The 16 Biggest Draft Steals in NFL History

Late-round picks and undrafted names who outlasted the men chosen ahead of them. Every matchup asks which one the league misjudged most.

1

Tom Brady

Taken 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 draft and went on to win seven Super Bowls.

2

Terrell Davis

A sixth-round pick in 1995 who rushed for 2,000 yards in a season and won two titles in Denver.

3

Shannon Sharpe

Seventh-round pick in 1990 who redefined the tight end position and reached the Hall of Fame.

4

Richard Sherman

Fifth-round cornerback in 2011 who became the loudest voice of the Legion of Boom.

5

Antonio Gates

Undrafted basketball player who signed with San Diego and finished as one of the best tight ends ever.

6

Kurt Warner

Undrafted quarterback who stocked grocery shelves before winning an MVP and a Super Bowl with the Rams.

7

Joe Montana

Third-round pick in 1979 who won four Super Bowls and never lost one.

8

Tom Nalen

Seventh-round center in 1994 who anchored Denver's line through two championships.

9

Brett Favre

Second-round pick traded to Green Bay for a first, where he started 297 straight games.

10

Rod Smith

Undrafted receiver who caught more than 800 passes for Denver and won two rings.

11

Priest Holmes

Undrafted running back who became the most productive scorer in football in Kansas City.

12

Marques Colston

Seventh-round receiver in 2006 who became the Saints' all-time leading pass catcher.

13

Bart Starr

Seventeenth-round pick in 1956 who won five championships and the first two Super Bowls.

14

Roger Staubach

Tenth-round pick in 1964 who served in the Navy first and still made the Hall of Fame.

15

Jared Allen

Fourth-round pass rusher in 2004 who finished with more than 130 career sacks.

16

Wes Welker

Undrafted slot receiver who led the league in receptions three times.