Which NFL teams have been the most adept at drafting quality players? Glad you asked. This is a breakdown of the teams that have drafted the most Pro Bowl players in the last 10 years (2005-2014).
Keep in mind that the player drafted by one team might have been a Pro Bowl selection for another team.
1. Dallas Cowboys -- 13
Pro Bowl players drafted:Zack Martin (year drafted: 2014), Travis Frederick (2013), Tyron Smith (2011), DeMarco Murray (2011), Dez Bryant (2010), Mike Jenkins (2008), Martellus Bennett (2008), Anthony Spencer (2007), Nick Folk (2007), Jason Hatcher (2006), DeMarcus Ware (2005), Marion Barber (2005), Jay Ratliff (2005).
The skinny: Three members of the Cowboys' current offensive line -- Martin, Frederick and Smith -- were first-round draft selections who became Pro Bowl picks (a fact that might have contributed to rookie La'el Collins declaring this coming season's Dallas offensive line as the "best in history.").
It wasn't until after signing with the Chicago Bears that Bennett became the offensive threat that the Cowboys envisioned when the team used a second-round pick on him in the 2008 draft. In back-to-back drafts, the Cowboys got one of the game's best receivers and one of the game's best running backs. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, the team wasn't able to afford to keep both.
2 (tie). San Francisco 49ers -- 11
Pro Bowl players drafted:Eric Reid (2013), Aldon Smith (2011), Mike Iupati (2010), NaVorro Bowman (2010), Patrick Willis (2007), Joe Staley (2007), Dashon Goldson (2007), Vernon Davis (2006), Michael Robinson (2006), Alex Smith (2005), Frank Gore (2005).
The skinny: The 49ers built a Super Bowl contender through the draft, only to see it dismantled during one of the most bizarre offseasons a team has encountered in recent memory. Willis was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, but -- at 30 years old -- opted to retire from the game while still in the prime of his career. Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in 2005, but it wasn't until 2013 as a member of the Chiefs that he became a Pro Bowl pick.
2 (tie). Kansas City Chiefs -- 11
Pro Bowl players drafted:Dontari Poe (2012), Justin Houston (2011), Eric Berry (2010), Dexter McCluster (2010), Branden Albert (2008), Brandon Flowers (2008), Jamaal Charles (2008), Dwayne Bowe (2007), Tamba Hali (2006), Derrick Johnson (2005), Dustin Colquitt (2005).
The skinny: The Chiefs have ranked in the top five in points allowed on defense the past two seasons, and Pro Bowl talent that the team drafted has contributed to that success. Poe has been a Pro Bowl pick the last two years. Houston -- last season's sack leader -- has been a Pro Bowl pick the last three years. Berry -- a Pro Bowl pick in three of his first four seasons -- has had a promising NFL career put on the back burner due to Hodgkin lymphoma. Johnson was a three-time Pro Bowl pick. Hali has been a Pro Bowl pick the last four seasons.
Bowe's 2010 season (1,162 yards and league-leading 15 touchdowns receiving) warranted a Pro Bowl nod, but a zero-touchdown effort in 2014 -- a season when no Chiefs wide receiver caught a touchdown pass -- made Bowe a cap casualty this offseason.
4 (tie). Houston Texans -- 10
Pro Bowl players drafted:J.J. Watt (2011), Brian Cushing (2009), Connor Barwin (2009), Glover Quin (2009), Duane Brown (2008), Jacoby Jones (2007), Mario Williams (2006), DeMeco Ryans (2006), Owen Daniels (2006), Jerome Mathis (2005).
The skinny: Watt -- a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year -- has been a Pro Bowl selection the last three seasons and has emerged as the most disruptive defensive force the league has seen in some time. The Texans got three future Pro Bowlers in the 2006 draft, a haul that helped the franchise reach the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, which was also the team's first-ever division title season.
4 (tie). Seattle Seahawks -- 10
Pro Bowl players drafted:Bobby Wagner (2012), Russell Wilson (2012), Richard Sherman (2011), Russell Okung (2010), Earl Thomas (2010), Golden Tate (2010), Kam Chancellor (2010), Max Unger (2009), Justin Forsett (2008), Lofa Tatupu (2005).
The skinny: The Seahawks got four players who became Pro Bowl selections from just one draft class -- 2010, which was the best team draft class of the past 10 years. That's the most of any of the teams' draft classes in that timeframe. Forsett became a Pro Bowler but not until last season, his first with the Baltimore Ravens and one in which he rushed for 1,266 yards, a total well above his best with the Seahawks (619 in 2009).
6 (tie). Denver Broncos -- 9
Pro Bowl players drafted:Von Miller (2011), Julius Thomas (2011), Demaryius Thomas (2010), Zane Beadles (2010), Ryan Clady (2008), Jay Cutler (2006), Brandon Marshall (2006), Elvis Dumervil (2006), Chris Myers (2005).
The skinny: Miller and Thomas are each three-time Pro Bowl picks. Marshall and Dumervil were draft bargains in the fourth round in 2006, and have earned multiple Pro Bowl selections apiece. Before going to the Bears and leading the league in interceptions twice, Cutler was a Pro Bowl pick in 2008 after posting a career-high 4,526 yards passing for the Broncos.
6 (tie). Green Bay Packers -- 9
Pro Bowl players drafted:Eddie Lacy (2013), Randall Cobb (2011), B.J. Raji (2009), Clay Matthews (2009), Jordy Nelson (2008), Josh Sitton (2008), Greg Jennings (2006), Aaron Rodgers (2005), Nick Collins (2005).
