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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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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 16: Andre Caldwell #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball while defended by Pat Angerer #51 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on October 16, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 27-17. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 16: Andre Caldwell #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball while defended by Pat Angerer #51 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on October 16, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 27-17. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Andre Caldwell (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

Taken just one selection before another player on this list (Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta Falcons), Andre Caldwell was selected 97th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Caldwell had a great career at Florida before being picked by the Bengals, and he brought his vertical speed and return ability to the NFL.

Most of his NFL career was spent as a reserve and special teams player, but Caldwell had some really strong years in that role player role especially with the Denver Broncos from 2012-15.

In 2013, when the Broncos had the best offense in the NFL, Caldwell scored three touchdowns and averaged 12.5 yards per catch. He won a Super Bowl in 2015.

Rashard Higgins (WR, Cleveland Browns)

The Cleveland Browns don’t have an illustrious list of compensatory picks, apparently, as Rashard Higgins’ story is still being written.

With that said, the former Colorado State product and fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft (176th overall) has become a really solid player and had a breakout season of sorts in 2018.

This past season, Higgins caught 39 passes for 572 yards with four touchdowns.

Higgins is well on his way to a solid NFL career and with Baker Mayfield ascending in Cleveland, his numbers should only go up. He was wildly productive at Colorado State and was considered a big-time steal in the fifth-round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

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