Today we are going to break down the best draft picks by position among the GMs of the 3GML. For this exercise, we will be considering the following factors in determining the best picks.
- Draft position - Sure, hitting on a player with the number one overall pick is easy. We expect that player to be good. Finding an elite player in round 4? That is the recipe for a great draft pick.
- Player production - Draft success is determined by on-field success. We are looking for difference makers on the field.
- Positional draft position - Where was a player taken in relation to others who play the same position? A GM looks better when he grabbed a player who ended up being better than others picked ahead of him.
To summarize, we aren't looking for the best player drafted, we are looking for the best pick at each position. We will be looking at the entire history of the 3GML, including previous teams and GMs. Let's begin.
Quarterback - Lamar Jackson (2018 - Round 1, pick 15) - GM TH
This may go down as one of the best grabs in 3GML history due to the value of the quarterback position. GM TH watched Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen go off the board before getting his guy at 15. Other than Allen, Jackson has been heads and tails above the QBs picked ahead of him. In his time in the league, Jackson has been an All-Pro, two-time Pro-Bowler, and was named the 2019 MVP. He is considered a franchise QB and not too many GMs can say they drafted one of those.
Running Back - Derrick Henry (2016 - Round 2, pick 41) - GM TH
Another pick to GM TH. Henry has been all-everything for the Titans, single-handedly carrying their offense over the past few years. He has two Pro Bowls, an All-Pro, and Offensive Player of the Year Award under his belt as well as a 2,000 yard season. Once again, not many GMs can say they drafted a 2,000 yard rusher as there are only eight all time. While only Ezekiel Elliott was picked ahead of Henry in the draft, GM TH got a better and longer-lasting back 37 picks later.
Tight End - George Kittle (2017 - Round 3, pick 102) - GM EP
There really wasn't much competition for this position, but even if there was, EP still would have won. It's hard to imagine a better tight end pick than Kittle when you consider his production and where he was selected. Kittle was the sixth tight end taken in 2017, after players like OJ Howard, David Njoku, Evan Engram, Adam Shaheen, and Jonnu Smith. He has been to three pro-bowls and earned one All Pro nomination. He even held the record for most yards by a tight end for two seasons before the record was broken in 2020. Overall, this will likely go down as GM EPs best draft pick ever.
Wide Receiver - Justin Jefferson (2020 - Round 1, pick 18) - GM SD
GM SD gets on the board with the electric receiver who more receiving yards than any player prior to tuning 23 as well as the most yards every through two pro seasons. He's been to two Pro Bowls and is widely considered to be a top five receiver in the league heading into only his third year. While it's too early to tell how the careers of the receivers picked ahead of him (CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy) play out, it appears Jefferson will be the crown jewel receiver of this class.
Center - Creed Humphrey (2021 - Round 3, pick 66) - GM EP
While on the more recent side of draft picks on this list, Humphrey's inclusion is well deserved. Considered among the best in the game after only his rookie year, GM EP hit a home run grabbing an impact player in round three. Humphrey anchored the interior of a revamped Chiefs offensive line and looks to be a future All-Pro.
Guard - Quenton Nelson (2018 - Round 1, pick 6) - GM SD
This is a situation where the on-field performance is so resounding, it tips the scales against other quality players picked later in the draft. Nelson is a top, if not the top, guard in the game. A three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Nelson has all the individual hardware you'd expect from a player of his stature. As the best player on a stacked Colts offensive line, he stands out to the average NFL fan on film, which is saying a lot considering the position he plays.
Tackle - Orlando Brown (2018 - Round 3, pick 79) - GM TH
There were a fair amount of tackles to consider for this pick. Most, however, were nothing to write home about. The one who stood out well ahead of the rest? Orlando Brown. After a poor performance at the combine, Brown tumbled down most team's draft boards. GM TH used this to his advantage and snagged the Oklahoma product in the middle of the third round. What makes this pick look even better is the fact Brown was the eighth (!!) tackle selected in 2018. Brown has already been to three Pro Bowls and recently completed a successful move to the left side of the line.
Defensive Line - Alim McNeill (2021 - Round 3, pick 75) - GM EP
Another class of 2021 draft pick for GM EP. To be honest, this may have been the toughest position to select as the body of work from the 3GML general managers is not strong. Regardless, McNeill has the potential to break that trend. He is considered a breakout candidate by many heading into year two and if that comes to fruition, the value at pick 75 will be high.
Edge - Myles Garrett (2017 - Round 1, pick 1) - GM SD
Another instance where the player's impact transcends other players picked later. Edge rusher had some other great candidates including Brian Burns and Harold Landry, but Burns was a high 1st round pick like Garrett and Landry only broke out last year. Garrett will be in the running for defensive player of the year for the foreseeable future and already has two All-Pro nods and three Pro Bowls in his trophy case. The other consideration here; rarely does a number one overall pick live up to the hype. Garrett has done that in spades.
Linebacker - Anthony Walker (2017 - Round 5, pick 152) - GM SD
Coming in as the lowest pick on our list, Walker has been a reliable presence during his six years in the league. Overshadowed by Darious Leonard during his time in Indianapolis, Walker has become the captain of the Browns defense. While some injuries have crept up the past two seasons, the combination of a reliable starter picked so late in the draft gives GM SD this crown.
Cornerback - Jalen Ramsey (2016 - Round 1, pick 3) - GM TH
The best corner in the game, period. Ramsey has persisted as an elite player who has not shown signs of slowing down just yet. A three-time All-Pro with five Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl under his belt, Ramsey is building a Hall of Fame resume. This was GM TH's first 3GML pick and will likely go down as one of the best picks he ever made.
Safety - Derwin James (2018 - Round 1, pick 13) - GM CD
GM CD gets on the list with the electric James. Injuries over the course of his career made this call closer than it would have been otherwise, but the talent is undeniable. Even with his shortened seasons, James has managed to be name to an All Pro team and make two Pro Bowls. GM CD gets points for being ahead of the curve by picking a hybrid matchup defender who can line up in the box and also cover the new more athletic tight ends.
Kicker/Punter - Michael Dickson (2018 - Round 4, pick 128) - GM CD
Drafting a punter or kicker is usually frowned upon in NFL circles, but GM CD definitely hit with this pick. Dickson is a field-flipper who keeps the Seahawks in games they don't belong in by making opposing offenses traverse the length of the field. Dickson has been named an All Pro and any time you can say you drafted a player in that category, it's a win regardless of position.
