NFL Draft: Top 5 players selected with compensatory picks

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins acknowledges the crowd after being introduced before the start of the Eagles and New York Giants game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 30, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins acknowledges the crowd after being introduced before the start of the Eagles and New York Giants game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 30, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw the ball during pregame before taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw the ball during pregame before taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Honorable Mention: Matt Hasselbeck

Before the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl with Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and the Legion of Boom, they made it to The Big Game in 2006. Seattle may have lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but reaching the Super Bowl is a feat unto itself.

The starting quarterback for the Seahawks during that unforgettable run was selected with a compensatory selection: Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck pieced together a more than solid professional playing career, remaining active and relevant for a remarkable 17 seasons. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers at No. 187 overall—the very definition of a steal.

Hasselbeck went on to receive three Pro Bowl nods, starting a grand total of 160 regular season games and 11 postseason outings.

Hasselbeck finished his career with 36,638 passing yards and 212 passing touchdowns. Hasselbeck even had a memorable run in his 17th and final NFL season, when he led the Indianapolis Colts to a 5-3 record in eight games of relief for the injured Andrew Luck.

Hasselbeck won five playoff games, started in the Super Bowl, threw for upwards of 36,000 passing yards, and amassed 220 career touchdowns.

Not too shabby for a sixth-round compensatory pick.