Biggest Surprises in the NFL Draft History

The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting sporting events that actually doesn’t take place on the pitch. This is the perfect occasion for teams to carefully pick players who should be able to lead them to glory in the future. It is also exciting for NFL fans and analysts, who try to predict the top picks. However, there are always unexpected selections and some of these surprises leave a huge impact on the league. So, let’s explore some of the most unexpected NFL Draft moments that changed the course of teams. 

Tom Brady – 199th Overall in 2000

We will start with perhaps the most famous NFL Draft surprise of all time. The New England Patriots selected Tom Brady with the 199^th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft sixth round. With a modest scouting report at that time, who could have predicted that this legendary quarterback would go all the way to become one of the best NFL players in football history? Brady led his team to seven Super Bowl wins and he became one of the most iconic NFL players. Imagine you find such an underrated pick at betting sites from dead spin and place a bet, the returns could be huge!

Aaron Rodgers Falls to 24th in 2005

The 2005 NFL Draft wasn’t smooth for one of the best quarterbacks of his generation – Aaron Rodgers. He faced a long wait to be selected as 24^th by the Green Bay Packers, despite the expectations to be the top pick. Many fans and analysts were puzzled by other teams’ decision to opt for other quarterbacks or focus on different positions. It turned out that those teams missed a great opportunity to secure the signing of a Hall of Fame player.

Russell Wilson – Third-Round Steal in 2012

Russel Wilson had an impressive college career, however, he wasn’t seen as the first-round talent in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was passed over by many teams, mostly because he was considered undersized for an NFL quarterback. Nevertheless, the Seattle Sounders selected him in the 3^rd round as the 75^th pick overall, and he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in his second season. 

The Ricky Williams Trade in 1999

We come to one of the most controversial draft trades in NFL history, which took place in 1999. The New Orleans Saints and their coach Mike Ditka traded their all draft picks for Texas running back Ricky Williams. The Saints were so desperate to land Williams, and they couldn’t make any other picks in the 1999 NFL Draft. That move was heavily criticized, which turned out to be for a reason since the Saints didn’t enjoy the success they hoped for.

Lamar Jackson – 32nd Overall in 2018

Lamar Jackson was the final pick of the first round in the 2018 NFL Draft mostly because teams were skeptical about his playing style. However, the Baltimore Ravens saw his potential and Jackson proved the doubters wrong very quickly. He became one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, which led him to the 2019 NFL MVP award.

Conclusion

The NFL Draft is full of surprises, and these unexpected moments have shaped the league’s history. The unpredictability of the draft is what makes it so exciting, as no one truly knows which picks will turn into the league’s next stars.