The 2025 NFL Draft class isn’t the most complete, but it is still intriguing. Some positions feature notable depth, including wide receiver, defensive line, and running back. However, there are plenty of questions around the quality of talent at the quarterback position in the later rounds.
While certain organizations excel at identifying top talent, every team is bound to make some missteps along the way. Yet, there are those moments when a team hits the jackpot. Let’s take a look back and explore some of the greatest draft classes in NFL history.
What Was the Best NFL Draft Class of All Time?
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 1974 draft class is often regarded as the greatest in NFL history, and for good reason. That year, they selected legends like Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, and Mike Webster, all of whom eventually earned their spots in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This remarkable group led the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories and collectively garnered 13 All-Pro selections. Stallworth and Swann are universally recognized as two of the top four wide receivers in the franchise’s storied history, alongside Hines Ward and Antonio Brown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Lambert stands out as one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the game. In 2016, NFL Films ranked him as the 29th-best player of all time during their top 100 series.Â
Considering the achievements and accolades of this draft class, it’s hard to imagine any team ever replicating their unparalleled success.
Ranking the Best NFL Draft Classes Nos. 2-10
2) 1986 San Francisco 49ers
While the Steelers’ legendary 1974 class is undoubtedly the best of all time, the San Francisco 49ers’ 1986 class belongs near the top of the list. This impressive group brought in eight players who played pivotal roles in their Super Bowl victories in 1989 and 1990. Charles Haley, Steve Wallace, Don Griffin, John Taylor, Tim McKyer, Tom Rathman, Kevin Fagan, and Larry Roberts all made significant contributions to the team’s success.
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Charles Haley, in particular, stands out. He ranks second in all-time Super Bowl rings, just behind Tom Brady, and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3) 1991 Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys team of the ’90s achieved a remarkable feat by securing three Super Bowl victories in just four years. Ironically, these early triumphs have contributed to the team’s struggles over the last 25 years. Jerry Jones holds onto the belief that a successful roster can be constructed primarily through the draft, resulting in limited free agency activity. This mindset can be traced back to the impactful 1991 draft class that shaped his outlook.
One could argue that the Cowboys’ most successful draft class came in 1989 when they selected their franchise quarterback, Troy Aikman. A compelling comparison could be made with the New England Patriots’ 2000 draft class, widely regarded as one of the greatest ever due to its direct contribution to their six Super Bowl championships through Tom Brady.
But that’s not really in the spirit of what we’re trying to evaluate here. The idea is to credit teams for drafting well — not making one incredible pick. Plus, let’s not pretend as though the Patriots thought Brady was anything more than a career backup when they took him in the sixth round.
The 1992 class in Dallas is a consideration as well, but ’91 edges it out, mostly because Dallas never got to see Jimmy Smith’s greatness with a star on his helmet. Russell Maryland, Alvin Harper, Erik Williams, Leon Lett, Dixon Edwards, and Larry Brown all made massive marks that propelled the Cowboys to their Super Bowl wins in 1993, 1994, and 1996.
4) 2017 New Orleans Saints
While this selection may be controversial, think of it as the Joe Montana of classes. It may not be the most talented, but it never lost the big game. The 1986 49ers class is outstanding, but the 2017 New Orleans Saints draft class has zero misses. Every single player has become an NFL contributor.
When it comes to evaluating classes against each other, there’s no objective standard. Is one class with four elite players better than another class with seven merely good players? That’s up to you to decide. For me, I consider it decidedly more difficult to hit on nearly every pick.
Six of the seven players drafted have gone on to earn notable contracts, while Al-Quadin Muhammad has been a solid rotational contributor for multiple teams, but mostly for the Indianapolis Colts.
The talent in this group is remarkable: Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Alexander Anzalone, and Trey Hendrickson.
Lattimore stands out as one of the top cornerbacks in the league. Ramczyk earned his reputation as an exceptional right tackle and retired ahead of the 2025 season after battling a knee injury. At his peak, Williams was among the premier true free safeties in football. Kamara burst onto the scene as one of the most efficient runners and is poised to be remembered as one of the greatest receiving backs of all time.
