Fansided

Each NFL team’s best draft pick of the last decade

By Mike Phillips

Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Carolina: LB Luke Kuechly (2012 1st Round, No. 9)

This was a tough call as Cam Newton won an MVP award but we’re going with Luke Kuechly here. The Panthers’ first-round pick in 2012, Kuechly developed into one of the best inside linebackers in football. Kuechly racked up plenty of hardware in his career before retiring after last season, which should make his Hall-of-Fame candidacy a fascinating discussion.

Chicago Bears: G Kyle Long (2013 1st Round, No. 20)

Picking a guard in the first round isn’t sexy but it can pay off in a big way if the pick is smart. The Chicago Bears hit a home run with Kyle Long, who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. Long retired after the 2019 season due to various injuries.

Cincinnati Bengals: WR A.J. Green (2011 1st Round, No. 4)

Bengals’ fans are hoping the answer to this question eventually becomes Joe Burrow, but right now it is A.J. Green. The No. 4 overall pick out of Georgia in 2011, Green began his career with seven straight Pro Bowl appearances. Green developed into one of the NFL’s best receivers before getting slowed down by injuries at the end of the decade.

Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett (2017 1st Round, No. 1)

The Browns have had their fair share of whiffs in the first round so hitting on Myles Garrett has been big. Cleveland passed on several potential franchise quarterbacks to take Garrett, who has turned into one of the NFL’s most terrorizing pass rushers.

Garrett has drawn some flack for being a dirty player and was suspended for the final six games of the 2019 season after a wild incident where he swung a helmet at Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph in the final seconds of a game.

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