Top 10 Biggest NFL Draft Moments

The Top Ten

  1. Vikings miss their pick (2003)

    Unless you count Baltimore, Minnesota was the first team to create one of the most memorable moments in draft history. When people discuss draft moments, this is always at the top of the list. The Vikings had a ton of problems deciding whether they wanted to trade or just make the pick, which led to frustration among Minnesota fans. Not all was lost, though. While Byron Leftwich was not a Pro Bowler, Kevin Williams, the player they ended up selecting, became one of the best defensive tackles of the 2000s. It worked out great, but the moment remains unforgettable for Minnesota fans.

  2. Mel Kiper vs Bill Tobin (1994)

    For those who have seen it, this may be the most unscripted argument over a draft pick ever. Kiper thought the Colts would definitely take Trent Dilfer but instead, they chose the lesser-known Trev Alberts. This decision led Kiper to criticize the pick, sparking Bill Tobin's famous Who the hell is Mel Kiper? response. To this day, Kiper remains a prominent draft expert, while Tobin and his colleagues have faded into obscurity.

  3. Mike Ditka's Jack of All Trades (1999)

    For how great Mike Ditka is as an analyst and player, how many people actually remember when he was in charge of the Saints? Ditka was so interested in Ricky Williams that he gave up everything just to get him. No one else would dare to take such a risk, but Ditka did, leading to another losing season for the Saints.

  4. John Elway refuses to play for the Baltimore Colts (1983)

    After Elway was picked number 1, there was surprise because he didn't want to play for Baltimore. He didn't like the head coach at the time, Frank Kush. The next day, Denver asked for a trade to acquire Elway from Baltimore.

  5. Phillip Rivers and Eli Manning trade (2004)

    Two good quarterbacks, one with two Super Bowls, and the other considered one of the greatest without one. Eli Manning was picked first overall, similar to John Elway, but Eli's reaction was priceless, as he clearly did not want to play in San Diego. Fortunately, GM Ernie Accorsi managed to trade Eli for Philip Rivers. It worked out for both players, but the moment remains memorable.

  6. The fall of Randy Moss (1998)

    Everyone is excited for Joe Mixon in this year's draft, but back in 1998, everyone wanted Randy Moss. However, for the 12 teams that chose other players, they surely regret it now.

  7. Donovan McNabb gets jeered by Philadelphia fans (1999)

    In 1999, it was pretty clear who the best quarterback in the draft was - not Tim Couch or Akili Smith. Donovan McNabb was great when he started in Philly. However, if there's one bad moment he'd like to forget, it's being booed by Philadelphia fans on draft day.

  8. Dan Marino is last QB picked in the 1st round (1983)

    How Dan Marino fell so far is beyond me. It's a rarity to see such talent slip down the draft, similar to Aaron Rodgers in 2005. Marino was literally the second-to-last pick in the first round. While John Elway was great, and Jim Kelly eventually excelled, other quarterbacks like Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason did not pan out. Ken O'Brien had a decent record against Marino but was not the better pick. Marino's fall was the most painful thing to watch in 1983, even more than Rodgers' in 2005.

  9. Tom Brady drafted 199th (2000)

    Who would've thought that the greatest quarterback in NFL history would be selected at pick #199? But that's exactly where Tom Brady was drafted, despite a decent career at the University of Michigan. Six quarterbacks were taken ahead of him, but Brady has proven to be the best.

  10. ESPN begins covering the NFL Draft (1980)

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    The New York Jets draft Kyle Brady instead of Warren Sapp (1995)

  12. ?

    Phil Simms gets jeered by Giants fans (1979)

    13. The Contenders

  13. Aaron Rodgers drops to 24th (2005)

    A future MVP and Super Bowl champion, Aaron Rodgers started his career by dropping in the NFL Draft. After the 49ers selected Alex Smith with the first overall pick, Rodgers wasn't chosen until the 24th pick by the Green Bay Packers.

  14. Jordan Love falls 26th to the Packers (2020)

    Man, the hate for this pick is ridiculous. Granted, the entire Packers draft was questionable. This moment from the draft could be remembered for years to come. While it doesn't help them win immediately, it puts major pressure on Aaron Rodgers when he decides to retire.

  15. Ryan Shazier walking to announce the Steelers 2018 1st round pick (2018)

    I cried when I saw this for the first time.

  16. The Steelers draft 4 future Hall of Famers (1974)

  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft wrong player; trade early round picks for 1983 draft (1982)

    In 1982, Tampa was stuck between two names (Booker Reese and Sean Farrell) for the draft. They ultimately decided they wanted Reese, but due to a communication error via speakerphones, the Bucs ended up drafting Farrell by accident. Later, they traded their first-round and second-round picks of 1983 to get Reese. Those picks could've been used to draft a high-profile quarterback like Elway, Marino, or Kelly in the next year's draft. Ironically, Farrell had a decent career, while Reese ended up being a draft bust.

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