NFL draft: Top five team classes of the last five years
These are the five best NFL draft classes — by team — of the past five years (2012-16). (We also covered the five worst classes of the same span.)
5. 2015 Kansas City Chiefs
Notable picks: CB Marcus Peters (Round 1), G Mitch Morse (Round 2), WR Chris Conley (Round 3), CB Steven Nelson (Round 3), LB Ramik Wilson (Round 4), LB D.J. Alexander (Round 5)
The Chiefs selected three players who became regular starters on defense, including one — Peters — who is now among the best at his position in the league. On offense, Morse has started every game he's played in for the Chiefs, and Conley is among the team's top receiving threats.
4. 2016 Dallas Cowboys
Notable picks: RB Ezekiel Elliott (Round 1), LB Jaylon Smith (Round 2), DT Maliek Collins (Round 3), QB Dak Prescott (Round 4), CB Anthony Brown (Round 6)
When starting quarterback Tony Romo was lost to a back injury in the preseason, the Cowboys didn't miss a beat with Prescott at the position. With Elliott in the same backfield, the Cowboys had the NFL's fifth-best offense and second-rated rushing offense (by total yards). Also helping the Cowboys earn a 13-3 record were Collins and Brown, who became contributors on defense. This was an impressive class even without the services of Smith, who is looking to contribute in 2017 after sitting out the 2016 season.
3. 2014 Oakland Raiders
Notable picks: DE Khalil Mack (Round 1), QB Derek Carr (Round 2), G Gabe Jackson (Round 3), DB T.J. Carrie (Round 7)
With Carr as the fulcrum on offense and Mack as the front man on defense, the Raiders ended a run of 13 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance in 2016. Jackson has started all but one game that he's played in during his NFL career.
2. 2012 Indianapolis Colts
Notable picks: QB Andrew Luck (Round 1), TE Coby Fleener (Round 2), TE Dwayne Allen (Round 3), WR T.Y. Hilton (Round 3)
The Colts capitalized on the first draft in the post-Peyton Manning era by getting Luck at No. 1 overall and surrounding the young franchise quarterback with a quality supporting cast. Hilton, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has posted four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
1. 2012 Seattle Seahawks
Notable picks: LB Bruce Irvin (Round 1), LB Bobby Wagner (Round 2), QB Russell Wilson (Round 3), DB Jeremy Lane (Round 6), G J.R. Sweezy (Round 7)
Between 2010 and 2012, the Seahawks used the draft to build a powerhouse roster that carried the team to consecutive Super Bowl appearances and one title. Wagner has been selected to the last three Pro Bowls. Pre-draft questions about his height dropped Wilson to the third round, but he's been the rare case of a mid-round quarterback to emerge as a long-term solution. Lane had an interception of Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLIX.
PHOTOS: No. 1 overall draft picks since 1985
