The best NFL players drafted in rounds that no longer exist

Antwine was drafted by the Houston Oilers out of Southern Illinois in 1961, but the eighth rounder was immediately traded to the Boston Patriots. The bulky defensive tackle was quite a find, player 12 seasons and being named to six Pro Bowls and one All-Pro designation.

An eighth-round pick out of Miami, Armstread developed from part-time player to All-Pro with the Giants. Over 11 NFL seasons with the Giants and Washington, Armstead was a Pro Bowler five times and All-Pro once with 971 career tackles and 40 sacks.

Blanda had a long and storied career, playing professionally until age 48 in 1975. The 12th round pick by the Bears out of Kentucky won three AFL Championships and was a four-time Pro Bowler with Houston and Oakland, also serving as a placekicker. He also won the 1961 AFL MVP.

Boyd was drafted in the 10th round by the Baltimore Colts in 1960, and rewarded the franchise with nine excellent seasons. The Oklahoma alum was an All-Pro three times and recorded and incredible 57 interceptions for his career.

Brown made an immediate impact for Washington after being drafted in the eighth round out of Kansas State. He made the Pro Bowl in his first four seasons and was the 1972 MVP, leading the league with over 101 rushing yards per game. He also led the NFL with 1,125 rushing yards in 1970.

Pittsburgh got a great return on its investment of a 10th round pick in 1969. Greenwood played his college ball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (formerly Arkansas AM&N) and emerged as a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and four-time Super Bowl champ during Pittsburgh's dynasty of the 1970's. He recorded 11 sacks in 1971 and 1974.

Dent was an eighth-round pick out of Tennessee State in 1983, but emerged as a superstar for the vaunted Bears defense in only his second season. He made the Pro Bowl four times and was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. Dent retired with 137.5 career sacks over 15 seasons in his Hall of Fame career.

The Chargers drafted Green in 1993 out of Indiana, but he never played in a regular season game with the team. After playing in the CFL, Green hopped on with Washington and found 14 starts in 1998. The Rams brought Green aboard in his hometown of St. Louis in 1999, but he tore his knee ligament in the preseason. St. Louis went on to win the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner under center, but Green later found success with the high-powered Chiefs offense from 2001-2006, making two Pro Bowls.

Despite being drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1963, Hill signed a contract with the AFL's New York Jets. He went on to make eight Pro Bowls and win a Super Bowl with New York. The Texas Southern alum finished his career with the Rams, playing 15 seasons total.

The Houston Oilers appropirately selected Houston in the ninth round in 1967 out of Prairie View A&M. He played 14 professional seasons with Houston and Washington, make an amazing 12 Pro Bowls in his Hall of Fame career.

The Browns selected Kelly in the eighth round out of Morgan State. Jim Brown's eventual replacement, Kelly made six consecutive Pro Bowls and led the league in rushing in 1967 and 1968. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

"The Mad Bomber" was drafted by Green Bay (NFL) in the 12th round and Buffalo (AFL) in the 24th round after a successful career at Notre Dame. He opted to sign with the Bills, but his career didn't take off until he was traded to the Raiders four years later. Lamonica was a two-time AFL MVP, leading the league in touchdown passes in both seasons. He also made five Pro Bowls.

Mays opted to sign with the Dallas Texans as a fifth rounder rather than the Vikings, who selected him in the 11th round. The SMU alum was an elite defensive lineman over 10 seasons, making seven Pro Bowls and winning three championships with the Texans/Chiefs franchise.

Several fanbases remember McCardell fondly but none more so than the Jaguars. A 12th round pick by Washington in 1991, the wideout had a prosperous 16-year NFL career making two Pro Bowls and tallying over 1,000 yards receiving five times. He's been a wide receivers coach following his playing days.

Mecklenburg was a great find by Denver in the 12th round out of Minnesota. He made six Pro Bowls in 12 seasons with the Broncos, finishing his career with 79 sacks.

Krause is one of the greatest defensive backs in league history, making eight Pro Bowls over 16 seasons with Washington and Minnesota. His draft status deserves an asterisk, as Krause was drafted in the second round and signed with Washington, but he was also drafted in the 12th round by the AFL's Denver Broncos the same year.

Perkins was a ninth-round pick by the Baltimore Colts in 1960, but later traded to the Cowboys after signing a personal-services contract with the new franchise. Over eight NFL seasons, Perkins made six Pro Bowls and had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage three times.

The Giants selected Maynard in the ninth round out of Texas Southern, but he played only one season before going to the CFL. He was the first player to sign with the New York franchise that would eventually become the Jets and emerged as a star receiver. Maynard made four Pro Bowls and had over 1,000 yards receiving four times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

An eighth-round pick out of Ole Miss, Patton was a terrific safety over 12 seasons with the Giants. He made five consecutive Pro Bowls and had 52 interceptions for his career.

Like Paul Krause, Renfro's late draft status deserves an asterisk as a second-round pick by the Cowboys and 10th round pick by the Raiders. He signed with Dallas, making 10 Pro Bowls in 14 seasons. Renfro finished his Hall of Fame career with 52 interceptions.

Philly selected Simmons in the ninth round out of Western Carolina, only for him to emerge as a top pass rusher. Simmons was a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro and led the league with 19 sacks in 1992. He recorded 121.5 career sacks in a career that also included stops with the Cardinals, Jaguars, Bengals, and Bears.

Drafted by the Cardinals in the 10th round out of Northwestern State in 1963, Smith tallied five consecutive Pro Bowls as an outstanding receiving tight end. Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame, though the most memorable play of his career is a dropped pass with Dallas in Super Bowl XIII.

Staubach was drafted by Dallas in 1964, dropping in the draft due to his commitment to the Navy. He finally took the field five years later, putting together a Hall of Fame career in 11 seasons with six Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl wins. He was also the MVP of Super Bowl VI.

Sweeney was the second overall pick in the 1963 AFL Draft by the Chargers, as well as an eighth-round pick by Cleveland in the NFL after playing college ball at Syracuse. He signed with the Chargers, making nine Pro Bowls and winning one championship in his 13-year career.

Unitas was a ninth-round pick by the Steelers in 1955, but failed to make the team. The Louisville alum didn't get his first real pro opportunity until the following year after signing in Baltimore. The rest is history, as Unitas became one of the best quarterbacks in league history with 10 Pro Bowls, three MVPs, and three championships. His Hall of Fame career lasted 18 seasons.