ESPN Past NFL draft gems found in Rounds 2-3

While hitting on your first-round picks is important on draft day, success in the subsequent rounds is vital to building depth and fielding a championship-caliber roster. With Day 2 of the 2016 NFL draft on the horizon, we look at notable draft gems found in the second and third rounds.

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Jack Lambert

Round 2 (No. 46 overall) in 1974, Pittsburgh Steelers

The 1974 draft produced five Hall of Famers, but only Lambert, the ninth linebacker to come off the board, played defense. In Steelers lore, Lambert is revered as the greatest middle linebacker of all time and the Steel Curtain's punishing hitter.

Joe Montana

Round 3 (No. 82 overall) in 1979, San Francisco 49ers

Joe Cool had to sweat it out until the final pick of the third round before his draft card was handed in. Three Super Bowl MVPs, four rings and a bunch of epic rallies ensured he wouldn't wait long for his call to the Hall of Fame.

Mike Singletary

Round 2 (No. 38 overall) in 1981, Chicago Bears

Bears linebacker is one of the most prominent positions in the NFL, and Chicago landed a steal in the second round with this Baylor product. The cornerstone of Buddy Ryan's "46" scheme, Singletary was the model of consistency for the '80s Monsters of the Midway.

Thurman Thomas

Round 2 (No. 40 overall) in 1988, Buffalo Bills

A top prospect coming off a knee injury and a team without a first-rounder proved to be the perfect match in the second round in '88. Thomas' versatility powered Buffalo to four straight Super Bowl berths and made him one of the NFL's most productive RBs.

Brett Favre

Round 2 (No. 33 overall) in 1991, Atlanta Falcons

Before crafting magic on the frozen tundra, Favre was a jorts-wearing, talented QB prospect who watched 32 players go before Atlanta handed in his card. The 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro will upgrade his attire in August with a yellow jacket and a spot in Canton.

Michael Strahan

Round 2 (No. 40 overall) in 1993, New York Giants

With Lawrence Taylor on the roster, Giants fans were probably perplexed at Strahan's selection. But the small-school phenom became the new face of the G-Men's rush, notching the single-season sack mark in '01 and then guiding the '07 team to a historic Super Bowl win.

Larry Allen

Round 2 (No. 46 overall) in 1994, Dallas Cowboys

Allen was the ninth offensive lineman taken in 1994. His 11 Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro nods probably make GMs that passed on him sick. The mammoth Sonoma State product built a Hall of Fame career as a road-grading guard on one of the best O-lines in NFL history.

Terrell Owens

Round 3 (No. 89 overall) in 1996, San Francisco

Owens is best remembered for elaborate TD celebrations and being the divisive force on several teams. But he also compiled the greatest career of any non-first-round WR. His 153 career TDs are third all time while his 15,934 receiving yards rank second.

Drew Brees

Round 2 (No. 32 overall) in 2001, San Diego Chargers

Brees' slide was largely attributed to concerns over his arm strength and height. No one doubts the nine-time Pro Bowler now, as his arm has produced an NFL-best four 5,000-yard passing seasons and he stands tall with a Super Bowl ring.

Jason Witten

Round 3 (No. 69 overall) in 2003, Dallas Cowboys

One of the most prolific and consistent TEs of all time, Witten's selection was instrumental in Dallas' resurgence under Bill Parcells. Witten ranks 10th all time in receptions -- second among TEs -- and his blocking has been invaluable on offense.

Russell Wilson

Round 3 (No. 75 overall) in 2012, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson wasn't one of the four first-round signal-callers in 2012, but he's the only one sporting a ring. Wilson set the NFL record for most wins during a QB's first three seasons, laying the early foundation for a run at the Hall of Fame.

Jarvis Landry

Round 2 (No. 63 overall) in 2014, Miami Dolphins While former LSU teammate Odell Beckham Jr. garners most of the headlines (deservedly so), Landry has quietly strung together a pretty stellar two-year run, setting an NFL record for receptions through his first two seasons with 194 grabs and making his first Pro Bowl.