Better make your pick count when it is a first-rounder. The best of the best in each slot in the first round in this decade presents some amazing talent.
32. Lamar Jackson (2018)
May be a wee bit premature but any time a rookie like Lamar Jackson pushes out a Super Bowl-winning quarterback like Joe Flacco he deserves accolades
31. Travis Frederick (2013)
The four-time Pro Bowler missed the entire 2018 season and Dallas missed him. A return to form will make a stellar defensive line more formidable.
30. T.J. Watt (2017)
One of two brothers on the list, the Steelers struck gold when they selected T.J. Watt. He has 20 sacks in his first two seasons.
29. Harrison Smith (2012)
The Vikings grabbed a great DB when they chose Harrison Smith from Notre Dame. He’s made four consecutive Pro Bowls.
28. Mark Ingram (2011)
Mark Ingram moves from New Orleans to Baltimore. The Heisman jinx did not impact the former Alabama star. He has more than 6,000 yards rushing.
27. DeAndre Hopkins (2013)
Possibly the best hands in the league, which is what the Houston Texans got when they drafted DeAndre Hopkins from Virginia. He has 528 receptions, including two seasons of 100-plus.
26. Whitney Mercilus (2012)
Whitney Mercilus came to the Texans from Illinois. He’s been a stopper on one of the best defenses in the game.
25. Xavier Rhodes (2013)
Xavier Rhodes teams with Harrison Smith in the Vikings’ secondary. A two-time Pro Bowler, the former Florida State star shuts down opponents on a weekly basis.
24. David DeCastro (2012)
David DeCastro is simply one of the most superb linemen in the game. The Steelers got a great one when they chose DeCastro out of Stanford. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler.
23. Dee Ford (2014)
Dee Ford is coming off his best sack season, with 13 in 2018. The Chiefs will miss his presence, and the Niners will welcome it.
22. Demaryius Thomas (2010)
Demaryius Thomas had 665 catches for more than 9,000 yards in nearly nine years with Denver. It will be interesting to see what chemistry he develops with Tom Brady in New England.
21. Chandler Jones (2012)
Chandler Jones earned a Super Bowl ring as a Patriot. He led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2017 for the Cardinals. Pity his talent is wasted in the desert.
20. Brandin Cooks (2014)
Brandin Cooks is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL. Makes it hard to fathom how he is on his third team already. He has four straight 1,000-yard plus seasons.
19. Leighton Vander Esch (2018)
Feels like this list is a tribute to the Dallas Cowboys’ scouting staff. Leighton Vander Esch was a gem out of Boise State, who only played eight-man football in high school.
18. Marcus Peters (2015)
Tough choice here but we will go with Marcus Peters over Melvin Ingram. Drafted out of Washington by the KC, Peters has 22 picks in his career. He’s now a Los Angeles Ram.
17. C.J. Mosley (2014)
C.J. Mosley was a vital spoke in the fierce Baltimore Ravens defense. He’s moving to the Jets now courtesy of a massive contract via free agency.
16. Zack Martin (2014)
Zack Martin is another example of the fine drafting Dallas does with its top picks. Out of Notre Dame, Martin has been named to the Pro Bowl five times.
15. Mike Pouncey (2011)
Mike Pouncey gets the nod over Jason Pierre-Paul and Ryan Shazier. Tough to go against Shazier for the inspiration he provides. However, Pouncey is a four-time Pro Bowler out of Florida. One of the best centers in the game.
14. Earl Thomas (2010)
Earl Thomas came to the Seahawks from Texas, where he actually wore the same number at the same time as Colt McCoy. That’s what more than 100 scholarships will to to a school. He moves to Baltimore after a wonderful career on the field as a Seahawk.
13. Aaron Donald (2014)
There was no question Aaron Donald was the top pick in this decade out of the 13 slot. The defensive lineman is the sack master and is a disaster for opposing linemen.
12. Fletcher Cox (2012)
Fletcher Cox is one of the reasons why the Eagles have a Super Bowl ring. He’s a defensive force and was a gem of a selection. Gets the nod over Odell Beckham and Deshaun Watson.
11. J.J. Watt (2011)
J.J. Watt leads on the field, is a complete force and unstoppable. He’s also a great humanitarian, which makes this an easy call.
10. Todd Gurley (2015), Patrick Mahomes (2017)
Not going to try and split Todd Gurley and Patrick Mahomes. Makes no sense to divvy when it comes to a pair of absolute superstars.
9. Luke Kuechly (2012)
Luke Kuechly edges Tyron Smith, though you could not go wrong with either player. The Carolina LB is a leader on the field and a total gamer.
8. Christian McCaffrey (2017)
A threat rushing or receiving, Christian McCaffrey has proven to be one of the top running backs in the game.
7. Mike Evans (2014)
Well, one first-rounder out of Texas A&M in 2014 made an impact. Mike Evans has 395 catches. The only thing he hasn’t done is have a 100-grab season, which could happen this year. He’s done far better than his college QB, Johnny Manziel.
6. Julio Jones (2011)
Julio Jones was another great wide receiver grabbed from the SEC. The Alabama standout went a couple picks after A.J. Green. Two great wideouts in one draft.
5. Khalil Mack (2014)
Khalil Mack is simply a game-changer. The Raiders landed a special player when they drafted the LB from Buffalo. Unfortunate for them, dealing him to Chicago was not a great decision.
4. A.J. Green (2011)
One of the tougher calls goes to Julio Jones over Ezekiel Elliott. The Bengals’ wideout from Georgia has 602 catches and 63 TDs in his career. The Cowboys’ RB could overtake him in the long run … if he behaves … but not for this exercise.
3. Gerald McCoy (2010)
Gerald McCoy has been the heart and soul of the Bucs’ defense since being drafted out of Oklahoma. Tampa Bay will miss his presence on and off the field.
2. Von Miller (2011)
The Denver Broncos got a tremendous force when they selected Von Miller out of Texas A&M. The LB has 98 sacks, including seven seasons of double-digit drops of quarterbacks.
1. Andrew Luck (2012)
Plenty of talent went No. 1 overall in this decade. Andrew Luck gets the nod, especially after his remarkable comeback season, which saw him lead the Colts to the playoffs.
