A look back at the No. 31 overall selections from the last decade

Late last week, we went over the picks at No. 13 in the NFL Draft over the past decade. While many expect the San Francisco 49ers to trade out of pick No. 31, there are plenty of scenarios where the team can stay put and make a selection.

Two Hall of Famers has been selected with the 31st overall pick. Curley Culp from the Broncos inn 1968, and Tommy McDonald of the Eagles in 1957. Here is a look at all of the Pro Bowlers that were selected at No. 31:

Nnamdi, Heyward, Pickens, Heap, Wilson, Frederick, Olsen. All great players during my lifetime.

San Francisco has selected at No. 31 twice. In 2004, WR Rashaun Woods out of Oklahoma State, and in 2017 for LB Reuben Foster.

Here is a list of players selected at No. 31 over the past decade. I’ll reference Pro Bowl appearances and PFF grades to give you an idea about their performances.

2010 - Edge rusher Jerry Hughes, Bills

Hughes had two seasons early in his career where he recorded double-digit sacks, but has not surpassed seven sacks since. Still, a 10-year career in the NFL is nothing to scoff at. Hughes has graded as an above-average player for PFF six of the last seven years.

2011 - Edge rusher Cameron Heyward, Steelers

Heyward has made the Pro Bowl three times and the All-Pro team twice. Heyward has recorded double-digit tackles for loss seasons in five of the last six seasons. Looking at his PFF grades, Heyward has been above 80 in four of the past five seasons.

2012 - RB Doug Martin, Bucs

Martin was an electric running back whose career was shortened due to injury. Martin was a two-time Pro Bowler and also was an All-Pro for a season. He burst onto the scene rushing for over 1400 yards as a rookie, and did so again in 2015. Those were the only two seasons Martin played all 16 games.

2013 - C Travis Frederick, Cowboys

A five-time Pro Bowler with an All-Pro appearance, it didn’t take long for Frederick to be one of the best centers in the league before abruptly retiring this offseason after six years. Before 2019, Frederick’s lowest PFF grade was his rookie year at 85.4.

2014 - CB Bradley Roby, Texans

Roby hasn’t made any All-Pro teams or Pro Bowls, but he’s been solid at worst during his six years in the NFL. He hasn’t registered more than two interceptions in a season, but Roby is a quality starting cornerback and will be around in the NFL for at least a decade.

2015 - LB Stephone Anthony, Saints

Anthony started all 16 games as a rookie and had over 100 tackles. He hasn’t registered more than 50 tackles combined since 2016 thanks to a couple of hamstring injuries and a knee strain. Anthony hasn’t been the same since.

2016 - OL Germain Ifedi, Seahawks

Ifedi showed nothing in college that told you he was a first-round pick, so what did Seattle do? Draft him in the first round. Ifedi’s highest-graded season came in 2019, where he reached 58.8. Well done, Seattle!

2017 - LB Reuben Foster, 49ers

Oh, Reuben. What could have been:

2018 - RB Sony Michel, Patriots

Michel ran for over 900 yards in both seasons in New England but hasn’t offered much in the passing game. I was a huge fan of his coming out and even though he could give you what Saquon Barkley did. That was off, but Michel is in a situation where he’ll be able to produce consistently.

2019 - OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons

McGary isn’t a great argument for the “offensive lineman are safe picks.” He gave up 13 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 23 pressures as a rookie. Yikes. McGary’s PFF grade was 53 overall.