1. Patrick Mahomes
Number one has to be Patrick Mahomes, right? I know that he was a first-round pick and taken in the top-10 but when he was drafted, no one could foresee how good the Texas Tech gunslinger was going to be.
The Chiefs hadn't drafted a first-round quarterback since 1983 when they swung and missed on Todd Blackledge so Chiefs fans were elated when the drought finally stopped. Mahomes hung out on the sidelines during his rookie year, learning from Alex Smith in the process, and we saw how that paid off in a big way.
By the time Mahomes stepped onto the starting scene in 2018, he was ready for the role of a starting quarterback right away. As a first-year starter, Mahomes led the Chiefs to their first AFC Championship Game appearance since the Joe Montana years and they came just shy of reaching their first Super Bowl in 49 years.
That AFC title game appearance marked the first of five straight being held at Arrowhead Stadium and six total appearances. Mahomes has helped lead the Chiefs to four Super Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl championships and has won three Super Bowl MVPs due to playing major roles in all three titles.
A first-round pick might not be viewed as a draft gem in most circles but when looking at the expectations for Mahomes when drafted and what he's accomplished, I'd say he deserves to be listed as a draft gem.