Finding significant NFL talent in the fourth round has proved difficult over the years, but some players have emerged to become stars. These 25 fourth-round picks from NFL draft history are some of the best players the league has ever seen.
Just three seasons into his NFL career, Jackson is off to a terrific start. The Alabama alum has made the Pro Bowl in consecutive years and was an All-Pro in 2018 with six interceptions and two returned for touchdowns.
Prescott wasn't considered Tony Romo's eventual replacement when he was drafted out of Mississippi State in 2016, but Romo's preseason injury forced that scenario. Since then, Prescott has put together four strong seasons with a 97.0 career passer rating.
Cousins was a curious draft pick by Mike Shanahan and the Redskins in the same year in which they selected quarterback Robert Griffin III in the first round. As it turns out, the Michigan State alum has had a more successful NFL career, with two Pro Bowls in his five seasons as a regular starter. Cousins left Washington for Minnesota as a free agent in 2018.
Atkins has been an elite defensive lineman for most of his career, with eight Pro Bowl appearances in 10 seasons. The Georgia alum has 75.5 career sacks over that time.
Marshall had an extremely productive career after the Broncos selected him out of UCF in 2006. Over 13 seasons, Marshall made six Pro Bowls and surpassed 1,000 yards receiving eight times.
The Broncos hit on multiple fourth-round picks in 2006 with Brandon Marshall and Dumervil. The pass rusher out of Louisville was in the NFL through 2017, with five Pro Bowl appearances and 105.5 career sacks.
Evans was an elite guard during his career, making the Pro Bowl in six straight seasons from 2009-2014. The Bloomsburg University alum was also an All-Pro four times in his 12-year career.
The Chiefs selected Allen out of Idaho State in 2004, and he immediately became a terrific pass rusher with nine sacks in his rookie season. He led the NFL in sacks twice during his 12-year career and made the Pro Bowl five times, four coming as a Viking.
Edwards was regularly among the NFL leaders in tackles during his career, finishing his 13-year career with 1,501 tackles. He made only one Pro Bowl, but the UCLA alum was regularly considered one of the elite inside linebackers in the NFL.
Gannon was drafted out of Delaware by New England to play running back but was traded to Minnesota after refusing the position switch. He struggled to find a regular starting opportunity until the Raiders signed him in 1999, which started a string of four straight Pro Bowls in his mid-30s. During that run, Gannon won the 2002 MVP Award.
Haley won five Super Bowls during his distinguished 13-year career between San Francisco and Dallas. The James Madison alum was a five-time Pro Bowler with 100.5 career sacks and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Reed was the Bills' No. 1 wideout during their AFC domination in the early '90s, and made seven straight Pro Bowls, from 1988-1994. The Kutztown alum was honored with a Hall of Fame induction in 2014.
Bavaro was a tremendous player early in his career, being named an All-Pro in 1986 and 1987. Unfortunately, injuries caught up to the Notre Dame alum as his career progressed, and he retired after the 1994 season following stops in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Andersen is one of the few kickers in NFL history to make the Hall of Fame, and he was worthy of the fourth-round pick by the Saints in 1982 after kicking for Michigan State. He still ranks second in NFL history with 2,544 career points and first all time with 382 games played. Andersen's career concluded after playing 25 seasons.
Often overshadowed by Lawrence Taylor when talking greats of the Giants defense, Carson still had a great career with nine Pro Bowls over 13 seasons. The South Carolina State alum was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
While Largent was drafted by the Oilers out of Tulsa in the fourth round of the 1976 draft, he failed to make the team in his rookie season and was traded to Seattle for an eighth-round pick. The rest is history, as Largent played 14 seasons in Seattle with seven Pro Bowl appearances and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Stallworth was a major part of the Steelers' historic 1974 draft in which they selected four future Hall of Famers. The wideout won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and retired with 8,723 yards receiving and 63 receiving touchdowns. The Alabama A&M alum's Hall of Fame induction came in 2002.
Jackson is now most famous for teaming up with Chris Berman on ESPN's "NFL Primetime," but he had an accomplished 14-year career with the Broncos after he was selected in the fourth round out of Louisville. He made three Pro Bowls for his career.
Branch played his entire 14-year career with the Raiders after a college career at Colorado. He won three Super Bowls with the franchise and made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1974-1977.
Theismann was drafted by the Dolphins in 1971 but failed to sign, instead playing in the CFL until 1974. The former college star at Notre Dame was traded to Washington for a first-round pick and eventually emerged as the team's starting quarterback by 1978. He was the 1983 MVP and made two Pro Bowls during his career.
A fourth-round pick out of Yankton College in South Dakota, Alzado developed a reputation as one of the most intimidating players in the NFL. He was a two-time All-Pro whose career spanned 15 seasons with three different teams.
The Oilers took Joiner out of Grambling State in 1969, but he didn't find most of his NFL success until going to San Diego in 1976. During 11 seasons with the Chargers, Joiner made three Pro Bowls and reached 1,000 yards receiving four times. That success allowed him to be enshrined in Canton in 1996.
Kramer was one of the top offensive linemen of his era after he was drafted out of Idaho. He won five NFL championships with the Packers and was a five-time All-Pro in 11 seasons.
Walker played 15 seasons in Detroit after playing college ball at Idaho. As a linebacker, he made three Pro Bowls and also served as a kicker.
Jurgensen played most of his career in Washington and was a five-time Pro Bowler after the Eagles drafted him from Duke. He was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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