Best Value NFL Draft Picks of the 2010s

It’s a new year and the 2010s are behind us. That means 10 drafts have taken place with a host of talent entering the mix for the first time. Here, we have the draft picks with the best value from the last decade.

Best Value NFL Draft Picks of the 2010s

№5 George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Kittle has emerged as the top weapon on a stellar San Francisco 49ers team that could very well find themselves in a Super Bowl very soon. In his last two seasons, Kittle has racked up 173 receptions, 2,430 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns, numbers that rank behind only two other tight ends — Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce.

What separates Kittle from Ertz and Kelce, and why he made the list over them, is the fact that Kittle was taken much later in his draft and he made his mark much earlier. Neither Ertz (2013, 2nd round) or Kelce (2013, 3rd round) cracked 80 receptions or 1,000 yards as quickly as Kittle, who accomplished both in his second season. It took Ertz six seasons and Kelce four seasons to reach those heights. And, most importantly, eight other tight ends were taken before Kittle in the 2017 NFL Draft. He didn’t go until the 5th round in 2017, yet he’s the only tight end from the draft to make a Pro Bowl.

№4 Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

He hasn’t signed his deal yet, but Dak Prescott is well on his way to becoming one of the most highly-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, it took an unfortunate event (Tony Romo injury) for Dak to get a chance. When it came, though, he made the most of it, going 13–3 in his rookie year with 23 touchdown passes, a 104.9 passer rating, and just four interceptions. He has a 40–24 career record, marking himself as a proven winner with little to no ego. At the podium, he always says the right thing, too. As for the five quarterbacks selected before Dak and after Goff/Wentz, several are out of the league already and none have made a Pro Bowl.

№3 Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

Gronkowski was picked in the second round of the 2010 draft and spent his entire professional career with the New England Patriots where he won three Super Bowl titles. In 2011, just his second season, he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns. After suffering an injury in 2013, Gronk showed tremendous mental strength to get back to an elite level in 2014, earning Comeback Player of the Year Award after posted 82 catches, 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. The Arizona product made a decision to retire somewhat early — nine seasons — but he sure left a legacy as a player and personality. To get a surefire Hall of Famer in the second round was a major accomplishment for New England, and he’s the last skill-position player drafted by Bill Belichick to make a Pro Bowl.

№2 Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson ended his college career with the Griese-Brees Award, given to the best quarterback in the Big 10. Still, despite that recognition, it wasn’t until round three of the 2012 NFL Draft that the Seattle Seahawks took a chance on him. Wilson set about repaying their faith immediately and was named Rookie of the Year in his first season, beating out Matt Flynn for the starting job, a guy they had signed to three-year, $20 million contract a month before the draft.

In 2014, Wilson and a legendary Seahawks defense, nicknamed the “Legion of Boom,” led the Seahawks to their lone NFL Super Bowl win. Wilson and the Seattle also earned a spot in Super Bowl XLIX, losing to New England. All told, Wilson has only had one season with less than 10 wins and he’s started every single game. Not bad for the 75th overall pick.

T-№1 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs | Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The Chicago Bears made a huge mistake in the 2017 NFL Draft, picking Mitch Trubisky instead of Patrick Mahomes. One year later, four quarterbacks were taken before Lamar Jackson, including a laughable selection of Josh Rosen by the Arizona Cardinals. These two guys are young, yet they’re clearly the future of the league. They’re must-see television every Sunday, team players, and good guys to boot. There was a time when people were worried about interest in the league falling when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were beyond their primes. These guys are proving the league is in good hands.

In his first year as Kansas City’s full-time starter, Mahomes became the second player to have a 5,000-yard, 50-touchdown season, earning MVP honors. Jackson, in his first season as Baltimore’s full-time starter, is almost certainly going to win the MVP after breaking Michael Vick’s quarterback rushing record, throwing 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions, and leading the Ravens to an NFL-best 14–2 record.