 109
> Drafted by: Green Bay Packers
> Career: 2013-present
> Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
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2014
> Best value draft pick: Aaron Donald: Defensive tackle, Pittsburgh
> Selection: Round 1, pick 13
> Drafted by: St. Louis Rams
> Career: 2014-present
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Super Bowl
2015
> Best value draft pick: Stefon Diggs: Wide receiver, Maryland
> Selection: Round 5, pick 146
> Drafted by: Minnesota Vikings
> Career: 2015-present
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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2016
> Best value draft pick: Tyreek Hill: Wide receiver, West Alabama
> Selection: Round 5, pick 165
> Drafted by: Kansas City Chiefs
> Career: 2016-present
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
2017
> Best value draft pick: Alvin Kamara: Running back, Tennessee
> Selection: Round 3, pick 67
> Drafted by: New Orleans Saints
> Career: 2017-present
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl
2018
> Best value draft pick: Lamar Jackson: Quarterback, Louisville
> Selection: Round 1, pick 32
> Drafted by: Baltimore Ravens
> Career: 2018-present
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
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