NFL Draft 2018: 5 Best picks of the last five years
Some NFL Draft picks have the ability to completely change a franchise. Here we look at the five best draft selections in the last five years.
Sometimes a franchise guesses right and selects a cornerstone player with their first-round choice in the NFL Draft. Other times, that same cornerstone player comes in later rounds and surprises everybody.
Despite all of the scouting and prognostication that goes on throughout the NFL Draft, it’s still largely a crap shoot. Things can go just as poorly in the first round as they can go well in the mid-to-late rounds for organizations. But when teams hit, they can knock it out of the park.
Looking back in the last half-decade, we evaluate the players that changed their franchises’ for the better with the five best draft picks over that span.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (2013, Round 2, Pick 48)
Since coming out of college, Bell has become one of the best running backs in the league and has helped transform Pittsburgh into a dominant offensive team. While considered one of the draft’s best running backs, Bell fell to the second round and rushed for over 800 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie.
Every team in the NFL had a chance to select Bell before falling into Pittsburgh’s lap. Even with the off-the-field issues, Bell has proved that he is a game-changing back both in the running and passing game.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants (2014, Round 1, Pick 12)
In a draft class stacked with wide receiver talent including, Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Jarvis Landry and more, Beckham stands alone. The LSU product had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin his career and was on his way to a fourth if it wasn’t for his season-ending injury last year.
Perhaps the Giants best draft pick since Eli Manning in 2004, Beckham should continue to grow into an even more electric wide receiver. Even with uncertainty at the quarterback position in New York, the Giants should be able to count on No. 13 to produce for years to come.
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams (2014, Round 1, Pick 13)
The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year needs no introduction. As the first defensive tackle selected in 2014, Donald has grown to become the best at his position. Excellent at run stopping and pass rushing, Donald is a game-altering player and helps lead the Rams top-ranked defense.
Donald has 39 sacks and 9 forced fumbles since entering the league. At just 26 years old, Donald will continue to be a nightmare for offensive coordinators for years to come.
Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers (2016, Round 1, Pick 3)
Picking Bosa No. 3 overall may have surprised some people at the time, but it was a no-brainer for the Chargers. Since then, Bosa has already won a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, been selected to a Pro Bowl and come away with two double-digit sack seasons. It’s safe to say that Los Angeles made the right choice in picking Bosa.
The Ohio State product was drafted behind Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, both of whom look like future stars at the quarterback position. However, Bosa may become a more effective player than both of them in the future if he continues to develop and stay healthy.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl edition
Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots (2014, Round 2, Pick 62)
Jimmy G looked like he was going to become the successor to Tom Brady when New England drafted him in the second round from Eastern Illinois. But with Tom Brady’s unmatched longevity, the Patriots shipped Garoppolo to San Fransico.
While Garoppolo is much less accomplished than everybody else on this the list, it looks like he will become a superstar in the 49ers high-powered offense. Garoppolo’s impressive play over the last five games of the season is a small sample of what will be years of elite quarterback play in the Bay.