Meanwhile, Hendrickson contributed at the end of his rookie deal and parlayed that into a massive deal with Cincinnati, where he showed he’s one of the most productive pass rushers in the entire NFL.
5) 1996 Baltimore Ravens
While 1996 marked the first year of the Baltimore Ravens, it’s important to note that they weren’t technically an expansion team, and so, this wasn’t the franchise’s inaugural draft class. Regardless, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this was an exceptional group.
Drafting Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden in the same year is enough to get this Ravens class on the list. Lewis is arguably the greatest linebacker in NFL history, and Ogden is one of the best tackles in league history as well.
Both players would go on to win the Super Bowl in 2000. Lewis was also part of the 2012 championship season, although he only played in six games.
Second-round pick DeRon Jenkins was a solid contributor until going to San Diego in 2000. Meanwhile, fifth-round pick Jermaine Lewis ended up an All-Pro return man, accumulating six punt return touchdowns in his career while leading the league in punt return average twice.
6) 1965 Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears’ 1965 draft class is a prime example of quality over quantity. While this haul wasn’t extremely deep and rich with talent, the elite caliber players at the top can’t be overlooked. The Bears used their two first-round picks to draft future Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. What makes this draft class even more remarkable is that these two aren’t the only standouts to emerge from it.
Wide receiver Dick Gordon and defensive tackle Frank Cornish also contributed in meaningful ways, although that Bears unit never had playoff success. Butkus is one of the greatest linebackers of all time as a five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, Sayers led the league in rushing twice and was an All-Pro five times in his career.
7) 1985 Buffalo Bills
Like the Ravens, the Buffalo Bills’ 1985 draft class yielded two Hall of Famers and a third player who provided valuable contributions to the team for several seasons. However, a notable distinction is that the Bills have yet to capture a championship.
Bruce Smith is one of the most prolific sack artists in NFL history. He’s not seen as the best pass rusher ever by most because Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald happened, but Smith’s longevity and consistency have never been matched. Smith was the DPOY twice, has eight All-Pro nods, and was part of the 80s and 90s Hall of Fame teams.
Andre Reed, meanwhile, was a seven-time Pro Bowler with as many 900-yard seasons.
8) 1992 Dallas Cowboys
It’s really a shame what the Cowboys have become since their successes of the 1990s. They are the only team to appear on this list twice, showcasing their incredible ability to put together stacked rosters.
Second-round pick Darren Woodson may not be enshrined in the Hall of Fame yet, but his contributions to the Cowboys during their Super Bowl runs are certainly noteworthy, ranking just below the franchise’s famed trio.
Transitioning from linebacker to strong safety, Woodson earned All-Pro honors for three straight years from 1994 to 1996, and he also made the Pro Bowl during those seasons, plus the two that followed. Meanwhile, Robert Jones held down the inside linebacker position for the Cowboys throughout their Super Bowl appearances, alongside Kevin Smith in the secondary.
Jimmy Smith led the league in receptions once and had nine 1,000-yard seasons in 10 years. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, he did all of his damage as a Jacksonville Jaguar. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Cowboys drafted him.
The 1992 Cowboys are considered one of the greatest teams ever.
9) 2010 Seattle Seahawks
The Legion of Boom is an entity that has proven to truly stand the test of time. In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Seahawks made a pivotal move by selecting two safeties who would dominate on the field and solidify the legendary unit’s legacy.
Earl Thomas was a first-round pick, and Kam Chancellor went in Round 5. Those two safeties terrified opposing receivers and quarterbacks until about 2015. Golden Tate was a solid receiver for Seattle and helped propel them to a Super Bowl victory in 2013 before heading off to Detroit. Russell Okung was much maligned at times, but he had one Pro Bowl season with Seattle in 2012.
10) 1995 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp are both in the Hall of Fame. We can ignore the rest of the draft, and they remain in the top 10 simply off the backs of those two players.
In 2002, both players earned All-Pro honors as the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, thanks in great part to their formidable defense, which is often heralded as one of the most dominant units in NFL history.
