While the Detroit Lions haven't been too great at drafting in the late rounds over the past few years, just like every other team in the NFL, they have a few steals that they have found.

For the purposes of this article, we're defining “steals” as anyone who wasn't drafted in the first round. Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson are the two best players to ever put on a Lions uniform, but they were expected to be great because they were drafted in the first three picks of their respective drafts.

Without further ado, here are the best draft steals that can hopefully remind Bob Quinn and Co. that the Lions can indeed find value outside the first round.

5. Darius Slay (Round 2, Pick 36)

While his exit from Detroit was not exactly filled with positivity and left some burning bridges, it's important to remember that some Lions fans saw it as a surprise when their favorite team drafted the Mississippi State Bulldog with pick No. 36.

Even after an impressive high school career in Georgia, Slay would have to go the junior college route before sticking with Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2011 and 2012. While Slay went through a learning process, his first few years in the league, he absolutely came on in the last few years with Detroit.

After seven seasons, three Pro Bowl bids, and one All-Pro nod to go along with 347 total tackles, 104 passes defended and 19 picks, Slay has worked his way into becoming one of the best corners in the NFL and should help the Philadelphia Eagles elevate their defense in a significant way.

4. Charlie Sanders (Round 3, Pick 76)

Most young Lions fans think that Barry is the only great Sanders to play for the Lions, but one tight end who shares his last name ruled the 70s and has since earned a place in the Ford Field “Ring of Honor”.

Sanders was an absolute unit of a tight end for the Lions in the 70’s. His stats don't measure up to what tight ends are doing presently but in his day, he was a dangerous receiver and very effective blocker for the Lions.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and former players and friends alike praise him as one of the better players and people in the NFL’s history.

3. Yale Lary (Round 3, Pick 24)

Drafted in 1952, Lary is probably on the Mt. Rushmore of Lions players, as Detroit took a flyer on Lary in the third round o and there is no doubt he was instrumental in bringing the franchise three NFL championships in the 1950s.

He played on defense and special teams for the Lions as a defensive back and punter. He averaged 45 or more yards a punt six times and had 4 or more interceptions on defense six times. That kind of versatility alone earns him a spot on this list.

On top of that, Lary was also one of the most dangerous kick returners of his era. Lary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

2. Lem Barney (Round 2, Pick 24)

With a late second-round pick in the 1967 draft, the Lions drafted none other than cornerback Lem Barney, who seemed to move at the speed of light.

Infamous for his lighting fast instincts and ball skills, he intercepted ten passes in his rookie season and logged over 56 in his Hall of Fame career.

In 1997, the Detroit Free Press named Barney the best corner in the history of the league, and it wasn't a crazy pick. He was a talented man outside the football field as well, as he was also a singer and famously backed up Marvin Gaye on the Motown Record “What’s Going On”.

1. Joe Schmidt (Round 7, Pick 86)

Not only is Joe Schmidt also on the Mt. Rushmore of Lions players, but he was also voted as one of the top 100 players in NFL history in 2019, and Detroit found him in the seventh round.

One of the greatest linebackers in the history of the NFL, Schmidt played 13 Pro Football Hall of Fame seasons for the Lions from 1953 to 1965. A leader on the Lions defense in their 50's dynasty, he was a two-time NFL champion, with those championships coming in his rookie season in 1953 and a few years later in 1957.

In Schmidt’s illustrious football career, he made 10 straight trips to the Pro Bowl from 1954 to 1963 and was named defensive player of the year twice. He was First-Team All-Pro in all but two of those years. All these accolades is why he is a member of the NFL 1950's All-Decade Team for his elite play in Motor City.