The skinny: It should be noted that the Packers had three undrafted players -- Sam Shields, Tramon Williams and John Kuhn -- who were also Pro Bowl selections. Three of the nine players the Packers drafted in the last 10 years who became Pro Bowlers were wide receivers. That should come as no surprise because of the rise to excellence of the team's first-round draft pick in 2005. Collins was an emerging talent at safety, getting three consecutive Pro Bowl nods before a neck injury suffered in 2011 prematurely ended his career.
6 (tie). New Orleans Saints -- 9
Pro Bowl players drafted:Cameron Jordan (2011), Mark Ingram (2011), Jimmy Graham (2010), Thomas Morstead (2009), Carl Nicks (2008), Jermon Bushrod (2007), Roman Harper (2006), Jahri Evans (2006), Jammal Brown (2005).
The skinny: Nicks, Bushrod and Evans helped form a formidable offensive line that was a crucial cog in the Saints' championship machine in 2009. Ingram -- a first-round draft choice and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner -- hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, but career highs in yards (964) and touchdowns (9) helped earn him a Pro Bowl nod in 2014.
6 (tie). San Diego Chargers -- 9
Pro Bowl players drafted:Ryan Mathews (2010), Darrell Stuckey (2010), Louis Vasquez (2009), Eric Weddle (2007), Antonio Cromartie (2006), Marcus McNeill (2006), Shawne Merriman (2005), Vincent Jackson (2005), Darren Sproles (2005).
The skinny: Stuckey earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season after originally being named a first alternate for New England Patriots special-teams maven Matthew Slater, who had other obligations. Weddle has become a Pro Bowl regular in recent years. One of Jackson's three Pro Bowl nods came while as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
10 (tie). Chicago Bears -- 8
Pro Bowl players drafted:Kyle Long (2013), Alshon Jeffery (2012), Henry Melton (2009), Johnny Knox (2009), Matt Forte (2008), Greg Olsen (2007), Corey Graham (2007), Devin Hester (2006).
The skinny: During his nine-year career, Hester has been one of the NFL's most dangerous return specialists. Hester was a three-time Pro Bowler while with the Bears, went three seasons without being picked, and then made a Pro Bowl return in 2014 as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Long, meanwhile, has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his two NFL seasons.
10 (tie). Cleveland Browns -- 8
Pro Bowl players drafted:Josh Gordon (2012 supplemental draft), Jordan Cameron (2011), Joe Haden (2010), T.J. Ward (2010), Alex Mack (2009), Joe Thomas (2007), D'Qwell Jackson (2006), Braylon Edwards (2005).
The skinny: Thomas is building a resume that will make him a strong consideration for enshrinement in Canton, earning Pro Bowl spots in each of his eight NFL seasons. Mack scored one of the most memorable touchdowns in Pro Bowl history. The Browns sacrificed a second-round pick in the 2013 draft to get Gordon in the 2012 supplemental draft. He was a Pro Bowl pick after posting a league-leading 1,646 yards receiving in 2013.
10 (tie). Minnesota Vikings -- 8
Pro Bowl players drafted:Cordarrelle Patterson (2013), Matt Kalil (2012), Blair Walsh (2012), Kyle Rudolph (2011), Percy Harvin (2009), Adrian Peterson (2007), Sidney Rice (2007), Chad Greenway (2006).
The skinny: Peterson has been a Pro Bowl selection in six of his eight NFL seasons -- only exceptions are last year and 2011, when he tore his ACL. Rice was a Pro Bowl pick in 2009, thanks in large part to the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre. Rice had career highs in receptions (83), yards (1,312) and touchdowns (8) that season.
10 (tie). New England Patriots -- 8
Pro Bowl players drafted:Devin McCourty (2010), Rob Gronkowski (2010), Jerod Mayo (2008), Matthew Slater (2008), Brandon Meriweather (2007), Stephen Gostkowski (2006), Logan Mankins (2005), Matt Cassel (2005).
The skinny: The Patriots haven't drafted a Pro Bowl player since 2010, but one of those players is Gronkowski, whose game and personality are transcendent. Cassel's Pro Bowl selection came in 2010, when he helped guide the Kansas City Chiefs to the playoffs.
10 (tie). Pittsburgh Steelers -- 8
Pro Bowl players drafted:Le'Veon Bell (2013), Maurkice Pouncey (2010), Emmanuel Sanders (2010), Antonio Brown (2010), Mike Wallace (2009), Lawrence Timmons (2007), LaMarr Woodley (2007), Heath Miller (2005).
The skinny: The Steelers already boast one of the league's most prolific offenses -- thanks in part to the emergence of Bell in the backfield. Imagine how potent the receiving corps currently would be if Sanders, Brown, Wallace and Miller were all on the team together.
Just missed: Cincinnati Bengals -- 7
Pro Bowl players drafted:A.J. Green (2011), Andy Dalton (2011), Jermaine Gresham (2010), Geno Atkins (2010), Kevin Huber (2009), Johnathan Joseph (2006), Andrew Whitworth (2006).
The skinny:Vontaze Burfict was an undrafted rookie free-agent signing by the Bengals following the 2012 draft, and he was a Pro Bowl selection a season later. Green has been a Pro Bowler in each of his four NFL seasons. Joseph has been a two-time Pro Bowl pick, but it wasn't until after he left Cincinnati and signed with the Houston Texans in 2011 that he got to play in the NFL's all-star showcase.
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
