Top 25 Draft-Day Steals of All Time

By Brian Kalchik

Top 25 Draft-Day Steals of All Time

Oakland Raiders v New England Patriots — The Draft in any sport isn't an exact science. Some players who were expected to become stars eventually flop while some players who get overlooked become stars. In this list, I countdown the 25 biggest draft-day steals of all time. With so many candidates to choose from, some who deserve to be mentioned will be left out. If you a favorite of your own, comment below or make your own list.

25. Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings

25. Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings — One of the best scorers in the game today, Henrik Zetterberg was drafted in the eighth round of the 1999 NHL Draft. In the NHL, Zetterberg won the Stanley Cup in 2008 and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With Sweden, his national team, he also won gold medals in the 2006 Ice Hockey World Championships and 2006 Winter Olympics.

24. Spencer Haywood

Spencer Haywood Sonics

24. Spencer Haywood

Spencer Haywood Sonics — One of the most underrated players in Seattle SuperSonics history, Spencer Haywood was selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft. With the SuperSonics, Haywood was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1972 and 1973 and the All-NBA Second Team in 1974 and 1975. Haywood played in four NBA All-Star Games while with Seattle, and helped lead the SuperSonics to their first postseason berth.

23. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist Rangers

23. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist Rangers — In the 2000 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders drafted Rick DiPietro No. 1 overall. In that same draft, the Rangers drafted Henrik Lundqvist with the 205th overall pick. Lundqvist has been one of the NHL's biggest goalie while DiPietro was a flop. Lundqvist helped lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1994 this past season.

22. Bill Laimbeer

Bill Laimbeer Pistons

22. Bill Laimbeer

Bill Laimbeer Pistons — One of the faces of Detroit's "Bad Boys," Bill Laimbeer was selected No. 65 overall in the third round of the 1979 NBA Draft by Cleveland. After several seasons with the Cavs, Laimbeer went to Detroit. With the Pistons, Laimbeer won two NBA Championships, was a four-time All-Star, and from 1982-1990, no one grabbed more defensive rebounds than him.

21. Jorge Posada

Jorge Posada Yankees

21. Jorge Posada

Jorge Posada Yankees — One of the faces of the dominant Yankees teams of the 1990s, catcher Jorge Posada was drafted in the 24th round of the 1990 MLB Draft. Posada became one of the best catches in the game and one of the most beloved players in Yankees history.

20. Dominik Hasek

Dominik Hasek Sabers

20. Dominik Hasek

Dominik Hasek Sabers — A six-time Vezina Trophy winner, Dominik Hasek wasn't selected until the 10th round of the 1983 Draft. After being drafted by Chicago, Hasek was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Hasek helped the Sabres reach the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals and then signed with Detroit. For the Red Wings, Hasek was part of two Stanley Cup winning teams.

19. Brett Hull

Brett Hull Stars

19. Brett Hull

Brett Hull Stars — Brett Hull, Bobby Hull's son, wasn't selected until the sixth round of the 1984 NHL Draft. Hull would go on to lead the NHL in goals scored for three seasons and ranks third all-time in career goals behind only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. Hull would win two Stanley Cups, one with Dallas and one with Detroit.

18. Maurice Cheeks

Maurice Cheeks 76ers

18. Maurice Cheeks

Maurice Cheeks 76ers — The floor general for the Philadelphia 76ers' 1983 NBA Championship team, Maurice Cheeks was selected with the No. 36 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. In Philadelphia, Cheeks was a great two-way point guard and a great third option behind Julius Erving and Moses Malone. Cheeks would go on to become a four-time All-Star and a four-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection.

17. Nate Archibald

Nate Archibald Celtics

17. Nate Archibald

Nate Archibald Celtics — A second-round steal in the 1970 NBA draft, Nate "Tiny" Archibald became one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. In 1972-73, Archibald led the NBA in scoring and assists, becoming the only player to win the titles in both categories in the same season. After starring for the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City Kings, Archibald finished his illustrious career in Boston and won his only NBA Championship in 1981.

16. John Smoltz

John Smoltz Braves

16. John Smoltz

John Smoltz Braves — In 1985, John Smoltz was drafted in the 22nd round by the Detroit Tigers. Smoltz would never throw a pitch for the Tigers and would become a dominant player for the Atlanta Braves. He went onto eight All-Star Games, a Cy Young Award and a World Series title. The Tigers goofed on that one.

15. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman Pistons

15. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman Pistons — One of the greatest defenders of all-time and one of the craziest athletes ever, Dennis Rodman was an excellent but volatile player. In his career, Rodman won five NBA Championships, two with Detroit and three with Chicago, was a two-time All-Star, and won seven rebounding titles.

