Here is every player selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the NFL Draft since 2000
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Former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne was one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he wasn’t selected for enshrinement this year.
It’s likely Wayne will one day get that gold jacket. And the way things are going, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is on track to be picked for the Hall of Fame as well.
That may seem like a random pairing of current and former players, but the two share something in common: they were selected with the 30th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Chiefs have that selection in the first round of this year’s draft, which begins Thursday, so even though they will pick late in the night, history shows they could find a potential star.
Unfortunately, history also shows they could select a draft bust. Here’s a closer look at every player who was chosen with the 30th overall pick in the NFL Draft since 2000.
2021: Bills select DL Gregory Rousseau, Miami (Fla.)
Skinny: Appeared in roughly half of the Bills’ games during his rookie season
2020: Dolphins select CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Skinny: Made a pair of starts as a rookie, but was limited in 2021 because of a knee injury
2019: Giants select CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
Skinny: Made 15 starts as a rookie but was waived before second season following arrest for which charges were later dropped. He signed with the Chiefs in November 2020
2018: Vikings select CB Mike Hughes, Central Florida
Skinny: Traded to Chiefs after three seasons with Minnesota. He will play for Lions in 2022
2017: Steelers select OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
Skinny: Three-time All-Pro who tied NFL record with 22 1/2 sacks last season
2016: Panthers select DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Skinny: After four seasons with Carolina, Butler played two years in Buffalo and is now with Raiders
2015: Packers select S Damarious Randall, Arizona State
Skinny: Started five playoff games in first two seasons in Green Bay. Currently a free agent
2014: 49ers select DB Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
Skinny: Has appeared in 100 games with San Francisco, including playoffs, and he was in Super Bowl LIV
2013: Rams select LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia
Skinny: After five seasons with the Rams, he’s played with the Giants, Jets and Bears
2012: 49ers select WR A.J. Jenkins, Illinois
Skinny: Was traded to Chiefs after not having a catch as a rookie. Played two years in KC
2011: Jets select DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
Skinny: Made one Pro Bowl in seven seasons with Jets. Ended career in 2018 with Packers
2010: Lions select RB Jahvid Best, California
Skinny: Rushed for 945 yards in 22 games but his career was cut short by concussions
2009: Titans select WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
Skinny: Played five seasons with Tennessee and three with Rams and once topped 1,000-yards in a year
2008: Jets select TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
Skinny: Made 48 starts in five seasons with New York
2007: Chargers select WR Craig Davis, LSU
Skinny: Made two starts in 25 games over four seasons with San Diego
2006: Colts select RB Joseph Addai, LSU
Skinny: Made one Pro Bowl and helped Indy win a Super Bowl title in his six seasons
2005: Steelers select TE Heath Miller, Virginia
Skinny: Won two Super Bowl rings and was in two Pro Bowls in 11 seasons with Pittsburgh
2004: Lions select RB Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech
Skinny: Rushed for 1,133 yards as a rookie and played four seasons with Detroit and one in Chicago
2003: Chargers select DB Sammy Davis, Texas A&M
Skinny: Played five NFL seasons with San Diego, San Francisco and Tampa Bay
2002: Steelers select G Kendall Simmons, Auburn
Skinny: Was a starter in six seasons with Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowl rings
2001: Colts select WR Reggie Wayne, Miami (Fla.)
Skinny: A six-time Pro Bowler who had 1,070 receptions and 14,345 receiving yards in 14 seasons
2000: Titans select LB Keith Bulluck, Syracuse
Skinny: Played 10 seasons with Tennessee (and one with Giants) and was an All-Pro once
