Brees, Favre, Strahan & more: The best second-round picks in NFL history

Gronk is a surefire Hall of Famer after nine brilliant seasons in the NFL. He was a four-time All-Pro with four 1,000 yard seasons and was also acclaimed for his blocking ability. The gregarious tight end surprisingly hung up his cleats after winning his third Super Bowl with the Pats in 2018.

Brees fell to 32nd overall in the 2001 draft after a great college career at Purdue. While he struggled early in his career with San Diego, Brees eventually had a breakout year in 2004. He left for New Orleans in 2006 after the Chargers drafted Philip Rivers, and he has since put together a Hall of Fame resume. He's led the NFL in completion rate six times, passing yards seven times and passing touchdowns four times and has 13 Pro Bowl appearances.

Dawkins was the heart and soul of the Eagles defense during his 13 seasons with the team, making seven Pro Bowls in Philly and two more after leaving for Denver. The 61st pick in the 1996 draft out of Clemson, Dawkins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mawae played in Seattle for four seasons after he was drafted out of LSU, but he didn't get many accolades until he left for the Jets. He made six consecutive Pro Bowls in New York and added two more over his final two seasons with Tennessee. After his 16-year career with three teams, Mawae was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bruce was a steal as the 33rd overall pick in 1994, showing an immediate breakout in 1995 when the Rams moved to St. Louis. He had a whopping 1,781 yards receiving in that season and reached 1,000 yards seven more times in his career. The Rams No. 1 wideout played 16 seasons after his college career at Memphis and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

One of the strongest offensive linemen to ever take the field, Allen had an incredible NFL career after he was selected in the second round out of Sonoma State. He made 11 Pro Bowls in 14 seasons and became a Hall of Famer in 2013.

Now inescapable as a TV personality, Strahan had a Hall of Fame career over 15 NFL seasons in New York. The Texas Southern alum was the 2001 Defensive Player of the Year and made seven Pro Bowls with 141.5 career sacks.

Watters was the X-factor on many elite offenses in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Seattle during his 10-year career. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and rushed for more than 1,000 yards seven times. Watters was selected 45th overall in 1991 out of Notre Dame.

Favre was drafted by Atlanta 33rd overall in 1991, only to be traded to Green Bay one year later. The rest is history, as Favre won three MVPs, made 11 Pro owls, and remains fourth all time in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

The anchor of the Steelers offense in the '90s, Dawson was named All-Pro at center in six consecutive seasons, from 1993-1998. The Kentucky alum was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Thomas was an elite running back for most of his career in Buffalo and made five straight Pro Bowls, from 1989-1993.  He had a streak of eight straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons and won Offensive Player of the Year in 1991. Thomas got a statue in Canton in 2007.

The Bengals couldn't have asked for much more from their 1984 second-round pick out of Maryland, as Esiason won an MVP and made the Pro Bowl three times in nine seasons with Cincy. He left for the Jets in 1993 before a stop in Arizona, and then he finished his career with the Bengals in 1997.

Tippett played his entire NFL career in New England after he was drafted in the second round out of Iowa. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame after five Pro Bowl appearances, recording 100 sacks for his career.

The Saints took Jackson in the second round out of Pitt in 1981, and he turned into an excellent pass rusher soon after. He tallied 128 sacks in 15 seasons with the Saints and 49ers, making the Hall of Fame.

The Raiders found an eventual Hall of Famer when they selected Long in the second round out of Villanova in 1981. Long spent his entire 13-year career with the Raiders, recording 84 sacks and making eight Pro Bowls.

A key cog in Chicago's dominant '80s defenses, Singletary was a second-round pick in 1981 out of Baylor. He earned Hall of Fame honors with two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and seven All-Pro designations in 12 seasons.

Stephenson played eight outstanding seasons for the Dolphins after he was drafted from Alabama, making five Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Steelers found Lambert at Kent State in their historic 1974 draft and made him an anchor of their defense for 11 years. The Hall of Fame linebacker made nine straight Pro Bowls, from 1975-1983.

Ham was drafted out of nearby Penn State to become an elite linebacker in Pittsburgh's four Super Bowls of the 1970s. He made eight Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro six times over 12 seasons.

Dierdorf spent all 13 seasons of his career in St. Louis, making six Pro Bowls and being named All-Pro three times. The Michigan alum later went on to become an NFL and college football broadcaster.

Baltimore selected Hendricks out of Miami in 1969, and his long and productive career included eight Pro Bowl appearances for three different teams. Hendricks get his bust in Canton in 1990.

Stabler was a great value for the Raiders out of Alabama, though it took him until 1973 before he got the starting job in Oakland. He made four Pro Bowls during his 15-year career and was the 1974 MVP with a league-leading 26 touchdown passes.

Barney was an elite defensive back for his 11 seasons with Detroit, making seven Pro Bowls and winning the 1967 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The Jackson State alum became a Hall of Famer in 1992.

Taken out of Morgan State in 1967, Lanier won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs and made eight Pro Bowls in 11 seasons. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1986.

Biletnikoff spent his entire career with the Raiders, finishing with nearly 9,000 yards receiving over 14 seasons. The Florida State alum made six Pro Bowls in his Hall of Fame career.

Krause's 16-year career started with a bang, as the Iowa alum made a league-high 12 interceptions in his rookie season. He was never able to top that total, but the Iowa alum still had 81 picks for his career between Washington and Minnesota, along with eight Pro Bowl appearances.

Renfro had an eye for the ball, with 52 interceptions in his 14-year career. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons out of Oregon, and he remained with the Cowboys for his entire career.

Taylor had his fair share of success after being drafted out of LSU, winning four NFL championships and one Super Bowl in 10 seasons with the Packers. He made five Pro Bowls and won the MVP in 1962, rushing for 1,474 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Gregg's career was disrupted by military service, but the Hall of Famer had quite the career with five NFL championships, three Super Bowls and nine Pro Bowl appearances. The SMU alum earned Hall of Fame honors in 1977.