Ranking the 7 Best NFL Draft Hauls of the Past 5 Years

While the 2025 NFL draft wrapped on Saturday, the excitement of the selection process remains. After all, one or more of the players selected over draft weekend can change the trajectory of a team's franchise.

Sometimes, one player can do just that. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs have remained contenders since they drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2017. Teams can't just expect to stumble into a player of Mahomes' caliber, though. Many are hoping that they've hit on multiple stars in the 2025 draft.

In recent years, strong draft classes have catapulted several teams into relevance. Here, we'll examine the top team classes from the past five drafts and rank the best based on the volume, value and overall talent of the players selected.

Honorable Mention: New England Patriots (2025)

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Patriots OL Will Campbell

Notable Picks: OL Will Campbell, RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Kyle Williams

If we're being honest, it's impossible to judge a draft class before the players ever take the field. With that said, the New England Patriots got an A+ grade from us for their approach, overall strategy and ability to address needs in this year's draft.

New England came into the draft looking to upgrade the supporting cast of quarterback Drake Maye. It landed four potential difference-makers with its first four selections—offensive lineman Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kyle Williams and interior lineman Jared Wilson. The Pats took all four in the first three rounds, and all four could be starters within their first few seasons.

"I could make a case for any of the four as my favorite of the haul, but I’ll go with Williams because of the impact he’ll bring to the passing game," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler, who also ranked the Patriots' class as the best of 2025.

The Patriots may have also added some solid defensive contributors in safety Craig Woodson, defensive lineman Joshua Farmer and pass-rusher Bradyn Swinson. They also got a kicker with long-term potential in Andres Borregales.

New England's first four picks could elevate Maye, and they'll likely be the headliners when we look back on this class a few years from now.

7. Buffalo Bills (2022)

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RB James Cook

Notable Picks: RB James Cook, LB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford

One benefit to landing a strong overall draft class is that it can help a team overcome a big early miss.

In 2022, the Buffalo Bills whiffed on first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam. The Florida product made only 12 starts in three seasons for the Bills and got traded to the Dallas Cowboys in March.

However, the Bills did add several key contributors in the 2022 draft, including star running back James Cook. The 25-year-old has become an offensive centerpiece for Buffalo over the past few years and has earned two straight Pro Bowl nods.

Fifth-round wide receiver Khalil Shakir hasn't been as prolific as Cook on offense, but he led the team with a career-high 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns last season. The Bills recently signed him to a four-year, $53.1 million extension.

Buffalo also came away from the 2022 draft with two defensive starters in Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford. Like Shakir, both of them signed contract extensions this offseason.

Although Elam didn't pan out, the Bills still got four starting-caliber players out of the 2022 draft. All four have become integral pieces of a roster that just reached the AFC Championship Game.

6. New York Jets (2022)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

CB Sauce Gardner

Notable Picks: CB Sauce Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, RB Breece Hall

When it comes to compiling a draft haul, it doesn't hurt to make multiple selections in the first round. The New York Jets did that in 2022 and hit big on their first two selections, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Gardner and Wilson were the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year in 2022, respectively, and both have continued to play at a consistently high level since. Wilson has notched three straight 1,000-yard campaigns, while Gardner began his career with two straight first-team All-Pro nods.

The Jets used a third first-round pick on pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II, who hasn't shined quite like Gardner and Wilson but has been productive when healthy. A torn Achilles limited Johnson to two games last season, but he logged 7.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2023.

The Jets recently announced that they will exercise the fifth-year option on all three of their 2022 first-round picks, which is a pretty good indicator that those selections have been successful.

New York also added a starting-caliber running back in 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall. A torn ACL ended Hall's rookie campaign prematurely, but he's logged 3,625 scrimmage yards and 22 touchdowns in 40 career games.

Unfortunately, the Jets' terrific 2022 class has yet to lead the team to a playoff appearance, which is why it lands near the bottom of our list.

5. Los Angeles Rams (2023)

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

WR Puka Nacua

Notable Picks: WR Puka Nacua, DT Kobie Turner, G Steve Avila

Buffalo was already a playoff team entering the 2022 draft, and the Jets haven't been a playoff team since 2010. We're ranking the Los Angeles Rams' 2023 class ahead of both because it played a pivotal role in L.A. returning to the postseason that year.

Yes, moving past the injuries that derailed the Rams' 2022 season also played a role. However, general manager Les Snead hit on several players in the 2023 draft that have since established themselves as franchise building blocks.

Wide receiver Puka Nacua was the Rams' biggest steal that year. The fifth-round pick out of Brigham Young logged a NFL rookie-record 1,486 receiving yards and has since become Matthew Stafford's go-to target.

However, defensive tackle Kobie Turner has been equally impactful on the other side of the ball. The third-round pick out of Wake Forest has recorded 17 sacks, 42 quarterback pressures and 18 tackles for loss in 34 games.

Turner hasn't outright replaced Aaron Donald as Los Angeles' defensive centerpiece, but he's done a reasonable impression.

The Rams also found a starting-caliber interior lineman in Steve Avila and an underrated edge-rusher in Byron Young (15.5 sacks in two seasons). Considering that they didn't even have a first-round pick in 2023, the Rams hardly could have asked for a better draft class.

4. Detroit Lions (2023)

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

TE Sam LaPorta

Notable Picks: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, S Brian Branch

We'll rank the Detroit Lions' 2023 class just ahead of the Rams', though a case could be made for swapping the two.

The Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021, while the Lions' last playoff victory prior to 2023 came in 1991. The Lions' rookie class had a huge hand in getting Detroit to the 2023 NFC title game.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most electric offensive playmakers in the NFL and a two-time Pro Bowler. Fellow first-round pick Jack Campbell hasn't made the Pro Bowl yet, but he has started every game for the Lions and has been a top-tier off-ball linebacker.

Second-round pick Sam LaPorta was a rookie Pro Bowler and is already among the league's best pass-catching tight ends. Second-round safety Brian Branch was a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in 2023 and a Pro Bowler this past season.

All of Detroit's first four selections in 2023 have been key contributors since they arrived in the NFL. They have helped the Lions become one of the league's top contenders over the last two seasons.

All four could already be considered among the best players at their respective positions.

3. Washington Commanders (2024)

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

QB Jayden Daniels

Notable Picks: QB Jayden Daniels, CB Mike Sainristil, OT Brandon Coleman

Teams deserve a bit of extra credit for finding a franchise quarterback. The Washington Commanders appear to have done that in the 2024 draft.

Jayden Daniels was electric this past season, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and leading Washington to an appearance in the NFC title game. The LSU product provided everything the Commanders could want in a quarterback—poise, confidence, arm talent, scrambling ability and, perhaps most importantly, leadership.

"I compared him to Andrew Luck, which is the ultimate compliment," veteran tight end Zach Ertz said, per ESPN's John Keim. "Andrew had a gravitational pull. Guys just wanted to be around him. He just wanted to be one of the guys and Jayden is very similar."

While Daniels was clearly the star of Washington's 2024 class, he wasn't the only key contributor as a rookie. Second-round cornerback Mike Sainristil started 16 games, while third-round offensive tackle Brandon Coleman started 12.

Second-round defensive lineman Jer’zhan Newton dealt with a foot injury early in the year, but he ended up starting 11 games as a rookie.

The Commanders also got contributions from fourth-round wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. While McCaffrey didn't have a huge offensive role (18 catches, 168 yards, zero touchdowns), he averaged 29.9 yards on kickoff returns.

Washington seems to have found its guy at quarterback along with a solid overall foundation for the future in the 2024 draft.

2. Houston Texans (2023)

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

QB C.J. Stroud

Notable Picks: QB C.J. Stroud, Edge Will Anderson Jr., WR Tank Dell

A year before the Commanders made a surprising run with a rookie quarterback, the Houston Texans did the same. They snagged former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick and have been an AFC factor ever since.

Houston has won the AFC South and won a playoff game in each of the past two years. Stroud was a Pro Bowler and the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.

While the Commanders got their quarterback and some fine contributors last April, the Texans landed two legitimate stars in 2023. Third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. was that season's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Since being drafted, Anderson has racked up 18 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 61 quarterback pressures in 29 games.

Stroud and Anderson have already established themselves as franchise cornerstones. However, they aren't the only notable contributors whom Houston added in 2023. Second-round guard Juice Scruggs started 13 games this past season, while sixth-round center Jarrett Patterson started nine.

Third-round wide receiver Tank Dell has also been a legitimate difference-maker when healthy. In 25 games, he has caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, Dell suffered a broken fibula late in 2023 and a significant knee injury late last season that jeopardizes his availability for the 2025 campaign.

Fifth-round linebacker Henry To’Oto’o was a 15-game starter in 2024 and finished the year with 105 tackles and 54 solo stops.

This was a transformational draft class for the Texans, though perhaps not the biggest we've seen over the past five years.

1. Detroit Lions (2021)

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WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

Notable Picks: OT Penei Sewell, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, DT Alim McNeill

While the Lions' 2023 draft class helped them become legitimate contenders, their 2021 class laid the foundation for their rise.

The Lions kicked off the 2021 draft with offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who already appears to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory. The Oregon product has already made three Pro Bowls and is a two-time first-team All-Pro.

In the fourth round, the Lions grabbed wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He's also a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro who has emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Through four seasons, St. Brown has amassed 4,851 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns.

Though he doesn't have the accolades of Sewell and St. Brown, third-round defensive tackle Alim McNeill has been a high-level starter when healthy. He suffered a torn ACL this past December, but Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league's 10th-best defensive tackle prior to his injury.

Second-round defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike missed the 2022 season with a back injury, but he reemerged as a 10-game starter this past season.

The Lions selected fourth-round linebacker Derrick Barnes one pick after St. Brown, and he has also earned a second contract. A torn MCL limited him to only three games this past season, but he started 13 games in 2023.

In all, the Lions walked away from the 2021 draft with five starters, two truly elite players, a third borderline star and no legitimate busts. Even seventh-round running back Jermar Jefferson has jumped between the active roster and the practice squad over the last four years.

Detroit is one of the NFL's best teams today in large part because of the players it landed in the 2021 draft.