2022 NFL Draft Notebook: Top draft picks of the past decade and more
By John Blair
This week’s 2022 NFL Draft Notebook takes a look at the top five draft choices over the previous 10 years. Two main factors were looked at to determine what selections qualified as the best picks over the past decade including their overall production with each player on this list being named to at least two Pro Bowls. It was also factored in where they went in the draft as no player on this list was drafted until the third round, and three of the five players were selected in the fifth round.
Along with naming the top five picks over the previous decade this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also take a look at the following
- The top offensive guards in the 2022 NFL Draft
- How Cam Akers injury could affect the Los Angeles Rams 2022 NFL Draft plans
- A couple of rookie wide receivers could surprise this year
- And much more
Top Draft Picks
1. Seattle Seahawks: QB, Russell Wilson, third-round pick in 2012
No player has helped transform the quarterback position more in the past ten years than Russell Wilson. The old thought was a team needed a big tall pocket passer to today’s thinking of needing more of an athletic quarterback who can make plays with their feet regardless of their size.
During his nine seasons, Wilson has thrown for over 20 touchdowns becoming just the third quarterback to do this with the other two being Dan Marino and Peyton Manning. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl eight times, won a Super Bowl, and been an MVP candidate several times.
2. Dallas Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott, fourth-round pick in 2016
The first two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft were Jared Goff who went number one to the Los Angeles Rams and Carson Wentz who went number two to the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, the best quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft fell to the fourth round when the Dallas Cowboys selected Dak Prescott. Since joining the Cowboys, Prescott has been named to the Pro Bowl twice and become one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: WR, Tyreek Hill, fifth-round pick in 2016
Tyreek Hill fell to the fifth round due to his off-the-field issues that included a domestic violence incident.
However, since coming into the NFL he has become one of the best deep threats in the NFL catching 61 deep passes for 2,439 yards and 28 deep touchdowns all of which lead the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
4. Atlanta Falcons: DT, Grady Jarrett, fifth-round pick in 2015
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarret is the best defensive pick over the past ten years. Since being a fifth-round selection in 2015 he has established himself as one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL registering 25.5 sacks including three in the Super Bowl 51.
5. San Francisco 49ers: TE, George Kittle, fifth-round pick in 2017
One of the main reasons George Kittle fell to the fifth round in the 2017 NFL Draft is that he was underutilized in Iowa’s offense. During his career with the Hawkeyes, he never had more than 22 receptions in a season and finished with only 48 career receptions.
He has seen this production skyrocket since entering the NFL though never recording less than 42 receptions in a season and being named a Pro Bowler in both 2018 and 2019.