With The First Pick
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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Brandon Brooks #79 of the Philadelphia Eagles enters the field before the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Brandon Brooks #79 of the Philadelphia Eagles enters the field before the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

5. Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia Eagles

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 76 (2012)
Position: Guard
2017 Pro Football Focus Grade: 87.3 (No. 4 amongst guards)

Brandon Brooks was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The former Miami (Ohio) standout was picked after 75 other players, but if 32 franchises could do it over again, he’d be a first-round lock in virtually every draft class imaginable.

Brooks has earned his place as one of the top five players in Super Bowl LII by becoming one of the top five guards in the NFL today.

Brooks allowed just 17 total pressures and zero sacks during what was a dominant showing in 2017. He’s one of the few players who excels against the run and the pass—no matter who’s under center for this ever-changing Eagles team.

Come Super Bowl LII, Brooks will need to continue that sack-less streak if the Eagles are going to have any chance of defeating the favored Patriots.

For as good as he was against pass rushes, Brooks is a force of nature when creating for the run. Regardless of which back is on the field, he does an excellent job of creating holes, getting to the second level, and bouncing outside when he’s pulled backside for zone runs.

Brooks received his first career Pro Bowl selection this season, thus proving that guards can still have star potential in the third round of the NFL Draft.

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