The best NFL third-round draft pick in the history of each franchise

Williams is head-and-shoulders above the Cardinals' other third-rounders, as a Hall of Famer and arguably the best cornerback of the 1990s. The Southern alum made eight Pro Bowls in a career that spanned 14 seasons.

Schaub entered the league as Michael Vick's backup before getting his opportunity to start in Houston. While his prime was short, Schaub made two Pro Bowls and led the league in passing yards in 2009.

Yanda had quite a career as a key part of Baltimore's offensive line. He started for Baltimore almost immediately after being drafted in 2007 and made eight Pro Bowls. We could be seeing the 13-year pro in Canton soon enough.

Ferguson never made the Pro Bowl, but he did have a long career in Buffalo. He started for the bulk of 12 seasons with the Bills, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1975 and passing yards in 1977. He capped off his 17-year career with short stints in Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis.

Considering the value, Smith is perhaps the best draft pick in Panthers' history. An undersized wideout out of Utah, Smith proved that his heart was more important than his height with an outstanding career that included eight 1,000-yard seasons and four Pro Bowls. He retired after 16 seasons with 14,731 career receiving yards.

Briggs was an anchor of Chicago's elite defenses in the 2000s, making seven consecutive Pro Bowls with the team. He played 12 seasons with the Bears, recording nearly 1,200 tackles for his career.

One of the most underrated quarterbacks in league history, Anderson made four Pro Bowls in his 16-year NFL career and was the 1981 league MVP. He started in Cincinnati for most of his career, with a 91-81 regular season record.

A 14-year pro out of Tennessee State, Pleasant peaked in his six seasons with the Browns. He recorded 11 sacks in 1993 and eight sacks two years later. A favorite of Bill Belichick, he followed the historic head coach to stops with the Jets and Patriots.

Witten showed remarkable consistency and durability in his 17-year NFL career, missing only one game. He made 11 Pro Bowls with the Cowboys and gained over 1,000 yards four times. The future Hall of Famer even came out of retirement after one year in the Monday Night Football booth to play two more seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Thompson had an excellent career in Denver, making three Pro Bowls and also finishing fourth in the AFL Defensive Player of the Year vote in his rookie campaign. His career stats include 40 sacks over 13 seasons.

Lary had a Hall of Fame career after being drafted out of Texas A&M. The defensive back made the Pro Bowl in nine of his 11 seasons and was a three-time champ with the Lions. Detroit also drafted Hall of Famers Fred Biletnikoff and Charlie Sanders in the third round.

Nitschke is one of Green Bay's all-time greats, as a five-time NFL Champ after 15 seasons with the team. He was either first- or second-team All-Pro five times, as well.

Brooks had an outstanding NFL career, but his most notable contribution came after four seasons in Houston. He made the Pro Bowl thrice with the Eagles before announcing his retirement following the 2021 season.

Hilton followed in the footsteps of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne as elite Colts wideout draftees. While his prime was relatively short, Hilton made four consecutive Pro Bowls and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2016. After 10 seasons in Indianapolis, Hilton played in Dallas in 2022.

Ngakoue was one of the best draft picks in Jacksonville's relatively young history, but they failed to retain him when he was eligible for free agency in 2020. He recorded 37.5 sacks and made one Pro Bowl in his four seasons with the Jags, and has continued to put up strong sack totals with several different teams since then.

With all due respect to Hall of Fame guard Will Shields (1993), Kelce has emerged as clearly the best third-round pick in Chiefs history. He continues to add to his story as arguably the best receiving tight end in league history, now with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and eight straight Pro Bowls. He's also been an All-Pro four times and won two Super Bowls since Patrick Mahomes came on board in KC.

A great find out of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Shell was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a 15-year career that included eight Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl victories. Following his playing career, Shell made his mark as a head coach with two stints in the role with the Raiders.

Fouts is the most prolific passer of his era, with over 43,000 passing yards in 15 seasons with the Chargers. He led the league in passing in four consecutive seasons and was the Offensive Player of the Year in 1982. Fouts made six Pro Bowls in his career.

Slater had an outstanding 20-year career with the Rams organization, even going with him to play in St. Louis for one year. The Hall of Famer started 211 games for his career, making seven Pro Bowls.

Taylor was a great find out of Akron, recording 139.5 career sacks in 15 NFL seasons. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 with 13.5 sacks and also led the league with 18.5 sacks in 2002. The Hall of Famer finished his career with six Pro Bowls and also won Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2007.

Tarkenton has a strong argument as the best third-round pick in NFL history after a Hall of Fame career. He played 18 seasons, making nine Pro Bowls and winning the league MVP in 1975. Tarkenton's success continued to the end of his career, as he led the league in passing in his final season in 1978.

New England's only Hall of Famer from the third round, Martin was an elite running back for the bulk of his 11-year career. He recorded over 1,000 yards rushing 13 times and led the NFL in rushing in 2004. Martin made five Pro Bowls in his career with the Patriots and Jets.

While 2017 third-round pick Alvin Kamara has had an excellent career so far, he still has some work to do to catch up with Swilling. Swilling made five Pro Bowls in 12 NFL seasons and was the 1991 Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league with 17 sacks. He had 107.5 sacks for his career.

Huff was one of the elite players of his era, making the Hall of Fame after 13 seasons that included five Pro Bowls. He capped off his career with five productive seasons with Washington.

Davis played five of his first six seasons with the Jets, but he didn't gain much notoriety until joining the Saints in 2018. Over five seasons in New Orleans, he's been a first- or second-time All-Pro four times and made his first Pro Bowl in 2022. Davis has recorded over 100 tackles eight times in his career.

McDonald was an elite player for most of his seven seasons in Philadelphia, making five consecutive Pro Bowls and leading the league in receiving yards and touchdowns in 1961. He played 12 seasons, making six Pro Bowls in all before his Hall of Fame induction. The third round has also been fruitful for the Eagles, with other players like Jeremiah Trotter and Brian Westbrook.

Blount is Pittsburgh's only Hall of Famer from the third round so far, though Joey Porter and Hines Ward are in the conversation. His splendid 14-year career included five Pro Bowls, four Super Bowls, and the 1975 Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The third round has been very prestigious for the 49ers organization, with Montana leading the way. Joe Cool is remembered as one of the best quarterbacks in league history, winning two MVPs and four Super Bowls. The Hall of Famer made eight Pro Bowls in 15 seasons. The 49ers also drafted Hall of Famers Terrell Owens, Dave Wilcox, and Bob St. Clair in the third round, with Frank Gore possibly joining them in Canton.

Seahawks fans aren't very fond of Wilson these days, but there's no questioning his status as the franchise's best-ever third-round pick. He shocked the league to not only become the starter in his rookie season but immediately push the Seahawks to a mini-dynasty with two Super Bowl appearances and one ring in the 2010s. Wilson made nine Pro Bowls in 10 seasons with Seattle before getting traded to Denver.

The Bucs had an incredible third-round hit with safety John Lynch in 1993, but their drafting of Barber four years later was arguably better. A 15-year player in Tampa Bay, Barber made five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro three times. He had 47 interceptions for his career, including a league-high 10 picks in 2001.

Bethea played his entire 16-year career with the franchise formerly known as the Oilers and now known as the Titans. The Hall of Famer made the Pro Bowl eight times and recorded 105 sacks for his career.

Washington's success in the 1980s was helped by great third-round picks in that era, like Grimm, Charles Mann (1983), and Jay Schroeder (1984). Grimm is the only one of the trio in the Hall of Fame, making four Pro Bowls and being named an All-Pro three times in 11 seasons.