2014 NFL Draft: The Deepest Class in the Last 30 Years?

Jan 25, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; A general view during the first half of a game between the South squad and the North squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL Draft had yet another record number of underclassmen, a number which supplemented a pretty strong senior class of players. That has people talking about the overall depth of the draft, something that could potentially be a huge benefit to all 32 NFL teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, a guy who has a pretty decent eye for talent I would say, said this about the class of 2014:

“As deep across the board as I’ve seen in 30 years.”

That’s a pretty lofty statement, especially considering exactly 30 years ago would take us all the way back to 1984, and there have obviously been some really great draft classes in that time period.

Colbert is weary, however, about the amount of underclassmen, citing that some just aren’t ready for the NFL quite yet.

That means that a deep class like this could pay huge dividends in both the present as well as down the line with developmental guys. I think this year’s crop of players is especially deep at the wide receiver position, and at the top end, tackle might be the deepest position as far as first round prospects or guys that could go in the top 50.

Recently, Mel Kiper Jr. had placed nine total wide receivers in his first round mock draft.