Yardbarker
x
Russ, T.O., Montana & more: The best third-round picks in NFL history
Russell Wilson (3) was taken 75th overall in 2012 by the Seahawks. Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire

Russ, T.O., Montana & more: The best third-round picks in NFL history

Over the years, there have been many diamonds in the rough uncovered in the third round of the NFL draft. These 30 players stand out as the best steals ever in the third round.

 
1 of 30

2013: Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

2013: Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Kelce converted from quarterback to tight end in college and was selected in the third round by the Chiefs out of Cincinnati. After a knee injury in his rookie season, Kelce has gone on to develop into the league's best tight end with four consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons and five straight Pro Bowls.

 
2 of 30

2012: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

2012: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson had a terrific year at Wisconsin before he was drafted in 2012 by Seattle. The former minor league baseball player proved his ability on the gridiron, beating out Matt Flynn for the starting job in his first training camp and ascending to an elite level immediately. He's made six Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl in his first eight seasons and has posted a winning record every year.

 
3 of 30

2007: Marshal Yanda, OG, Baltimore Ravens

2007: Marshal Yanda, OG, Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Yanda emerged from Iowa to have a career that's likely Hall of Fame worthy, making eight Pro Bowls in 13 seasons with the Ravens. He retired following the 2019 season.

 
4 of 30

2005: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

2005: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Jeff Lewis / Icon Sportswire

Gore overcame a serious knee injury at Miami to have an outstanding NFL career. He's made five Pro Bowls in 15 seasons, with nine 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Through 2019, Gore ranked third all time in rushing.

 
5 of 30

2003: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

2003: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Witten's career consistency has been nearly unmatched over 16 seasons in Dallas. He's made 11 Pro Bowls and missed only one game during his career, in his rookie season. The Tennessee alum retired to join the "Monday Night Football" broadcast booth in 2018, but came out of retirement the following season. For the first time in his career, he will be wearing a different uniform, as he recently signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

 
6 of 30

2003: Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears

2003: Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears
Ron LeBlanc / Icon Sportswire

Alongside Brian Urlacher, Briggs helped anchor many great Bears defenses during his 12-year career. The linebacker out of Arizona made seven Pro Bowls and recorded more than 100 tackles eight times.

 
7 of 30

2001: Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

2001: Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
John Gress / Icon Sportswire

An undersized wideout out of Utah, Smith was an elite player for much of his career. He made five Pro Bowls with Carolina and finished his career with Baltimore.

 
8 of 30

1999: Joey Porter, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

1999: Joey Porter, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Pimentel / Icon Sportswire

A ferocious pass rusher out of Colorado State, Porter recorded 98 sacks over 13 seasons in the NFL. He also made four Pro Bowls during his career.

 
9 of 30

1998: Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

1998: Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Cowan / Icon Sportswire

An all-around great wide receiver out of Georgia, Ward made four Pro Bowls during his 14-year career in Pittsburgh. He reached 1,000 yards receiving six times.

 
10 of 30

1997: Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1997: Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christophe Dupont Elise / Icon Sportswire

Barber played his college ball at Virginia, along with his twin brother, Tiki, before he was drafted by the Bucs in 1997. He spent his entire 16-year career in Tampa Bay, making five Pro Bowls and recording 47 career interceptions.

 
11 of 30

1997: Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins

1997: Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins
Charles Baus / Icon Sportswire

Taylor was a steal for the Dolphins out of Akron, making six Pro Bowls and winning the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year Award over 15 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame after recording 139.5 sacks for his career.

 
12 of 30

1996: Terrell Owens, WR, San Francisco 49ers

1996: Terrell Owens, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Matt A. Brown / Icon Sportswire

Owens made an instant impact after he was drafted out of Chattanooga, and he was one of the top wideouts of his era with six Pro Bowls in 15 seasons. The Hall of Famer currently ranks third all time in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

 
13 of 30

1995: Curtis Martin, RB, New England Patriots

1995: Curtis Martin, RB, New England Patriots
Boston Globe / Getty Images

Martin was one of the most consistent running backs in the NFL during his 11-year career, with 10 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and five Pro Bowls. The Pitt alum was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

 
14 of 30

1993: John Lynch, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1993: John Lynch, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Al Messerschmidt / Icon Sportswire

Lynch had an accomplished career with nine Pro Bowl appearances in 15 seasons. Since finishing his playing career, the Stanford alum has dabbled in broadcasting and is now the GM of the San Francisco 49ers.

 
15 of 30

1993: Will Shields, OG, Kansas City Chiefs

1993: Will Shields, OG, Kansas City Chiefs
Tim Umphrey / Icon Sportswire

Shields made 12 Pro Bowls in 14 seasons with the Chiefs, quite a return on investment for the third-round pick out of Nebraska. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

 
16 of 30

1991: Aeneas Willams, DB, Phoenix Cardinals

1991: Aeneas Willams, DB, Phoenix Cardinals
Mitchell Layton / Getty Images

Williams played 14 NFL seasons, making eight Pro Bowls between the Cardinals and Rams. He earned the Hall of Fame honor in 2014.

 
17 of 30

1981: Russ Grimm, OG, Washington Redskins

1981: Russ Grimm, OG, Washington Redskins
Rick Stewart / Getty Images

Grimm won three Super Bowls with Washington during his Hall of Fame career. The Pittsburgh alum made four Pro Bowls during his career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. Following his playing career, Grimm worked as an NFL assistant coach.

 
18 of 30

1979: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers

1979: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Owen C. Shaw / Icon Sportswire

Perhaps the most well-known third-round pick in history, Montana went on to quarterback a dynasty in San Francisco after he was drafted out of Notre Dame in 1979. Montana won four Super Bowls and two MVP Awards and was an eight-time Pro Bowler.

 
19 of 30

1976: Jackie Slater, OT, Los Angeles Rams

1976: Jackie Slater, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Slater spent 20 seasons with the Rams after he was drafted out of Jackson State, making seven Pro Bowl appearances during his Hall of Fame career. He played 259 games over his career.

 
20 of 30

1973: Dan Fouts, QB, San Diego Chargers

1973: Dan Fouts, QB, San Diego Chargers
Owen C. Shaw / Icon Sportswire

Fouts regularly produced gaudy stats in the Chargers offense during his 15-year career, and the Oregon alum was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame. His accomplishments included six Pro Bowls and the 1982 Offensive Player of the Year Award.

 
21 of 30

1971: Ken Anderson, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

1971: Ken Anderson, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Anderson played 16 seasons in Cincinnati after he was drafted out of Augustana College. He led the NFL in passing yards twice, made four Pro Bowls and was the league MVP in 1981.

 
22 of 30

1970: Mel Blount, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers

1970: Mel Blount, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire

Blount had a Hall of Fame career in 15 seasons with the Steelers, making five Pro Bowls and winning four Super Bowls with the team. The Southern alum also won 1975 Defensive Player of the Year.

 
23 of 30

1968: Art Shell, OT, Oakland Raiders

1968: Art Shell, OT, Oakland Raiders
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Shell anchored the Raiders offensive line at left tackle during his 15-year career, making eight Pro Bowls en route to his Hall of Fame induction. The Maryland-Eastern Shore alum also had two stints as the Raiders head coach.

 
24 of 30

1968: Elvin Bethea, DE, Houston Oilers

1968: Elvin Bethea, DE, Houston Oilers
Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire

Bethea was selected out of North Carolina A&T in 1968 and spent his entire 16-year career with the Oilers. He made eight Pro Bowls as one of the league's top pass rushers and an eventual Hall of Famer.

 
25 of 30

1968: Charlie Sanders, TE, Detroit Lions

1968: Charlie Sanders, TE, Detroit Lions
Bettmann / Getty Images

Sanders played 10 seasons at tight end for the Lions, making seven Pro Bowls during his career. The Minnesota alum made the Hall of Fame in 2007.

 
26 of 30

1964: Dave Wilcox, LB, San Francisco 49ers

1964: Dave Wilcox, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Bettmann / Getty Images

Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowler for the 49ers and a great find out of Oregon. He had his Hall of Fame induction in 2000.

 
27 of 30

1961: Fran Tarkenton, QB, Minnesota Vikings

1961: Fran Tarkenton, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Tarkenton was taken in the third round out of Georgia in 1961 and went on to play 18 seasons with the Vikings. The quarterback made nine Pro Bowls and won the MVP in 1975.

 
28 of 30

1958: Ray Nitschke, LB, Green Bay Packers

1958: Ray Nitschke, LB, Green Bay Packers
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Nitschke did his fair share of winning in the NFL, with five NFL championships and two Super Bowls over 15 seasons with the Packers. The Illinois alum was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

 
29 of 30

1957: Tommy McDonald, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

1957: Tommy McDonald, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Bettmann / Getty Images

McDonald was an offensive force in 12 seasons, with 8,410 career receiving yards and 84 touchdowns. He made six Pro Bowls during his Hall of Fame career after playing his college ball at Oklahoma.

 
30 of 30

1952: Yale Lary, DB, Detroit Lions

1952: Yale Lary, DB, Detroit Lions
Bettmann / Getty Images

Lary played 12 seasons with the Lions, making nine Pro Bowls and winning three NFL championships. His career was honored as Hall of Fame worthy in 1979.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.