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NFL Compensatory Picks: The best every team has ever had

By Erik Lambert

27 Jan 2002 : Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Championship Game against the St.Louis Rams at the Dome at the America's Center in St.Louis, Missouri. The Rams advance to the Superbowl after winning 29-24. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
27 Jan 2002 : Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Championship Game against the St.Louis Rams at the Dome at the America's Center in St.Louis, Missouri. The Rams advance to the Superbowl after winning 29-24. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 19: David Tyree #85 and Chase Blackburn #57 of the New York Giants celebrate after a special teams tackle against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter on September 19, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Saints are playing their home opener, with proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund, in New Jersey after being forced from the Superdome which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 19: David Tyree #85 and Chase Blackburn #57 of the New York Giants celebrate after a special teams tackle against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter on September 19, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Saints are playing their home opener, with proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund, in New Jersey after being forced from the Superdome which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

David Tyree (WR, New York Giants)

Can one play actually make a man the best compensatory pick in a franchise’s history? Well when that play is the greatest in the history of a Super Bowl and directly led to the team winning a championship, the answer is obvious. David Tyree was more than just his iconic helmet catch, incredible and timeless as it was. People forget that he was a Pro Bowl special teams ace as well. That’s a pretty good return for a team that took him at the bottom of the 6th round as nothing more than a depth option. Proof again that every pick can matter.

Eric Smith (S, New York Jets)

Defense may have driven the ship during the New York Jets’ most recent run of success from 2009 to 2010, but a huge contribution came from their special teams during that period. One of their mainstays was Eric Smith. He was their captain and a third-phase fixture during his seven seasons with the team. One also can’t negate his occasional stints on defense where he collected 306 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six interceptions. Maybe some people expected more from a 3rd round pick, but the Jets were no doubt satisfied with what they got in return.

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