NFL Network Top 10 Draft Steals...

[AdamJT13]

Unitas was a 9th round pick in 1955. Something to consider.

He wasn't a draft steal. The Steelers drafted him, then cut him. He played semipro football that season, then signed with the Colts the next year. Unitas was a "street free agent" steal for Baltimore, but not a draft steal at all.

Also, Ray Guy (an OVERRATED punter, by the way) wasn't even the biggest steal of the 1973 draft. He was picked 23rd, before Joe Delamielleure (26th), Harvey Martin (53rd) and Dan Fouts (64th). I'd absolutely choose any of them over Guy.

 

[AdamJT13]

I'm kind of surprised that Priest Holmes going undrafted doesn't rank somewhere in that list.

You're not much of a draft steal when you aren't drafted at all.

 

[burmafrd]

Bart Starr as regards drafting has to be the steal of all time- 17th rd pick and he ends up winning 5 rings. After that it has to be Roger then Deacon then Brady then Montana.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Ray Guy in the first is categorized as a "steal?" If I pick a punter in the first round he better be able to kick and play backup QB.

And all deference to Mr. Guy, but I'd be just as happy getting the production that Dallas did out of McBriar without using ANY draft pick and saving my first rounder for a position that matters a little more.

Our punter may turn out to be a Ray Guy type......really......don't call me Crazy....watch the film

 

[AtlCB]

How did Bo Jackson make the list. He was a great RB, but his career was way to short to be considered for this list.

 

[Big Country]

I'm surprised that no-one mentioned Curtis Martin yet... who I believe was a 3rd round pick...

I think he was a top tier back who was injured his last year in college, Univ of Pitt... that caused his draft stock to fall off.

 

[jay cee]

How is Roger behind ANY of those guys?

I was thinking the same thing.

Now I wouldn't argue too much if they had him #2, behind the babymaker, but come on, no way should you have one of the greatest qbs of all time at #10 on this particular list.

 

[jay cee]

A punter in front of Roger? You've got to be kidding.

A punter that they used a 1st round pick on. How is that a steal, when they probably could have gotten him in the 3rd.

How many punters have ever been drafted in the 1st through 3rd rounds?

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

2. Joe Montana
SF didn't have 1st rd pick. Had Steve DeBerg, but wanted someone who moved better.
82nd pick in the draft; 3 Qbs taken ahead of Montana
And wouldn't you know, they'd showed The Catch.

no way joe montana is #2 on this list. a 3rd rd QB and the 3rd taken is a steal due to the fact of montana accomplishing what he did. however, most 3rd round picks are expected to do something.

he is not #2 on this list, period.

staubach is #1 in my book, and unitas in the 9th round is not even mentioned.

unitas and deacon jones round out my top 3.

 

[jay cee]

he would be my 3rd all time steal.

Let's see your top 5 or 10 Hos. I know it would be better than this crap.

 

[Hostile]

How many punters have ever been drafted in the 1st through 3rd rounds?

Sadly, we are the first to do so in 1972.

There has been one 1st rounder...Ray Guy
There have been four 2nd rounders
There have been thirteen 3rd rounders

The Packers, Bears & Browns have done it twice.
Tennessee, Ohio State, & Michigan State have had two each.
Tennessee sent the only father & son Punters.

2005...Chiefs, 3rd, Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee
2004...Packers, 3rd, BJ Sander, Ohio State
1997...Giants, 3rd, Brad Maynard, Ball State
1995...Bears, 2nd, Todd Sauerbrun, West Virginia
1993...Falcons, 3rd, Harold Alexander, Appalachian State
1993...Commanders, 3rd, Ed Bunn, Texas-El Paso
1991...Bears, 3rd, Chris Gardocki, Clemson
1988...Oilers, 3rd, Greg Montgomery, Michigan State
1985...Rams, 3rd, Dale Hatcher, Clemson
1982...Colts, 2nd, Rohn Stark, Florida State
1981...Packers, 3rd, Ray Stachowicz, Michigan State
1980...49ers, 3rd, Jim Miller, Mississippi
1978...Browns, 2nd, Johnny Evans, North Carolina State
1978...Steelers, 3rd, Craig Colquitt, Tennessee
1977...Browns, 2nd, Tom Skladany, Ohio State
1976...Seahawks, 3rd, Rick Engles, Tulsa
1973...Raiders, 1st, Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi
1972...Cowboys, 3rd, Marv Bateman, Utah

 

[DCfaninDC]

I knew it! I was just about to post that I bet Brady and Montana are next... just two letters describe that..... BS... yep.

is that BS for Bart Starr or the other BS...I think the two letter that would describe this is PR. All they want is to please people who like Brady so the NFL can be more popular.

 

[jazzcat22]

How is Roger behind ANY of those guys?

Because it was complied by ESPN. I was surprised any Cowboy was even on the list. I would put drafting Walker in the 5th round while he was still playing in the USFL as a steal over some of the others.

 

[Hostile]

Let's see your top 5 or 10 Hos. I know it would be better than this crap.

To me it isn't really a steal unless it is round 4 or later. A first round gamble? Yeah, a gamble isn't the same as a steal.

I know I'm going to miss someone obvious. Quickly off the top of my head this is my top 6.

1. Bart Starr, 17th round
2. Roger Staubach, 10th round
3. Johnny Unitas, 9th round (I know Adam disagrees because he was waived)
4. Raymond Berry, 20th round
5. Ken Houston, 9th round
6. Rayfield Wright, 7th round

 

[lkelly]

Because it was complied by ESPN. I was surprised any Cowboy was even on the list. I would put drafting Walker in the 5th round while he was still playing in the USFL as a steal over some of the others.

Did the NFL Network steal the content from ESPN?

 

[tyke1doe]

You're not much of a draft steal when you aren't drafted at all.

 

[jay cee]

To me it isn't really a steal unless it is round 4 or later. A first round gamble? Yeah, a gamble isn't the same as a steal.

I know I'm going to miss someone obvious. Quickly off the top of my head this is my top 6.

1. Bart Starr, 17th round
2. Roger Staubach, 10th round
3. Johnny Unitas, 9th round (I know Adam disagrees because he was waived)
4. Raymond Berry, 20th round
5. Ken Houston, 9th round
6. Rayfield Wright, 7th round

THat's a good list. I also did not know that many punters have been drafted in the 1st 3 rounds.

 

[zeroburrito]

brady seems to easily be the best. 3 superbowl rings from a 7th round pick. can't beat that.

 

[burmafrd]

Not even Close. Bart Star got FIVE rings with two of them being the first 2 SBs with an aging team. 17th rd pick. By the way- Brady was a SIXTH rd pick.

 

[Jarv]

How many teams were there in the 60' and 70's as compared to now ?

Instead of looking at what round, maybe it should be based on their overall number picked.