Drew Brees
Without question, the best selection ever at pick 32 was the San Diego Chargers selection of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
Of course, Brees never signed an extension with the Chargers and instead has spent the last 14 seasons with the New Orleans Saints. All he’s done in that time is make the Pro Bowl 12 times, earn a 1st team All-Pro nod, and win a Super Bowl. All told, it’s over 77,000 passing yards and nearly 550 touchdowns for the Canton Bound NFL Legend. Brees will return for his 20th NFL season in 2020.
Lamar Jackson
At the back end of the first round in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens gave up two second round picks and a fourth round pick to acquire the 32nd overall pick from the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
With that selection, they took a flyer on a super-talented, college prospect from Louisville named Lamar Jackson. No one questioned the athletic ability of the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, but some questioned whether he could play quarterback in the NFL.
In two seasons and 22 starts, Jackson has nearly 5,000 yards of total offense, 54 touchdowns and a 2019 NFL MVP Award. It turns out, he can play quarterback in the NFL.
Logan Mankins
In 2005 the New England Patriots used the 32nd overall selection to take a small school guard from Fresno State by the name of Logan Mankins. The college standout proved to be well worth the first round pick.
Mankins anchored the offensive line for Tom Brady and the Patriots for nine years before spending his final two seasons in the league with (ironically perhaps) Tampa Bay. He was a seven time Pro Bowler, a 1st Team All-Pro, and missed only 15 starts in 11 seasons.
Sadly, Mankins may be the unluckiest of all Patriot staples – as he missed the the Patriots Super Bowl XXXIX victory by being drafted three months too late; and he missed the Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory by being traded to Tampa Bay five months too early. Brutal.
Mathias Kiwanuka
The New York Giants used the final pick in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft to take Boston College standout Mathias Kiwanuka.
Kiwanuka would go on to play for the Giants for nine seasons before retiring after the 2014 season. He registered 38.5 career sacks for the team.
This may seem underwhelming in the context of the other three on this list, but any NFL GM will tell you that getting a nine year starter with any draft pick is a solid selection.