In the NFL, early draft picks get the spotlight, but some of the league’s greatest legends have come from the shadows of the later rounds. Time and time again, overlooked players have defied expectations, turning draft-day snubs into Hall of Fame careers.
From franchise cornerstones to Super Bowl heroes, these late-round gems proved that talent and determination outweigh draft position. Here’s a look at the biggest steals in NFL Draft history—players who seized their moment and left an unforgettable mark on the game.
15. Ricky Proehl, WR (Phoenix Cardinals, 1990)
Ricky Proehl, selected 58th overall in the third round, became a reliable receiver over his 17-year NFL career. He amassed 669 receptions for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns, playing for six different teams. Proehl’s clutch performances in the playoffs, including key catches in four Super Bowl appearances, solidified his status as an excellent mid-round pick.
14. Corey Dillon, RB (Cincinnati Bengals, 1997)
Corey Dillon was actually a second-round pick (43rd overall) by the Bengals in 1997, not a fifth-rounder. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons and set the NFL single-game rushing record with 278 yards in 2000. Dillon finished his career with 11,241 rushing yards and was inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honor in 2024.
13. Jamal Agnew, WR/KR (Detroit Lions, 2017)
Jamal Agnew has indeed made a significant impact as a return specialist and receiver. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie in 2017, leading the NFL in punt return yards and touchdowns. Agnew has scored touchdowns as a receiver, rusher, and returner, including a record-tying 109-yard return of a missed field goal in 2021. He was also selected for the 2023 Pro Bowl as a return specialist, replacing Devin Duvernay due to injury.
12. Lester Hayes, CB (Oakland Raiders, 1977)
Lester Hayes, drafted 126th overall in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL Draft, became a legendary cornerback for the Raiders. He recorded 39 interceptions, including a league-leading 13 in 1980, which remains tied for the second-most in a single season. Hayes was named AP Defensive Player of the Year that same year. He played a crucial role in the Raiders’ two Super Bowl victories (XV and XVIII) and earned five Pro Bowl selections during his 10-year career.
11. Trent Green, QB (San Diego Chargers, 1993)
Trent Green, drafted 222nd overall in the eighth round, became a two-time Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs. He threw for over 28,000 yards and 162 touchdowns in his 15-year NFL career, including five consecutive 3,600+ yard seasons with the Chiefs. Green’s success story exemplifies the potential hidden in later draft rounds.
10. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE (Green Bay Packers, 2000)
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, nicknamed “KGB,” became a dominant pass rusher for the Green Bay Packers. Drafted 149th overall in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, he recorded 74.5 career sacks, breaking Reggie White’s franchise record of 68.5 in 2007. A Pro Bowler in 2003, Gbaja-Biamila was the first Packer to achieve double-digit sacks in four consecutive seasons (2001-2004). His impact on Green Bay’s defense solidified his status as one of the best fifth-round steals in NFL history.
9. Stefon Diggs, WR (Minnesota Vikings, 2015)
Stefon Diggs has far exceeded expectations since being drafted 146th overall. With 857 career receptions for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns, Diggs has become one of the NFL’s elite receivers. He led the league in receptions and yards in 2020 with 127 receptions and 1,535 yards and has earned four Pro Bowl selections. Diggs continues to be a dynamic playmaker for the Houston Texans, having been traded to the team in 2024.
8. Mark Stepnoski, C (Dallas Cowboys, 1989)
Mark Stepnoski, drafted 57th overall in the third round, became a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys’ dominant offensive line in the 1990s. The five-time Pro Bowler played 13 seasons in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls (XXVII and XXVIII) with Dallas. Stepnoski’s exceptional technique and intelligence made him one of the era’s best centers, earning him a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
7. Herschel Walker, RB (Dallas Cowboys, 1985)
Herschel Walker, drafted 114th overall in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1985, became a two-time Pro Bowler (1987 and 1988) and rushed for 8,225 yards in his NFL career. His most significant impact came through a blockbuster trade to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989, which netted Dallas five players and six draft picks. These picks were instrumental in building the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, leading to the selection of key players like Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, and Russell Maryland.
6. Rodney Harrison, S (San Diego Chargers, 1994)
Rodney Harrison, drafted 145th overall in the fifth round, became one of the NFL’s most feared safeties. Over his 15-year career, he amassed 1,206 tackles, 34 interceptions, and 30.5 sacks, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 30+ sacks and 30+ interceptions. A two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, Harrison played a crucial role in their victories in Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX. His dominance and versatility solidified his legacy as one of the greatest safeties in NFL history.
5. Kevin Greene, LB (Los Angeles Rams, 1985)
Kevin Greene, a walk-on at Auburn, became one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers. Drafted 113th overall in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft, he amassed 160 sacks over his 15-season career with four teams. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL sacks leader, Greene played a crucial role on defense and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
4. George Kittle, TE (San Francisco 49ers, 2017)
George Kittle was indeed selected 146th overall in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has become one of the NFL’s elite tight ends, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. Kittle set the single-season receiving yards record for tight ends in 2018 with 1,377 yards. His combination of receiving skills and blocking prowess makes him a complete player at his position.
3. Tyreek Hill, WR (Kansas City Chiefs, 2016)
Tyreek Hill was indeed selected 165th overall in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has become one of the NFL’s most explosive players, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro honors. As of now, he has recorded 62 receiving touchdowns and over 9,000 receiving yards in his career. Hill continues to dominate defenses with his unmatched speed and agility, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top wide receivers.
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2. Richard Sherman, CB (Seattle Seahawks, 2011)
Richard Sherman, drafted 154th overall in the fifth round, became one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. From 2011-2016, he led the league with 26 interceptions and earned three First-Team All-Pro selections. Sherman was instrumental in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII victory, where their defense dominated the Denver Broncos. Known for his outspoken personality and shutdown ability, Sherman became a defining player of his era.
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1. Zach Thomas, LB (Miami Dolphins, 1996)
Zach Thomas, drafted 154th overall in the fifth round, became a cornerstone of the Miami Dolphins’ defense for 12 seasons. The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro amassed over 1,700 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 17 interceptions during his career. Known for his exceptional instincts and leadership, Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
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