The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and each year experts try and predict what each team will do when they go on the clock. But nobody really knows what each team is going to do until that draft night. With so many options, nailing a pick in the first round, especially in the top ten, is key to a team turning from a 3-13 snooze-fest to a perennial Super Bowl contender. Each year there are home run picks that will go down as one of the greatest selections of the draft and choices that leave you scratching your head. So, without further ado, here are the best players still playing in the NFL taken at each pick in the top 10.
Past Decade’s Greatest Selections at Each Top 10 Draft Slot
#1 Overall: Kyler Murray, Cardinals, 2018
Even though he has only played one season, Murray is well on his way to being the next star quarterback. Last season, he was thrust into the starting job in Week 1 with a rookie head coach, and in his first game he overcame a 17-6 deficit to tie the Lions. The rest of the season was more of the same, as he led the Cardinals to a 5-10-1 record, with limited talent around him. And he is trending up. This year he will have a full season under his belt, a full season with the versatile Kenyan Drake, and the new addition DeAndre Hopkins to throw to. Murray’s stiffest competition for this honor comes from pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who was selected by Houston in 2014. That being said, Clowney is most likely on his way to his third team in as many years, and last year wasn’t exactly #1 overall stuff.
#2 Overall: Von Miller, Broncos, 2011
#2 picks have had a lot more success in the NFL than #1 overall picks, and Miller is the choice here over stiff competition such as Nick Bosa, Saquon Barkley, and Carson Wentz. Von Miller helped lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl in 2015, and was a force in that game. He ended up winning Super Bowl MVP, and since then has only been one of the most feared pass rushers in the entire league. A Defensive Player of the Year Award is the only thing left for Miller to accomplish. Don’t be surprised if he does just that in the coming years.
#3 Overall: Joey Bosa, Chargers, 2016
The elder Bosa brother has been a force ever seen being drafted by the Chargers in 2016. Every year except 2018, which he missed nine games due to injury, he has had at least 10 sacks and at least 20 quarterback hits. He is a two-time Pro Bowler, and while he might get overshadowed by his younger brother with maybe a higher upside, there is no doubt that Bosa is one of the top tier pass rushers in today’s NFL.
#4 Overall: Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys, 2016
The Cowboys had an amazing draft in 2016, and they absolutely nailed this pick. Elliott had been a force in the backfield at Ohio State, basically putting the team on his back on their championship run in his last year. Since joining the NFL, Elliott has had at least 1,300 yards every season in which he played at least 15 games. And in the one year he didn’t, 2017, he still had 983 yards in 10 games. The three-time Pro Bowler has one All-Pro selection and has led the NFL in rushing yards twice. Zeke receives stiff competition from A.J. Green, whom the Bengals selected in 2011. Green is a borderline Hall of Fame talent, but then again so is Elliott. At each of their peaks, Elliott was more dominant, so he gets the choice.
#5 Overall: Khalil Mack, Raiders, 2014
Five Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pros, and one Defensive Player of the Year award are just some of the accomplishments Mack has racked up since entering the league out of Buffalo. Mack has been one of the most feared players in the entire NFL, both with the Raiders and the Bears. He helped the Raiders go 12-4 in 2016, and helped the Bears go 12-4 in 2018. The Raiders have struggled without Mack, and the Bears were mediocre before acquiring him. He helps make the team and the players around him better. In 2015, Mack became the first person in NFL history to make first-team All-Pro at two positions. Despite all of those accomplishments, Mack is still barely the choice. Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Peterson both have legit arguments, as they both are shutdown corners. But neither of them have the dominance that Mack does.
#6 Overall: Julio Jones, Falcons, 2011
The 2011 draft was stacked, but Jones was the cream of the crop. The Falcons gave up a king’s ransom to nab him, even though they had gone 13-3 the year before. Jones has simply put been the best wide receiver over the past decade. Even when the Falcons seem to struggle, Jones still puts up absurd numbers. He is also very clutch. Nobody remembers that amazing catch he had in Super Bowl LI because of what happens after, but that catch helped Atlanta move the chains. The Falcons are happy they moved up, because Jones has been well worth what they gave up.
#7 Overall: Mike Evans, Buccaneers, 2014
Evans is the easy choice here. He has had at least 65 receptions and 1,000 yards every season since entering the league. And that has been with terrible quarterback play, such as Jameis Winston. Here is a crazy stat for you: He has fumbled the ball four times over his entire career. Despite terrible quarterback play and even worse Tampa teams, Evans has been a top five wide receiver since 2014. He might have his best season yet this year with Tom Brady as his quarterback. But no matter who is under center, greatness will come from #13.
#8 Overall: Christian McCaffrey, Panthers, 2017
Christian McCaffrey is the best running back in the game right now. He became just the third person in NFL history to have a 1000-1000 season. And he accomplished this with having either Kyle Allen or Will Grier at quarterback for fourteen of the sixteen games this past season. So the entire defense was focused on him, but that still didn’t stop him. The eighth pick in the draft hasn’t produced many studs besides McCaffrey and tackle Jack Conklin. Conklin may have cashed out in free agency this past season, but there are at least 2,392 reasons why McCaffrey is better. He is the obvious choice.
#9 Overall: Tyron Smith, Cowboys, 2011
Players chosen ninth overall haven’t exactly been amazing, except Smith. Smith has made seven straight Pro Bowls, and has helped guys like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have spectacular seasons. You can easily make the argument Smith is the best tackle in today’s game, and easily one of the best since entering the NFL in 2011. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.6 grade last season, and he allowed just one sack. He also committed just eight penalties. The Cowboys disappointed last season, but Smith was hardly the problem.
#10 Overall: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, 2017
Do I even need to say anything? Through two seasons, Mahomes has had an MVP, two AFC Championships, a Super Bowl victory, and a Super Bowl MVP. Mahomes is easily the best quarterback in the game, even with what Lamar Jackson did last season. He has been as dominant over a two-year stretch as you will ever see. Mahomes gets the choice easily here over Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore may be the best corner in the game, but Mahomes is the best player, period. Mahomes gets the cake as the best tenth overall pick.
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