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The best picks of the 2018 NFL Draft in every round

By Christopher Thomas

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Orlando Brown #78 after a touchdown during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Orlando Brown #78 after a touchdown during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (7) attempts a field goal during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (7) attempts a field goal during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Seventh Round

229. Miami Dolphins: Jason Sanders, K, New Mexico

It isn’t often that an All-Pro is drafted in the seventh round, regardless of their position. The Miami Dolphins were able to land themselves a future All-Pro when they drafted New Mexico kicker Jason Sanders in the seventh round in 2018.

Sanders was the Dolphins’ only kicker on the roster after being drafted in 2018. He completed 90% of his field-goal attempts (18 of 20) and made 35 of 36 (97.2%) of his extra points in his rookie season. Sanders then experienced a sophomore slump his second season in the league only completing 76.7% of his field-goal attempts (23 of 30) including four misses 40 and 49 yards away. However, he did make 26 of 27 (96.7%) of his extra points and caught a touchdown pass on a trick play during his sophomore season.

Miami didn’t read into Sanders’ 2019-20 season too much and decided to stick with him this past season. Sanders made a career-high 36 of 39 field-goal attempts (92.3%) and did not miss any of his 36 extra-point attempts last season. He was tied with the league lead with eight made field goals of 50+ yards. Sanders also was tied with YoungHoe Koo and Daniel Carlson for the most points scored last season with 144.

His performance during the 2020-21 season earned Sanders First-Team All-Pro recognition and was the reason why the Miami Dolphins paid Sanders a five-year $22 million extension. That extension is the largest contract given to a kicker in NFL history and makes Sanders the fourth highest-paid kicker in the league on a per-year basis.

Honorable Mentions:

230. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Cincinnati Bengals): Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin 

233. Philadelphia Eagles: (via New England Patriots from Kansas City Chiefs, originally from Arizona Cardinals): Jordan Mailata, OT, South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL

251. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern

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