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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 15: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 15: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

Hines Ward (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers)

Few teams can appreciate the value of compensatory picks more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. After all, one of them secured the all-time leading receiver in franchise history. That’s right all you non-history lovers. That record still belongs to Hines Ward despite all the Antonio Brown hoopla. With Brown also about to leave, it’s going to stay that way. Ward was a 3rd round pick in 1998 and would become a mainstay of their offense for the next 14 seasons. During that time he compiled 12,000 yards, 85 touchdowns, and two Super Bowl rings.

Ray McDonald (DE, San Francisco 49ers)

This is a difficult inclusion to make given the tragic direction his life took with the domestic violence arrests and prison service. It puts a stain on the good things McDonald had done for the San Francisco 49ers. He spent eight seasons with the team, compiling 19.5 sacks and 210 tackles. He was a steady contributor during their big runs from 2011 to 2013 where they reached three NFC championships and the Super Bowl. His career may have had a brighter ending but his inner demons forever tarnished his reputation in professional football.

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