Top 10 No. 30 overall picks in NFL Draft history
By Mike Luciano
The No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is currently owned by the Baltimore Ravens. After the Ravens were just inches away from making it to the Super Bowl, their efforts from last year have been rewarded with one of the last few picks in the first round.
While some might get a bit pessimistic when it comes to picking this late, as Baltimore will not be able to land one of the top prospects in this class, the later stages of the first round (and early stages of the second round back in the day) has proven to be a very fertile ground for top talent.
These 10 players have all established themselves as tremendous players at the professional level despite 29 other players being taken ahead of them in their respective classes. This list could be updated in a few years if the Ravens or whoever picks here ends up selecting another star.
Top 10 No. 30 picks in NFL Draft history
Honorable Mentions
WR Gordy Soltau, San Francisco 49ers (1950)
TE Dan Ross, Cincinnati Bengals (1979)
WR Darnay Scott, Cincinnati Bengals (1994)
RB Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts (2006)
LB Alec Ogletree, St. Louis Rams (2013)
No. 10: DT Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets (2011)
While injuries and a bad attitude at the end of his career expedited his exit from the NFL, Wilkerson was a force in his prime. Even on some lackluster Jets teams, Wilkerson made two All-Pro teams and was regarded as one of the finest pass-rushing defensive tackles in the sport.
The ex-Temple standout recorded 44.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Jets while chipping in standout play as a run defender. If he managed to stay healthy and focused, New York could have landed a player who remained a defensive cornerstone for the rest of what was a tough decade.
Heath Miller was picked No. 30 in the NFL Draft by the Steelers in 2005
No. 9: TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (2005)
Miller was one of the most consistent offensive forces of the Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh, as he locked down the Steelers' starting tight end job for 11 seasons. Miller made two Pro Bowls and obliterated all the Steelers tight end receiving marks prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh.
Miller, who was drafted from Virginia, was equally adept at crushing defenders as a blocker and giving Big Ben a safety blanket over the middle. The Steelers still have very fond memories of Miller, as they have been unable to replace him in the years since he retired.