Greatest Draft Steals in Sports History

Tom Brady

Passed over by 198 picks before New England took a flyer on a skinny Michigan backup in the 6th round of 2000. He went on to win seven Super Bowls and become the consensus GOAT quarterback, making him the gold standard for 'draft steal' in any sport.

Sport/League: NFLDraft Year: 2000Round: 6Overall Pick: 199Steal Factor: 10/10

added by IJRin 10 rankings

Mike Piazza

Selected in the 62nd round as a favor to family friend Tommy Lasorda, Piazza was widely seen as a non-prospect. He instead became arguably the greatest hitting catcher ever and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the ultimate baseball long-shot story.

Sport/League: MLBDraft Year: 1988Round: 62Overall Pick: 1,390Steal Factor: 10/10

added by IJRMike Piazza

Nikola Jokic

Drafted 41st overall in 2014 while the broadcast was showing a Taco Bell commercial instead of the pick, Jokic slipped because he was an unathletic-looking Serbian center. He's since won multiple MVPs and an NBA title, becoming one of the greatest second-round finds ever.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 2014Round: 2Overall Pick: 41Steal Factor: 9.5/10

added by IJRin 2 rankings

Albert Pujols

Taken in the 13th round after scouts questioned his age, body type, and defensive home, Pujols fell to pick 402. He erupted into a 700-home-run, three-time MVP career that ranks among the greatest in baseball history.

Sport/League: MLBDraft Year: 1999Round: 13Overall Pick: 402Steal Factor: 9.5/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsAlbert Pujols

Nicklas Lidstrom

A relatively unheralded Swedish defenseman taken in the third round in 1989, Lidstrom developed into 'The Perfect Human,' winning seven Norris Trophies and a Stanley Cup as Detroit's captain. Few third-round picks in any sport have ever matched his sustained dominance.

Sport/League: NHLDraft Year: 1989Round: 3Overall Pick: 53Steal Factor: 9.5/10

added by IJR

Draymond Green

Considered undersized and positionless coming out of Michigan State, Green fell to the second round in 2012. He became the Defensive Player of the Year and the connective tissue of a Warriors dynasty that won four titles, proving box scores don't capture everything.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 2012Round: 2Overall Pick: 35Steal Factor: 9/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsDraymond Green

Manu Ginobili

An Argentine guard who spent years playing in Italy before the Spurs even called him up, Ginobili was a 57th pick many teams never scouted closely. He became a four-time champion and Sixth Man legend, forcing the NBA to rethink international scouting.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 1999Round: 2Overall Pick: 57Steal Factor: 9/10

added by IJR

Pavel Datsyuk

European scouting gaps let the Red Wings snag Datsyuk in the sixth round in 1998. He blossomed into a three-time Selke Trophy winner and one of the most skilled two-way centers of his era, anchoring Detroit's dynasty years.

Sport/League: NHLDraft Year: 1998Round: 6Overall Pick: 171Steal Factor: 9/10

added by IJRPavel Datsyuk

Terrell Davis

A 6th-round pick out of Georgia in 1995 who nearly didn't make Denver's roster, Davis exploded into a Super Bowl MVP and 2,000-yard rusher before injuries cut his career short. His peak remains one of the most productive short windows in NFL history relative to draft slot.

Sport/League: NFLDraft Year: 1995Round: 6Overall Pick: 196Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsTerrell Davis

Rob Gronkowski

Back injuries scared teams off, letting New England grab Gronkowski in the second round of 2010. He redefined the tight end position with historic touchdown totals and three Super Bowl rings, becoming arguably the greatest TE ever drafted outside round one.

Sport/League: NFLDraft Year: 2010Round: 2Overall Pick: 42Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsRob Gronkowski

Isaiah Thomas

The literal last pick of the 2011 draft, 60th overall, Thomas was viewed as too small at 5'9". He became an All-NBA scorer known for 'Fourth Quarter' takeovers in Boston, embodying the ultimate underdog draft story.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 2011Round: 2Overall Pick: 60Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJR

Dennis Rodman

A late bloomer who didn't start organized basketball until his 20s, Rodman went in the second round in 1986. He turned into a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time champion rebounding machine, one of the most unlikely Hall of Fame paths in NBA history.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 1986Round: 2Overall Pick: 27Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsDennis Rodman

Henrik Zetterberg

A seventh-round afterthought in 1999, Zetterberg developed into a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and eventual Red Wings captain. His rise alongside fellow steal Datsyuk helped extend Detroit's scouting reputation for finding gems late.

Sport/League: NHLDraft Year: 1999Round: 7Overall Pick: 210Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJR

Mike Trout

A cold-weather New Jersey prospect often gets overlooked by scouts, and Trout slipped to pick 25 in 2009 despite generational tools. He quickly became the best all-around player of his generation, making every team that passed on him regret it within two years.

Sport/League: MLBDraft Year: 2009Round: 1Overall Pick: 25Steal Factor: 8.5/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsMike Trout

Richard Sherman

A former wide receiver converted late to cornerback at Stanford, Sherman lasted until the fifth round in 2011. He became the vocal leader of Seattle's 'Legion of Boom' secondary and a perennial All-Pro, redefining what a mid-round corner could become.

Sport/League: NFLDraft Year: 2011Round: 5Overall Pick: 154Steal Factor: 8/10

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Julian Edelman

A converted college quarterback with no clear NFL position, Edelman fell to the seventh round in 2009. He carved out a Hall-of-Very-Good career as Tom Brady's most reliable target, capped by a Super Bowl MVP performance.

Sport/League: NFLDraft Year: 2009Round: 7Overall Pick: 232Steal Factor: 8/10

added by IJRJulian Edelman

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A lanky, raw teenager playing in Greece's second division, Antetokounmpo was a mystery prospect few scouts had seen live before 2013. He became a two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP, turning a modest lottery pick into a generational superstar.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 2013Round: 1Overall Pick: 15Steal Factor: 8/10

added by IJRin 6 rankingsGiannis Antetokounmpo

Kobe Bryant

Drafted 13th by Charlotte in 1996 purely to be flipped to the Lakers for veteran Vlade Divac, Bryant became a five-time champion and one of the greatest scorers ever. The trade itself, as much as the pick, is remembered as one of the most lopsided deals in league history.

Sport/League: NBADraft Year: 1996Round: 1Overall Pick: 13Steal Factor: 7.5/10

added by IJRin 10 rankingsKobe Bryant