With The First Pick
Fansided

Super Bowl LII: Top five players who weren’t first-round NFL Draft picks

By Maxwell Ogden

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up during the New England Patriots practice on February 1, 2018 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The New England Patriots will play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up during the New England Patriots practice on February 1, 2018 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The New England Patriots will play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a catch as he is defended by Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a catch as he is defended by Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Defensive Honorable Mentions

Nigel Bradham, Philadelphia Eagles

  • Nigel Bradham has become a key cog in what’s become a beautiful system in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Bradham after he’d spent the first four years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, but his journey has been about more than simply changing teams. A fourth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, Bradham has gone from being selected at No. 105 overall to being a key player in the Super Bowl. Quite a road to glory.

Patrick Chung, New England Patriots

  • For all that’s changed with the New England Patriots, Patrick Chung continues to stay the same. Selected by New England in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Chung has played all but one of his professional seasons with the Patriots. There hasn’t been much variance, as Chung has established himself as the epitome of consistency.

Vinny Curry, Philadelphia Eagles

  • Vinny Curry was selected at No. 59 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. While he isn’t the traditional edge rusher, he’s a player who manages to make his mark in every phase of the game. He’s excellent against the run, and does a solid job of applying pressure to the quarterback. Throw in the fact that he was willing to be a part of a deep rotation, and Curry’s appeal is clear.

Ronald Darby, Philadelphia Eagles

  • When healthy, Ronald Darby is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL. The former second-round draft pick has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by the fact that he posted three interceptions and nine passes defended in just eight appearances in 2017. Some are skeptical of how legitimate his leap has become, but he’s put together an excellent year that deserves our praise.

Duron Harmon, New England Patriots

  • Duron Harmon has become one of most under-appreciated players in the NFL. Selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Harmon is a ball hawk whom the Patriots have learned to trust. He played 765 snaps for the Patriots in 2017, pulling in four interceptions. He struggles against the run, but in coverage, Harmon is an X-Factor.

Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia Eagles

  • One could make a case that Mychal Kendricks is the one of the top 10 linebackers in the NFL. He excels in run defense, is more than solid in coverage, and has even become a decent option in the pass rush. Kendricks could conceivably crack this list, as he’s the best player amongst the honorable mentions. Instead, he narrowly misses it.
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