Which NFL team drafted the best class of the 21st century? Aaron Schatz ranks the top hauls based on production and depth.
Ravens in 2018? Saints in 2006? Seahawks in 2012? We ranked the 12 best draft classes of the 21st century-- wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, linebacker Jack Lambert and center Mike Webster -- who would eventually help power them to four Super Bowl titles. No team since has come close to that draft accomplishment, but we've seen some pretty good and deep draft classes in recent years, with multiple players having strong NFL careers.
We decided to evaluate the best team draft classes of the 21st century. Our choices balance star players with depth. That last part is important because we wanted to choose classes where a lot of players had NFL careers rather than classes with just a couple of huge starts. We limited our list to draft classes with at least four players with substantial NFL careers. That means you won't see teams such as the 2001but not much more. Also, we judged these classes based on everything players did in the NFL, not just what they did for the teams that selected them on draft day. And with apologies to the 2022at No. 11 overall. He had 10 years as an NFL starter, a very successful career despite never quite meeting his potential.
The 2006 Saints drafted both stars and depth, and that's why this is the best draft class of the 21st century.
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