As we head closer to the NFL Draft, I wanted to look back and reminisce on some amazing classes. I could obviously mention some drafts with multiple Hall of Famers and perennial All-Pros. However, I wanted to look at some recent draft classes with more active players and those that could become greater over time. Here are the Top 5 NFL Draft classes since 2010 (undrafted players and awards not included).
5. 2014 (No. 1 Overall: DE Jadeveon Clowney)
This class is underrated to say the least. Lead by the notable names of Aaron Donald (for sure Hall of Famer), Khalil Mack, Mike Evans, Davante Adams, Zach Martin, and more, this class has quite the array of accolades.
Don’t remind Lions fans of this draft. Tight end Eric Ebron over Donald and others still haunts them.
2014 NFL Draft Top-10 Recap
Who got it right? pic.twitter.com/ocrlfgeMGK
— PFF (@PFF) April 5, 2023
In total: 28 Pro Bowlers combining for 90 total Pro Bowl appearances, 24 First Team All-Pro Selections, 3 Super Bowl Championships, and 4 Defensive Player of the Year Honors.
4. 2016 (No. 1 Overall: QB Jared Goff)
The 2016 NFL Draft kicked off with seven Pro Bowlers consecutively selected, led by current Lions QB Jared Goff. The depth of this draft is impressive too. After the first round, you can find guys like Chris Jones, Xavien Howard, Derrick Henry, Michael Thomas, Joe Thuney, Dak Prescott, and Tyreek Hill.
Jared Goff will make his first start on Sunday, looking to become the first QB selected No. 1 overall to win in his debut in 14 years. pic.twitter.com/CT4EuJovsl
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 20, 2016
In total: 32 Pro Bowlers combining for 72 total Pro Bowl appearances, 19 First Team All-Pro Selections, 8 Super Bowl Championships, and 2 Offensive Player of the Year Honors.
3. 2013 (No. 1 Overall: T Eric Fisher)
While the first overall selection may not have lived up to the hype, this class was deep with franchise cornerstone talent that continue to rack up awards to this day. Players like Lane Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Ertz, Darius Slay, Travis Kelce, Tyrann Mathieu, Terron Armstead, Keenan Allen, Jordan Poyer are all still playing at an elite level today.
2013 NFL Draft Top-10 Recap
Who got it right? pic.twitter.com/jRW7UMkAlV
— PFF (@PFF) April 4, 2023
In total: 32 Pro Bowlers combining for 86 total Pro Bowl appearances, 24 First Team All-Pro Selections, and 10 Super Bowl Championships.
This draft class edges the previous two because of depth, longevity, nostalgia, and overall prestige.
2. 2020 (No. 1 Overall: QB Joe Burrow)
This draft class has broken onto the scene and has taken the league by storm. Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts, Tristan Wirfs to name a few. They have not been around as long to accumulate as much honors, but they certainly will over time. The NFL Draft that would have gone viral if it was hosted in person.
Joe Burrow just became the third straight Heisman winner to go no. 1 overall for the first time in NFL history 🔥 @Joe_Burrow10 @Bengals @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/MFs2ifr2vJ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) April 24, 2020
In total: 13 Pro Bowlers combining for 19 total Pro Bowl appearances, 5 First Team All-Pro Selections, 2 Super Bowl Championships, and 1 Offensive Player of the Year Honor.
This NFL Draft class may not reach as many Pro Bowlers as the other classes, but the current stars from this class will continue to rack up awards every single year. This class will go down as one of the greats.
1. 2017 (No. 1 Overall: DE Myles Garrett)
This one just feels obvious. When you have potentially the best QB in NFL history in your class, Patrick Mahomes, you are going to draw some eyes. Along with Myles Garrett first overall alongside plenty others, give this class its flowers.
Buried beneath all of this is the fact that this may be the best collective RB group I have ever seen. You got Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, James Conner, and Aaron Jones. Not too shabby.
The best draft move in NFL history was moving up to pick 10 for Patrick Mahomes! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oywcXZxk7n
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) April 12, 2023
In total: 33 Pro Bowlers combining for 74 total Pro Bowl appearances, 19 First Team All-Pro Selections, 2 Most Valuable Player Awards, 6 Super Bowl Championships, 3 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Awards, 1 Offensive Player of the Year Honor, and 1 Defensive Player of the Year Honor.
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For more from the author Roman Bruno, check him out on Twitter here: @romanbruno14
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Photo Credit: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK