NFL Draft 2011: Tom Brady and the Top 10 Steals of the 2000s

Each year, GM's, Scouts and football fans alike scour the NCAA for the best talent possible. However, there is always a hidden gem that slips through the cracks and becomes a star in the NFL. This slideshow will explore the previous drafts from this decade, and the biggest steals that came as a result.

2000: QB Tom Brady, Round Six, No. 199 Overall

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots beat the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Originally believed to be a competent backup for then-starter Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady is one of the biggest steals in NFL draft history. Brady has won three Super Bowls, passed for 34,744 yards, 261 touchdowns, and 91 interceptions.

2001: WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Round Seven, No. 204 Overal

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INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 07: T.J. Houshmanzadeh #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs for yards after the catch against Freddy Keiaho #54 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

Coming out of Oregon State University in 2001, T.J. Houshmanzadeh was a no name wide receiver who added little more than a body on the depth chart for the Cincinnati Bengals.

After three seasons with a total of only 60 receptions for a little over 600 yards, T.J posted six straight seasons recording at least 70 receptions and 900 yards, scoring 40 touchdowns, before a subpar 2010 season with the Baltimore Ravens.

2002: DE Aaron Kampman, Round Five, No. 156 Overall

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 18: Aaron Kampman #74 of the Green Bay Packers sacks Duante Culpepper #11 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 18, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 26-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Aaron Kampman was selected out of Iowa as an unheralded defensive end with little upside. Nine years later, Kampman has recorded over 300 tackles, 58 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles, in addition to being selected to multiple Pro Bowls. 

Talk about bang for your buck!

2003: CB Asante Samuel, Round Four, No. 120 Overall

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Coming out of the virtually unknown University of Central Florida in 2003, Samuel was pretty much viewed as a consensus special teamer. Now, he is a Super Bowl champion with almost 350 career tackles, 42 interceptions and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

2004: DE Jared Allen, Round Four, No. 126 Overall

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings smiles on the bench after returning an interception for a touchdown while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Ph

Jared Allen, leader of the Mullet Militia, is one of the most feared defensive ends in the entire NFL. In his short career, he already has 391 tackles and 83 sacks. He has batted away 39 passes as well.

2005: DE Trent Cole, Round Five, No. 146 Overall

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field during player introductions against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Trent Cole, Cincinnati defensive end in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, no one knew how much of a steal the No. 146 overall selection would become.

In his seven professional seasons, Cole has wreaked havoc on opposing offensive linemen, recording 377 tackles and 57 sacks.

2006: WR Marques Colston, Round Seven, No. 252 Overall

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Image

When a player is selected in the seventh round, he is considered lucky to earn a position on special teams coverage or returns. In Marques Colston's case, it means multiple Pro Bowls and huge catches.

In his five professional seasons, Colston has caught at least 70 passes for 1,000 yards four times, scoring 40 touchdowns, and has been a potent weapon in the New Orleans Saints offense.

2007: TE Kevin Boss, Round Five, No. 153 Overall

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Kevin Boss #89 of the New York Giants eludes the tackle of Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by A

New York Giants' tight end Kevin Boss has been a consistent chain mover since being selected with the 153rd overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. In his four seasons in the National Football league, Boss has caught 119 passes for 1,600 yards, while scoring 18 times and gaining 77 first downs.

2008: RB Jamaal Charles, Round Three, No. 73 Overall

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to get by Craig Dahl #43 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

Eight running backs were selected before Jamaal Charles heard his name called in the 2008 NFL Draft, when the Kansas City Chiefs struck gold with their No. 73 overall selection in the third round.

Charles has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over his three year career in the NFL, and has rushed for 2,944 yards in his one-and-a-half seasons as a starter, scoring 12 touchdowns, adding another 112 receptions for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns out of the backfield.

2009: WR Mike Wallace, Round Three, No. 84 Overall

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to break a tackle after catching a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

After two seasons in the National Football League, Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver, Mike Wallace, has already outplayed his status as a third round draft pick in 2009.

Averaging just over 20 yards per reception, Wallace has caught 99 passes for 2,013 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009 and 2010. His speed is unmatched, and is a deep threat at any time in any game.