14. Luc Robitaille

Luc Robitaille Kings

14. Luc Robitaille

Luc Robitaille Kings — One of the greatest players in Los Angeles Kings history, Luc Robitaille was drafted in the ninth round of the 1984 Draft. Robitaille is now in the Hall of Fame after scoring 668 career goals and retired as the highest scoring left-winger in NHL history. He also won his only Stanley Cup title with the Detroit Red Wings in 2001-02.

13. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Broncos

13. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Broncos — Shannon Sharpe, Sterling Sharpe's little brother, was one of the greatest to ever play at the tight end position. Shannon was a seventh-round selection in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Sharpe became John Elway's favorite receiver in Denver and helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. Sharpe then signed with the Baltimore Ravens and helped them win Super Bowl XXXV.

12. Tony Parker

Tony Parker Spurs

12. Tony Parker

Tony Parker Spurs — One of the finest European players ever, Tony Parker was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. With the Spurs, Parker has made six All-Star Game appearances, has won four NBA Championships, and was the MVP of the 2007 NBA Finals.

11. Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili Spurs

11. Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili Spurs — Parker's teammate in San Antonio since 2002, Manu Ginobili was selected by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 57 overall in the 1999 NBA Draft. After several seasons overseas, Ginobili came to the Spurs in 2002. One of the greatest sixth men in NBA history, Ginobili has won four NBA Championships with the Spurs, was a two-time All-Star, and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2008.

10. Jim Thome

Jim Thome Indians

10. Jim Thome

Jim Thome Indians — One of the greatest hitters in the past decade, Jim Thome was selected in the 13th round of the 1989 MLB Draft. Thome went on to play 22 seasons in the Majors for six teams and hit 612 career home runs.

9. Willie Davis

Willie Davis Packers

9. Willie Davis

Willie Davis Packers — A 15th-round pick in the 1956 draft by Cleveland, defensive end Willie Davis would go on to become one of the faces of Green Bay's dynasty in the 1960s. Davis, who didn't miss a game in his 12-year, 162-game career, was a pivotal part of five championships teams, including Green Bay's first two Super Bowl wins. In 1981, Davis was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

8. Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols Cardinals

8. Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols Cardinals — One of the best players in the modern era, Albert Pujols was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1998 MLB Draft. When he was drafted, Pujols was a third baseman but excelled at first base. With St. Louis, Pujols won three MVP trophies and a World Series title. Now, Pujols is with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

7. Raymond Berry

Raymond Berry Colts

7. Raymond Berry

Raymond Berry Colts — A 20th round selection in 1954, receiver Raymond Berry would go on to have a Hall-of-Fame career as one of the game's greatest at the position. Teamed with quarterback Johnny Unitas, Berry helped the Colts win "The Greatest Game Ever Played" in 1958. Berry would win his second title in 1959 and in 1973, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

6. Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza Dodgers

6. Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza Dodgers — Mike Piazza defied the odds and went on to become a Hall of Fame-worthy catcher. Drafted in the 61st round of the 1988 Draft, Piazza amassed 427 home runs, 1,335 RBI and a career .308 batting average.

5. Bart Starr

Bart Starr

5. Bart Starr

Bart Starr — The field general for Lombardi's Packers, Bart Starr was not selected until the 17th round of the 1956 Draft. The MVP of the first two Super Bowls, Starr helped the Packers win seven championships (including two Super Bowls) in the 1960s. In 1977, Starr was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

4. Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach Cowboys

4. Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach Cowboys — A 10th-round pick in the 1964 Draft, Roger Staubach spent four years in the United States Navy before joining the Dallas Cowboys. When Staubach finally got the opportunity to play in the NFL, he helped turn the Cowboys into "America's Team," leading the team to two Super Bowl triumphs while appearing in five Super Bowls overall. In 1980, Staubach was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas Colts

3. Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas Colts — A ninth-round selection in the 1955 Draft, Johnny Unitas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Baltimore Colts. In 1958, Unitas helped the Colts win "The Greatest Game Ever Played," and in 1960, he established a record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass that stood for more than 50 years. In 1979, Unitas was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2. Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Rams

2. Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Rams — The 186th overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, David "Deacon" Jones became the league's most feared pass rusher of all time. Jones became the frontman on the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" and coined the term "sack." In 1980, Jones was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady Patriots

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady Patriots — In the 2000 NFL Draft, Tom Brady was the seventh quarterback selected and the 199th overall pick. Using his draft day snub as motivation, Brady has gone on to win three Super Bowls, appear in five, and cement himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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